Val, what kind of mulch do you mean? Many things can be used as mulch, some would not be desirable for the medium one plants everything into, for instance hunks of pine bark. Shredded leaves are a mulch I use, but I don't imagine one can buy that. As for putting a layer of peat ON TOP of your beds, I would tell Lilacs and everyone else reading this to not do that under any circumstance! I don't know how it is pre-moistened when you buy it, but I have heard from gardening friends and read numerous times on gardenweb how peat dries out and forms a layer through which water does not penetrate. That is the last thing you would want on top of your garden bed. Peat, if used at all, must be mixed in with other material. After another growing season, hopefully we have told Lilacs enough times that she will be adding to the raised bed after her harvest with leaves, coffee grounds, grass clippings, manure, whatever. By the way, I got two bales of straw free during my late fall gathering of other people's leaves venture. People buy them for decoration and then throw them away after Halloween and Thanksgiving. I live in the country, but I scrounge in a nearby subdivision in a neighboring city. Marcia

There are many things we use on a daily basis they we would never hesitate to buy online to save money and time. Furniture is one of those categories that’s on a roll. Many areas in our country simply no longer offer quality furniture at the local level. With the unstable economy of the last decade many furniture stores have been forced to close and manufactures as well. Sometimes shopping local is just not an option. Shopping local is a good thing support your neighbors after all that’s how Americans feed and clothe their families but if you can’t find the quality, style and price you can afford then it’s time to look elsewhere. There are many good and great furniture stores online and many even offer free delivery throughout the US. In fact, many American made furniture manufactures have had no choice but to offer their products through these channels or they would also be facing closing their doors. Today we live in a society that makes many decisions based on what we read in reviews, use them to help you decide. As another post mentioned measure something you have now to find the comfort dimension that fits you and begin your search based on that. If you don’t see inside dimensions listed call the store and find them out. If they cannot be provided, then move on. There are customers for everything just as we have changed or way of banking. Who goes to the bank to make deposits? Its convenience and money saving to make deposits through our phone or online. Use the tools and resources you have at hand and enjoy your furniture shopping experience weather you venture out in search of or relax and do it in the privacy of your home. Feel comfortable with your decision. Trust your gut feeling. You have already sat in product by that manufacture and liked it no reason why any other product they offer should be different. Most better manufactures require you to special order so most all furniture shoppers never get to see their sofa in its entirety until it is actually delivered to their home. If you sit on a floor model, you like be sure when you place your order that you ask for the same seat cushion. But do realize that fabrics and leathers do sit differently so unless you cash and carry from the store it will sit slightly different until it has been used or has a chance to be “broke in”. We see by the continued growth of the huge catalog companies that offer furniture their business continues to grow and this would not be happening if folks did not put their trust in buying furniture site unseen.

You've confirmed the concerns about the lack of arms, thanks! And given that I wondered why they didn't do a better job of fluffing/straightening the pillows to take the picture. . . LOL. I do like the style, though. Noticed the adorable pup, too, and a perfect match - Maybe he changes colors to match the furniture he's on. . . :)

Thanks! I guess I'm in the place where after spending over $700K in my large-scale remodel, I want top quality but don't need a $5K Hancock & Moore club chair like I've had foe many years. However, no problem with $1,200-$1,800 living room lounge-around chairs and who-knows for sofa etc but I am quite confused since you can find stuff that appear to be inferior quality/construction in that price range then come across others I happen to know are excellent in the same range. Seems to be all over the place. I'd prefer to just work with a source I can trust and isn't going to gouge me. I have a bunch of Ethan Allen stuff that's around 10 year sold and has held-up very very well. I'd rather buy close/direct from the manufacturer though if possible. I don't have an environment where the furniture would get abused, just want it to last. I went through the Looooong list of "designers" (or whatever they call the salespeople) on the FLS site and some appear super experienced as legit designers and others more general sales roles. Blind item for me so it's a crap shoot finding someone I like and will shoot straight to pick the right stuff for my needs.