I found that Ikea products are good for places that are going to have high traffic, wear and tear etc so you don't mind if there is a stain on it because it will be cheaper and less of a headcahe to replace it than getting it clean. Pottery Barn doesnt pat attention to craftsmanship and mass produces. I have had my Jeffery Braun sofa for two months now http://www.doodlehome.com and after the holidays and 2 young boys constantly using the cushions to make a "pillow mess" it is looking like new. Good luck!

Don't buy anything you can't sit on and try out. Utilize your local furniture store or department store. While style is somewhat important, comfort, durability, and price seem a tad more. A nice sofa in a modern tone and not too bulky shape can be found just about anywhere. I get compliments on my couch all the time. It came from a JC Penney outlet. Don't be so darn worried about brand names.

I'd go with ethan allen - my sister has been through her couch and love seat with 2 little ones (ages 2 & 4), and 2 cats - one that likes to pee. and she's had hers for 7 years. I've had my couch for almost 4 (also from ethan allen), and i believe the warranty is for 7 years. and their customer service is amazing. plus it's not so cookie cutter with all the fabrics you can choose from.

We just bought first sofa ever and we have been married for 10 years. It was not a pottery barn, we got it from a local dealer, I wanted to stay local and I have some friends who had issues with getting "taken care of" from pottery barn with something went wrong. The sofa we got was a natuzzi leather sofa, we decided to spend the money and have something that will last years. I would see what your local dealer can do for you.

We bought the PB sofa pictured here one year ago, and are very pleased with the construction of the piece. It is sturdy and the cushions are down wrapped so although this particular sofa appears much more frumpy on a daily basis than it looks in this picture, the cushions bounce right back with a little fluffing. It is very comfortable and I would recommend it. We also have a 6 year old Troy sectional from Crate and Barrel that is still great. These companies may be overpriced depending on which sofa you select, but overall, I have found them to be of good quality and worth the money.

I have read over and over again that Pottery Barn's furniture construction just isn't that great, and neither is West Elm's (a sister brand). Having seen their casegoods and sat in their upholstered furniture in-store, I have to say that I concur.

Room & Board and Crate & Barrel, on the other hand, get consistently good marks for quality and longevity. I've had my R&B "Loring" sofa for five years The cushions and frame are just as firm and stable as they were when the sofa arrived. Same with the dining chairs, which are upholstered in "poppy" red fabric, and which, despite several years of sitting in a sunny window, are still true to color.

I also have several C&B and R&B case goods that are in equally great shape -- end tables, coffee tables, dining table, china cabinet.

I will shop PB for bedding and serveware, but not much else.

Their silk drapes are a good value, but they will sag after a very short time. I'm going to have to add my own interlining to keep the pleating from looking sloppy (easy enough to insert a few inches fusible interfacing between the silk and the lining).

I've seen their patterned looped rugs in friends' homes after a couple of years of average use, and they look very very sad. I have two solid-color wool pile rugs that I've used in the bath and as entry mats. They're holding up very well compared to the looped versions.

We have this very sofa. I believe it's the Seabury sofa. We have had it for 6 years and we love it. We got the extra long. My only complaint is that the back cushions are not attached- which is what we wanted- but you do have to readjust them from time to time. The cushions are also down, so you have to fluff them up from time to time. If those two things don't bother you I highly recommend this sofa. we have 2 kids, a dog and a cat and it has held up perfectly. Also, we got the basket weave fabric, which is very durable. Good luck!

SmartMoney did an article in 2006 about the shoddy construction of Pottery Barn.

http://www.iconceptsllc.com/potterybarnUNSTUFFED.html

I second urbancricket's Room & Board recommendation.

I have had my Rowe sofa and loveseat for over 7 years now and love them. The slipcovers clean up well, the sofa is very comfortable and they tolerate our 6.5 year old daughter who loves to jump as well as her poodle. I would buy them again in an instant.

Crate and Barrel sofas are-- or used to be, at least-- manufactured by Lee, and they're pretty good.

