New Sofas
We left our tired, well-used sofas on the street as we packed up our house in New York. Which means we now have very little to sit on and are in couch shopping mode. Here are four I'm considering:
1) The Florence Knoll Sofa in fabric by NJModern pictured at top.
2) The Bucktown Sofa by Chiasso.
3) The Bantam Sofa by DWR.
4) The Abby Sofa by Chiasso.
These are all between $1100 and $1800 — about what I expect to pay for a good quality sofa in not-extravagant fabric. For a total bargain, there's also this simple silhouette:
The Buse Sofa from JC Penney. More of an over-stuffed feel than I'm looking for, but you can't beat the price: on sale for $499.
Thoughts?
Labels: home
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Thursday, May 14, 2009
96 Comments:
The Abby, for sure. I really like the idea of the Knoll piece, but that 3rd center leg throws me everytime.
These look like a LOT like the Corona from Macy's. It's got great reviews on AT and is cheaper.
I like #2 or the Buse sofa because 1. they look alike, 2. one of them is under $500!!, and 3. they look like they have the greatest number of removable covers to put in the wash to make cleaning easier. Good luck deciding, they're all worthy!
I would go with the Knoll because it has 3 duplicate cushions that can be switched/rotated around which is a great option when your kids/husband always seems to sit on one side or the other.
The other three couches you could only flip one cushiion and the wear may show sooner.
LOVE the jcPenny one surprizingly enough!
it looks family friendly and timeless...
The J.C. Penney one! Comfy is good! For the others - the very long cushions start to look funny once the couch is being used. Second choice would be the Florence Knoll.
I would also go with Knoll. I have a sofa from Ikea that has only one bottom cushion and now it is all distorted looking and moves everytime someone sits down or stands up. Plus the Knoll is so beautiful! Good luck in your decision! :)
I like the Bucktown the best but have you considered any for Room & Board (perhaps the Andre)? With a location in Denver the shipping is quite affordable.
Oh how do you choose?! I love every single one!
Loving all the source suggestions. Just checked out Macy's and Room & Board.
Heather. That is exactly how I feel. : )
You're in Colorado so you need to go to Cherry Creek to Room and Board. Immediately. I promise you will find something you love for a good value.
we too are couch shopping. i never thought of checking out jcpenny's... i think we may just pay them a visit!
I like number 1 and number 4.
I like the 1st one.
Check out Macy's Furniture. I remember seeing similar pieces there.
i definitely like the first one!
I am surprised by my favorite, the JC Penny sofa. The others do not look comfortable.
Like the Bucktown... classic modern and would look lovely with some eclectic pillows
i love the knoll one. 3 cushions is the way to go for a sofa, imo. with 2 cushions, someone ends up with their back in the crack and it's not comfortable. also, three is easier to rotate and make it have even wear.
Love #3 because of the one long cushion. I hate getting stuck sitting in the cracks.
When thinking of new couches, I think of a couch that doesn't have high legs. I hate having to get down on my stomach with a broom to fish out lost cars and balls. So the next couch I get- no legs whatsoever.
We have the Bantam DWR sofa and love it. Very cool-looking and durable. We get lots of positive comments about it.
Go to a DWR store (there must be one in Denver!) and try it out. We went to our local store several times and plunked ourselves down on it...that's what sold us.
I love #1 or #2. I bought ones with a similar look and absolutely love them! The sit test may help you decide too.
I like the Bucktown the best. As someone who recently looked at every sofa on the planet, I wouldn't get the JCPenney's one. If you can afford it, get one you'll love with classic lines that will last through style changes.
I ended up with the Arlington sofa from Pottery Barn. I actually didn't originally find it at Pottery Barn, but was looking at the Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams site and thought, "That's my sofa!" and the only place distributed close to me was Pottery Barn. Anyway, good luck!
I love the Bantam
We have two couches from Macy's and love them. They are a good compromise between kid-friendly, comfortable and beautiful design. We have the Macys Sausalito: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=311347&CategoryID=35392
We love it and it looks a lot like your top picks combined with the Penney's couch.
Good luck. Buying new furniture is so much fun.
I love the pieces with one cushion! The thought of not sitting in the crack sounds so appealing to me right now.
We bought our basement couch from "Pennys" and it's actually been great. It's fairly modern an a sleeper to boot! But I do think you have to beware of overly cushy sofas if you think they'll get a lot of wear. They tend to get a little droopy in the centre from all of the sitting. That said - there's nothing more comfortable than sinking into a marshmallow of a couch - so I'm always a bit torn.
