I listed the plants above because they are the plants which I have been on an all-out mission for 7 years to eradicate in my yard (add kudzu, bostin/english ivy and privet to that list as well). These plants are so incredibly invasive that I can't even find them in my neighborhood in some cases, and they still creep up everywhere in my yard. With regards to Wisteria, the non-native one is in the top 3 most invasive vines in north America. By planting the non-native version of Wisteria, you are helping to kill, maim and dwarf trees and tree canopies all over the state. I had a former neighbor plant one vine about 15 years ago, and I've been trying to kill it for 7 years now, including digging out the roots entirely (as big around as my leg!!) and hitting it with Roundup 3-4 times per year. To give you an idea of how bad the non-native Wisteria is, I have a tree branch in my backyard that is about 6" in diameter, and shaped like a corkscrew. Seriously, a corkscrew. A small section of wisteria grew up onto it when it was only an inch or two thick, and squeeze it like a python, forcing it into a big long spiral. That is how powerful this vine is. It will turn a giant hardwood tree into a big spiral. It will get to the point where it weighs so much it will pull a tree down, break it in half, tip it over to rip up by the roots. English and Boston ivy are equally bad, they climb the bark of the tree and hold water to the bark, killing the bark, thus killing the tree. Go drive through old rich neighborhoods around Buckhead. You'll see trees all over with ivy climbing up them. They fall down all the time, dead because of it, and the owners don't have a clue. The yellow/white flowering honeysuckle bush and vine are invasive. They seed everywhere. I really love the smell of them, like Mahonia and Nandina, volunteers sprout up everywhere, and once you have one establish to any degree, even if you get rid of it, you'll be killing sprouts all over for years to come. The seed sprout/volunteer problem is an issue with privet (chinese), wisteria (japanese), mahonia (see above), nandina, honeysuckle (asian bush and japanese vine) and some forms of pear. These are the most common invasives in my area. They are also the most pervasive. Truly, I have been preaching this forever, and I know some others around here like esh feel my pain with regard to non-native invasives, but there are several invasive species lists out there to reference, and in my opinion, it should be law that any plant put in the invasive species list can only be sold after the buyer is given a very truthful description of how invasive a species can be, and a lesson on how hard it is to control invasive species. Nurseries are often so incredibly irresponsible about selling invasive species to folks who just don't know any better. Or, they buy it, plant it, then move away, and leave future owners to deal with it (but they often don't know what they've got, as you are experiencing).

That's correct, Cindy..and hope you enjoy your new purchase. There will be a 'flag' under the center cushion of the sofa, and in the middle of the loveseat. Basically its a loose flap of leather for your to use as you see fit. Most the time we use these flags to match a hide if buying a companion piece at a later time. There is so much variance in dye lots in leather that long ago the quality manufacturers started doing this. Also, if you get severe sun fade on your leather over time, you can clip that flag and send it to LeatherMaster products (a division of Stain-Safe) and for $ 90.00 or so they will make you a custom re-dye kit you can easily apply yourself to restore the color. I'd recommend you leave at least one of the flags attached to the pieces for long term need down the road. With four pieces inbound, you should have plenty of flags to take one for pillows, etc. -Duane Collie

greenpond, My favorite pet peeve! I just love it when a customer comes to my store, opens the back of their Explorer, and asks me to load that 150 lb recliner in the back which has 2" of clearance on each side. Usually, its a slightly built woman (sorry ladies!) and there is just no way I can lift that in there without tearing up myself or the furniture. That has happened more times than I can count. How are you going to unload it at home? Pulling a 150 lb recliner out of an SUV is awkward, and is a perfect way to wreck your back. You will never see anyone in the furniture business deliver in a truck that requires them to bend over and reach - or crawl into a minivan and duck-crawl with a piece. I've seen a lot of people hurt themselves or drop the furniture over the years. We in the business have developed lifting techniques and have the tools to load and handle furniture safely without injuring ourselves. When you pull up in an SUV and ask us to load into it, we are at risk of hurting ourselves as well, yet we try to grin and bear it for the sake of customer service. Here's why stores prefer not to do this. These don't load smoothly due to confined spaces, Pieces can get bumped or bruised either during loading or in transit. Because the store assisted loading, we are legally liable for damages to the piece. I learned that lesson the hard way in the 80's. And if we place it on the sidewalk and say 'there you go' then that looks bad as well, as if we don't care. That's why we offer delivery, where we have all the right equipment to load, pad, and secure in a truck a person can stand up in. But yes, delivery does cost money, and many people do not want to pay for that service. I would estimate we damage 1 piece in 5,000 on my delivery truck. Customers hauling their own run a damage rate of about 1 in every 100. Oh, the stories! Here's a couple: * Did you know boxed furniture tends to fly out of pickup trucks at about 45 - 50 mph? Goes right over the tailgate and hits the highway. When it does, the customer has no insurance to cover it, as its cargo in transit which means it requires an Inland Marine rider to your auto/truck policy. You probably don't have that rider. I've had at least a dozen customers lose boxed furniture out of pickup trucks, including 250 lb sofas that they assumed were heavy enough to stay put - smashed on the interstate. * NEVER send a man to pickup furniture during his work day. They are always in a hurry, fail to load carefully or secure, or even pad the pieces, and ultimately I get a tearful call from the Mrs. hours later asking how to repair damages. Even more true if hubby is in the construction business and has a work truck full of wood, concrete and building residue and debris. Big mistake. There are times when for whatever reason its not practical to use the store delivery service. Maybe you have a beach house three hours away, or need the recliner for someone coming out of the hospital today. If you choose to haul yourself and the piece is heavy, sometimes its best to rent a cube van with a walk ramp, hand truck, tiedowns and pads. If the pieces are lighter, then SUVs and pickups can work, but bring plenty of pads (furniture-grade, not worn-out blankets) and tiedowns. Bungee cords at the very least, camlock rachets preferred, but not clothesline rope - and never nylon rope as it stretches. Plastic palletizing wrap is a godsend to keeping pads attached to the piece while loading. Have plenty of egress for the piece in question to load. Its no good to try to get things in with one inch to spare - thats always tough. And finally, bring your own muscle to the store. We'll supervise and be glad to give loading advice! Deliveries are not a profit center for most stores. We try to break even on them (most the time I lose money with diesel at $ 4.00 a gallon) but in most cases its the safe way to do it for both bodies and the furniture. -Duane Collie

Leathercraft makes a premium product, one of the best in the business. Yes, you have to purchase from an authorized dealer and cannot buy factory direct. Have you called Leathercraft direct for a list of dealers where you live? As for hides to select, that depends on the typical variables of Price/Usage/Lifetyle/Hand/Color. One of my personal favorites is the Hampton series, a Class 3 Aniline hide they source from Germany. I am a Leathercraft dealer and have their product in my own home as well. Feel free to ping me off list if I can help you further with any questions. -Duane Collie