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NY Good Questions: Opinions On These 3 Room and Board Sofas?

1.18couch.jpgHello AT,

After moving in to my first "big girl" apartment and living without a sofa for the last 4 months, I think I've finally narrowed the field down to three sofas from Room & Board.

The only problem is that I live in Dallas without a Room & Board store anywhere near me...


(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)
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Thus, I was hoping to see if anyone had seen any of the sofas in question in-store and if they could tell me how comfortable they were/appeared to be.

The three I've narrowed it down to are: the Andre, the Cameron and the Eugene.

I would appreciate any help/advice especially since I'm not the most "design-savvy" person (I'm an accountant after all).

Thanks! DallasKO

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seating - sofas & armchairs, Good Questions

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Comments (33)

My husband and I just bought a Room & Board sofa ourselves (not one of these three, but the Burke) and I can't remember finding any of the sofas in the store to be uncomfortable. I'm pretty certain we didn't test out the Cameron, but I know I liked the Andre and may have tested the Eugene.

My only complaint so far about our R&B sofa is that after less than a week, the dye from my husband's jeans has given the fabric of one of the cushions a blue tint. But I guess that's more the fault of his jeans than the sofa itself.

posted by Sasha on 2008-01-18 10:50:29
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I'm cracking up over here. I keep telling people about how I just got my first "big girl bed", the brown velvet Archer bed from C&B.Anyway it really depends how much you want to "sink into" a sofa. The Andre definitely is not that. Not uncomfortable but not the most comfy either. I can't remember about the other two but i notice all the ones you chose are tightbacks and i personally like a good soft pillow back to lean against.

posted by persa on 2008-01-18 11:01:54
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Any thoughts on the quality of Room & Board? I'm thinking about buying a bed from R&B, but when I searched through the Apartment Therapy archives, there are some pretty heady accusations of it being of shoddy quality?

Thoughts?

posted by Anokha on 2008-01-18 11:04:57
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My Grandparents have the Cameron. It's quite comfortable, though not my particular taste. Theirs is the same color as the picture above and has stayed very fresh and clean looking despite owning a black standard poodle that has made it his favorite place to nap.

posted by TaylorF on 2008-01-18 11:09:00
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I know it isn't normally as hip as Room and Board but Macy's has a nearly identical Sofa for half the price. Not to sound like an advert---but is an extra $800 bucks just to have the R&B lable realy worth it--- I say get the macy's sofa and buy something unecessary and extravagant with the money saved. ($800 could get you a pretty jazzy cocktail set or go towards a nift service cart (see second link)

See previous Apt-Therapy post (link below)
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/seating-sofas-armchairs/corona-sofa-series-029227


http://www.praguekolektiv.com/index.php?s=shop&c=12

posted by skinny script on 2008-01-18 11:10:45
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I bought the Archer sofa from Room & Board as my first big-girl sofa and have been overwhelmingly pleased. I, too, do not live in a city with a store but during a trip to NYC I tested out several of their sofas and found them all to be comfortably firm. Plush is not a word I would use to describe these pieces but they're wonderful quality (construction and aesthetic) and the delivery guys were great. I highly recommend R&B furniture.

posted by bostonkayla on 2008-01-18 11:11:21
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I tried out the Andre and Eugene when I was in the store and they were both pretty comfortable, but I ultimately went with the Burke b/c it has foam cushions on its back and the other two have metal springs and foam layer. I found the Burke to be a little more comfortable because of that.

Actually, the Loring was the most comfortable sofa I sat on there, but I didn't like the fabric choices.

posted by MPNYC on 2008-01-18 11:16:37
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I like the modern lines of the andre and the eugene. I voted for the eugene because i know i sometimes like to stretch out on the couch, with my back against the armrest (when i want to read.) The eugene's sloped arms look more comfortable to lean against.

(I've never been to a room and board store though, so these opinions are purely picture based.)

posted by Deeliscious on 2008-01-18 11:18:27
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I recently bought a R&B sofa (the Loring, custom upholstered in Dita Sky, which is a gorgeous fabric). My preference were the sofas with the down-blend cushions - the sofas with foam cushions were a lot bouncier. I think the Andre & Eugene are both foam cushions and the Cameron is a down blend.