I would also recommend Crate &Barrel if you were able to fanagle a way there. A sofa is such a big investment so you shouldn't limit yourself to a couple of places if you can help it.
I got the Oasis sofa and it's AMAZING..granted it was more than I wanted to pay but you can get good sales there..another model I loved was the "lounge sofa" -that one is often on sale and reviews are amazing. Now that I've gone slipcover I don't see myself going back :)
Sidebar-can you divulge your secret for preenting your kitties from scratching? I've pretty much kept my two off our sofa by putting jute scratch poles in front and blankets on side, but they sometimes scratch my ikea chairs I paid $30 bucks for so I don't get crazed about it. Would love any other advice...and good luck on your sofa hunt!

If you're ever in doubt when shopping locally, bring along a craftsman (architect, carpenter, etc). They should be able to tell you if its shoddy construction or built to last.

You might want to give La Z Boy some thought. They have many nice clean designs available. I've been very happy with the comfort and durability of my sofa, the customer service has been excellent, and, best of all, the stain guard rocks -- the upholstery stood up to an entire cup of spilled chocolate milk and won. You can't even tell where it happened, even if you know where to look.

I have had a Pottery Barn sofa for about twelve years, and it has not aged very well.

Go to PB and look at the sofas on display. They look horrible. That should answer your question when you see if for yourself.

I bought a PB comfort couch two years ago, and I have friends who literally come over JUST to sit on the couch. It is excellently made and and as a previous comment mentioned, the cushions bounce right back after a toss or two. I would pay double what I did for my sofa.

Agreed that it's worth it to go (relatively) local - personally, I think PB stuff is always sized kind of small. The seats aren't as deep, backs aren't as high, etc. We have a PB here in the local mall and I'm not tempted to go in there anymore.

We were, however, powerfully tempted by an Arhaus sofa 7 years ago. We had a newborn and wanted a comfy sofa, and found a floor model in the local shop that we were able to get a bit of a bargain on. We still have it, and it's still super comfortable. Solid frame, foam-wrapped down cushions - it's lasted! I just need to have someone make me a new slipcover now that the kid count is at 2 and we've added a cat to the mix. :)

I've had my Charlston PB slipcovered couch for 7 years and I love it! It's easy to clean, (machine washable slipcovers), comfortable, and has large, wide seating.

Cons: The PVC piping has torn through the seat cushions along the edges, and are poking through. I just remove the piping when it shows up. I'm not surprised that this happens, though, because the couch gets HOURS of use DAILY by myself, husband, and 2 small dogs. Also, the seat cushions are staring to lose shape, but I think it's because they are feather, and not foam.

Overall, i recommend it!

I would save a little more and go for Crate and Barrel. The construction is better than average, and they tend toward classic lines that age well aesthetically.

The "(stupidly)" comment about your husband was unnecessary in such a public forum. Contempt is one of the 4 horsemen of the marriage apocalypse.

I own the JCpenny knock off of the pottery barn sofa and have 2 slipcovers. I have 4 nieces and nephews, 3 kids, 2 dogs (that live on the sofa) and 2 cats - it is holding up great and I just wash the cover if something happens ie brother in law spilling red wine...

overall, youre paying for a brand name. there are much better sofas out there. PB doesnt specialize in furniture...its an everything store..pillows,candles,kitchen stuff ect.... please please dont buy an overpriced sofa when you all you need to do is a little more research and you'd could save 1/2 of your budget.

i was checking out the rowe's website and they have fantastic looking couches. i would also recommend you try one out first. also, couches in general are more eclectic, a simple modern couch can be easily combined be vintage pieces and look great.

Look for sofas that are kiln-dried wood and dowel jointed or joined for the frame. For the base, find ones that have coiled spring frames. Stay FAR away from anything that says it has 'webbing' to support the seating. The pillows are the hardest part - try to find (but don't expect to) ones that have pocket coil springs in the cushions. It used to be that these were standard on most sofas or you could upgrade for a few hundred more. Now finding these is nearly a miracle. However, Overstock has a few but, unfortunately, you can't try them out first. These will be FIRM sofas but they will last for 15 to 20 years. They will last through children jumping, cats, large gatherings, and you and your husband in the same spot, night after night.

