Take a Load Off… picking out a new sofa.
Okay, so I think I am finally ready to take the plunge of buying a sofa for our living room (which we have been working on lately, Part 1, Part 2 and looking for rugs.)
What the heck right?
Splurge a little.
We have been married for ten years this May, so it is about time I get to buy a sofa, right… not premature. (I’ve never bought a “new” anything… accept an ottoman I got for cost during my internship in college, I have been patient)
I have been around to a million “sofa” places over the last few years, and never really seen anything that I like- well, I should say that I would be willing to fork over the cash for. I do not want a large sofa, nothing overstuffed… which is EVERYWHERE- seriously the only thing I have seen in all those big box stores. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and seriously scale wise there is nothing that you would call small. So, I have had a hard time locating a decently priced version of something I want.
I also have these prejudices against cheap disposable furniture and dreams of 8 way hand tied, down-insert, kiln-dried hard wood framed, heirloom quality pieces… Basically I need to find a real sofa manufacturer, and I used to have some good sources when I worked for a designer, but I don’t have those now….
Which means, I have been looking around online, and was wondering what your opinions are of some of the sofa’s I like, not sure if the one I will buy is in this lot- or how soon we will buy it… I need the cash first, which I just spent on the new flooring OOPS!
OR if you have some good sources for properly built sofas for a reasonable price, I would love to hear about them. Either that, or I need to find some auctions/estate sales of antique heirloom pieces…
But anyway here are the sofa “looks” that I like, I am not sure they meet all my standards, but I like the look.. They would be done in a neutral color, no print…
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(the number is under the picture, just FYI)
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
>I love #8 (link is wrong though). Love that the cushion is one solid piece…less cracks for *stuff* to get into and easier to seat more people. I also love the idea of slipcovers, but only if they look nice. #6 looks really nice:).
>Have you heard of Best Slipcover Co? I am a dealer for them, and they have some great options! Prices are similar to Pottery Barn depending on the fabric. Check out http://www.bestslipcovercompany.com, and the styles you may like ar the Charles, Taylor, Monica, and Grant. Let me know if you would like some pricing!!!
Thanks,
Sarah http://www.realestatestyleblog.com
>I love the Crate and Barrel one, it looks most elegant and sleek and best colour especially if you have kids and dogs around. I know what you mean about overstuffed sofas, everyone sinks in…
>I like number 7 the best, I don't like skirts on sofas because dog hair collects underneath them (don't ask how I know this). Mary 🙂
>Have you thought about Calico Corners? I haven't gotten anything from them personally, but I have several friends who have gotten custom sofas through the Austin location and they have been very, very pleased with the experience, workmanship, fabrics, etc.
Good luck on your sofa hunt!
>I like the Crate and Barrel sofa the best, but I go for cleaner lines in sofas (having been through my huge-armed, overstuffed, crazy-big sofa phase). I also know that my next sofa will have a tight back. I have a very clean-lined sofa now but if I want it to look halfway decent I need to fluff and rearrange pillows for a good 15 minutes. Between the cat laying on top the back cushion and me lounging on the couch, it gets very messy.
>Numbers 4 and 7!
>I really like all of the sofas!! Wow, lovely! I would have to say #1 is my favorite though…i love the lines!
>I agree with AJ and would not get 1, 3 or 7 for a family sofa because the arms are too short to lean against and you can't properly get comfy. Slipcovers are great for washing so you can lean towards lighter colours and also look cute made to expose the legs. A tight back sofa is more tailored and will always stay looking nicer than one with big back cushions, but make sure the seat is deep enough to accommodate some throw cushions to make it sink-in comfy. 🙂
>Guh!! Couch shopping nightmares!!
My fiancé and I just bought our first home 2 weeks ago – went from one living space to 2… And with the way the rooms are configured our couch is in the upstairs room and the tv went downstairs! Now we are in desperate need of either a couch downstairs or a TV upstairs!
My fiancé wants a big-ugly-fluffy-monster of a couch and I just want something that is comfy but looks nice!
Is that so much to ask for?! Plus they are so expensive…. Makes me sad – causes fights too!
Good luck!
>I love love love #1. It's very classy and timeless. You might also like some of these Martha Stewart couches: https://www.bernhardt.com/marthastewartfurniture/group.php?COL=Upholstery&CAT=Upholstery&SUBCAT=Sofas
We've been married for 6 1/2 years and we still have a "college-looking" black leather couch. I hate it so maybe I'll tell my husband that at 10 years I'm getting a new couch. I like the way you think. 🙂
Anna
askannamoseley.blogspot.com
>8 love, love, love it.
>I like 1, 5 or 7.
I just bought my first new sofa ever too! I have been married 7 yrs and my previous sofa came with the marriage. It was in the bachelor pad!
Anyhow I found a company from Canada called Stylus. I worked with a designer who helped me with the size based on my overly small room. I chose the width and depth but not the height. I picked the fabric and the pillows. One of my favorite things is that the fabric under the cushions is the same tough fabric all over. No cheaper, thinner fabric underneath. And the back is finished too! They have a website and will help you find a seller near you. It can be difficult but worth it! I live in Dallas and the nearest dealer was an hour away but I'll buy another Stylus sofa in another ten years! Good Luck.
>I really like couch number 1! Have you seen this couch by Candice Olson? It's very similar and made by Norwalk Furniture which is very high quality. The price is a bit higher, but if you want a couch that's built to last, they are the one's to go with.
MyCandiceDesign.com
https://www.mycandicedesign.com/furniture/view.dT/milton-sofa-77770
>I am with you on the overstuffed. I looked for the perfect small-scale sectional that wasn't overstuffed or overly fancy. I decided that since I have little kids, I will only do leather, but I didn't want it to look like leather. I am so sick of the dark brown or black leather, and there are no other choices at any stores. I also wanted something that was soft to the touch and didn't feel like plastic. I finally had a sectional made. It was by Decoro (www.decoro.com). It is seriously beautiful. It is in a soft, buttery camel color, and it is very rich to touch. Not super cheap, but I HATE cheap furniture too!
>I've been casually browsing for sofas. I can't stand the one we currently have. It's a sleeper and the cushion will not stay in the couch. I want something stylish and comfortable which apparently is nearly impossible to find.
I absolutely love Macy's Chloe sofa. It's comfortable but I would worry how it would hold up over time.
I liked PB's Comfort Slipcovered Sofa. Sounds cool that you can just take the cover off the couch and wash it. But it has some terrible reviews and it seems like once you wash the covers you might not be able to get them back on.
>Love, love these choices — My sofa is very similar to your #1, except mine's by Vanguard, and is a 3-cushion rather than 2, and has arms like #7. I've got down in my cushions, and I swear it's the most comfortable thing I've ever sat on. (And it's also the best place in the house to nap!) I've never had problems with stains – it's Scotchguarded, I think. (Hey with quality sofas- they cost more, but you really DO notice a difference!!)
I found mine for a ridiculously low price by taking a trip to Furnitureland in High Point, NC. They have a bazillion choices, and a 2nd huge warehouse just for clearance. If you ever get the opportunity to go out there, I HIGHLY recommend it.
>You can always try JCPenney??
>I'm loving 1, 3, and 4. If it helps at all, we have a couch from Room and Board and the quality is outstanding. We have two dogs(a pug and french bulldog) who fashion it their couch and like sit on the back pillows. Our 2 year old likes to jump on it from time to time and through all of this it has held up amazingly well.
>#8 happens to be my favorite (not particularly the color). These are all totally the style I'm looking at for the future (yup, probably 10 years from now). Some of the others have short arm rests which seems impractical. And I don't like the cover to the floor. I like couch legs!