HM. I like them all but I like the first two the best, I think.
I love the bucktown sofa. Great options, though! I would scrap the idea of the JC Penney sofa. I bought a sofa I didn't love when I got my first house because it was cheap, but it wasn't really my style at all, so one of two things was always true: 1)It looked out of place, or 2)I had to change the look of the room to fit the sofa. No good.
Number 2 Bucktown sofa for sure!
perfect! not that it is easy to choose, but this one has it all. Looks comfortable enough for fun, quality family time but also with a pinch of modern that makes it a great balance.
I love it! I wish i could be shopping for this sofa :) Good luck with your choice. Not easy. But for sure no matter what, you are choosing so great!
I like the second one best, but the JC Penney one would look better/less stuffed without the two extra pillows on the sides.
the buttons on the butt-cushion are a NO-GO...I think that's the one we have, the buttons snag on pants pockets, not comfortable to sleep on, etc. LAME! I would get the ones with the buttons onthe back-cushion and the flat butt-cushion.
I like the Chiasso best, but if I were you I would go sit on some. I made the mistake of buying a sofa once based on a catalog picture, & we hated the sofa from day 1. I looked nice, but it was so uncomfortable!!
Abby... definitely. GREAT choice!
I have sofas that are very similar to the JC Penney one you are considering and I love them. They are comfy, which is great for reading together or snuggling a child who doesn't feel well.
I like the color of the Bantam best. The one from JC Pennys looks the comfy-est for sure though. Ouick question: For my b-day my husband gave me a credit card with 300 dollars on it to go shopping for clothes. I totally want to see how many cute things(bargin shopper) I can get and went off to TJ Maxx and was bummed when I left with nothing. In 4 hours I spent $19.98! Pathetic! Where would you suggest I go?? I want nice things but not just 3 things ya know?
Have you looked into Room and Board at all? I really like the Andre, Clarke and Jasper sofas and all look sort of similar to the ones you posted.
The Candace and Burke on their sale page are nice too.
those are all fantastic. on a side note, have you ever looked through the occasional chairs on Target.com? i've never seen any in person, but they have adorable prints and very chic modern shapes. nice prices :)
I'm a fan of the overstuffed look - especially with the kids. It just looks more comfy - and I'm all about comfort!! They all look like fabulous couches though. No matter which route you go, I'm sure you'll make it look great!
Check out the "Petrie" over at Crate and Barrel. It has as that great tufted thing going on too!
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=931&f=6643
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What, no Room and Board sofas? Def check these out before you go to DWR...
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19071
ed
You definitely need to take trip to Cherry Creek and visit DWR, West Elm, Room & Board, One Home (if it's still there) and Crate & Barrel (Petrie Sofa.)
Then there is also Mod Livin' which has vintage and new on East Colfax Av.
My husband complains about his back hurting every night after sitting on our vintage sofa akin to the Bantam, so I highly recommend "butts on," in person testing.
You should check out Macy's furniture. They have some very similar styles for under $1000! http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=35365&AdID=505380&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=29391&PageID=151894927051570&cm_re=55.1.14-_-FURNITURESUBADS-_-ADVERTISEMENT%20--%20505380%20--%2035365%3ASofas%20%26%20Sectionals
we have this one from crate and barrel:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=931&f=6643
, similar to the ones you listed and it comes in a ton of different colors. we really like it. easy to clean too
I own the bucktown, and we specifically went with that couch because of the length. We have the longest version, which is over 7 feet long, because my husband is 6 foot 5. I loved it, and it was our first real furniture splurge as a married couple.
However, 2 cats, 1 dog and 1 toddler later, I really really regret the purchase. The fabric, while beautiful, is some bizarre blend that just absolutely does not handle staining of any kind. Even water. If I sit on the couch with wet hair after a shower it will leave a permanent water mark!
After my cat peed on the couch when I was 7 months pregnant I had to have the entire thing disassembled by a tailor (because of the buttons), washed, and repadded, then reassembled. And the stain didn't really come out completely. Ugh.
I really do love the look of the couch, and my god it is SO comfortable. But it's just so annoying. It looks dirty all the time and I have been known to sit and dry the water stains with a hand held blow dryer, so as not to leave a permanent mark. Is it normal for a person to sit for 30 minutes at a time with a blow dryer held up to a couch because her wet hair touched it? Of course not! (please try to imagine the looks I get from my husband)
Maybe they've changed the fabric options, maybe fabric guard is now an option, but damn for the money I wish I had really known what the heck I was buying.
