"Only thick, dyed-through leather hides will stand up to the test of time." So true. Many places have leather which is actually very thin since they shave it off in layers. That's why so many couches look stretched out. We purchased our leather one from JC Penneys. On sale. It a cordovan (brownish burgandy) color. At the same time, we got Flexsteel and Broyhill couches which were not cheap. The Flexsteel frame got wobbly and the fabric shredded. The Broyhill is looking worse for wear and has a slipcover. The leather is holding up great with only occasional wiping. We have 4 normal kids and 2 messy adults. The shape of the cushions is still looking good. I will never buy anything else again. The better the quality the leather the better it will hold up. Don't fall for a salesman's speech. Read up and decide what will work for you. I have a friend with microfiber and she's "OK" with it. Not overly impressed. Gloria

I have to say that I have been THRILLED with the martha stewart furniture that I bought at Kmart .. gosh.. has to be 7 years ago? I did a quick scan online and didn't see anything that jumped out at me but the stores tend to carry more. I would definitely try to beat the memorial day sales/rush though. I bought the furniture to "get me through" a summer-- but it turned out to be amazingly comfortable and it has lasted so very well. I know I will miss it when I finally do replace it (i threaten to each season). This isn't a great picture of them-- but here goes. I haven't had cushions on it for the past few years but I'll probably add them this year to spark up the color. They really are so comfortable that you don't need cushions.

Is the TV going into the white cabinetry? Is the TV an important element of the room? That would affect the furniture placement. It is hard to get a feel for the size of the room, but a two sofa set-up gives you less flexibility in arranging than a sofa and one or two chairs. I would wait on buying furniture until the fireplace and cabinets were in. And I would get the measurements of the intended pieces and lay them out on the floor with tape.

Nat I think the chair is out of proportion with the sofa. If you want two leather pieces You would be better off getting a matching Chesterfield chair that is the same color as the sofa and bringing your light gray in with pillows and throws and drapery. That chair will be the eyesore in the room. If you don't need two leather pieces I would do a smaller chair in a nice fabric.