You can also try more expensive store-bought items on craigslist.org. An example would be a chesterfield sofa from Restoration Hardware. This will be cheaper used - no shipping, no taxes, etc. http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod550004&categoryId=cat1661032

I hope you find something you like, in your budget, that fits your lifestyle. When you do, please post it and let us know. Thanks.

Don't buy anything you can't sit on first! I bought my sofa from a department store (Dillards) and have had it 15 years. The frame is strong as ever and the upholstery still looks pretty good. Look in your local department stores and furniture stores for something comfortable and that you like.

I've had a PB sofa (the PB square) for 10 years and am just now thinking of getting a new one. It has held up remarkably well. It is made by Mitchell Gold for PB. Mitchell Gold also makes some of the furniture that C&B sells under the C&B name, I think.

One reason I have liked our PB couch and am considering another is the ease of getting replacement slipcovers. I have a son, a dog and two cats, so slipcovers are a necessity. PB carries relatively few models of sofas and always seem to have slipcovers available. C&B and R&B phase models in and out more frequently, which can make getting replacement slipcovers more difficult as the years pass.

Last, although customer service may have changed over the last decade, when I ordered my PB couch 10 years ago I started with a different model. It looked terrible in my apartment -- much too big. Although the error was mine, PB was great about the return and getting the new model I wanted.

Zilla-Mama, what a great, informative post. I also second the CL suggestion as long as you live in a bed-bug free city. I see tons of great deals on sofas in Chicago... lots of Room & Board for great prices. And I have to say PB sofas on CL tend look pretty shabby. It does not appear to me that they wear well.

I know you said that Room & Board delivery is pricey, but I think it's worth it. If you look at their clearance section online, it might make the delivery cost a little more bearable, as well. But they have a wonderful product, as well as great customer service. Otherwise, I suggest just going to your local retailer and checking out their sofas. Trying it out is the best way to determine how comfortable/high quality it is. And if it's a local store, they probably are better with accountability.

We bought this exact sofa over 5 years ago. After about 3 to 4 years of heavy usage, we noticed that the down feathers escaped so much that the pillows were becoming flat. However, despite the fact that we bought the item as a floor model, PB sent us brand new custom made cushions. The customer service they show made us realize that even if we bought the couch at the original price it would have been a wonderful investment.

Was the kivik not under warranty? I thought most ikea sofas come with a warranty, and it looks like the ikea you would have gone to is "only" about 150miles away, so (with sufficient motivation!!!) you could have returned it....

I bought a Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams style knockoff couch from Rowe (similar to the Alex II), and it's not very good quality. We've had it three years and it's not comfortable and slipcovers are falling apart... Next couch I'm going to splurge and I'm going to buy the real deal!

If you want a great sofa that you can pass down from generation to generation, get a Henredon. If a new Henredon is too pricey at retail, you might want to order one from the factory. You will need the fabric number, and style you want, and you'll have to wait six months for them to make it.

If you want one now, consider Ebay. They have lots of Henredon sofas offered because they are made so well they last forever. They are goose down filled, and made with hardwoods heavy as (*)(*). A small piece hauler can probably move the sofa for less than $200. If you have to recover, you will still have a bargain for what you are buying. I just bought two probably 30-40 year old Henredon chairs with two ottomans, and they were is such excellent condition there was no need to recover. You just can't buy that quality new today without getting into insane dollar amounts.

Try FlexSteel

inherited my mom's sleeper sofa - been thru 6 grands in 10 yrs & is still like new

Try clubfurniture.com
We purchased a nice slipcovered sofa from there 5 years ago. It was very similar to a PB sofa. We were very happy with the entire experience (fabric samples, delivery, quality and price). The sofa is holding up very well (3 kids and a dog), and was MUCH cheaper than PB. Check them out.

