Why I Had Custom Sofas Made for My House (TLDR: Retail Sofas Suck)
One of the hazards of being an interior designer is that you see the very best of everything. Early in my career, this champagne taste on a beer budget was not good for my finances. Even during my days as a renter in San Francisco, I refused to compromise on quality. I knew exactly what I wanted, and it couldn’t be found in retail stores.
I can vividly remember each and every one of my custom sofas: from the gold velvet vintage number to the purple silk and velvet mohair sleeper sofa, and can’t forget my pink sofa during that phase of design. Most recently, there’s the blue mohair sectional. But why were they special? What made them better than a retail sofa? Let’s break it down…
The Downfall of Retail Sofas
You might be wondering, what exactly defines a “retail sofa”? Retail sofas are those available for purchase by the general public. Think stores like Wayfair, Crate and Barrel, and West Elm. While some retailers offer limited customizations, allowing you to choose between certain sizes and fabrics, these options often come with restrictions that limit your ability to tailor the sofa to your specific needs.
But do they really ALL suck? If I’m being totally honest, not all retail sofas are low-quality. Mid-to-higher-end stores like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn offer high-quality options, but they still have their downsides…
Large Carbon Footprint: They’re almost never made locally, making their carbon footprint atrocious — no, thanks.
High-Maintenance: The cushions have to be fluffed every time you get up, adding to the upkeep.
Poor Longevity: The fabric tends to twist, pill, and sag over time, leading to a shorter lifespan and disappointing durability.
While these sofas may look beautiful in a catalog or showroom, they lack the personalization factor and won’t live up to the hype once you bring them home.
Photography by Vivian Johnson
The Benefits of a Custom Sofa
The custom sofa – the holy grail of furniture for discerning design enthusiasts. Crafted to your exact specifications, a custom sofa embodies personalization and luxury, elevating your living space to new heights. But what makes these bespoke creations worth the investment?
Environmentally Friendly: All of our custom sofas are crafted by hand in local workrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area, minimizing carbon footprints and promoting sustainability.
One-of-a-Kind Design: Stand out from the crowd with a one-of-a-kind sofa design that reflects your individuality, setting your living space apart from your neighbors.
Perfect Size: Awkward gaps and cramped corners? Not here. Custom sofas are expertly tailored to fit your space like a glove, marrying both form and function.
Photography by David Duncan Livingston
Quality Craftsmanship: Custom pieces are often handcrafted with unparalleled attention to detail, offering higher quality and durability compared to the mass-produced options.
Comfort Customization: Forget one-size-fits-all solutions. When designing a custom sofa, we prioritize your comfort by conducting thorough “sit tests” to determine your ideal seat depth, height, and cushion firmness for your body. Like I said, fits like a glove.
Long-Term Investment: While custom sofas may have a higher upfront cost, their exceptional quality and personalized nature make them a worthwhile long-term investment. Because of their high-standards and craftsmanship, you can keep recovering them, or if you are fickle like me, you can rehome or resell them and purchase your next masterpiece.
Photography by David Duncan Livingston
A Sofa Tailored to You
So, there you have it — the tale of two sofas. While retail options may offer convenience, custom sofas reign supreme in terms of quality, customization, and longevity. No need to settle for those off-the-rack designs. With a custom sofa, you call the shots on everything from design to materials to fabric, ensuring a comfortable piece that perfectly aligns with your personal aesthetic. What could be better than that?
When you’re ready to elevate your home with custom features that wow, you know where to find us.
Cheers,
Melanie