This sofa is recommended by more interior designers than any other. It's also what many designers use in their own home (or so it was said somewhere on the Internet.) The English Roll Arm sofa. Here's why I've also chosen it as my next living room sofa.
The first sofa I ever liked was an English Roll Arm sofa. I didn't know it was called that and I didn't buy it but it was the first one I remember liking.
I didn't buy it as my first sofa because I thought it was too country for me. That was before I realized I really like country. It was also before I realized that the English Roll Arm sofa is more casual classic than it is country. But I probably saw it upholstered in a floral chintz and immediately deemed it Kountry. With a K. Which is worse than regular country.
I'm now 20 years into my sofa buying years and ready to purchase the 3rd sofa of my lifetime. If you're keeping track, your third sofa purchase usually takes place around the same time as your first blood pressure monitor purchase.
Handy.
I assumed when I decided on getting an English Roll Arm sofa my decision had been made. I just had to order one and make sure they sprayed on some of that Scotchgard-like stuff so the fabric wouldn't stain if I happened to accidentally dissect a chicken on it.
I was so very, very wrong.
English roll arm sofas like the one above (from the home of former J Crew President, Jenna Lyons) all look the same at first glance but all have subtle differences. Like noses.
Which is not to say that certain English roll arm sofas have noses, I mean of course that noses are essentially the same but different.
If you look at 10 English roll arm sofas they'll all be a bit different.
The English Roll Arm Sofa
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- The English roll arm sofa became popular in the 1800's. - O.K. If it's been around that long chances are I won't get bored with it.
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- It's characterized by a slightly sloped, tight back, low curved arms and a curved bottom frame to echo the curve of the arms. The seat cushion is a "T" cushion which makes the sofa feel and look a bit smaller than it actually is.
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- Modern versions of the English roll arm sofa might have loose cushions on the back and straighter arms and sides.
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- The style was made popular by furniture designer George Smith and the company still makes it. They call it the Standard Arm Signature Sofa. It starts at around $14,000.
Right.
So I won't be going original then. I go directly into bad body odour smell when my cat throws up on my $1,000 sofa let alone a $14,000 one. My nerves couldn't take it.
I will have to pick one that comes as close to the original as I can find.
Again, this is a look at an original George Smith sofa with a tight back, down cushions, curved arms and curved sides.
The Standard
I should mention this style is also used for chairs - fit for a Queen. If you're going for an English look, this is the couch you want.
When looking for something outrageously overpriced and stunningly beautiful head to Restoration Hardware.
Their version of the English roll arm sofa is chunkier than the original in the arms and also has a loose cushion back. It's not what I want.
Excellent. I dodged a bullet made of money that I don't have there.
So I headed to the opposite end of the retail furniture scale - Ikea.
Their version looks like a regular couch that they put pleated arm sleeves on. The back is loose cushions, the sides and arms are straight. No. This is not my couch.
Enter a couch designed by a former television colleague of mine - interior designer Jane Lockhart.
If it weren't for the loose cushions on the back, this would be my couch. The arms and sides are right plus I like the turned legs.
The Rose Sofa, a collaboration between The Everygirl and Interior Define is pretty perfect.
Design wise it's as close to the original as I could ever want. But it's in America so I can't sit on it. The proportions are exactly what I need and there are a fair amount of colours to choose from. What I don't like is you can't seem to choose what type of foam/filling you want. I definitely want foam cushions surrounded by down. There is no room for negotiation on this point.
Hello Pottery Barn! What do you have to offer?
A pretty good looking couch with a tightback, caster legs that I love, a fair amount of curve to the arm but no curve on the bottom. Plus it looks a bit stiff. Does it look a bit stiff to you?
O.K. the offering from Cococo Home (short for Comfortable Couch Company) actually has the word comfortable in its name. That has to mean something.
But Cococo Home is an American company. They will ship to Canada but I'm the kind of brave that will eat corn fungus or rip up a floor on a whim. I'm not the kind of brave that will order a couch without ever having seen it in real life or at on it. That's just crazy talk. I think. Is it? I used to think putting cilantro on anything was crazy talk too but now I love it.
At this point I'm getting confused, a bit tired and very definitely have elevated blood pressure. I know. I checked.