I didn't have good luck with Pottery Barn's furniture, and I don't even have little kids to put it through its paces, Room & Board are much better made but, yes, more expensive and the shipping is costly.

My last sofa purchase was brand new - online - through eBay and was a Mitchell Gold (the main line in their own shops - not a 'made for another seller' version - there's definitely a difference in the quality). The movers picked it up straight from the MG warehouse (even they were surprised), unwrapped & inspected & rewrapped it, I paid only $355 for it plus $175 delivery to the West Coast (shipping to you in Kentucky should be cheaper). So ultimately I'd urge you to go for a higher quality sofa, take a little more time shopping, there are also plenty of 'shop for you' services in North Carolina and shipping isn't that expensive from NC to Kentucky. If you opt for eBay, there are a couple of sellers who specialize in buying floor models and overstock from the NC furniture areas, try searching for sofas by Baker and Jonathan Adler (there's a gorgeous one where the auction's ending, I think, today) and Hickory (all those lines have been well made in my experience). I don't recommend buying without trying, I visited a couple stores, sat on sofas & chose which I wanted, then I spent a couple months shopping online until I saw one of the two I chose at a price that made me giddy - and - I pounced on it! It's absolutely possible to get high quality, for a reasonable price, with a bit of patience. This particular sofa is a classic design and so well-made, so solid and heavy, I have little doubt I'll be upholstering & reupholstering it for years. I honestly regret going with cheaper sofas previously because my money would have been better spent buying decent quality to start (isn't that always the story!).

I would consider used high quality pieces. Hickory Chair, Henredon, Baker,Thomasville (pre 1990),
all make wonderful furniture that can be recovered forever. I have pieces that I have been recovering for 35 years. Someone else suggested Flexsteel and I would second that. my parents had a Flexsteel sofa for twenty years that looked great and held up beautifully.

Another vote for JCPenney. I also have their Pottery Barn knock-off, and have been happy with the appearance and price. Not sure about durability since I've only had it 1.5yrs. Hopefully there is one near you!

We have four pieces of Mitchell Gold furniture, which makes the Pottery Barn line. The first two pieces (sofa and chair) I purchased in 1999 on sale at a local dealer.
Four years ago my husband and I invested in a MG sectional and ottoman from the same dealer. One of the reasons I purchased the Mitchell Gold brand was like another reviewer posted: they will replace your cushions for life. I am not as impressed with the longevity of the twill slipcovers in terms of colorfastness (if you wash them) over time (they tend to fade in strange ways) -- however it's hard to beat a company warranty that will replace your cushions free of charge. That said, do some homework and try to find a manufacturer with a good warranty, priced right that suits your lifestyle...good luck!

Since I'm planning on getting the Kivik sofa myself (treating it as a sectional and not buying the arms), I'm curious as to how the back got broken by simply trying to put on the slipcover. And they seem comfortable enough in the store, so am I missing something???

Wait, after re-reading, maybe she means the sofa is uncomfortable because of it being broken and repaired.......duh.

Hi Jessica.. The picture you submitted of the Seabury sofa? That's the one we ended up buying. I saw one in the store and spent almost a year trying to find a better quality or less expensive one. And I couldn't. I found a VERY SIMILAR one at Haverty's but the fabric was scratchy and not able to be altered. Found some similar ones online, but from furniture makers across the country that I couldn't try, or too expensive and custom made on the east coast. I ended up waiting until I could get the best coupon (15%, ouch) since that sofa never goes on sale. We ordered over the phone and got the sofa surprisingly quickly, less than a month for a custom Pottery Barn order. I wish we had gotten one with more durable fabric, or less expensive, but in the end I couldn't find a better one out there that still had that long length, down fill, and great lines. We don't live close enough to Ikea, Macy's, Room and Board, MG, etc to make those part of the equation.

All I can say is DO NOT BUY A WEST ELM COUCH! I fell in love with one and bought it in September. At the time of purchase they told us it would be 1 - 2 weeks for delivery. After 3 weeks we were told that sales person was wrong and it would be 10 - 12 weeks. Now it is January and way past 12 weeks and we still don't have a couch.

