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Quality sofas?

we once bought expensive sofas and after 4 years they were wrecked by cats and we were bored with style, but the money we paid out made us reluctant to ditch.

After then we have only ever bought cheapo Argos leather sofas. Price means we don't care if the cats wreck them, we normally ditch after bout 7 or 8 years.
 
JezmondTutu said:
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Collins & Hayes here in both our east and west wings:

https://www.collinsandhayes.co.uk/

Absolutely brilliant sofas - particularly love
our red velvet corner sofa in the music room.
Click to expand...

Just looked at stockists and there's a certain Renfrew St stockist of fine furniture that has them. Will take a look.

When I was younger we were in there and they had a sample sofa in that was in a red tiger fur effect print. As my mother said 'looks like it should be in a brothel......I like it, it's fun'
 
We have had great experience with Natuzzi. 11 years old and still super comfortable. A cable broke in the reclining armchair. I emailed them and they sent a replacement cable for free.
 
Have had really cheap sofas when I was a student - 25 years ago - they were really depressing. They looked like skip fodder after a year or two. I’ve since had middle of the range things from habitat and John Lewis. Both were meh. Also a wincingly expensive and beautiful German sofa by Walter Knoll which will be around after my kids. It is also wincingly uncomfortable.

I now have a ‘posh’ Ikea Stockholm leather sofa in my sitting room. It looks like new and is still extremely comfortable After 10 years of cats, kids, nookie, parties and 3 house moves. I’d buy the same one again in a flash.

I’ve had b&b Italia, Vitra and Knoll - all good, but all too precious for day to day mauling.
 
Maybe in IKEA tomorrow, will have a look at Stockholm although loathed to buy something I have to build and see chipboard while I'm doing it.
 
We had a couple of small Ikea sofas in the past. Seemed pretty solid - only changed after an insurance change from flooding.
 
Hate Ikea stuff, their kitchens are shite plus the founder was a Nazi, a dead Nazi now but a Nazi nonetheless
 
There's an IKEA chair in the corner I've had since 2000. Arm got broken but repaired it myself so I guess It's been good value.

Did look into new alternative covers but after seeing the chipboard carcass, thought I'd spend money on something better.

I'm a cheapskate at heart though....
 
Yes, kitchens are shite. Totally agree after using two of their cooker cabinets in current kitchen and would never fit one again.

Got two beds though which are pretty good.

I'll leave the politics to another thread.....
 
No idea if they still exist but our first decent '3 piece' was from Englander. It lasted very well and was re-covered once.. though disappointingly by a shit upholsterer.
When we decided to get rid it nearly killed me breaking up the solid wood frames.

Well worth staking out local independents... One in 'downtown Sentellins', had daily deliveries.. blokes would carry a two or even 3 seater couch into the shop on one shoulder.. not very inspiring.
 
Bought a couple of Sofa Workshop Caruso 4 seaters in 2001. Still as good as new really. Same with Multiyork bought 10 years ago, although they’re not around any longer. Bought another from love your home about 8 years ago and wearing extremely well so far.
 
I would (and did) go to a good maker-upholsterer who makes or has made the wooden frame. Make sure you ask around a lot before picking one. You'll probably pay twice the price of a medium-cheap ready-made, but probably less than one of the "prestige" brands, and have something that lasts for ever. And you can feel the quality under your arse for years and years. You can also design it yourself, decide the depth, height, etc. The "prestige" brands only seem to reason in "modules," and you can't get the exact length you want, and the depth and height is usually non-negotiable. It is also nice to keep craftsmen alive.
 
I'd love to find someone like that, not sure where to start but you've given some clues!

Thinking about it we do know a good wood craftsman and a decent upholsterer.....
 
We bought a leather sofa from M&S nearly 20 years ago. Gave it to my parents when we renovated our house and decided to have a change with a Heal’s sofa and matching armchair. Look wonderful and have worn in nicely. Cats aren’t interested thankfully....

We also have some recovered Guy Rogers Manhattan armchairs. One needs to have its joints redone, but they’re 50 years old and were made down the road in Speke.

Can’t help you OP - enjoy looking and don’t ignore second hand..!
 
JimmyB said:
I'd love to find someone like that, not sure where to start but you've given some clues!

Thinking about it we do know a good wood craftsman and a decent upholsterer.....
Click to expand...
Try the Guild of Master Craftsmen, they register carpenters, furniture makers, jewellery, fine crockery specialist s, etc, the obvious goal is to generate orders for their work.
 
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