This brings me to what looks to be very authentic representation of George Smith's English roll arm sofa. It's made by Roger & Chris and what makes it so remarkable is the amount of options you have. The sofa has 10 different lengths, 9 different leg options, 6 different nail head options and 1073 fabrics or leathers to pick from.
Also it's only 40" deep. Most of these roll arm sofas are between 41' and 43" deep. Lee Industries makes a beautiful English roll arm but it's 42" deep. That's actually this sofa's thing - being a sofa that's so huge and deep you can tuck your legs up under yourself and still have enough room at the front of the sofa for chicken dissection.
After my International search I may, MAY have found what I'm looking for at a Canadian furniture manufacturer that's in Toronto, just 45 minutes from house.
Strap on that blood pressure cuff. Now I have to pick a colour.
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Jane S
Did you notice that the Queen's green chairs are clearly slipcovered! OMG. My mother slipcovered everything.
Marilyn Meagher
Grea choice ! I’m drooling over the blush colour. Ok maybe more pink than blush but whatever. It’s so beautiful.
Karen
Really? You like the pink? How super-weird. ;) ~ karen!
Elizabeth
Chicken dissection aside, how do you stop your cats from scratching the corners of your couches? Ours are always "enhanced" with claw marks. Not a good design feature.
Karen
I don't do anything. My cats have always been more of the "I'm going going to tear into this antique flooring" type. ~ karen!
Carla Covert
You are the most intelligent, practical and helpful person I think I’ve ever met (not). I read your column most everyday and follow you on Instagram. I am from East Liverpool Ohio US. On top of the personality characteristics I listed above, you are HILARIOUS to boot! I think we would have a grand time hanging out so if you ever find yourself in Ohio, consider yourself invited to a free B & B. By the way, I don’t have a B & B but would pretend just for you! Thank you for sharing your adventures for I too am one that would rip up a floor on a whim (even without $ to repair what I find)! Lol 😂 Thanks again!
Karen
That's my worry, lol. That I'll rip it up and then need $$$$ in repairs or even worse $$$$$$$$ to redo the entire floor! Don't get my bed ready just yet but I'll let you know. I like french toast for breakfast. FYI. ~ karen!
Cathy Reeves
I’m not that far away in Cbus, so I’m inviting myself over.
Hell, Karen could tour the whole damned US of A by couch surfing
with her fans!
Mary W
This post shows exactly why your home is filled with things you love. I like how you take us into your decision making process - enlightening.
Gail D.
Oh!! That is Roger from Sell This House!
Gail D.
I just bought a sofa on the internet without trying it OR even asking for a fabric sample. The last part is really crazy. My price range and commitment level was such that I really did not want to spend more necessary for a brick and mortar store.
The sofa was exactly what I had hoped for except for the color, but the sofa and I now have an understanding: he agrees to be the color I want during the evening and shut up about his blueness during the day.
Susan
I do like the Roger & Chris sofa the best but after going to their website it shows they are an American made sofa. Where is their store in Toronto? Or do they also have a factory in Canada?
Joan
Best feature of your new sofa? Its Canadian!
Cheryl Young
We lived without a couch for 20 years, not finding just the right one. I have a chair fixation and constantly had multiple chairs for people to sit on but no couch.
One random Sunday last summer, I was browsing a Facebook sell group and suggested to my husband that we check out this couch for sale on our way to the beach.
Turned out it was 'not' on the way to the beach, was a (new) couch in charcoal grey, modern style with solid back cushions with buttons, and was stupidly cheap. Oh and it was sitting in a barn!
Needless to say, we paid the man his $250, strapped the couch to the roof racks and slowly drove home. Best $250 I have ever spent! It's the perfect size, colour and comfort level. Just took 20+yrs to land in our living room!
leisa
I have two pale blue roll arms by Robin Bruce. I opted for the cushion back for comfort and mine have a removeable slip cover. I love them, super comfy. I think they go with everything including contemporary pieces.
lisaMC
Here goes.....find a three cushion. You have enough company/family and entertain enough that a two cushion, no matter how pretty, becomes an issue. I have vowed to never get a two cushion sofa again. It took forever to find my huge two cushion rolled arm down cushioned sofa and I loved it with a borderline unhealthy love --until we had the need for more than two people to sit on it. NO ONE wants to sit in the crack. Except my one weirdo relative who likes how it feels (which is an entirely different story for an entirely different post response) and believes in eating every crumbly thing served exclusively on the sofa, without a plate and sitting in the crack. Luckily, I have a dog who then snuffles her way into the crack between the cushions to snack without actually disobeying and getting ON the sofa. What a smart disgusting creature.