I repeat: DO NOT BUY FROM WEST ELM.

@Rucy
You mean MG sells their own sofas on ebay??? :OOO

@discerning
I'm quite curious, what do you mean by "grands"? It is somehow not intuitively obvious to me....

Just wanted to second some of the other posters:
1) Pottery Barn uses different manufacturers for different pieces. Mitchell Gold produces pieces are high quality and the same manufacturer for other stores like Crate and Barrel. Some of the other manufacturers are not so good.
2) Just like anything of quality, look at it's construction and materials, then it's price (which may be justified by the first) and then the name.
3) Ask about the construction. Go back and ask again! A sales person is not always right though they should be. Save yourself the trouble and make sure of what you're getting.
4) Just because if feels good now, doesn't mean it will continue to. Knowing it's construction will tell you how it will hold up.
5) Opinions are only a chapter in your book of research:)

craigslist and a slipcover! It'll already look like it's gonna look, and you'll save a bundle. With a light-colored slipcover, you can throw it in the wash with oxiclean whenever it gets messy. (check out my post on it - http://bonnieprojects.blogspot.com/2011/12/sofa-facelift.html)

I also like my microfiber sofa from la-z-boy.

my couch is from macy's and i've had it for about 4 yrs. it's awesome! it's microsuede- so somewhat stain resistent, has a pull out couch, and is filled with down. very very comfortable!

If you are willing to pay good money research quality brands online. Call some good furniture stores and ask if they carry those brands and what kind of delivery service they offer. My mother who lives 3 hours away bought furniture here in town and they delivered. They used a delivery company and it was really reasonable. Not exactly timely but not pricey. You can then actually see the piece in the store and it might just be worth it.

I bought a Sealy leather couch, love seat and chair back in 1999 for $1500 from a local dealer. It is still like new.

@lepidoptery, No, I'm not saying that. A local company who'd bought up the remainder of MG's stock, on that now-discontinued sofa, hadn't yet picked it up so sent the shippers to the MG warehouse to get it (and whatever else they'd bought from MG) for transport to me.

Heck no! Pottery Barn doesn't make any of their sofas, find out who makes them and you can buy the identical looking, but, better constructed sofa from a local furniture store selling the manufacturer's line. Better service, better construction and more fabric choices. You can check the manufacturer's website for local furniture stores and images of all the sofas.

i purchased a crate and barrel sofa, on sale for about $2500, 10 yrs ago and 4 grand children later it is still in great shape and they have... well you know from baby stuff plus...this year egg nog was spilled on it and it seems the fabric protector is still doing its job.

Just wanted to chime in that Mitchell Gold makes sofas for Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. Same quality just different styles.

Pottery Barn has some of the worst constructed pieces in the industry. They used to be made by Mitchell+Gold and in the "old days" were pretty good. But they are now slapped with a Mitchell Gold label but are not made in the same factory as MG prodcuts. They are inferior and I would highly recommend staying away from them, unless you want squeaky springs, potato chipping cushions (or worse) within just a few months. Their customer service is good, but who wants the hassle of trying to replace pillows after six months when they should have lasted six years?

C&B is a good choice, as is Room and Board (tho C&B is a more neutral style than R&B.)

I would recommend taking a look at Restoration Hardware, too. They have an undeserved rep for being boring or pricey, but their quality is pretty darn good and only a few hundred dollars more on average than a PB sofa.

I had a Kathleen II from Pottery Barn. Bought it 10 years ago and just replaced it. If I'm not mistaken, some of their sofas are made by Mitchell-Gold.
The good is that the sofa held up nicely as far as construction. The cushions never lost their shape and the wood was very sturdy.
The bad news is that the slipcovers never fit right after they were washed and ripped at the seams. It wasn't easy to fix. Plus, over the years, the slipcovers got stained and it just looked dirty. I wanted to buy new slipcovers but it was a discontinued sofa and replacement covers were around $700 on eBay. I'm not a seamstress and since my tastes had changed, I decided to get rid of it. Now, I have an inexpensive Ikea sofa in the interim and replacement slipcover sets are $49, which is a good reason to stock up.
Bottom line: the furniture is pretty good for the price but if you're going to get a slipcovered sofa, order another set during the initial purchase.

