From Apartment Therapy today! Wine Racks!!!

Best Wine Racks from Apartment Therapy - 2010

hughs house, louisville, ky: before images

how to shop for a sofa

Sofas are expensive, and it can be scary to shovel out so much money for something that you want to last and may not look so great three years down the road. It's important to remember that a sofa is usually a big part of any room, an often used piece of furniture and unbdoubtedly stays with you for many years to come. To help you find a sofa that will last, here's our guide to shopping for quality frames, springs, and upholstery, as well as where to look when you're on a budget.

What's in a Frame? In general, kiln-dried hardwood frames are viewed as the best because kiln drying removes moisture from the wood and stabilizes the frame. Look for mortise and tenon or dowel joints rather than staples. Other types of hardwoods are generally good, but soft woods like pine can crack and warp. Plastic and particleboard make weak sofa frames, but modern steel bases can be well made and good looking, depending on how well they're welded. A quality frame should also come with a good warranty that guarantees its life over several years.

Hand-tied coils and/or sinuous are traditionally viewed as the two best types of coiling, since they're strong and they distribute weight well over time, keeping cushions in good-looking shape. However, sinuous is less expensive and there is debate over which is actually best. Hand tied involved more labor and sinuous is done by machine. So try them out: when you're testing a sofa, avoid seats that squeak, creak, or sag.

Since a sofa has to last a long time, look for fabrics that wear well. Leather is expensive but ages nicely. Many people like the stain resistance of microfiber, but the drawback is that it's synthetic and doesn't have the same look or feel of a natural material like linen or cotton (although they are getting better). Tighter weaves tend to be more durable than loose weaves. Check the upholstery cleaning codes before you buy to see what kind of care the fabric will require. Large patterns should be avoided since the sofa is such a large piece. Small patterns solids work best.  For longer use, a more muted or natural colors will increase the design options thoughout the years.

It can be difficult to find sofas of good quality and durability under $1,000. Thrift store sofas can be tempting ("That will look great if I just reupholster it!") but a good job can sometimes cost as much or more than a new sofa. Smaller scale sofas tend to be less expensive, and you can often find great deals at floor model and overstock sales.
CB2 : CB2 and its sister store, Crate and Barrel, sell sofas under $1,000 that have kiln-dried hardwood frames. The upholstery and springs may not be as high-end as the other options, but for the price, these are pieces of good quality.
 
Where in Louisville?
Bassett has less expensive sofas, Thomasville has a great build your own program. There is also Havertys, Cherry House and Burdorfs . For custom made I like Thomasville. For cheaper but good - go to Bassett or Havertys

back in time for halloween and the entertaining months! bar and bottle art!

  
find this inexpensive labels at:
marthastewart.com; shopping, halloween