The big, round thingy in the Old House was, in its stiff way, the giant group bean bag chair of its day. Not really, but it was, and is, called a pouf. Sometimes it is spelled "poof," same diff. The idea of it being suited to a hotel lobby is an apt one- the piece is designed to seat several people, perhaps waiting people, and does not seem as prone to friendly conversational use as for general resting, reading, etc. The three-seater in the Collinwood drawing room was, however, designed for conversation and intimate tete-a-tete. They were also made for two, for couple fun! The fancy red sofa in the drawing room is a type of Davenport sofa of the era.
There is an amazing greenish colored chair that shows up at the Old House more prominently, at a later date. I don't know what it is called, but the darned thing has a back that envelops the user most completely! It almost looks like a dome! Reminds me of the old "stereo chair" of the 1960's, with a classier, victorian feel.
petofi