How to Buy a Couch: Part 3

And for the FINALE!

SEAT CUSHIONS

"There are different ways to construct the seat cushions.  Most online stores have poly wrap around them. These will be more firm and will retain their shape well. If you like softer construction - you'll have to upgrade and look at a more custom furniture line.  

STYLE

 It's a personal preference.  What is great about design today is that even if you have a contemporary sofa - you don't have to have a contemporary space.  And vice versa. You can mix and match to create a very personal and collected look.  

CUSTOMIZATION

Custom doesn't always mean extravagantly priced. There are a few places around that you can choose style/fabric/cushion comfort/frame color and not break the bank.  Of course, people typically like the extras and it will cost a little more than buying something off the floor. However, at least you're getting something you really like and enjoy." Erika Barczak

Hope this helps when buying your next sofa!

 - Erin

How to buy a Couch: Part 2

Okay so from last week we know that quality matters in buying a couch (or any type of furniture). So what else do we need to know about buying a sofa?

SIZE MATTERS

"Sofas comes in a few different sizes and different depths. Different sofa sizes will affect comfort.  I'd really suggest hopping into a store one day and test out a few different sofa styles and sizes for this reason. 

Semi Custom House Project

Also, take measurements of your space and determine the best size - take newspaper and layout one of these sofa sizes and see how it would feel, how much space you have around it, etc.  It is really easy for people to purchase items that are too large because they look really small in a showroom that has really tall ceilings and expertly designed walking paths

COLOR

Are you going to be eating/drinking on your sofa?  Are you going to vacuum it regularly?" - Erika Barcak

 

Ranch Office Project

Now keep reading because next time we have the final pieces to the puzzle.

Home Addition Project

 - Erin

How to Buy a Couch

We all get to a certain age where we decide that we are going to buy new furniture instead of getting hand me downs from family or friends...I have not hit that point yet, just FYI.

Awesome Apartment Model Project

Anyways, how do you go about buying something that you have never shopped for before. I mean most people aren't going couch shopping everyday. What do you look for? Do you want firm or soft? Down or foam? Light or dark color? These are a lot of questions, and you have to know the answer or you will be in a 10+ year relationship with furniture you hate!

Awesome Apartment Model Project

Well hopefully these few tips and tricks over the next few days from Erika will help you out.

QUALITY MATTERS :)

Clubhouse Re-do

"One of the things I did with a client that I think really helped was furniture shopping with him one afternoon. I made him sit in different quality sofas and chairs to be able to feel the difference.  You get what you pay for and price really does reflect quality and comfort.

Custom Home Project

I also showed him the difference between style, depth, cushion fill, fabric, leather, details like nailtrim, tufting, etc. and he was able to figure out what he liked and what he didn't.  If you're going to be spending this kind of money - you don't want a sofa that is really uncomfortable or hard to maintain and both of those qualities are different for every person...." Erika Barczak

 - Erin

Really Big Challenges

Not every job begins with a clean slate, an empty space with nothing to it.  In fact, 90% of jobs require a designer to incorporate existing furniture, accessories, or styles.  Sometimes it can be super easy to do.... other times, not so much.

I have been working on a couple of clubhouses which are perfect examples of such a challenge.  The owners were ready to update the grand rooms in the community clubhouses; the furniture was beautiful, but it was worn from over ten years of use.  Doesn't seem like much of a problem.... however the budget, in no way, would accommodate replacing the existing window treatments.

Design challenge: update the space while coordinating with 13-year-old draperies.

Challenge accepted.

It is evident from this before picture, that these window treatments are HUGE. Like 25 feet long and all the way across the giant walls. So, we couldn't just ignore them and pretend they weren't there.  In fact, they play a key role in the design of this entire space.

Clubhouse Before

The fabric had a particular shade of red that proved more difficult to match than expected; it wasn't a true red, not an orange-red, not a burgundy either.  My assistant and I dug through hundreds of fabric books looking for just the right fabrics to coordinate. Many of the potential fabrics we found would turn out to be discontinued with no stock.

While keeping the main furniture neutral with caramel colored fabrics and leathers, the red accents came through in the throw pillows and rugs.

Detail of Clubhouse - After

When it came to the rugs, I got lucky.  Laying around BDI's office, I found a rug that has a gorgeous shade of red that was.... perfect! Check out this fresh new look to this grand, traditional room!

Clubhouse - After

 - Erika and Erin