If My Sofa Were a Man...

Man v. Sofa - Different…but the same!

Okay, ladies, lets be real:  you wouldn't settle for a man who only looked good on the outside but had few redeeming qualities other than he's fast and easy, right?…wait, maybe you would, so let me rephrase:  you shouldn't settle for a man unless he is attractive, committed to the long run, practical, someone you enjoy relaxing with and being intimate with, makes you feel comfortable, has value, and fits in your life and lifestyle.  Now, apply those same qualities to your sofa and compare and contrast your man versus your sofa…how did that work for you?  Chances are, your sofa matches the qualities of the bad ass you dated in high school but not so much your husband:  it was so totally cool at the time but short lived, does not fit your lifestyle, really not a quality piece, should have been discarded sooner than later, and might have been a mistake!

No fear!  Here are my favorite tips for finding the right man, I mean sofa!

~ Love at First Sight!  You have to like the look of it.  Now, remember, we are shopping for husbands here, not Mr. Right Now.  Work with your design consultant to understand the appropriate time frame you plan to keep your sofa.  The style should be timeless, something that can morph as your style changes over the life of the piece.  What changes can you expect between the time of purchase and the time you will need to replace it (ex. children)?

This Sherrill sofa covers love at first sight perfectly.  The tufting is classic but the lines of the sofa are more contemporary, merging to create a transitional sofa that can easily make the leap from one room design to another.  The neutral base fabric makes for a simple swap in toss pillows to change up our accents and redesign!  Family growing?  No worries, the proper durability in fabric combined with a solid warranty/protection plan leaves the family worry free to live on this piece!

~It's What's Inside That Counts!  Not only should you be concerned about the shape, appearance, and fabric for your sofa but equally as important is what is on the inside.  Your furniture consultant can explain to you the construction details of each piece you consider.  Most high quality upholstered furniture pieces will include a few catch phrases:  eight-way hand tied springs, glued and screwed joints, and hardwood frames, to name a few. Not all need to be present in each piece to be considered high quality however these catch phrases will get you geared in the right direction.

Eight-Way Hand-Tied springs are a good indication that care was put into the construction of an upholstered piece.  The process is manual therefore is time consuming and expensive for manufacturers however it is also a testimony to the pride the manufacturer has in their product.  Sofas with eight-way hand-tied spring systems will not suffer the fate of stray springs poking through to the cushions and will be guarded from the sagging that can happen in the most popular seat because the weight is spread across the entire surface.

~Values, Value, Valued!  Just like a man with good values is a catch, a sofa with great value is key.  Please do not get confused:  value and price are different…as different as your husband's values and his salary…one is a desired characteristic, the other shouldn't make or break the deal.  High quality construction and fine materials will bring value in that your sofa will come with the warranties and guarantees to allow for longevity in your investment.  You will pay more for the sofa however you will buy two, maybe three low-value sofas in the same time frame you will purchase only one high value sofa.  Three $1,500 sofas over the course of 8 years will cost your more than one $3,000 sofa, for example.

~Love is Patient…Love is Kind!  Take your time to shop.  Sit in, experience, and learn about the pieces you are considering.  Many memories and exciting times will be shared with the sofa you select, so be patient and work closely with your designer and furniture consultant to ensure you are not making a mistake because you are rushing into a purchase.  Furniture buying is an investment! Planning is necessary to do it well.

It's important to consider how you will be using your sofa while you are shopping for it.  You've worked hard to plan out the correct size, color, and floor plan, so ensure your shopping fit appropriately too!  One of the first things I have my clients do before they sit in a sofa is remove their jacket!  How often do you sit on your sofa with a winter jacket on?  Why would you decide which sofa to buy while wearing one then?

~Good Things Come to Those Who Wait!  Yes, "fast and easy" was the phrase I used earlier, and I am sure more than a few of you are nodding right now thinking, "Yeah, I have owned a sofa because it was promised to be in my living room by 5pm two weeks from purchase!"  I get it, we live in a world of instant gratification and are accustomed to see-point-click-pay-quickship however I beg you, do not buy your furniture like this!  Custom orders take about 12 weeks from order to delivery however during this time, your piece is being crafted just as you and your designer selected it to be, just for you, by hand in many instances, and dressed in that to-die-for fabric that completes the total look of your room.  Just like that moment when your fiancé catches is first glance at you walking down the isle, the moment when your designer reveals your room with your perfect sofa in it is well worth the wait!

Achieving the total room look is what is important in the long run, just like finding a person to share your happily ever after with.  following these tips will help guide you while shopping for upholstery.  It is always best to partner with a design expert to ensure your plan encompasses every minute detail so that there are no surprises and most importantly no mistakes.  Like divorce, design mistakes are costly!

Happy shopping loves!

~Love & Hugs, Nina~