If you like it that way, you should grow them that way. I do what I like best. You should do the same.

Had Harman Advance Pellet installed in October 2005. Had the unit cleaned last spring, after smoke came thru hopper. Turned the unit on the night before last for the first time since the cleaning. No visible smoke, but burnt wood smell coming thru blower vents. S/w tech who serviced the unit and I vacuumed all openings yesterday. (Tech said that the only other time he encountered this, kids had shoved crayons into the unit's holes...we don't have kids or grandkids, just my husband and myself...) Just turned the unit on again. The burnt wood smell is blowing thru the blower again! The Harman trouble-shooting section recommends caulking the seams of the exhaust pipe, but the caulking that's already there appears to be intact. Anyone know what's causing this? Any possible solutions?

I am curious as to why you don't want leather. It last longer. It's more sanitary. No dustmites and a good quality leather does not look like or feel like plastic. I agree that a good upholstery option is slipcovered as the slipcovers are washable. (FYI poster above Taylor King is a good option if you do decide on a fully upholstered option)

There are multiple stores where I live (large metropolitan suburbs) where you can have a custom sectional made, for about what you'd pay at Room & Board. I got to choose the fabric, the welting, the exact size, the depth, the arm width and shape, the firmness of the cushion, poly wrap v. down wrap, the shape of the feet, the finish on the feet, and more. We got a 3-sided sectional (44" deep), approximately 148" , 168" on the back, and the 3rd side is a long chase with a huge ottoman. Yes, it's huge. As I recall, it was less than $5,000. Of course people sit on all 3 sides and talk. We also have other families over to watch the Superbowl, and things like that, and everyone loves the huge, deep sectional. We have a large family, and the kids have friends over, and that's our lifestyle. So while I understand the sofa + 2 chairs for flexible design, that really wouldn't work in our situation, and I bet there's lots others who are in our same situation. I think it's a personal decision, but it's a good idea to hear all these different points of view.