brown leather sofa continued...

This is how the floorplan would work best. The sofa, still as bulky as it is, is in use. Let's just say it's not brown, not leather and they do not want to part with it because they just bought it for $10,000 in Brazil. We have replaced the loveseat with a wing back chair that allows more space in the room and we've given the same amount of seating that the loveseat gave us by redistributing the second seat to the opposite side of the couch. The chairs DO NOT HAVE TO MATCH!!! Break out of the thought that a well proportioned room has a sofa, a loveseat and a matching chair. You don't even have to have a sofa and two matching chairs. You can use a strong wing back and then a less formal accent chair on the side. Round side tables allow another illusion of space, while still delivering the platform you might need to set down a drink or place a decorative vase. Our traffic pattern has now been taken away from interrupting Grey's Anatomy and placed behind the sofa, where it is less distractive.

Other issues, also important to your selection of a sofa is the form and function. By form, I mean the style of particular elements of the sofa... Do you prefer a skirt or to see a leg? Do you want a loose pillow back, for a more informal look, or fixed back. (I'll tell you this. I have two beautiful, recenly reupholstered contemporary sofas in a copper chenille that my husband and daughter are absolutely destroying because they squish the back cushions under their arms and reposition them as bed pillows while they watch tv. IT BURNS ME UP!!!!!) Do you want a straight arm, curved arm, roll arm, the choices on most custom sofas are endless and can create a unique piece to fit your taste.

Function: now this brings us back to our brown leather sofa. Mostly chosen by clients that like a little color but are scared of it and those who have dogs and cats or a combination of all three. Sure, if you have a good grade of leather it will scratch less and a leather sofa can be as comfy as an upholstered. It can also be cold when the air is blasting and hot when the heat is on. It will wear and show distress in time just by sitting in it on a daily basis. The world of home fashion has provided us with so many pet friendl alternatives to leather, like a nice, tight linen weave that can be soft to the touch, a chenille in a texture, not just a flat. There are even some rugged poly- wool blends that provide a soft sexy look with the strength needed to withstand those well clipped doggy nails.

There are so many possibilties if you take the time to plan your room for your needs, or have a professional do it for you. Measure twice, buy once!