Between a rock and a hard place, need help with leather furniture

16 years ago

I want to buy a decent quality sofa. The ones I love are made by Cassini and are out of my price range. I've found two that I like the style and have road tested in the stores. My problem is the one I like best is made by Natuzzi Italisofa at Macys

(sorry for the tiny image) and the second favorite is Ikea Arild sofa.

I have Ikea leather right now that is 10 years old and still look new after tons of abuse, but I also know someone who had an Ikea sofa that didn't last long. I searched this site for Natuzzi and found all kinds of warnings about the quality or rather lack of quality. I'd like to avoid problems. Does anyone know any other leather company that makes a similar sofa with the stainless steel base and feet that is more reliable? I've searched the internet for all the brands I could think of and most of them, especially the ones made in N. America are too traditional for my home.

Has Natuzzi settled their quality problems? Is it safe to order that sofa from Macy's or would I do better ordering the one from Ikea. That's what I mean by being between a rock and a hard place. LOL. Both leather swatches passed my Sky test which means oil, mustard etc. didn't stain them and I couldn't scratch them.

Thanks in advance,

Sky

Here is a link that might be useful: link to Macy's Natuzzi italasofa to see a better picture

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Comments (10)

mogator88
16 years ago
Find a Jaymar dealer who carries the Palo Alto model.
skypathway
Original Author
16 years ago
mogator88, thanks for you suggestion, I'm checking them out now.

Sky
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mogator88
16 years ago
Here's a picture

http://www.jaymar-furniture.com/eng/paloalto.html

http://www.jaymar-furniture.com/images/products/vision/ph_paloalto1.jpg
skypathway
Original Author
16 years ago
mogator88, thanks so much for the links. Wouldn't you know it, the local store that carries jaymar can't sell the palo alto - she is trying to find out why and it may be it's not being made or a line they aren't allowed to sell.

this is the second time I've run into this problem. I guess it's the fault of us being able to look on the website and see the whole catalogue from a manufacturer instead of just walking into the store and just seeing the merchandize on the floor that they have to sell.

Sky
house-elf
16 years ago
Hi Sky,

if you can't find what you like here (at a reasonable price), you will probably not find it anywhere. I speak affordable design, because high end are always easy to find as yo know with Cassina and so on.
Wish I could go for white sofa, but I can forget it with a black spoiled dog loving to sleep on the couch. Imagine the nice contrast of black dog hair on a wonderful white sofa...

Here is a link that might be useful: modern sofas and nice sofas
skypathway
Original Author
16 years ago
house-elf - what kind of a site is this? Have you used them and do they deal with the original makers of the furniture or is it Chinese copies? I appreciate you suggesting it as I would never have found such a place on my own. BTW we're actually hoping to have a very rich caramel/honey sofa. I'd love white, but DH is afraid of it and for good reasons - pets, kids etc. Of course white and black are really trendy right now - so your black dog on a white couch would be really cool. LOL

Sky
lightlystarched
16 years ago
We just bought the Madrid sofa from Ethan Allen. It also comes in a nice tan color.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ethan Allen Madrid
skypathway
Original Author
16 years ago
lightlystarched, I had looked at their website awhile back and didn't see anything like the Madrid and now it's on their list. Thanks for posting, I'll check it out. I'm surprised that they have such a nice modern couch, most of their stuff is traditional/transitional. How are you finding it wearing? I know there are quite a vary of responses on the quality of EA furniture - is this well made and did you test your leather for staining with oil or food?

Sky
mogator88
16 years ago

mogator88, thanks so much for the links. Wouldn't you know it, the local store that carries jaymar can't sell the palo alto - she is trying to find out why and it may be it's not being made or a line they aren't allowed to sell.

Its possible that another nearby store sells the Palo Alto. Call the factory and ask who is the local dealer to sell that model.
skypathway
Original Author
16 years ago
mogator88 - actually I just got a call from the local store today. She understood my needs and called the sales rep and they agreed that I could buy this sofa. They faxed the info and I'm going to the store tomorrow to see the leather samples and the cost. Thanks so much for your continued help. Now I have several choices that I feel completely comfortable that they are 1) made in Canada or US and 2) have decent construction - not plastic blocks. I'm not between a rock and a hard place anymore. And I'm thrilled that I walked away from the Macy's Natuzzi Italasofa because I know it wouldn't last very long.

thanks, Sky

Between a rock and a hard place, need help with leather furniture

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Between a rock and a hard place, need help with leather furniture

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mogator88

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