Ten years ago, there were very few trendy modern traditional sofas available on the market, which led to my infatuation with a luxurious $30,000 BBDW sofa that I can only dream about. English roll arms and slope arms are timeless classics that I adore. As I envisioned our living room, I embarked on a quest to find the perfect modern traditional sofa. Check out this post to see the direction our room is taking – our blue and pink Barb sofas, although more modern, were marketing samples not originally intended for the space, but I adore them. However, having two additional modern traditional sofas would be ideal. So, while indulging in Elle with Elliot, I’ve been scouring the internet to discover the best designers.
Quickly, I’m on the lookout for two sofas: a bold statement modern traditional sofa to complement a traditional English roll arm sofa. One of them needs to be at least 96″ long, while the other could range from 80-90″. Ideally, one would feature a pattern, but since combining two sofas and a rug requires some flexibility, I’m still exploring options. Let’s start with the more standout and likely extravagant modern traditional sofa.
Here are the modern traditional sofas that caught my eye:
The Dalia Sofa from Sixpenny ticks all the boxes – sleek enough to exude a modern vibe but with a slightly rolled arm for a touch of tradition. The large-scale pleated skirt adds the ultimate traditional flair. Sixpenny offers a variety of fabrics in beautiful colors, including a new floral pattern.
This rendering showcases the actual floral design below. The sofa also comes in a stunning warm burgundy linen that I’m seriously considering. The proportions are spot on, although I can’t confirm the level of comfort since it features a tight seat rather than separate cushions. However, based on my experience with their chair and sofa, which were incredibly comfortable, I trust that Sixpenny wouldn’t compromise on comfort.
This sofa, designed by Ginny McDonald for Lulu Collection, captivated me. The curved back would make a striking statement in my living room, especially with a hutch behind it. The fluid and soft design, coupled with a smaller scale rolled arm for a modern touch and a larger scale pleat, is truly impressive. I’m eager to discover the comfort level of the seat. With a width of up to 96″, this sofa would be ideal for facing the fireplace, but the shorter version could also work. If anyone has experienced sitting on this sofa, please share your feedback. While both sofas don’t need to be perfect in comfort, I hope they offer a balance between firmness and coziness.
The Rosamund Sofa by Joon Loloi is a strong contender for my living room. I’ve included it in numerous design boards alongside other modern traditional sofas and rugs. I can’t seem to resist its charm. I’ve ordered fabric samples, and they are all stunning in person. Joon Loloi seems to offer high-quality and beautiful furniture at a reasonable price point. The sofa is also available in an exquisite floral pattern:
This pattern was recently released and took my breath away. The sofa is available in other patterns as well. I find this one particularly appealing:
After receiving the samples in the mail, I fell in love with them. Now, I’m eager to combine this sofa with a solid English roll arm sofa and make it all come together seamlessly.
These are the standout modern traditional sofas that have captured my attention. Below are the English roll arms that I’m equally excited to pair with one of the aforementioned options.
I should mention that I’m cautious about sofas with low, loose backs due to my dogs causing damage to our previous modern traditional sofas. They have a habit of climbing on the highest point of the sofa, squishing the cushions down irreversibly. Our Fabienne sofa from Lulu and Georgia, although comfortable and beautiful, suffered from this issue. Hence, I prefer tight-backed sofas to avoid such mishaps.
With that in mind, let’s explore some classic English roll arm sofas:
I adore this elegant powder blue Willoughby sofa from Anthropologie, especially its generous 118″ length. It would make a stunning addition to our living room. I’m eagerly awaiting the fabric sample to see how well it complements the Joon Loloi floral beauty mentioned earlier. I’m curious about the brightness and saturation levels. I want vibrant yet subdued tones, so we’ll see how it turns out.
The Marsden Sofa by Heidi Callier for Lulu and Georgia is simple yet classic, with slightly lower arms for a touch of modernity. The front casters add a charming touch. I’m tempted by this design and considering the possibility of getting both Ginny’s and Heidi’s Lulu sofas in the same light blue Crypton linen for a cohesive look, paired with a patterned Persian rug.
The Eleanor Sofa from Rejuvenation is another classic English roll arm sofa that exudes quality and timelessness. I’ve ordered fabric samples to compare with the other options mentioned above. With a maximum length of 96″, this sofa would be perfect for the space facing the fireplace. Although it comes at a higher price point, Rejuvenation’s reputation for high-quality furniture makes it worth the investment if it’s the right fit.
The Carlisle Tightback Sofa by Pottery Barn was initially my top choice. I love the proportions – the lower rolled arms, single-seat bench, and tight back with a slight indentation in the middle. It fulfills many criteria. I received fabric samples and fell in love with the chambray linen. However, the “grande” version is only 90″ long, which is a bit shorter than I had hoped for. I may still consider using it as the smaller sofa. If Pottery Barn considers my feedback, I’d suggest offering the Carlisle in a longer length and making it available in stores for customers to test its comfort. The design is strong, the price point is attractive, and having the option to try it out in person would be beneficial.
I’m tempted to share my messy mood boards, but they are quite chaotic at the moment. I’ve ordered custom rug samples from overseas sellers on Etsy after struggling to find my ideal vintage rug in the right size and color palette. I’ll be testing the waters with these custom rug dealers on Etsy, where you pay for each sample before ordering the final rug. Although not the most budget-friendly option, it might be worth it to get a rug tailored to your exact specifications at a more affordable price compared to vintage rugs, especially for larger sizes. Stay tuned for more updates on modern traditional sofas and other exciting discoveries!
Opening Image Credits: Decorated by Emily Henderson | Photo by Kaitlin Green