The wife would really like a sectional for the new house. I have to say, I am not normally a fan, and coupled with my low budget it makes it pretty hard.
I like a couple of these ok. How would I go about checking the quality? I am also concerned about scale.
This one seems simple...
This one seems simple enough. Would be paired with an Eames lounge/ottoman and a kofod larsen penguin chair. Might have to get another coffee table and move my Nelson bench elsewhere...
http://www.efurniturebuys.com/productdetail.asp?productid=3162
I wouldn't buy something...
I wouldn't buy something like that online. The feel of a sofa is really critical, I think, and the only way to judge that is to sit on it.
As far as scale, lay newspapers out on the floor to the sectional's dimensions. They really do take up a lot of room and are hard to work into most layouts. I had one all set to put into our family room long before the room was finished. The sectional turned out to be too big and I ended up giving it to our oldest kid for her boom boom room. At least I still get to visit it. I do kinda regret the whole thing, though.
As far as quality, you should ask about the type of frame, the type and density of the foam, the type of springs, fiber content and wear rating of the fabric, etc. Good luck getting accurate, honest answers.
Spanky's given some very good pointers!
Also, I have to add...take advantage of our sad US economy and the foreclosure crisis. There are LOTS of craigslist or consigment shop buys out there right now. And don't worry too much about fabrics, or legs as these can be changed easily. Just find a good size that feels comfortable to you. Look for hardwood construction strong springs and solid joinery. Everything else can be altered by an upholsterer. Even things like arm shape and back height can be reworked by them.
With a bit of luck you could get a high quality piece reworked to your style and it'll be perfect for you!
Some causes
Some causes for concern:
Pricing: I'm not trying to be snobbish, but I've pretty much found with rare exception you get what you pay for in furniture. This seems to be eeking in at the lower end of the price scale. (i'm not saying you can't get a good deal - but if a deal seems too good to be true... it usually is)
Construction: It say's hardwood frame, but doesnt specify what kind of wood. Some hardwoods are softer than others. More importantly tho, it doesnt specify what sort of joinery is used. If it's a simple but joint then it doesnt matter what wood is used. A good, solid, sofa should have precision cut joinery that is reinforced with corner blocking and double screwing.
Seat Construction: Doesnt list what the seat support is. Some things, like sinuous spring supports are decent at first, but give way over time. Webbing suspension is better, but 8-way tied webbing is going to be the best.
Hope this helps!
I wonder
if weight would be a semi-reliable indicator of quality/longevity. I've been surprised at how light some fully-upholstered sofas are, these days. A beefier frame would weigh more than one with a minimum of wood in it. Less material and weight are a double bonus to the manufacturer and shipper. . .
It has been remarked that weight translates to an impression of worth, in many consumers' minds. Would this be a case where that impression might have some validity ?
Not really
My friend has a Theater sofa from DWR - it's light as a feather. (I helped her move)
Conversely my sofa (and Olive can verify) weighs like 400lbs. (she did not help ME move)
both are very solid, just made from different materials. Hers is hardwood, corner blocked, yada yada; mine is marine plywood frame with steel corners & bracing. Also - for some reason Bensen used insanely dense cushion foam. The cushions probably weigh 15lbs each.
Latex foam weighs a lot more...
Latex foam weighs a lot more than poly foam. Extremely high density poly foam is kinda heavy but it's also hard as a brick to sit on so you don't see it much in upholstered pieces.
Older upholstered pieces usually have thick cotton batting in them as padding on top of springs and wood parts; this is heavier than what is used in more modern pieces.
Some of it just depends on the construction of the frame, too. Some styles have a lot more wood and others are very pared down.
This is the 50s sectional that I got at auction and reupholstered before realizing it was just too big for the future room. (This is my daughter's boom boom room.)
I see a lot of these at auction, on Craigslist and on Ebay. They have short, thick tapered legs. This one is exquisitely comfortable--not too soft, not too firm, perfect seat depth and height....just perfect. I redid it in Unika Vaev "Wink", which is also perfect. Doesn't show lint or dirt and spills bead up on it. DANG.
I will include a photo of it wearing its previous fabric, a divine brocade in yellow and gold. Your grandma would have loved it.
Anyway, if you run across one of these, be sure to check it out. It may be what you're looking for and usually they go for cheap. The upholstery won't be cheap but it'll be so worth it.
A few more thoughts...
First, nice work, Spanky. All that piping is a total p.i.t.a. I wouldn't have the patience for it. I did one piece with contrasting piping for my sis and I swore off doing the stuff after that. Tedious as all get out. Does give a crisp edge, though.
And to comment a bit more about sofa selection. I'l pass on a bit of green speak cuz you're into this too, whitespike. Lucifersum, commented on the heavy cushions in our mutual Bendsten Neo sectional. He's right that they are heavy and Spanky's right that they are natural latex. And they are wrapped in down mini-duvets. Heavy, comfy and, to me, very importantly, planet-friendly. The hard wood frame and recycled metal content were also good in that regard. Cotton cover not so much, but finding sustainable upholstery fabric isn't the easiest. Cotton is one of the most destructive crops on the planet cuz it's grown with so much pesticide and fertilizer. Strangely, the worst stuff we grow all begin with "C". Cotton, Corn, Chocolate and Coffee. Buy organic with these whenever you can to reduce the load on the planet!
Anyway back to furniture construction, there's a new bunch of companies out there that are making 'green' furniture using FSC certified woods, organic cotton and foams, etc. from what I've seen you can do nearly as well by just making careful choices. That'll open up your options and help on pricing. Sustainable choices seem to pack a whollop of a price hit. Also, doing what Spanky's done and reusing is always a really good choice as well. If you use latex foam and organic or recycled fabrics you are doing the the environment a favor, and keeping your price under control.
Olive/strong>
Thanks--on many of the pieces I've reupholstered, I've been really tempted to leave off the welt but the few times I have done that, I really regretted it. So I just grit my teeth and cut all those damn bias strips and sew it up and then pin each cushion edge with welt while watching something good on TV. That way it's less painful.
Once in a great while I'll do a piece that looks great without welt. Those are a real treat.
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