skip to main content

Home Decorating Furniture Design Dilemma

SOFA: Ethan Allen, Rowe, or Room&Board ?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

What is the best quality? How do these compare on longevity of the frames and how the cushions hold up?

Rowe Furniture - Dorset, Ethan Allen - Marcus, or Room and Board - Andre. Pics bleow.

Price is not a determining factor. We want a tight back, firm seat sofa that will last a good 15+ years for our den. No kids, just two adults binge watching TV. Below are stock colors but we will order custom fabric - oatmeal-ish.

The entrance to the room is super tight and tricky so we need a low back, removeable legs, and might even still have to call a "sofa doctor" to disassemble and reassemble in the room if it can't fit. (We just move to NYC and apparently this is a thing!) Rowe and Ethan Allen reps have used such vendors to get their sofas in the door. EA and R&B can send people out to measure.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I like leaterh for a media room space and I aslo like italian makers who use strapping insted of springs you will get a long life with no hassle and no staining of fabric either I like the style so check out Natuzzi pieces Not sure about sizing and nort sure what your exact issues are with placement . I have put some sofas in some pretty tight spots so maybe post the issues you are having in pics and a drawing. In my experience most NA made sofas are spring support and all springs start wearing out the first time you sit down and i don't think it matters how many times they are tied. Our son has our old Italian leather sofa that is 40 yrs old he had the pillows redone with new foam but the strapping gives the same comfort we always had no issues.
Kendrah thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
calidesign
2 years ago
I've always had EA sofas and the quality is great. I got the Marcus in a loveseat size with one seat cushion over a year ago for a sitting room that is used daily. It still looks brand new. You can choose your filling to get the amount of firmness you like on the seat. I also got mine without the back buttons for a cleaner look.
Kendrah thanked calidesign
Related Discussions
ethan allen and bassett furniture
Q
Comments (5)
I have an Ethan Allen sofa, bookcases and coffee table bought maybe 3 years ago. Happy with all. Inside of the coffee table drawers says "Made in USA." I believe some parts of the sofa were made in USA and some were not. I could check the label if you really want to know. I also bought some American-made furniture recently from Stickley (made in NY) and Lee Industries (made in North Carolina). The Room and Board catalog tells you where their sofas are made in the US.
...See More
Trouble Finding Quality Sofa
Q
Comments (4)
I, too, have been looking for a sofa and been disappointed with the quality which doesn't match the high prices. I decided to have my Flexsteel loveseat reupholstered because the quality is so good. One of the guys bidding on the job said no one makes sofas that last like Flexsteel. I've read some bad reviews, but those seem mostly to be about the leather sofas they make. I'll go with the upholsterer's opinion since he's been in the biz for many years. It has a lifetime guarantee on the frame and flexsteel construction. My loveseat is 20 years old. I gave the matching sofa to my niece who has five bouncing, jumping kids. That sofa is still in good shape although the upholstery needs to be changed. Why don't you contact a couple of upholsterers in your area and ask them what brands they recommend? Here's the "before" picture of my 20-year-old sofa....
...See More
Sofa: Room and Board vs Ethan Allen Crypton Fabric
Q
Comments (0)
Hi! I am trying to decide between two teal sectional sofas. One is the Retreat by Ethan Allen and the other is York by Room and Board. I have a grey chair from R&B that is about 6 six years old and it has held up really well. However, Ethan Allen offers the Crypton fabric, which might be better for me since I have pets who sometimes throw up on the sofa, and I'm also a mess who spills things a lot. The Ethan Allen sofa also comes out to be slightly cheaper, even when you add on the $299 warranty. Does anyone have experience with these two brands who could offer some advice? Thanks!
...See More
Any recent positive experiences with Rowe sofas?
Q
Comments (12)
I still haven’t bought a sectional, sadly. We were supposed to go the San Francisco this March and I was going to sit on some Room and Board sectionals, but we cancelled our trip for obvious reasons. With everything going on, we will probably have to wait to see how our finances are over the next few months. That being said, I was leaning towards the Room and Board Metro or Morrison. I have a friend that bought a Robin Bruce (Rowe) Orson recently and loves it. I have just read too many mixed reviews on Rowe, so have been hesitant about ordering from them.
...See More
Kendrah
Original Author
2 years ago
Good to hear about a recent EA purchase. I know they were bought out and various factories closed sometime within the last 5 years I think. You never know how a company's quality will change once they are under new ownership. Glad you like the Marcus.

I think we are looking for fabric, not leather. Interesting to learn about strapping though.
qzikmund
9 months ago
last modified: 9 months ago
I’d love to know which sofa you went with and how it’s been working out. I’m currently comparing the EA Marcus and the RB Andre for our mid mod living room.

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS Breaking the Rules: Living Rooms Without a Sofa

By Jess McBride

Spark conversation with one of these arrangements of chairs, chaises and floor seating

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: A Minneapolis Living Room Goes From Dim to Delightful

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A Craftsman-style living room gets lightened up, giving a family some space to gather and play

KIDS’ SPACES Who Says a Dining Room Has to Be a Dining Room?

By Becky Harris

Chucking the builder’s floor plan, a family reassigns rooms to work better for their needs

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: See a 30-Day Makeover of a Manhattan Living Room

By Karen Egly-Thompson

This rental unit in a newly renovated Garment District building gets dressed for success in a New York minute

INDUSTRIAL STYLE Room of the Day: Concrete Block Goes Chic in a Living Room

By Mary Jo Bowling

Designers put a fresh face on a workaday material in this Washington, D.C., condo

DINING ROOMS Room of the Day: Putting the Dining Room to Work

By Mary Jo Bowling

With a table for meals and a desk for bringing home the bacon, this dining room earns its keep

BASEMENTS Room of the Day: A Renovated Basement With Room to Play

By Annie Thornton

A large unused space becomes a host of rooms for playing, watching TV, hanging out and putting up guests

FURNITURE How to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last

Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come

LIVING ROOMS The Most Popular Living Room Photos of 2015

By Becky Harris

Sectional sofas, vaulted ceilings and custom built-ins are just some of the features that made a big showing this year

LIVING ROOMS Tailored Transitional Decor for a Period Living Room

By Becky Harris

Calm grays and blues, a mix of textures and a little shine suit this room in a couple’s San Francisco row house

Sponsored

More Discussions

Powder room by the kitchen

256

Living room layout

10

Cottage Sunroom/ Gazebo redecorating

18

Should I keep this?

39

Help with Artwork for LARGE area over cabinet.

17