I know it's true: You get what you pay for. And I know that this is especially true when it comes to the components of your home, which you'll be sitting on, staring at, and living with year after year for the foreseeable future.
But I'm also thrifty, and can't help but be tempted by what seems like a great deal on something I actually like. Plus, since I've grown to loathe the blah and boxy couch we bought just two years ago (and know that we'll only recoup half of what we paid for it if we wind up unloading the thing on craigslist), I practically gave myself whiplash when I caught sight of these cheap-and-chic new sofas from Room & Board. All of them are priced under $1,200 -- and a few are under $800.
They're not Lilliputian (most measure between 77 and 89 inches); they don't appear to be upholstered in icky, cheapo fabrics; they feature sophisticated, modern styling; and the copywriters swear the sofas are meticulously constructed and that quality has not been compromised.
So what gives? Why are these so inexpensive? Is there anyone out there who's given them a test run in a R&B showroom and who can report back on their comfort and quality in person? Let me know. In the meantime, a few of the styles I'm already mentally moving around our living room:
Loring Sofa $999 (I am especially drooling over this one -- and even more so when I compare it to the strikingly similar, but tres pricey, Long Snooze Sofa at Ochre)
Westwood Sofa, $899
Hawthorne Sofa, $1,199
Eugene Sofa, $999
What do you guys think -- are these couches, at these prices, too good to be true?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Cool Stuff: Couches Under $1,200 at Room & Board
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12 comments:
I love the Westwood.
And I've heard that Room & Board has pretty good quality, but I don't personally know.
Our entire living room is furnished in Room and Board. Two couches, two end tables, a custom concrete coffee table (that we LOVE) and lamp. The quality is superb. The couches are large, study and covered in easily cleanable microfiber. Our custom table was wrong and they corrected it 2X until it was right. It's not cheap that's for sure but everyone who comes over comments on how great the living room looks. I'm about to re-decorate the family room and I've begun looking there for furniture again. I'd highly recommend them! The couches we purchased were on the more expensive size (Essex I believe they were) but that's because they are large, about 80" of seating space each.
Honestly, I don't think $1,000 is cheap for a couch at all!!
It's cheap for a good-looking couch, which I think is the key here... These are good to know about - thanks!
We went to R&B(and several others) and 'test drove' so many great styles, landing finally on the classic-but-modern Hawthorne. We chose a custom fabric from a wide selection at no extra charge, too! They are beautiful, comfortable, well-made pieces. We liked Loring, also, but needed two sizes.
Oooh, I too am drawn to Loring. This is really great to know about, because a new couch may be in our not-too-distant future...it's either that or try to reupholster our current (Craigslist) couch, and I'm not sure I have the sewing cahones for that!
i LOVE the loring, and i've heard room and board has really good quality (now from your comments, too.) we've been looking for a couch for our living room...i may just have to talk to the mister about this one! thanks for the post!
I went to the showroom while visiting NYC and I thought the much-used showroom upholstery looked a bit cheesy in person. The seams on the front seat cushions seemed to be sagging a bit. Curious, how do homeowners feel after a few years of use?
i have a 2 year old couch from Room & Board that has held up really well. i did pick one of the custom fabrics (and had to wait 6 weeks for delivery) which made a big difference in the look.
Generally the foam cushions are not high quality, and carry no warranty. Also although they say the frame is well made, I bet there is a very limited warranty if any. Good construction would entail that it is a solid hardwood with dowels. Softwood frames will split. Basically the sofa could become "saggy" after use in as little as 3-5 years depending on lifestyle. Their fabric is probably cheap as well. There is a world of difference btwn diff. manufacturers of microfibers. Even though they are "inexpensive" I personally think that is a chunk of change for poor quality. Take a look at American Leather or American Upholstery. They are a great price point, with Mid-Century & Contemporary styles. I was an in-house designer for a dealer. I was alway impressed with them.
I have two R&B sofas. The Claremont sleeper and the former version of the Hutton (called something else...Hepburn?) Both are holding up very nicely. I'm happy with the quality. If I could honestly change anything, I would want the sleeper bed to stay as firm as it was when it was new. But that's probably unrealistic for most sleepers. None of my guests have complained, though.
I have the Loring myself. I also have two toddlers who you would think could do damage to anything, but this sofa has held up really well. In fact, because of the velvet fabric (mine is just like the pic) you just wipe it clean every once in awhile and it looks pristine.
Disclaimer: My husband works at RNB and that makes me biased towards there stuff. Our house is filled with their stuff. If he didn't work there (i.e. discount) their stuff is out of our pricerange so I feel pretty fortunate.
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