Some cats like to scratch vertically, and some horizontally. Some cats, like mine, don't care either way. We have some nice carpets, and one cat in particular likes to use them as scratching posts. In an attempt to prevent this behavior, I've placed horizontal cardboard scratching posts next to, and sometimes directly on, the carpets. Another thing to bear in mind is that cats like to scratch after waking up. I've got these cardboard scratching posts near all their favorite napping places, too. Now if only I could stop them from barfing on the oriental carpets! Seriously, most of our rugs have some damage from the cats - stains and/or scratched places. I'm trying to be relaxed about the whole idea. In fact, I've just placed a gabbeh, which had been rolled up and stored on the floor of an unused room, in our sunroom. It's pristine, but I'm sure that won't last long. (And both cats loved to use the back of it as a scratching post. They love that rough texture.)

I've given curtains and furniture to several charities throughout the years. I understand that Goodwill can't sell them, and I know that many don't want them. However, I know of several local charities, one which helps homeless families get resettled, another that provides a furniture exchange, and another that is a home for unwed mothers, that have taken donations willingly and without reservation.

All very budget friendly..if you like any of my suggestions just let me know I can post info for you.

We tire of furniture and replace it (done a few times) so a lifetime of wear isn't what we've ever had in mind. And certainly not now in our 60s. I know the Southeast has historically done a lot of furniture manufacturing but we haven't come across it recently. Flexsteel's HQ is in the Midwest. The pieces we bought just a few years ago were shipped by truck from Los Angeles. The store said that's where our custom order was made, but I suppose they could have been made elsewhere, shipped by train to LA and then trucked here? We just ordered a dining room table and chairs and they're Amish made (or at least touted to be) in the Midwest.