http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=6722

A little bit softer, but still modern, to contrast with all that hard-edged furniture.

I agree with carlene. That sofa is also more substantial visually, which will be a nice piece to anchor the open bookshelves and the rest of the furniture, which is quite airy.

I'd also like to know what kind of flooring the room has and whether there'll be a nice area rug.

I was going to suggest the Bantam too, or that you go to Broadway Antique Mart and look for something there.

I think both of these are great (I might prefer the Archer of the two), but having lived with an armless sofa, I can say that it can get a little old - hard for guests to really relax with their hands in their laps, and less fun to recline and nap!

Have you looked at Room and Board's Kipling or Lenox?

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4197414&cat=47

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=378530&cat=47

Both are still very streamlined, but have at least a little arm, and I think the room might come together even better with something *slightly* more "traditional" to complement all of the other smooth surfaces and simple lines in the room.

Be sure to send us a picture of the room as it comes together!

thanks everyone for the great comments so far!

the floor is hardwood -- probably about the color of white oak, maybe a bit darker. i definitely want to get some sort of area rug, but was waiting until the sofa was settled to think about that more. i was considering a simple solid rug to try to bring in a bit of color, or perhaps flor tiling (though i have yet to see any in person).

the bantam was on the short list for a long time... recently, i was leaning away from it because i thought the color was a bit drab (i was considering the sage), but maybe i will reconsider after hearing these responses.

the lenox was also on the short list for a while. i liked the look, but wasn't completely sure about how comfortable it i was. i will go check it out again, along with the bantam.

if the sofa is going to be actively used, you really want to make sure it's comfortable. i would at least confirm for yourself dwr's description of the eames as 'luxuriously comfortable'; go sit on both, since you can do that in chicago. i actually like the lines of the archer more. there, i'd only be worried about indentations forming along a solid bench bottom. and be certain you're Ok with armless. they look cool, but can also be impractical.

what about the R&B "Jasper"?

The "Kipling" is my choice - I also want a small arm for comfort...

I just got the Lenox, and I find it quite comfortable for both sitting and lounging. Definitely not sink-into-the-cushions luxurious, but judging from the other options you've identified, that doesn't seem to be what you're going for here. And it's hard to beat the price!

One bit of advice: go to the showroom and check out the fabric samples to be sure you're getting the color you want. I ended up going with the charcoal after finding that "cement" was a bit lighter in person than it looked on my screen.

modernica has/had a split rail (parallel bar) settee/loveseat with arms at 67 or 74 inches with a wood frame or chrome, similar to this vintage one :
http://www.thegreenant.com/detail.php?id=4

Since all the other pieces have such visual personality, I'd just go with any clean-lined, squared off "regular" upholstered sofa, with a padded "apron" (not a skirt) and something with little or no leg showing.

Don't get too many legs going on in one place.

we recently bought the Klein from room and board and we LOVE it. it is crazy comfortable and comes in three sizes, two of which fit your length limitations (70" or 80"). the only problem is that it's 41" deep. but i do seriously recommend it. it's understated which i think gives the room a more mature feel rather than a staged feel, and it feels like the sort of thing that will last for a long time. another plus: the arms are wide and flat enough to hold a drink or small plate. here's the link: http://roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=860507&coll=378419&cat=27

btw, we had an armless sofa prior to this one but had to get rid of it after just two months! no arms = no real relaxing. (for me anyway...)

And since you are in Chicago, check out the sofas at CB2, too.

I'll throw in the C&B Camden—bought it several months ago and if you like a firmer sofa, it's very comfortable.

They have a 69" and an 80"...

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=932&f=24542

Some good friends of mine have had the Bantam for a while (1 years, maybe closer to 2?) and, while it looks great, they haven't been very happy with how the cushions are holding up.

I have to echo the concerns re: armless sofa... we thought about getting one for a long time and finally decided that arms are important comfort factors. We got an armless "comfy" chair and I'm regretting it just a little...not so comfy.

The Burke from Room and Board has a nice look, and it was very comfortable when we tried it in the store. There's a 74" version, and the standard fabric is understated but not plain. The curves where the arms meet the seat are a nice detail, imo.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=144371&coll=4197289&cat=27

everyone, thanks for voting and for the great comments.

i spent the bulk of yesterday testing out different sofas and in the end i think i am going with the archer. i liked the klein at room and board, too, but it just won't fit in my place.

for those who are interested, the warnings about the cushions on the bantam not holding up too well seem consistent with my impression of the ones i've seen in stores.

thanks again for the help!