But as usual, I digress.
So, you will probably ignore me as it seems you are in love, and sister, I've been there. But don't say you weren't warned when YOU are the one swallowed by the crack. Sofa cushion crack.
Lynda
Good choice on the sofa. Now please choose a teal velvet, because I was too chicken to on my recent purchase.
Karen
Very nice room!! ~ karen
JulieD
That's my favorite kind of sofa, and it's on the docket to be purchased in about 2 years. Tight back, and one seat cushion for me, in some iteration of blue-green. I had planned on Lee Industries, but thanks for the heads up on Roger & Chris. I'll look into them too! I'm really looking forward to seeing how your living room progresses.
Georgia girl
OMG it is perrfect!
Tina
I like the Roger&Chris and the Cococo but the Pottery Barn’s sofa had useless arms. They aren’t high enough to rest your forearms on and there’s no gradient so you can’t lounge in the corner of the sofa. Just my opinion.
Jan in Waterdown
You're absolutely right, Tina, about the arms... the proportions are all wrong. And the back pillows are just rectangular, not properly fitted and contoured to the top of the arms. The Ikea version looks much better. I know that because my niece bought the loveseat in grey and it looks pretty darned good for the price!
Mary Edmondson
Karen - your Roger & Chris choice is the best of the lot by a long shot. But now your fans have to know your choice of fabric and color. Or is it to be a surprise and you will make us wait till the final reveal? You really need to have a contest to make us all guess, & then reward the winner with a prize of your choosing. Put me down for a sturdy cotton twill in a taupe shade, which can be accessorized with throw pillows of other colors and textures of your choice.
Karen
I'm not holding out on you, lol. I have no idea what colour I'd choose at this point! That decisions outta take a year or so, lol. ~ karen!
Lois M Baron
That Roger + Chris sofa is yummylicious in that gray/blue/green on it in the picture.
Gayle M
Count yourself lucky. You dodged a second bullet when you zipped past Pottery Barnes sofa. I got two slip covered love seats, I change them with the seasons. Three years old and they needed new cushions. It's just hubby and me, so I'm not pleased. Saved up two Joann's craft store coupons and got two pieces 2 yard of 5 inch high density foam, 60% off--cuz there was nooooooo way I was going to pay the $75/yard for them to fix the cushions. Still not happy--now the back cushions are drooping. AAAAND, their delivery and customer service sucks. Waited 6 wks beyond delivery date only to have them arrive with huge tears in them., so 6 weeks later they were supposed to arrive. Ordered them originally 1st week in September, and they finally got my order completely delivered in time for Easter in March (The side tables came without the glass inserts. They said they would get us the glass. Two weeks later another glass-less table arrived...) So, count your blessings you found a great sofa elsewhere.
Karen
Yikes!! ~ karen
Sandra Stevenson
I was very interested in your recent sofa search post, Karen. Just wondering with respect to your Roger and Chris choice if there is a specific store that sells the sofa in Toronto that you were referring to. I was confused when you mentioned a Canadian furniture manufacturer as it seems Roger and Chris are making furniture in North Carolina?? I like the design and profile of the sofa, but like you, would like to feel the sit comfort. Can you offer any more info?
Karen
Hi Sandra. No, Roger and Chris was my favourite that I found in premade sofas, but there is a company in Toronto (Silva) that will custom make sofas, but not for the public. You have to use an interior decorator/designer to access them. ~ karen!
TucsonPatty
Holy Moly, do you ever have the patience and the fortitude and the spread sheet memory. That is why I have a second hand couch that was conveniently for sale just a block away when I needed it. Cannot pay attention to that many facts. It took me about 15 years to figure out a new car. It will be gorgeous, I’m positive!