If you look at the manufactures suggested by spolina (Baker's Milling Road Collection, Hancock And Moore, Bernhardt, Lexington Brands, Swaim) then you can definitely buy below MSRP. Check Boyles in NC and Lexington Furniture Company in Lexington, KY. I have never gotten a better price locally. The best price has always come from these two stores. You just need to find what you want by looking in your local store, then contact Boyles and Lexington for a quote. I have purchased a Kindel dining room set; Hancock & Moore sofa; chair, & ottoman; Hickory Chair sofa, chair & ottoman; EJ Victor chair; Hekman table; Baker bed; Hickory Chair nightstands; Century sofa; Stickley desk; Wildwood lamps; and a Bernhardt bed in the past 5 years. Only the Stickley desk was cheaper locally as I got it on a double sale. The price difference depends on the brand. Manufactures by law cannot dictate the 3rd party retailer's selling price. The way they get around the law is to make it clear that they will not supply a store that sells below a certain minimum. They claim doing so ensures the "value" of the product brand. One brand my tolerate a minimum of 25% below MSRP; another will tolerate 30% below MSRP. Stores like Bassett and Ethan Allen hold the line on their price. If they have a sale, you get the sale price. Otherwise, the price is the price. Bassett will probably not give you the quality and look you are after.

That is the only living space in the house. It's a townhouse we're renting for a year or two. We sacrificed on space to be close to the beach, which has been an awesome choice, until Irma, of course. We don't have any other "real" furniture for the living area, and we wanted to avoid purchasing anything until we bought a home, but when the old sofa had to go, we had to replace that. So we don't have any other seating, but it's really not a big deal. We don't have kids or family in the area, and we don't have a bunch of people over at one time, so the sectional is enough for our current needs. Is there anything in particular you would suggest for ottomans? I would like something that fits physically with the sofa to get something close to a chaise feel without having to close off the space permanently as you would with a chaise. Finding the right size is important too, as I dislike the really big ottomans for sectionals; they take up way too much space and prevent the use of a coffee table.

I'm not a fan of sectionals. I have a problem with sofas--my family teases me.We tried three different sectionals in the past ten years and ultimately ended up with a sofa and two armchairs. IMO, a sofa and two armchairs is perfect in most living rooms. I liked the idea of a sectional, but people tend to prefer an armrest and a convenient place to set a drink. As cozy as the corner seat sounds, they're just awkward. You're sacrificing the armrest and end table for two seats to gain one awkward seat. If you want to kick up your feet while sitting on the sofa, ottomans are a much better way to go.

Here are the mock-ups that I created. Links are to the different sectionals, but not the specific configuration. The recliner on the right is our existing one. The coffee and end tables are just suggestions, but haven't been decided on. The rectangle on the wall across from the fireplace is the secretary desk that I already have. ETA - the layouts in A and B are similar, except the end on the short side is armless in B and the long side in B is longer by almost a foot. A. Room & Board York Sectional R&B York Sectional B. Bassett Beckham Sectional Beckham Sectional C. Crate & Barrel Gather Petite Sectional C&B Gather Petite Sectional D. Crate & Barrel Gather Petite Chaise Sectional