@rucy
OIC. That was pretty good luck! I just did an ebay search for mitchell gold (couch, sofa, loveseat) and the results (for all of USA) were uninspiring, but I suppose one needs to be diligent about these things.

I bought my first big furniture purchase - a greenwich sofa from Pottery Barn - 12 years ago and it was a really smart purchase! It still looks great, the lines are classic, and it is very, very comfortable. I think we will get a new one when we re-do our den. Though i may get a slipcover for the old one and keep it. So while not a fan at all of "cookie cutter" solutions, PB rally came through for me on this one.

When I bought my first home (around 3.5 years ago), I filled it with loads of PB furniture. While there were some issues (some HUGE issues with construction of a sofa), I continued to shop with them because of the way they handled the issues.

However, when I bought my new home this year and needed a new bed, getting it delivered and put together was such a fiasco. PB customer service was little help. They eventually gave us a huge discount (nice), but by then I'd decided that PB couldn't have any more of my money.

I've bought a few things from R&B and absolutely love them and their construction.

Why don't you read up on sofa construction on-line and then talk to sales people in different stores to see what you can learn. As stated earlier, not all salespeople know what they're talking about.

While I haven't bought furniture from them, most things PB sells seem to be over-priced, at least for the quality. It find it to be more about style and a look than quality.

Buy the best fabric you can - see if they can tell you how many "rubs" it is rated at. They probably can't, but that is how high end furniture designed for heavy use is rated. And never, never buy a sofa or chair without sitting in it - many are too deep, too shallow, too low, backs slant, cushions are uncomfortable.

Good luck!

i just got a new sleeper sofa from crate and barrel that is awesome - but the one it replaced (also crate and barrel) was NOT. Both were expensive. But this time, we did research and found out that the sofa we got was built by American Leather, which makes amazing sleeper sofas with memory foam mattresses. A little research on the real manufacturer goes a long way!

I'd recommend leather. We just bought a Bradington Young 3 - 4 seater that is so comfortable and attractive. It was costly, but having also run through cheaper sofas quickly it makes sense to invest in the long run. You can sometimes find dealers who sell much lower than MSRP. We have a 2.5 yo, one on the way, and a golden retriever. I didn't want to be changing/washing slipcovers every other day!

I've been through more than a few sofas in my life, but the one that's lasted the longest -- the one I'm sitting on right now -- is inherited from my grandmother and is over 50 years old. They just don't make "em like they used to...isn't that how the saying goes?

Crate&Barrel and Room&Board both use several of the same top US upholstery manufacturers for their upholstery lines, but that said there are still different levels of quality within those manufacturers, which a knowledgeable salesperson can explain. Make sure you're comparing "apples to apples" when comparing different retailer's upholstery products. A piece manufactured by Lee Industries for Crate&Barrel should not be compared to an Ikea piece, as it's not even in the same league. Support US upholstery manufacturers if you can and buy the best, most neutral piece you can afford. You won't regret it.

I would check Craigslist. I bought a lazy boy sofa which I like, but I've seen gorgeous ones on Craigslist for less than half of what I paid for mine.

My ex husband worked for PB and there was an outlet near our home so between the two we bought some PB furniture including a couch for much less than they typically sell for. Even paying a lower cost I don't think their furniture was worth the money. I'm currently in the market for a new couch as well and In my research I've heard good things about Rowe furniture and buildasofa.com

Well, not trendy, but we got a Lane leather sectional 8 years ago, and itsheld up trhough 3 dogs and 2 kids.

