apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm bringing this question over from yesterday's open thread--I hope that's okay! I'm looking for a traditional (but not ugly) sofa with a moderately deep seat (no less than 22 inches) and a higher back for less than $1500. So far, my candidates are Greenwich from Pottery Barn, and Frederick or York from Room and Board. Does anyone have any experience with these couches? Any recommendations? I'm not as modern in my aesthetics as many of you are--especially for a sofa--but this is the first piece of real furniture I'm buying and I want it to be beautiful, even if it's not DWR.

Pics:
Greenwich: http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=schi1%7Cp1%7CwGreenwich&pkey=sa1s00greenwich&gids=p065
Frederick: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=909027&coll=378623&cat=27
York: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377602&cat=27

Gretchen,

I just posted a reply on the last OT:


Everyone has their own style. Buy what you love.

What about Ethan Allen for a sofa with rolled arms?

http://tinyurl.com/hv4c3

I, too, am reposting from yesterday's open thread:

Does anyone have any suggestions on nice, modern, not too expensive, clamp lights that I can use above my bedside tables?

Grady, try

http://sanfrancisco.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/072506/top-ten/top-ten-clip-lights-011038

for starters. To this list, I'd add the Tolomeo clamp light.

I'm interested in putting up track lighting, but as I rent, the landlord will allow me no access to the electricals in the building. Is there such a thing as plug-in track lighting? Where would I find it?

Design Dabbler, thanks!

Does anyone here own or have any experience with a Seabury sofa from Pottery Barn? It is from their "Series 1" collection, which is supposed to be of higher quality. I really like the look but I'm vary of buying from PB. I'm afraid the down cushions will sink in in no time. Wish I could find anything similar (modern, basic, large-scale, comfy) somewhere else. Have been looking for two months already with no luck.. Any help would be appreciated

Ivy -- google "Valo Track Lighting" -- I don't have experience with it, but it sounds good -- "Track lighting in 15 minutes", "no permanent wall modifications"... there seem to be several sources. Good luck!

Tardigrade
http://apartmenttherapy.com/images/squiggle.gif

OK, I just read the last thread and I would like to repeat:

if anyone is buying the Edo bed, buy it from Costco because they offer to deliver AND PUT IT TOGETHER for a lot cheaper than the TOTAL price of the bed AND SHIPPING from anyone else. Putting together the bed is a snap (I reapeat: it is not hard to put it together) but it becomes increasingly difficult and frustrating when parts don't fit due to incongruities in the manufacture of the bed and/or WHEN PARTS ARRIVE DAMAGED IN SHIPPING. (please refer to my comments on my house tour for a full explication.)

who cares where you get the bed from. I for one, think it's a total hoot to get it from Costco. They're offering a truly valuable service in this case.

the edo bed has solid mahogany: slats, center rail, headboards, feet, parts of the side rails. The side rail is also composed of plywood and the struts are sometimes 2 pieces of solid wood glued together (and sometimes not). For 600 bucks you ain't gettin nice chinese joinery, it's all screwed together through metal brackets.

Having said ALL that, I love the bed, it's lovely on the eyes.

Katya, I seriously considered the Seabury, primarily for the down and its looks. But ultimately bought a Mitchell Gold sofa (I know they manufacture for Crate & Barrel, don't know about PB). Their website is:

http://www.mgandbw.com/

and even if ABC doesn't carry a specific style, they can order it.

Felicity: which Mitchell Gold sofa did you end up buying? I've been to their store here in Seattle, and the sofas I saw there were too narrow and small-scale for my space. The quality seemed decent, though. Are you happy with your purchase so far?

SmallCityBeth,

Sounds like a winner to me, too! I'll check it out. Thanks!

We had a Seabury sofa from Pottery Barn from a year, and hated it every minute. We liked it in the store, but it became clear pretty quickly that the cushions would never be quite right. Then the wooden base of both teh sofa and the Seabury chair started to crack. Pottery Barn took both pieces back after a year and gave us a full refund!

Help!!! My husbands office is being moved today and tomorrow. They bought all new ikea furniture for it and now he and a few guys are stuck doing assembly. Does anyone know of a good service that will come and help a brother out! I fear I may never see him again, or worse carpel tunnel will ruin our sex life. Thanks!

Raquel

Does anyone know of any creative alternatives to Room and Board's "Gigi" chair? Link here:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377838&cat=26

I like how generally comfortable it is, and really like its ability to serve as both a "lounge" chair sitting around for cocktails, but also something I can pull up to a table if/when need be. I'm shocked at how hard a thing that is too find - most dining chairs, even armchairs, feel WAY too upright when you're sitting in the living room, and most "lounge" chairs are far too slouchy for even occasional table use.

That said, I'd love it if there were something a little sleeker than "Gigi" (with metal instead of wooden legs, and not so thickly upholstered) - and hope that maybe the fine folks in AT land can advise! I wouldn't mind spending less that $600 either, of course...

Happy weekends to all!
Lucy

you know what i picture when i picture a metal-legged and less plush gigi chair?

one of those old naugahyde-and-chrome side chairs from the classic 50's dinette sets. you know, with the formica-topped chrome tables.

you can find those pretty easily and cheaply in flea markets and vintage shops all over the place. you might even be able to have them reupholstered if you're not interested in the vinyl look.

I got a chair just like the Gigi on Ebay 4 years ago. It was billed as Heywood WAkefield (which I doubt) but I fell in love with the shape and got it very cheap.

Re: Edo bed

Ahh. I knew it was screwed in together, but I didn't know that bit about the side slats.

As long as it's solid - I'll swallow my dislike of big box stores and get a costco membership...(thank goodness i held off on the sam's club membership!)

It's gorgeous and absolutely worth the price!

Re: EDO bed

I just ordered it from COSTCO. They charge a 5% fee for non-members. It came to $40 vs. the $50 for a gold level membership. With tax, it was $910.34.

Thanks, Olga, for sharing your experience and helping me make this decision. I've never ordered something so LARGE online before!

ivy,

ikea now have a kit for most of the low voltage lighting to allow for plugging into a wall instead of hard-wiring.

you can also get a plug added to the end of the transformer for these lights, but you should talk to an electician for any safey concerns...

Paluka, Falicity: thanks for your feedback. I seriously doubt I will be buying the Seabury now.

LucyBrown, here you go:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/fur/195602520.html

Even with shipping from Oakland it should be cheaper than Gigi...

LucyBrown,
there's this one (and other similar ones) at Overstock. http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1839705 $150...

the big d and madsy:

good luck and keep us posted on the progress of the bed and how it all turns out.

Madsy, I too was nervous about such a big furniture purchase online and because of my trials and tribulations have learned to abstain in the future. My total, with much haggling, discounting and then needing to follow up and EXTRACT the discount from them (the not very together and shoddy haikudesigns.com) came to around $850. So you're not paying that much more and hopefully avoiding the pitfalls.

AT in DC/Northern VA, I've decided I need professional help! Any recommendations for a local designer who is AT friendly? I live in Falls Church and need help with furniture arrangement, space planning, color selection, small improvement projects. All suggestions welcome.

I hope this doesn't hurt but I bought a brand new edo king sized on ebay for 200.00 and shipped it for 100.00. so it was a great deal... 900.00 from costco sounds steep to me, i have seen it locally here in la for less than that...