So I'd recommend looking at other sofas elsewhere to figure out which you prefer - bouncier foam or more sinkable down.

posted by newinny on 2008-01-18 11:22:53
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I purchased the Hawthorne from the R & B catalog sight unseen about 4 years ago and have been extremely pleased with both the comfort and the quality of the fabric (which still looks relatively new even with 3 dogs who like to sleep on it when I am away). So, while I haven't tested out any of the sofas that you are interested in , I would definitely buy a sofa from R & B again without hesitation.

posted by arin on 2008-01-18 11:25:29
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my husband and I bought the Andre from R&B one year ago. we've gotten lots of compliments on it, but i have to say that it isn't very comfortable for just vegging out in front of the tv (low back and fairly short seat make it hard to sink into the sofa) and i have regretted style over comfort purely for that reason. also, after a year the cushions are significantly less plump than they were new and one of the buttons on the back has popped off. it's a gorgeous couch, but i think i would have been happier with my second pick, which was the delancy.

posted by cassabee on 2008-01-18 11:26:24
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I own the Eugene sofa, in its' former incarnation (different fabric, higher price point) and have to say I'm not entirely impressed with it. I took delivery on three until one finally arrived that didn't look like it'd fallen off the back of the truck.

Seriously.

First arrived all wonky fabric and hanging staples. Second arrived with mismatched upholstery. Not even different dye lots, but different fabric; one cushion was oddball against the other and the rest of the sofa. The third to arrive was the one I kept but, admittedly, I'm not in love.
Craftsmanship issues aside, it's definitely a 'sitting sofa.' Don't know what you're looking for, but it's not a great couch for cozying up on– never really breaks in. Given the opportunity for a do-over, I wouldn't choose it again. Plus, I imagine the newly-lowered pricepoint hasn't done much to improve the workmanship...?

All sterling endorsements of the Eugene aside, Room Board was incredibly accomodating and their customer service impeccable. Good luck with your search!

posted by sandra on 2008-01-18 11:27:50
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I asked a similar question not long ago:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-is-dexter-the-superior-sofa-035893

I went with a custom upholstered 76" Andre and am very happy. The seat is the right depth for me (I'm 5'5") and I personally like the foam cushions. But I'm not into furniture that's TOO soft. I prefer a more tailored look and feel--comfortable, but crisp. If you want to sink into your sofa, it's probably not for you.

Also, when I asked my question, people expressed some pretty strong opinions about Andre's legs...and I agree that they look sort of weird in the photo, but in person, they're fine.

posted by kdka on 2008-01-18 11:38:06
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I was at Room & Board last week, trying out sofas. I thought the Andre was very comfortable, but I tend to like a firm couch.

On a related note, the thing I like best about R&B is that they list the actual _seat_ depth/width of couches on the website (in addition to the overall depth/width). Why can't more stores do that? That is crucial information!

posted by jyw on 2008-01-18 11:38:43
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Seconding the Corona from Macy's - I checked it out at NorthPark and was in love. It definitely needs some pillows (rectangular bolsters anyone?) but is well made and pretty comfortable.

posted by NathanSE on 2008-01-18 11:41:49
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I notice all the ones you chose are tightbacks and I personally like a good soft pillow back to lean against.

I bought a gorgeous rosewood case style sofa, but after pondering and pondering and pondering, decided comfort had to factored in with style. Especially with a sofa. So I cancelled the order.

posted by suzygirl on 2008-01-18 11:42:41
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There is something about the legs on the Andre that seems a little off- they appear to be a bit tall and probably should have been placed closer to the ends of the sofa.

My vote is for Eugene, which looks more comfortable and less "Petrie"-like. And its proportions are spot-on.

posted by hejiranyc on 2008-01-18 11:45:03
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I have the Room & Board Hawthorne in a deep forest green. I absolutely love it and highly recommend this model! It's a great sink-in and watch a movie couch. I have had no problems with quality or construction.

posted by Danio on 2008-01-18 12:04:23
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I know this isn't one of your choices, but we took a trip to Room and Board last weekend, and the Dean was our favorite (style and comfort) sofa:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=90702198&cat=91552821

posted by Katie K on 2008-01-18 12:17:48
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I own the Eugene, and have had it for a year and a half now (different fabric than the current incarnation). It's worn really well, still looks fantastic, and is perfect for me (5'8") and my tall (6'4") boyfriend. We're both "back against the armrest" people and it's perfect for that style of sitting.

posted by bird and beef on 2008-01-18 12:47:01
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I was also set on buying a R&B couch a month or so ago. But I must say, a trip to the store was essential, as the couches I thought I liked (Eugene included) were not what I expected, and I ended up really liking some couches that I hardly noticed in the catalog.