No Shame in checking out JCP.com. I just scored a deal on a huge bookcase-storage-tv stand for my den. And I swear it is the same one from Potterybarn.
You may not care about this - but the Florence Knoll sofa is a knock-off. They have a real one at hive modern http://hivemodern.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=1164
I don't think I'd recommend it for a family - it is pretty stiff and sits very upright - not good for cuddling with the babes.
Several years ago we were lookig for a very similar sofa, and even considered one of your current choices. We finally opted for one from Room & Board in a mossy velvet fabric. http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19071&category=rm_living_spaces&subcategory=sofa
good luck. -jennifer
#2 & #3 - they feel modern / warm / inviting. 1 & 4 are very cool - but the lines are a tad too harsh for *me*. :-)
As I looked at each sofa, I tried to picture my 3 children sitting on it, reading stories.
Oh I hope you read this...I was going to blog about this soon...
So I found a company out of California that makes pretty much all the same sofa's you just posted (or at least some are the same) for a fraction of the cost. Here is the link:
http://www.sofastablesandmore.com/sofascustom.html
The downside is that they're a small operation and you can't just order off the website, BUT you can call and talk to Vanessa (which I did, she's delightful and really helpful) and custom order a sofa including fabric, size etc. She'll even send you a picasa link of their portfolio. It's really impressive and most of the sofa's are under a grand.
Good luck!
Just want to warn you that tufted bottom cushions and children aren't the friendliest combination - it's really a nightmare to clean if there is any kind of accident (and believe me I know - my son has somehow managed to puke on our tufted couch more than once!). Also a big catch-all for crumbs.
I like the one from JcPenny's because the arms look low and soft. I would check to see how it was made first though. You wouldn't want to get it and have the wood break early in it's life.
The top four are cute, but are they comfortable? They look a little lean. Is the one from JCP a nice marriage of fashion and function?
first! have you considered a modern sectional?
I like the bucktown and bantam best, they are modern but still soft and warm because of the wooden legs. The metal legs are too industrial and cold.
the first! (Ha, I don't know you but I love your blog.. and that's the sofa I would buy)
The Bantam has the cleanest look.
The abby for the living room and the jcp sofa for where the kids watch tv (or the kitchen if you have room -- I love a kitchen with a sofa). Both for under $1700.
the abby!
lovesacs
The Bantam... what beautiful legs!
For sure, the #2 Bucktown sofa. Love it.
I like the second one. It's a bit contemporary, a bit traditional. The others are a bit too modern for my taste.
I love the Abby sofa, but the bargain hunter in me says to take the $499 deal.
ooh,, I like the abby sofa, but I'm not uber-crazy about the thin metal legs.
All would be gorgeous, good luck!
I like the Bucktown...also the suggestion to check out Room and Board is great advice. we have 2 sofas, and 2 chairs and a buffet from them. We love their furniture. I think the legs on the Abby make the sofa look awkward. Just my 2 cents :)
I have been eyeballing sofas as well. I really, really want an awesome sofa, but having kids...I just don't know what to choose. I want something that looks great, but not easily destroyed. I would love to know what other people do.
And honestly, I can pretty much control my kids, but it's other people's kids that come over and go crazy...
We have and love the Bantam. It's very comfortable and we get lots of compliments on it. We have had it for about two years and it is holding up really well.
I say, go Bucktown. It combines the modern asthetic elements with some desired comfort.
Slightly more "stuffed" than the other 3 but not as "stuffed" as the Bruse. The perfect in-betweeny. (My husband would say go for the Bruse...he thinks comfort and price all the way! Plus, with 5 kids...he may have a point.)
Can't wait to hear which one you choose.
I like the grey color. Nice and neutral and yet it's a lovely shade to look at and it hides dirt well, I bet. Fewer upholstery buttons means less to replace when kids pry them off or accidentally get caught on them. The couch I've got now has upholstery buttons on the seat panel and I find that my hair catches on them occasionally when I sit down or adjust my position.
Grey, one row of buttons versus two. Otherwise, good choices.
I'd go with the Bucktown - but since so many people are saying that having one cushion is not very good as far as wear and tear go, I'd still buy it, and just get a stack of floor cushions for my kids to sit on. I'm a sucker for looks over function.
Don't get the JCPenney sofa. I have bought a few pieces from them and was a bit disappointed. I use them and they are holding up but they didn't *shine*. I like #2.
We have a sofa with arms similar to the JCP one. They are the perfect height for resting your arm on when watching a movie, reading a book, nursing a baby or what have you.
