Reviewer: Sam Cochran, features director
Model tested: EQ3 Cello 2-Piece Sectional Sofa with Chaise
The details: Launched in 2001, EQ3 is the lesser known but mighty Canadian equivalent of West Elm or Crate & Barrel, with a focus on promoting Canada’s own design talents and sensibility. The brand’s wide range of offerings include furniture for just about every room you can think of, as well as outdoor options and lots of bar accents, dinnerware, and various decor pieces.
Ordering process
Price: How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
In fabric upholstery, this two-piece sectional retails for $5,499, though top-grade leather options run as high as $11,500. Affirm is available for buyers who’d like to pay in installments.
What are the upholstery or customization options? Did you choose any?
The Cello sectional is available in ready-to-ship and made-to-order configurations. Mine was a ready-to-ship fabric upholstered design in neutral gray, but there are a wide range of fabrics and leathers available, grouped by price according to their hierarchy of grades.
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
Custom orders from the brand take six to eight weeks to manufacture with delivery time of two to four weeks.
Delivery + assembly
What was the delivery and assembly process like?
The delivery process was totally seamless. A two-person team arrived within the delivery window—which had been communicated to me well in advance of the day via email—and quickly brought the two sizable pieces up my narrow flight of stairs. (My living room is on the second floor of a Brooklyn town house.) The pair assembled the sectional immediately and were done within 15 minutes of arrival. The cushions were included in each shrink-wrapped section, so there were only two items to unwrap. The team did so quickly, placing the sectional in the designated location and removing all the packaging. I had been worried that the two pieces would somehow shift away from one another during use, but the design features a discreet hardware system to connect them.
After installation
What are the dimensions? How does it fit in your space? Would it be better suited for a different type of home?
The EQ3 Cello is a big piece—123″ wide with a 65″-deep chaise—and needs room, but luckily I have a big space. This sectional fills it perfectly, leaving enough room on either side for a table and a lamp. On any given evening there are usually two or three people on the sofa, and it works wonderfully. But I also think this sectional will be really great for viewing parties since it seems like it could seat five comfortably, maybe even six people.
Sit Test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
I was pleasantly surprised by how firm and comfy this couch is. The cushions are deep and firm, giving great back support. I haven’t noticed any sagging since we got it with the exception of the feather-filled back pillows which are designed to have a more slouchy look than the tightly fitted seat memory foam cushions. I love that there is velcro under the seat cushions to keep them in place. My fear with loose cushions is always that they will shift and look messy, but this piece is very tailored.
