apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Aaron -

They're not called "Short Arms", especially when they're as high as the back of the sofa - Go into a furniture store and ask for this and you'll get blank stares and confusion.

These sofas have what is called a "T-Cushion".

I don't feel like I'd enjoy sitting on something like that. The West Elm one has a double whammy: the arms don't extend the depth of the couch and the height of the actual arms themselves is also almost non-existent.

Speaking of sofas, I saw some very cool sofas and chairs in red covered in plastic at The Mondrian South Beach. They are right by the hotel pool. Does anyone know where I can find these?

I had to stop and think a moment because I immediately thought "don't all sofa arms stop before the cushion?" Clearly they don't. But funny how 'normal' to one seems unusual to another.

Room and Board's Loring sofa is another, slightly more traditional, but still modern silhouette with this feature.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19434

I'm biased about this sofa. I have it and love it love it love it. Did I say I love it?

I do think this style of sofa gives the piece a little more open/less bulky feeling - which I like! But that can also be achieved just fine through the overall design.

I hate t-cushions. They're harder to make slipcovers for.

After a long search, my fiancee and I finally found and ordered the Dean sofa from West Elm. We loved the style and color, and it was comfy to sit in at the store. We like the short arms b/c it's nice for lying down.

However, after reading some older posts on West Elm's quality, we're a bit concerned about it lasting. Room and Board prices are a bit steep for us, but we do want our sofa to last a few years. Anyone have any good experiences with West Elm? We really liked the sofa and don't want to cancel our order, but don't want to waste $1,000, either...

gives a "lounge" look ...I really like it

Home_For_2 , I paid $1200 for my sofa at room and board -- only $200 more than you -- and I can guarantee the quality will last me a lifetime. If you have children, pets, are large people, or have large friends, your West Elm sofa will not last more than ~5 years. A friend of mine has several pieces by West Elm, and not only do they look less well made, they feel less substantial. Almost three years into her sofa my friend is still more or less happy with the purchase, but doesn't expect it to last more than a few more.

That said, if you're gentle on your furnishings your West Elm sofa should give you years of pleasure. If you were hoping for something to last a decade or more, please reconsider.

I plan to be using my room and board sofa till death do us part. I'm sure I'll recover it someday when I want to change things up a bit.

Here's a tip: read about the inside of sofas (frames, springs, etc) over at Pottery Barn (whose sofas aren't as good as R&B, by the way). http://www.potterybarn.com/stylehouse/decorate/quality/index.cfm?cm_type=snav

West Elm does not make any claims to superior quality. Their value proposition is great style at great prices. They are not selling longevity.

And look -- nearly the same style is ON SALE at R&B for only $49 more than the West Elm sofa. How can you not choose the better quality??

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/clearance/detail.do?articleNumber=775501&category=clr_sofas

I'll bet you most people would tell you to cancel and order this instead.

Best of luck!

It should also be noted that 80% of Room & Board's sofas are made in the USA...while I have no idea where West Elm produces their designs...

I think most of West Elm's sofas are not made in the USA. Most are small or modular, and look like they were designed to maximize the space inside an ocean shipping container, (which is how all furniture is imported).