Its super comfty, easy to clean and still looks very good

We've had a Rowe sofa since 2001 and it's held up extremely well even with daily abuse from three kids under 6 and cats. It's slipcovered and we just wash them as needed. My inlaws also have a Rowe sofa and ordered new slipcovers for theirs to update it after owning it for a number of years. I'd look into that since it's available locally.

I've never had a Pottery Barn sofa, but I have owned a Room & Board sofa. I have to disagree with the other posters here. It did NOT wear well and lasted about 3-4 years before the cushions completely lost shape. The buttons on the back started popping off at 5 years.

I've also never owned a Pottery Barn sofa, but I completely agree with the last poster about Room & Board sofas. While the fabric and frame have held up well, the seat cushions failed after 2 years even though we followed the manufacturer's care recommendations. I can't even convince my two year old to sit on the sofa--it's that uncomfortable.

Years ago, I did own a Crate & Barrel sofa. Looking back, it was the best sofa that we ever owned. I've probably owned 8 sofas in 6 years and they all tend wear poorly. Look for sofas with no loose back cushions--at least the back of the sofa will look great for years to come.

we love our kivik. We looked at couches all over crate & barrel, west elm, etc. I really wanted to stay away from ikea but we like it best. It's the most comfortable, easy to clean, versatile (in that you can change the "L" from one side to the other) modern couch we could find.

Jessica,

I feel your pain. I live in Western KY and the nearest IKEA or C&B store is 5-7 hour drive depending on which direction. There is a lot of IKEA stuff I would love to order online but with the delivery fee $400 per piece it's just not practical.
I was looking to do the same way you were since there is a PB within a 3 hour drive, but after reading the comments on your post I have decided against that.

Back to square one again.

Regarding the recommendation for Resoration Hardware - the furniture is crap, all made in China same as Macy's (and yes I have a Macy's Corona sofa in my rec room so I know). There are plenty of reviews online of RH furniture.

MGBW does not make all of PB furniture, though I have to say in the new PB catalog there are a couple of good looking sofas.

Bottom line don't spend $1600 on a piece of furniture you can't see with your own eyes and sit on.

I had the long, Seabury couch in basketweave that I bought as a floor model in 2005. I made the mistake of having it cleaned right away. The company that cleaned it practically ruined it. I had to purchase new covers. The covers and actual couch were never the same color. Despite that dreadful experience, the couch looked pretty good and held up well. Due to a new security gate in my stairwell, the long Seabury sofa can't be delivered. Otherwise, I would have ordered it again. I am in the market for a shorter version of the Seabury that can fit in my elevator. I ordered a R&B couch that I am considering returning. I now understand how important the depth of a couch is when you're a lounger like I am. I do have to say that I have found R&B's service to be superior to PB. I am considering a shorter version of the Seabury at W&S Home and ClubFurniture. I welcome any feedback on these retailers. Is PB worth the money? For me, time will tell.

I highly recommend IKEA's Ektorp sofa. Comfy with lots of high end features, big enough to sleep on and great to lie on and read a book. The cushions are foam and down mixed which make them solid and good for elderly guests to get up off the couch. I also have Mitchell Gold for Pottery Barn sofa and the foam only cushions are too springy and you sink too far in. The Ektorp beats the Pottery Barn sofa hands down, and the 2012-2013 price is $100 dollars cheaper, which is $499, much cheaper than $1200 for the Pottery Barn.The PB sofa might be a bit better constructed; I have seen the video and was impressed. But for the money, quality and comfy factor you can't beat the Ektorp. I have three sons, two dogs and a cat.

You should really look at Charles Schneider it is a small furniture manufacturer that is still making sofas in the same Iowa factory since the 1940's. They have the firmest best foam you can get and they are American made. Me being a very large man firm foam is a must. As for Ikea, when I burnt one in my trash pile it had maybe 3oz of metal and 90% paper chip board. I could not reuse any of the components. I have the front rail of an old Charles sofa that has been part of my chicken coop door for 10+ years, I think it is solid maple. I always try to recycle or re use everything so having a sofa that is made from wood not paper is something I look for. As for style I love Blue Dot Furniture, I have never taken one apart... yet.