In the end, I settled on the Clarke, but had a stroke of good fortune when I found a custom couch maker on Craigslist, who made me the Clarke for less than HALF the price! She also had many more fabrics to choose from so I was able to get what I really wanted. I suggest perusing your local craigslist for similar opportunities.

posted by ljh on 2008-01-18 13:02:48
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I have the 76" Andre and love it. But like the other Andre fans, I am not a sink-in couch person. I tested the Eugene and it is much more sinky...the Andre arms are also not great for lounging against, you need a pretty substantial throw pillow for additional support if you are going to take a nap. But the couch is gorgeous and great for a living room/cocktail party sitting situation, rather than a TV/lounging situation. And the legs look fab in real life.

posted by saplet on 2008-01-18 13:05:10
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I have the earlier incarnation of Eugene as well. I like it a lot although I do wish the seat was a little deaper. The couch I had before was more plush so it was a bit of an adjustment getting used to the Eugene. One of the main selling points for me was the dimensions; I've had trouble getting furniture through my apartment door. The R&B customer service was excellent.

posted by malinda on 2008-01-18 13:13:06
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I owned the Andre when I lived in nyc. It was amazing looking and super comfortable. I then bought the Townsed when I moved to LA. Also great looking and super comfy. I think you can't go wrong with most R B sofa... I owned a $3000 Desiron sofa that looked cool, but was not comfortable.

posted by petesid on 2008-01-18 13:19:22
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This question always makes me laugh. It's like saying "Has anyone ever tried on these shoes? Are they comfortable?"

That aside, and the issues of comfort aside, the styles of the three you have narrowed down to are REALLY dissimilar... which style works best in your home, or makes your heart sing?

Of the three, I'd vote for the Cameron or Eugene, as they seem the most neutral in terms of style. A neutral-style sofa will be with you a lot longer.

PS: None of these strike me as "sink down in" couches, but that kind of couch usually end up looking messy and have to be fluffed (oh my) to keep them looking neat. It would drive me crazy, so I'd forgo some "sinakbility" for a more tailored look like you are considering. You can always add throw pillows. And I fall asleep on my tight-backed sofa just fine.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2008-01-18 14:20:21
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Whoops... subject/verb (dis)agreement!!

"ends" and "has" and "it"

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2008-01-18 14:22:02
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I am thinking about getting the Lenox sectional from R&B. I am concerned about wear thou. I have to admit i sit on the sofa alot, and I am worried about the cushions flattening out since they are so puffy.

Does anyone have a comment about how a R&B sofa will hold up and wear?

posted by louisw on 2008-01-18 14:46:42
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I bought the Eugene sofa 1 year ago after much deliberation. I also considered the Andre and thought it would be my first choice when I visited the store. However, in person I found it to be...a little too masculine. The lines were/are too strong and linear for my tastes, and I was suprised to find the Eugene wonderfully comfortable and pleasing to the eye because it hadn't caught my attention when looking through their catalog.

What I love about the Eugene: the sloping arms are very comfortable to lie against when reading/napping (esp. with a long thin bolster pillow), the semi-soft-yet-tailored cushions are great for lounging but also visually pleasing (and the cushions have held up nicely over the past year), the craftsmanship is good and guests have commented on it, and the classic shape goes well with my personal mix of antiques and mid-century modern furniture. Also, the shape of the sofa is neither too feminine nor too masculine - or to put it another way - both men and women have commented on how much they like it.

That's my experience and opinion for whatever it's worth. Best of luck with your first big couch purchase!

posted by Nesser on 2008-01-18 16:04:31
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Please please please dont buy a sofa without sitting on it yourself. Look at other options in the town you live in. Or if you are really sure you want to go the R& B route then plan a trip to the nearest store. Chances are you will regret spending that much money on a purchase you didnt see in person.

posted by Trumystique on 2008-01-18 17:14:55
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I own an older version of the Eugene sofa - Bought new 2 years ago from Room&Board. The sofa still looks great - no stains or wear and tear after a lot of use. However, the foam cushions are VERY thin and after two years they offer very little support. Not a sofa to sink into and feel comfortable. Still more durable than many sofas I've owned, though.

posted by tomgv on 2008-01-19 21:05:57
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I bought the Eugene in the Dita upholstery 2 months ago, and I love it!! It's very comfortable and elegant and the fabric not only looks great (I have a black cat and a white cat, so the tweedy-type upholstery is great for disguising kitty hair!), but has a stain resistant treatment which actually works (spilled red wine didn't even soak in to the cushion). I highly recommend it.

posted by laurenc on 2008-01-20 17:26:19
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it's a very personal decision of course ... BUT, I bought the Andre a year ago with custom grey upholstery and love it. Definitely firm, but the right proportions for 5'4" me... MAny complements (though that may be partly because I had such a crummy sofa before!) Looks right in my apartment but i don't know about yours!

posted by ARobin on 2008-01-21 10:20:26
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I am in the process of choosing a new sofa to replace the Andre I bought from R&B. The buttons on the sofa back fell apart almost immediately. First the fabric covers fell off, then the buttons themselves. That said, R&B has offered to replace the sofa with any style I choose.

posted by AlixF on 2008-01-21 11:15:02
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