I followed up the first post with two more posts with pictures because I don't know how to post more than one picture in a post. You don't see the follow up posts?

If they're both equally comfortable, I'd go for the one without the tufting on the seat. I see a future of crumbs and dust collecting in them. I speak from experience,

This post was edited by oaktonmom on Thu, Jul 10, 14 at 9:44

Tibbrix, I had that feeling too, but I thought I could dress it up with pillows. I thought the tufted couch might be too busy, no?

Haven't read the responses to keep an open mind: I'd prefer the second one because it seems more cohesive with both back and seat tufted.
But more importantly, is one more comfortable than the other?

Also, while I love blues and grays, the first color seems to blend in too much with your wall color (which I love).

I don't think it's too busy at all, but oaktonmom makes a great point about lint and crumbs, etc., getting trapped in the seat tufting.

I vote for # 1 in blue/blue gray.....# 2 is too busy for me with all that tufting. I would not do brown or beige...you have enough brown with your wood pieces. Pretty room!

I like #2. It looks more inviting. The first one looks institutional. Uncomfortable. You could cut yourself on those hard edges, lol...

Plus, you have a lot of square corners and hard edges in the room already. I think you could use something with a bit of a rounded edge.

Crumbs? Bah. What's a sofa without a few crumbs?

But seriously. A vacuum cleaner. You have one of those, ya?

I think I'd go with the tufted despite the crumb thing, or find another, because I like that one much better than the other and it looks much more comfortable and inviting.

But, the crumb thing is something to consider. Is it a beach house? Will sand constantly be getting into the tufting?

the color of number 1 and the style of number 2

I also like the brown. It's a very soothing fabric color for sofas, and it will look great with the blue walls and white trim, goes with your throw pillows, and it'll work with just about any color should you decided, as time goes on, to change things up a bit. I love brown because it's so versatile.

Maybe get the navy in a rug?

Saw this. Hope I'm not being obnoxious putting it up.

I like the second sofa. The first looks cheap to me.

#2 definitely looks more inviting to me. I think something like Tibbrix posted with tufted back and solid seat would be a great compromise. Also think brown (or navy) would be better color choice than the grey.

The second one, hands down. I can't speak to the color, since I can't tolerate too much blue (gives me the blues) and you already have plenty with the pretty wall color. Since I have cats, I'm thinking about all the stuff that will accumulate in those recesses, but I guess that's why God made vacuums.

I like the look of #1 better. Its clean lined and more tailored. The second looks far more comfy and think the beige color would look great with your wall color and the white trim.

Here's the full story. Saturday my husband and I went to a few furniture stores and ended up buying the tufted couch from Macy's. We're only getting 5 pieces, not all that's shown in the picture, and we're not getting the ottoman. We picked the other stock color which is Mink (see below...it does appear lighter in the picture than it actually is). After we went home I saw pictures of the slate blue couch online which I hadn't seen in the store and I was intrigued, so I went back on Monday with my Mother. She hated the tufted couch and selected the blue one as her favorite hands down, no question (I wish I could make decisions like that). With her influence and my uncertainty, I switched to the sleeker blue grey one. Of course I still wasn't sure. So, this morning, my husband and I returned to the store so he could see the blue couch, which he hadn't seen in person. On Saturday, he really liked the tufted one and I was sure he would pick that one. But he surprised me and went with the blue one. He said it's more modern looking and goes with our house better. Plus he liked the color better than the mink. So, right now we're getting the blue one, but I have until Monday to make any changes. I hate being this way; I wish I could be sure like my Mom was. I figure I can soften up the blue grey couch with fun pillows.

I personally like the first one (and the blue color) better -- I like the tufted backs on the second one, but not the tufted seats (both too busy and too crumb-catching for me).

I've never seen tufting on seat cushions before. It looks strange.

If I am that unsure between two different ones, (and I am ALL the time, so irritating, haha) I would go with the one DH liked. You two are the ones that have to live with it.

If you feel the same about both, equally, I'd go with his pick.

Good luck, it's so exciting to get new furniture.

I agree with your mom and hubby on all counts. Go for it.

Hooray for #1!

Thank you all for your input, so far it's pretty much tied. I'd love more opinions!

I had a tufted back on a sofa once, and the string holding the button broke after a few years. So I don't think tufting in the seat cushion is a good idea.

Does it have to be between those two? I think the argument against the tufted one, that stuff gets jammed into the tufts, is a good one, but that the other is so austere and institution or waiting-room like, rendering neither a good choice - just my opinion, of course!

What about something like this? Comes in nice colors too.Kiln-dried hardwood frame too, which is a plus.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sectional

This post was edited by Tibbrix on Thu, Jul 10, 14 at 14:50

I love the tufted sofa but then I am partial to tufted. I don't like #1 at all. It definitely looks like a doctor's waiting room.

I'm with you on that, Holly-kay, but I think the argument about stuff cluttering up the tufts on the seats is a good one. I don't think either is likely the best choice they could make.

Btw, I think you're also WAY better off getting a section that is made of two large pieces and perhaps a corner piece, rather than a bunch of small piece you push together. They separate, and you have to constantly push them together and they're very uncomfortable because of that. When it comes to sectionals, I think your best bet is to get one that is essentially two full sofas put together to form and L.