Typically PB, IKEA, and other trendy places are not the best places to find quality furniture and you pay way too much for what you don't get. They are hoping you will buy based on style and trends, rather than know anything about quality of construction or fabrics. As one who earns my living working on leather furniture I can tell you Lazy Boy, Natuzzi, Rowe, and other established brands may cost more, but will deliver more quality of construction, longevity, and bang for the buck. Flexsteel builds excellent furniture and there is an often overlooked small family-owned company in Indiana, Best Furniture Co., which builds quality furniture at competive prices. I personally own leather furniture purchased from Macy's which has held up very well and is in it's 8th year of use. I would avoid warehouse showrooms such as Ashley furniture. Looks nice when new, but the quality is missing. I do not recommend "bonded leather". Don't be fooled by the word 'leather' in the name. It is simply VINYL bonded to a backing of leather shavings bonded by glue. Also avoid any fabrics with a faux leather finish. It is junk. Also a note of caution--if you have children or pets, you should avoid aniline leather. Looks and feels great, but more susceptible to staining and not nearly as cleanable as protected leathers (dye coat on the surface). Ask a knowledgeable sales person to show you the difference in fabric grades and their cleanability and durability. Leather comes in different grades, too. Hope this helps. Good luck!

We have a PB sofa sleeper purchased 15 years ago. It's actually a Mitchell Gold and has held up well with medium usage. A couple years ago I was in the market for a King size (for teen girls group sleepovers;) sleeper sofa with COMFORTABLE mattress. Crate & Barrel had just what I wanted...for about $3500...Ouch! I figured out it was made by American Leather, found a high end furniture design store that carried that brand, and waited 2 months for their annual 30% off sale, and ended up paying around $2300. Oh.....and it has an amazingly comfortable thempurpedic mattress!

The biggest lesson I learned this year: Never buy a couch without sitting on it. My mother has a Pottery Barn sofa and it is very comfortable. So I thought we would be safe purchasing our sofa from them. We bought the he Pearce sectional and it has multiple problems with construction and it is very uncomfortable to sit on. We do not even want to sit on our couch we hate it so much. I will give Pottery Barn credit with customer service in that they are going to refund our money and take it back.

I just bought a new Charles Schneider Memory Foam Sofa and it is killer. It is almost as good as a temperpedic in my living room!

I don't have much of choice where to shop so I am forced to shop online. If your shopping online spend a few extra $$ and buy from a company who stands behind their product.

PB does not allow returns of furniture - even the everyday basic, most common fabrics - (not custom). Their "policy" is 7 days for returns. Of furniture - think about that for a minute.

We have a sectional that had manufacturing defects (foam, seams) and they would only send out a replacement center foam core that was exactly like the defective core. They refused to support their product, even after their store(s) and their field representative all agreed that our issue was a major problem, and deserved a return. The customer service team will not stand behind their prodcuts.
We had weeks and months of delays after contacting PB numerous times, and they factored their delays in getting back to us in the amount of time between delivery and issue resolution.
Please shop around - many competitors have "real" return policies. If you are willing to spend $2K - 5K with no ability to return, then you can ignore this comment.

I just had a Pottery Barn Basic sectional delivered today, and it has Mitchell Gold tags all over it!!!!!!!! So looks like you are getting the same product from either. Seems like Pottery Barn misleads people into thinking they are getting something unique to them. Def not. And I gotta say it was huge pain in the tookus because it was delivered without any of the slipcovers on and they are an absolute BEAR to get on. I fear mine will look like Pottery Barn 'shabby chic' for a lng time....or worse yet just plain SHABBY! I'm not so happy, but after waiting weeks and weeks for this fabulous 'custom' order, I'm pretty disillusioned. I even bought it 'on sale' at over $3000. Guess i have to spend a way lot more to get the real deal as one of the people above said!

A couple of larger area rugs that I bought from Pottery Barn 'shed' like crazy and look very warn very quickly.