Each Monday on the DesignQuotient™ blog, DesignCoach™ Los Angeles interior designer James Swan answers readers’ questions. Post your design dilemma. DesignCoach™ can help you find the solution.
This week on the DesignCoach: …And You Think Health Care Reform is Difficult; Try Selecting a New Sofa!
Q. : Half-way through life and it’s time for a change. I’ve changed jobs, cities and now it’s time for a change in my living environment. I’ve saved some money and I’d like to buy a new sofa as the old one has more than served its purpose. Help! How do I find the perfect sofa?
A. : This question reminds me of similar questions which fill the media these days; “How do we find the perfect HealthCare System?” and “How do we select the perfect Supreme Court Justice?” Then there is the timeless quandary “How do I find the perfect black dress?” Not questions for the feint-of-heart, to be certain. But rather than solve all the worlds problems at once let’s focus on the really important question of finding YOUR perfect sofa.
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you know that I’m not one to toss around the use of ALL CAPS so when I capitalize the word YOUR, it’s for a reason. My “perfect” sofa may not be your “perfect” sofa….so don’t get trapped into listening to your Mother, your neighbor, your boyfriend/girlfriend or the sales help at the nearest furniture emporium. Answer the following questions for yourself and you will be miles ahead in the search for YOUR perfect sofa.
1. Know how much money you are prepared to spend. And in this economy it should be cold cash. Don’t pull out the credit card for this purchase (unless there are miles involved and you REALLY will pay the balance IN FULL at the first of the month). Sofa costs vary (I can show you sofas for $1,000.00 and I can show you sofas for $25,000.00) so know your limit and stick to it.
2. Know your size limitations. Take out a tape measure or use kraft paper or old cardboard boxes to create a template clearly illustrating the maximum sized sofa your room will hold. Do not estimate. Do not guess. Take the measurements and stick with it. It does you no good to find a really great deal on a really great sofa only to discover, upon delivery day, that it does not fit!
3. Know what’s important to you. Do your homework. Is our heart set on down cushions for your new sofa? Does the look of a waterfall skirt make your heart sing? Do piles of pillows make you never want to leave your house? All of these are fine objectives when selecting a sofa. Each has ramifications and typically they has to do with cost. If your heart is set on a down-filled sofa then be prepared to pay the piper. Personally I love a down filled sofa (I have two in my home) and that decision was reflected in the price tag. Remember there are no wrong answers to the question “what’s important to you?” Just be clear on the answers before you arrive at the showroom. And this includes fabrics. Decide before you walk out the door what general fabric category you want. Are you a “Velvet-Gal?” a “Corduroy-Guy?” Do you love Linen? Are you allergic to wool? Are Prints out of the question? Do you salivate over stripes? If you can lock onto one category of fabric imagine how much time you can save when you confidently look your sales consultant in the eye and say “I’d like to see everything you have in solid cotton velvets” when asked about your fabric choices. Then you just have to decide on which color! More on that next week.
Let us know if we can help with your design dilemma. Send us your questions.
