Updated 8.7.19

The below article about the Howard Keith sofa (originally published in 2016) has resulted in us receiving a great deal of enquiries from people looking for Howard Keith Diplomat and Barbican sofas, and from people who have them to sell. We now therefore act as an agent matching Howard Keith sofa and chair sellers with eager buyers!

The Diplomat sofa is full of drama. Some call it a sofa, some call is a settee and some a couch but whichever way you look at it, it is ‘statement seating’!

Designed by John Home in 1970 for HK Furniture Ltd (Howard Keith), London, the originals have a wooden frame, foam upholstery with textile, often plush covers and usually with chromed cylindrical metal legs. They come in different fabric coverings such as the zebra style pattern, the ‘zig-zag’ or in stripes, and sometimes in a plain fabric.

The HK Diplomat was quickly considered a classic sofa design and was sold by retailers such as Harrods. The sofa was included in a Classics exhibition at Heal & Son Ltd.’s London store as early as 1981. Their low, modernist sleek lines and deep-set seating make them a well sought after piece. They were famously owned by Princess Anne as well as Lord Edward Davenport.

In the same family of designs is the Howard Keith Barbican sofa system which was originally available as the stand alone sofa and armchair of various sizes, and a modular system allowing a number of different corner sofa configurations.

An HK Barbican settee was featured (in the now famous striped fabric) in Elton John’s private jet in Rocketman.

HK Designs also provided furniture for the QE2, Marlborough House, The Royal Train during the Queen’s jubilee year, the States of Jersey Parliament, the Stock Exchange Boardroom, BP’s Headquarters and supplies leather seating for the Portcullis House, new parliament building at Westminster.

Dimensions of a Howard Keith Diplomat are Width 260-263cm, Depth 105-108cm. Height 60-67cm

If you have an HK to sell, no matter what the condition please get in touch letting us know your location – and please send photos – we have many people on our books looking for them.

If you’re looking for one to buy get in touch if you want to be notified when one comes onto our books.

See our Howard Keith sofas and chairs for sale and others we have found homes for here>

“I own and manage photographic location properties and am always updating furniture with interesting one off pieces. Paula has been fantastic, sourcing pieces for me, And I have bought , I think it’s 4 now Howard Keith Diplomat sofas. Paula is 100% reliable, communication is brilliant and I’ve been really happy with all of my sofas. They are great investment pieces. Also easy to refurbish, should they need it, the arms just unbolt.“
Sian, Owner and Manager of photographic location properties.

“I’d been searching for a Howard Keith Diplomat Sofa in Zebra print for years, we’d had one when I was growing up. Not only did Paula find my needle in the haystack, she was professional and went the extra mile working through the weekend to help me seal the deal. It was a pleasure dealing with her and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.’
Shan, London

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THIS BELOW SOFA IS NOW SOLD.
This totally rock n’ roll 1970s sofa, which wouldn’t be out of place in American Hustle or The Nice Guys, is for sale from an F&F reader. She needs to find a new home for it asap due to new furniture arriving.

Howard Keith Diplomat Sofa.
Original Zebra print velour.
In good condition for its age – all intact, no marks or staining.
Arm rests not completely square (from people perching on the arms) but this is not obvious.
Dimensions: H62cm x L256cm x D100cm.
Price: OPEN TO ANY OFFER WHATSOEVER! (as our client needs to make room for new furniture asap).
Available for collection from Herts (12 minutes from Brent Cross).
Provenance: Bought directly from Howard Keith (HK) by the owners in laws.

Please email us or comment below if interested.