I have the Cambridge sofa in vintage black. After 3 years it was saggy on one side and had lost quite a bit of leather on the seating area so I contacted them and they replaced it. The new one looks better but they went from a 98" sofa to an 8ft one but when measuring it, it actually measures smaller than 8 ft. I also have noticed that when someone gets off it, the other person can feel it, almost like it's not level or build strong enough, it goes up and down. Hard to explain but we're small people. I actually preferred the saggy, missing leather to the new version. If you can find anywhere else to get what you want in a sofa, do it. Restoration Hardware may look pretty but it's not well made unfortunately.

Check-out RH Modern. This kinda makes me sick... The bed is Bob Williams, but in black-- you'll notice on the Bob Williams site that it's seriously marked down, so I think they are phasing it out for RH Modern. Soho Concept and Nuevo have pieces similar to the dining table, and the Milo Baughman chair looks like it is from Thayer Coggin, but in black leather. I think we should be trying to figure out these sources BEFORE they do their huge national launch of their new stores over the next 12 months. I know I've seen dining chairs similar, but can't seem to find them now. At least you guys have warning to start looking for similar products at the various trade markets. They are also hiring a TON of designers to have on hand. Halo, GJ, and Four Hands used to be the main wholesalers for Resto, but the guys at GJ were really unhappy at High Point Market when I asked them about it this past April. Something went down...

The sofa we did over was an old Scandinavian Design (remember them?) three-cushion gray and white striped thing. We ditched the rather cheap cushions, fattened up the arms a little, gave it a tailored waterfall skirt, added the aforementioned single seat cushion, and then used five square down pillows with thick short fringe for the back cushions. So it was a pretty big job, but I got something that would have cost about $4,000 for about $1,200. That was 15 years ago, and it needs to be done again. The fringed back pillow thing is so 80's! One note, if you decide to do it. Make sure that the seat cushion has some form of subtle strap included in the design to secure the cushion to the frame. Otherwise, it will slide around when you sit on it, which will drive you right round the bend. What comes to my mind is a couple of simple self-fabric belts with velcro closures incorporated into the back edge. The front corner detail will help hold it (and make sure that detail is in the design as well), but I think when you put fabric on metal, slippage is a given. But to your question...I cut several pictures out of design magazines (known in the trade as "shelter books," a term I've always found hilarious, tho I don't know why...) of sofas that looked exactly like what I wanted, and talked them over with my upholsterer. We agreed on the kind of construction and the dimensions and the price. I was specific about the shape of the corners, the size of the welting, and everything else about the piece. I made copies of the pictures and my sketches and notes to leave with him, so there would be no question. I even gave him a picture of something similar but not what I wanted, so he would see what I wanted him to avoid. This is a good time to say again something I say all the time (so I must believe it!). First, to communicate a visual idea, use a visual medium. Second, do not leave any detail out of the discussion, and go over it and have it repeated back to you until you are sure that the vision in your head (and in your notebook) is the same in your tradesperson's head (and notebook). How I do run on...

I agree! When I got the catalog and took a look, I thought...what the hey!?! Not only was the stuff weird and unappealing, the catalog was a mess and barely readable. Whoever published/printed their catalog used WHITE print against LIGHT backgrounds...I couldn't read what some of the product descriptions and prices said! Yet someone at RH had to approve the catalog before it went out. I hate to say it, but that person should be fired. That was a total dereliction of his/her job duties to let that catalog go out like that. I've been to our local store several times this year. They renovated it, repainted, redesigned it, etc. NOW they don't carry much of what is in the catalog. The clerk will have to order it online for you (no shipping fees that way). I couldn't take a look at some things I had seen in last year's catalog, because the store doesn't have even a sample sitting out (like task lamps). They did have samples of most of their drapes, and that's where I bought my velvet drapes. They were clearly of a superior quality to Pottery Barn's and others that I'd seen. But they had to order them for me; they didn't have enough panels in the store to cover my window (and this was a basic camel velvet that I'm sure they sell a lot of). All their furniture is too large for my small house and my taste. I threw away the catalog, and I look at their stuff online. I figure that they are trying to become lean and mean in these recessionary times, hence the small inventory in the store. But there's no excuse for that horrible catalog. (BTW, the task lamp I bought and the velvet drapes are absolutely beautiful and high quality. They cost a pretty penny, but at least I got my money's worth. I couldn't be happier with them, and with their customer service, which is top rate.) As for their weather-washed huge furniture, another poster mentioned it was a Swiss style or something. Maybe. But furniture from Sweden, Norway, etc., is usually small scale with simple lines. The RH furniture was enormous, with round feet, large bulky posts, besides being that unattractive gray. I can't imagine that style will sell much. It certainly doesn't suit me. But then, I probably wouldn't buy furniture from RH to begin with, because of the price.