What is the Difference Between Middle and High-End Furniture? Continued…

Let’s start with the basics. A well constructed sofa consists of the following details: 5/4 kiln dried hardwood (like oak), sometimes ash, legs that are part of the frame, suspended coil springs that are 8 way (or greater) tied, corner blocks, double dowel, glued and screwed corners and joints, minimum of high density cushions with upgrades available, such as down filled, fabric matched and high quality fabrics available.  Avoid sofas that use bands or straps or serpentine for support as compared to suspended coil springs.  How will you know if the piece you are interested in has these things? Ask!  Any reputable dealer should be well-educated on the pieces they carry.  When shopping in consignment stores most shop owners/salespeople who have done their homework, and will be able to point out the functions and features of their inventory.  However, you as the consumer need to educate yourself as well.

Don’t be afraid to explore the piece by looking underneath or opening a zipper on the cushions to see how they are constructed.  Remember, if you find a high-end piece terrifically priced that isn’t exactly the color or style you had in mind, this is the opportunity to think out of the box.  Since items of this quality will last years upon years they are definitely worth spending your money on to have them re-upholstered.  What you should be concerned with are the bones of the piece not the lipstick and rouge.  Many times a piece can look too formal or frilly, or just the opposite.  Again, look at the bones…can the skirt be deleted to make it look more tailored?  Could you add piping, or bullion fringe to give it a more formal or frilly look?  Pictured below is a high-end sofa we currently have in the store.  This sofa is a perfect example of a piece with great bones.   Yes, the  fabric is a dated Waverly print, but since this is a high-end sofa with amazing lines it would be a beautiful re-covered and re-worked piece.  This is also one of those pieces  that would make fantastic contemporary piece simply by removing the skirt which would expose it’s long tapered legs, and then re-covering it in a solid or funky fun fabric.

High-sofa with great bones!

I could go on for hours on the benefits of spending more on a quality piece, but I don’t want to beat a dead horse.  Honestly, this is one of those times when the old saying “you get what you pay for” really rings true.

See you in the store soon!

Kathy

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