Hi dcclerk! I'm very interested in the responses to your questions because I am thinking of the same type sofa for our sunroom. I agree with you about the loose cushions and how they can look. I am undecided on what I want to do. I love the two sets of chairs that have been shown here - slipcovered in matelasse. I think a sofa in that would be great! Anyhoo, we do not have an Ikea here - I think the closest is about 3 hours from here (Nashville). I have wondered about the quality of their furniture, BUT, I frequent a few of the more cottage style blogs. I have asked two different gals about their slipcovered sofas - it is the Ikorne from Ikea. I hope I have that right. Anyhoo - one of the gals has TWO of these sofas, one is several years old and I have seen pics - it looks good. The cushions look good.

You might want to check that out. I'd love to hear from anyone else who has that particular sofa and the quality.

tina

My son and his wife have a sofa with one long cushion and it looks terrible after just 3 years.
It is hard to keep it plumped up. It kind of has hills and valleys. The brand is Sherrill so it was a pretty good quality sofa. They have twins 2 years old so until the last few months there has not been a lot of abuse from children.
I think 3 seat cushions are a lot easier

Just some words of warning...

The pic was taken in the middle of the LR/DR because it was in the process of being moved to the LR. After a few weeks of sitting on it, DH and I had such terrible back pain that we had to get it out of the family room and replace it with a new one, in a different style.

Wow Parma. What do you think it was about the sofa that caused your back pain?

Is this what you mean by an English Arm Sofa? Its also called Charles of London Sofa.

One thing that I have to say about a single bottom cushion is that the cushion is essentially a "tube", so the cover, particularly a slipcover, will roll on the cushion. The seams or welt work their way around the cushion. It is probably better to have several bottom cushions. Some cushions hook on to the deck of the sofa. (Click to enlarge photo)
{{!gwi}}

"Wow Parma. What do you think it was about the sofa that caused your back pain?"

Probably something to do with the center of gravity, IYKWIM. We were always sloping somewhere instead of being supported.

It was too bad. The sofa is much prettier IRL. It has a nice rolled back.

There's a beautiful English arm, tight back sofa on clearance at Restoration Hardware. Extra 10% off with code. Its frame is kiln dried hardwood and it's 8-way hand tied. Those are the two standards to look for in high quality upholstery.

At that price, if you were still set on slipcovers, you could have them made.

Here is a link that might be useful: RH

Thank you so much everyone. I never pondered the idea that the single-cushion bench would be lumpy with the slipcover moving around. I will definitely go with the multiple bottom cushion.

Palimpset-- that is exactly the type of sofa that I am talking about. I don't know that it has to have the curved back, but the tight back and those arms is what I have in mind.

Parma-- I couldn't get the link to work and couldn't find it myself. Do you know the name of the sofa? Do you think that the sloping of your sofa had to do with the tight back? Should I worry that tight back sofas are not as comfortable? Above all, I want the sofa to be comfortable.

Anyone-- have you ever seen a sectional with these type of arms and a tight back? If not, have you seen a sectional with these arms and back cushions with structure, as opposed to the truly loose back ones that I have?

My current sofa has back pillows like the RH Grand Scale Shelter sofa... http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1020046&navAction=jump&navCount=7

I am thinking that cushions like the ones on the Baby Grand Scale Rolled Arm would stay looking nicer, if the tight back option doesn't exist or isn't comfortable...

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1146047&navAction=jump&navCount=9

Thanks, again, for your help!

Here is a link that might be useful: Baby grand structured cushions

Lee Industries has a line of slipcovered furniture called Coveralls. Lee gets very high marks on the furniture forum for quality and they make a tight back sofa similar to what you're looking for

{{!gwi}}

Lee makes some of the sofas for Crate and Barrel. I noticed that Crate & Barrel has a few tight backs which might be worth checking out although none are slipcovered.

I also have two tight back sofas. One from Stickley and one from Hancock & Moore. Both are extremely comfortable and high quality. They have held up very well despite the best efforts of 3 boys to destroy them. However, I'm not sure that either company does slipcover versions.

Rouleau sofa - Hancock & Moore

Bristol Sofa - Stickley

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Coveralls

Sorry, I always have problems with that site.

Thought it had disappeared for a minute as it wouldn't pull up under sale. I found it when I checked under newly reduced. It's just called an English roll arm upholstered tight back sofa. They lopped a grand off the price.

I think our problems were caused by the bench and not the tight back. We would sort of roll into each other and it didn't have that much support when sitting solo, either.

Just a thought... I would consider getting a used sofa in the style you want and having slipcovers made for it. In the end it would cost you less than a new sofa and you would be getting what you want.

My folks have an antique version of a sofa like Linley posted. Tight backed. Let me just say one thing--that middle leg is a foot killer!! Otherwise I love the sofa. It's part of a whole set, with a wingback chair with an ottoman. Grandma had it slipcovered as I recall from back when I was a kid and it was in her house.

Palimpsest, who made the sofa you posted, please?
I am looking for something similar, too.

RE: The tightback-- does that mean it doesn't have a moveable pillow in the back? If so, just a note of possible warning . . .my friend has one and she says she has to be VERY careful with her child with it, since it is much more prone to being torn, since it is attached. However, she has leather-- so maybe that makes a difference. Her child isn't crazy wild, either, just a typical 3 yo AND her mom doesn't let her jump on the sofa.

It is called the Timucuan Sofa and that particular one only comes in the green canvas and is "Eco-Friendly", (sustainable frame, soy-based cushions, organic cotton canvas--donation to The Nature Conservancy.) Its available at Overstock.com @$1199

I was just looking for the best picture of the sofa I was thinking of--so of course I ended up with one that comes only one way and with an unknown manufacture...sorry.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sofa

I'll tell you one thing about that sofa my grandma had, we climbed all over it and back again as kids, and the chairs too. Our favorite thing was to play pirate ships with them. What can I say, mom used to haul us up to visit with grandma for a couple of days every couple of months, usually by herself since dad stayed home to work, and we got ramy at grandma's little house!! And no I wasn't supposed to climb on the furniture but we really loved those old pieces. I'm so glad they are still in the family, the sofa is still going strong. But it's around 80 years old, made with solid wood. I dunno about the newer made furniture.

Well, wouldn't you know!

I actually like the apple green, but in my terra cotta study, it would be a bit too much Here-Comes-Santa-Claus for me...

But thanks, Palimpsest, for filling me in. Seduced and abandoned yet again!!

Thank you everyone for all of your help:) I'm sorry that I didn't get back soon enough to thank you. This board moves really fast-- I came back at the end of the weekend and the post was on the bottom of page 4!

I really appreciate the head's up on so many things ranging from the sturdiness (or lack thereof) as well as ideas for where to get them. I confess I have hesitations of buying a couch over the internet without feeling it, but may very well get the Restoration Hardware one. I generally am impressed with the quality of their stuff and I can't complain about the price. Plus, I can totally see my own kids playing pirate ship on the couch!

I am sorry to highjack dcclerk.

Tina did you say you lived in Nashville? Have you ever been to the Heart of Country antique show in the fall or spring? I hear they have the best of the best.

.....Jane

I think the RH sofa is a great price dcclerk.