Can't comment on R&B, but had stressless for the last 15 years, and really happy with them. It holds very well.
Yeah, I went and checked their stuff out in person. Feels really solid. What bummed me out is that their manual recliners require you to go with a separated ottoman that doesn't tuck away, and while the powered recliners do tuck the footrest away when not in use, I didn't really want to get a powered recliner if I could avoid it.
I’m curious about this chain as well! Your concerns (like a footstool that can’t be easily hidden) are the same as mine.
Have you checked La-Z-Boy? I have a couch we bought approximately 10 years ago that still looks great.
Yeah, they're certainly comfortable but holy crap are they ugly-looking. I went to the La-Z-Boy store near me and everything looked like the kind of chunky overstuffed furniture my grandparents used to have. Again, absolutely not debating the comfort -- but it's gotta pass the aesthetic test, at least to some degree.
Any specific models they carry with more of a contemporary look that you'd recommend?
For practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last.