@Sarah TB Hello! It is going so well! No pilling at all.. it is definitely soft enough. We have 2 dogs so have definitely had opportunities for dirt/ hair etc and so far everything has come out wonderfully. I have removed and washed the covers one time and they still looked great. I do keep blankets on the couch most of the time though for the pups. I have not regretted this purchase for one moment to date!

The Ethan Allen Spencer collection is 20% off right now. I think their fabrics are much nicer (even quick ship choices). I prefer the taller frame for back cushions, 6" wide track arm (not too big or small), mortise and tenon joinery construction, cushion choices, back cushion has a 3-channel jacket to keep fibers from shifting and that the bottom foam cushions are wrapped with 3 layers. I worried the very thick cushions of the Gather would breakdown and be hard to replace because of their unusual dimensions.

@Anne Smith they are both comfortable to me (i had heard ery good things from axis owners) - for the 88" length the Metro deep is a little deeper - 43" vs 41"i think on axis overall and the "interior" depth from back cushioin to front edge of seat cushion is like 28/29" whereas i think it's more like 25 on axis. Metro seat cushions feel a little more "cushiony"/"springy" (but not soft) than axis which felt "firmer" - i think becausethe seat cushions on Metro (deep version only) are spring down (so coils in them) vs pure foam wrapped with down i . Also i think the back frame on Axis is taller and i think feels like it sits a bit more "upright" (the back of Metro feels more like C&B lounge sofa than Axis). Although the douglas fabric on Axis is very durable, the look was a little too "suedey" for me, and i couldn't use the ice or white color - I needed more of an ivory (so i would have gotten Icon pearl) . The ivory sumner fabric on the Metro is really nice (100% polypropylene)

I couldn't make up my mind on the fabric and ended it buying the Quick Ship option Warm White Denim which was on sale at the time for $1500. I figured if I hated it I would just send it back which is an option on the in stock furniture minus the shipping fees. The sofa ended up looking great in my family room so I kept it. I was leaning torward the Performance Brushed Basketweave for its softness but was hesitating because I thought the oatmeal color was a tad too dark and the lighter color Ivory was too yellowish. I later found out my neighboor has that fabric on her sofa and is very happy with it, no pilling issues and she has two dogs that sleep on it. I see now the Carmel Quick Ship option comes in the Everyday Linen which is a very durable fabric but not soft by any means, but it would be my choice for a quick delivery. I have read a lot of positive reviews on that fabric. Also, I have a Gideon chair in Perfomance Heathered Tweed Ivory which is a very soft fabric and looks really good on the chair but I can't speak for durability as we don't sit on the chair very often, but it would be one I would consider on a sofa. I hope this helps...