Check this out if you want a modern, leather sofa. It's the equivalent of restoration hardware's maxwell, but at at 60% discount. Here's what I posted on another forum: Just purchased the Madison leather queen sleeper sofa from Casco Bay Furniture (cascobayfurniture.com). It's the equivalent of RH's Maxwell sleeper. I got it for $2600 delivered with a five year warranty. Just priced it out on the Restoration Hardware website and it is $5600 delivered (with 6% sales tax in MI)! I'm not sure if I even need to say anything else. The salesman at Casco Bay, Robert Allen, was conscientious beyond expectation and really in my opinion epitomizes quality customer service. Although I don't think they can advertise that it is the same sofa, apparently they approached RH's former manufacturer once RH outsourced it overseas and are now selling it directly. I'll add this: I am a physician, I pay way too much attention to detail, so believe me when I say this sofa is the exact same thing at less than half the price. Their phone number is: (603)303-5360.

I probably should have left the blue out of my description but on my monitor it does have a steel-blue cast to it. I sent for a swatch so I can be sure what color I'm talking about. I searched the furniture forum and C&B got really good reviews so I'm inclined to get it (after I actually sit in the real thing, of course). I might have to re-paint the Great Room though. And I just painted. ugh. (I have high ceilings and I'm afraid of heights so I have to talk my DH into climbing up there & he works a bazillian hours). Oh well. I'll probably wait with that until after I get the furniture (IF I get it). BTW I started another thread about "starting from scratch". I've got a house full of teak Scandinavian furniture (orangey-warm color) which I just found out is in style?! Would a gray sectional work with that?

Wow, you guys are not doing your job at all - I tell you to talk me out of it, and everyone's doing exactly the opposite! LOL!!! Yes, my3dogs, it is the Almafi! Super modern-looking and sleek (I had wanted transitional); very light color (I wanted a medium shade); leather (which I had never even considered except for maybe a more "weathered" brown leather for a chair). It astonished me that I liked this thing. Amy, I'll have to go back to Macy's and do the fingernail test. The floor model did seem to be in pretty good shape, and it was in a prominent place in the store, right on the aisle. I have a tiny fabric sample, but not sure if I can tell quality from that... It would be a very different look for me, and make me rethink some of the other pieces I'm considering buying. (Like, I'm not sure that kind of traditional-looking media credenza from Restoration Hardware would go anymore.) Okay, the sofa's still in the running, then. Have to go look again at the chief contender - the Troy sofa from Crate & Barrel. I can get that in a pale green tweed microfiber... maybe more practical? (It's a good fabric - doesn't look "microsuedey" at all.)

Hmmm this is every parent's dilemma. Not sure if PB sells this sofa/fabric combo as resistant to a large house hold? There is a standard for fabric durability, here is some information regarding Double Rubs for Residential Applications. Heavy Duty: 15,000+ double rubs. Suitable for family rooms. Medium Duty: 9,000-15,000 double rubs. Versatile. Good for living or family rooms. Light Duty: 3,000-9,000 double rubs. Usually better suited for formal or occasional use furniture. Delicate Duty: Less than 3,000 double rubs. Recommended for more decorative use as in curtains, drapes or pillows. I purchased a chair from Ethan Allen and had it upholstered in Sunbrella fabric. I am very happy with the finished product.