Yes, it's between these two. Great July 4th sale price and already paid for (but we have until day before delivery to change as they're the same price). Although that one you posted, Tibbrix, is beautiful, but DH would kill me if I suggested cancelling Macy's altogether.

Just for fun, I cut & pasted both into our LR. The coffee table in the blue one got cut off and in the tufted one, in order to cover the old couch, the back tufts are in two layers instead of one. But you'll get the idea. First, here's the blue/grey.

Remember, the tufts in the back are actually only one layer, not two. Plus, it would be that mink color I posted above.

I like number 1 for its modern look and I also like that the seat is not tufted. I too had a tufted couch; the string gave out on mine after a few years. I had to have the couch repaired many times over the years. Eventually I learned how to repair it myself.

Number 1, hands down. Seat tufting is a PITA, said by experience. Plus, I prefer clean lines.

#1 all the way!

As an upholsterer with 40 years experience, #1 looks like better quality. Crisp and tailored, it is a good background for any pillows and throws.

Tufting in seats is frequently done because the foam, foam wrap or cover fabric "slips" on the cushion with use. There are two main reasons for this: The foam is the cheap stuff or the deck construction does not properly support the cushioning. Or both...

Also frequently used with lesser quality foam core to draw the eye away from other flaws. Additionally, tufted seats do gather EVERY bit of lint, dust and hair. Do you want to spend all your time cleaning ALL THOSE BUTTONS? And they do slip or break unless very carefully tied and glued.

How to decide on comfort? Take a magazine or book that interests you, tell the sales person to leave you alone for a while and have a seat. (Spend time on EACH end and the middle of the piece.) Read your book and relax.

After about 10 minutes you may notice that your body wants to shift around. Perhaps it feels like it is sliding down and off the front of the cushion? Maybe it notices the back cushion feels like a brick wall? Or its chest is caved in like a bowl? Or perhaps your body feels like it is leaning over to the center of the piece? Or your bum no longer can feel any foam between itself and the cushion deck?

Just visiting from the rose forums...

Prefer #1

The second one reminds me of a sectional that you'd find in a Las Vegas casino penthouse. Only it would probably be red.

Although I voted for #2 initially, #1 looks really good in your space. Excellent Photoshopping, BTW.

My choice is #1. I like tufting but the tufting on #2 looks odd.

#1 for sure

I couldn't post early when you started this thread, but I liked number one right away and after you changed the picture to more blue, I liked it even better.

Thank you all for voting! Count now is 17 for the slate blue and 7 for the tufted (plus 1 that was sort of non committal). Oaktonmom, LOL! Linelle, thank you for the photoshopping compliment, but did you see the chopped off coffee table? So, the blue one is scheduled to be delivered next Wednesday. Now that DH has seen both in person and said he preferred the blue one, I feel more relaxed knowing he had a say in the decision making. But that didn't stop me from checking out Macy's furniture return policy :-).

I like #1 (and I usually don't like the more MCM vibe) with the clean lines. I think it looks well-made. I tufted one reminds me a little bit of over-stuffed couches that will look "tired" and "crushed" into lumpy shapes after time.

I also really like the blue.

Your photo-shopping really solidified the choice for me. I think that #1 with some pillows looks great in your space.

I like the clean lines of #1

The tufted allover sofa looks poorly made to me. I would guess it will loose its shape and look worn out fairly quickly.

Notice that the first one has welting on the seams and the second one does not. Also, it appears the the first one is tufted with buttons and the second one is not.

But that is just MHO.

Coming back to look at them on my laptop and I even more so like the first one. I think you made the correct choice Ruthie. I noticed the similarities to MCM as did Kees, but didn't want to type all that on my tablet. Very few MCM designs have ever gone out of style. I'm talking classic Mid Century MODERN. Not just Mid Century. I'm talking mostly fifties and sixties clean line design.

I liked #1 from the beginning. I was just worried if it would be comfy. I think it looks far better than the second one.

I think you have def chosen the winner!!!

Look forward to seeing pics of it in your space!

#1 is my favorite and the only one I would select of the two, so I'm glad you've decided that way. The blue gray is a nice fit for your walls and furnishings. The second sofa looks messy and clumsy to me, having none of the crisp modern look of the first sofa.

Please post the after pictures!

Hi Your color walls appear to be a blue/grey so I would be leaning toward a more neutral color for the sofa.... pale beige, oyster etc. So My gut on color and style is the 2nd or the posters creme color choice for #3. GL

Oopsie, actually only one wall is blue/grey which is the fireplace wall. The rest of the walls are a light gold/beige color (Benjamin Moore Blond Wood). So, in that regard, I think the dark steel blue would complement the beige walls (at least I'm hoping it will). Thank you all for your input! Will post pictures after it's delivered.

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Fri, Jul 11, 14 at 17:15

I originally thought #2 but after seeing your photoshopped pictures, I like #1. I love the clean, modern lines.

Would you mind sharing the blue/gray color on the fireplace wall? It is beautiful.

I much prefer the first one. I don't like the buttons on the seat.

flymom, the color on the fireplace wall is Benjamin Moore's Adagio #1593. I'm so glad you like it. On the strip it appears very gray but on the walls it took on a much bluer cast which we liked. We selected that color from the painting that's on the wall. By the way, I happened to log on to Macy's website last night to see if there were any more reviews of the sectional we're buying, and to my surprise it was marked down an additional $200! So, DH & I are returning to the store today to get a price adjustment. This was just meant to be :-).