I agree with one of the previous comments that the JCP sofa would probably look a lot less overstuffed without the two side cushions.
Love the Abby Sofa!!! Great Choices!
The Bucktown seems the most timeless and comfy, too.
Although I love the look of the brown sofa and it's not the color -it's the style - love the back and love the feet! Any sofa with only one long cushion to sit on won't wear near as well as multiple cushions. Even two seat cushions get worked far sooner than 3 cushions and that poor middle person is split in half.
I'm not just some schmoe - I'm an interior designer and home stager.
I distinctly remember in a class where a now custom furniture bulder came to speak. He had worked both at a mid range furniture store and an extremely high end furniture store before he went out on his own and amongst all the knowledge he gave us on good, better, best qualities/building methods of sofas was that advice on seat cushions. Even though a single long cushion can be a sleek look - they wear terribly.
Can't get excited about the JC Penney sofa unless it's going in a play room for the kids that isn't seen by most guests. It looks tired already (especially seeing the other snappy considerations).
Love the Bantam by DWR, have gone and sat in it several times and may order this when we go to replace our current couch. Have a similar couch from Crate&Barrel, have you seen their Petrie sofa? Also, to be aware the Bantam is only 73" long. The majority of couches are 80+ inches long. We live in a tiny space so the 70+" couches work best for us. At both C&B and DWR I have experienced excellent customer service.
i assume you are sitting on them to test them first hand. i would never buy a piece like that without having tested it to my own body.
i love tight clean lines of the modern sofa and the Knoll one is a design classic. is it comfy? can someone take a nap on it? big consideration for me!
can't wait to see what you choose.
I vote for the Knoll!
I swear to you this is THE MOST comfortable sofa you will sit on in your entire life!!! It is MUCH sleeker looking than in the pictures.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=251084&CategoryID=35377&LinkLoc=29391&LinkType=SiteAd&AdID=505380
And it looks great too, the pictures really don't do it justice! My parents bought this with a chair/ottoman 2 years ago and they're still in pristine condition after being thoroughly enjoyed! We made many trips to macy's to "test" it out and after looking at every possible option in DC she always went back to this one.
we got a great looking couch. It's low it's small and super nice. It's perfect for our toddler. Someone broke up with her boyfriend, was in a rush to move out, and asked us if we wanted it. We said yes and we love it. A month later we found out it was all leather. Maybe you'll score something like that too. good luck.
That bucktown one is cool. The arms might be a little high to comfortably lie against (a pet peeve of mine) but it wouldn't take much of a pillow to address.
I got a great knock-off/DWR look alike at Macys. It starts with a c...the name is escaping me but it's super comfortable and a great price point- on sale for $650.
You'll know it when you see it...it's identical to the ones you posted about!
I got a great knock-off/DWR look alike at Macys. It starts with a c...the name is escaping me but it's super comfortable and a great price point- on sale for $650.
You'll know it when you see it...it's identical to the ones you posted about!
I just bought the one from JC Penney's and I LOVE IT! Totally comfortable!
Gabby,
In my experience with a couch that will be sat on by lots of kids, the most important element is the durability of the fabric. No matter how stylish a couch is, food stains and sharpie doodles will spoil the magic so get one that is somewhat stain proof. Ours is covered with microsuade (Room & Board) and though it certainly doesn't look new anymore, I've managed to remove all of the sharpie "drawings".
I have learned from experience to never buy a sofa with removable back cushions. They end up getting misshapen and ugly with time.
#1 Knoll is the most versatile and has the most class, I think. you must tell us what you end up with!
knoll
The JC Penney one for sure. The others seem kind of cold.
You have to pick what you like!!! But, for my family it would be the one from good old JcPenny's for a couple of reasons. First is the price~I have a house full of boys and as careful as they try to be~~there always seems to be a spill or a stain!! I could see getting the less expensive sofa now and in a few years~~upgrading to something more expensive/chic. Second, our family loves to snuggle down on the sofa and watch movies, read books, tell stories. I can see the JCP sofa being more family friendly in that respect. No matter what you get~~happy shopping!
Love the Bantam! If you're looking for a bargain version, the Corona at Macy's is very similar. I almost bought it as my first couch when my bf and I moved in together, but he said it was something his grandma would have in her house and not "cushy" enough :) Boys just don't get it.
The Knoll ~absolutely. It's a classic. You know it will have good bones.
i personally like the Buse sofa from JCPenney
I like number 2 and 4!
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