The English roll arm is one of the most influential sofa forms in history. Its lineage traces to Howard & Sons, the Victorian-era London upholstery house known for its 1866 “Elastic Seat” patent, and for the simple insight that true comfort begins inside the structure. In its original form, the sofa was ergonomic art: low arms that let the shoulders drop, a curved back that gave the sofa its posture, a lifted seat that supported the body, and full, lofted cushions that softened the sit without swallowing the frame. Over time, many interpretations drifted from that original balance. They became deeper, flatter, bulkier, and, eventually, largely dependent on foam. The costume remained. The discipline drifted. Our sofa is an attempt to restore the form from first principles: the posture, the proportion, the sit, and the natural materials that make the shape work. We start with a solid maple frame, white oak or walnut legs, eight-way hand-tied springs, a burlap wrap, and 100% wool trim padding. We then layer the seat with generous cushions made from 95:5 traceable American feather/down and 3" organic latex cores. For upholstery, we offer a cream, 100% cotton twill, woven in America, or the option to send your own textile through our Customer’s Own Material program. A familiar sofa, rebuilt with the reasons it worked in the first place. Starts shipping in September 2026 on a first-in, first-out basis.
Cream Twill, Customer's Own Material (shipping instructions post-purchase)