Advice needed on layout/furniture/leather

As a chancellor sofa in heirloom chestnut is not available anymore I really need an advice on a layout. Now we are looking into Tavern/Kent sofa + Author or Tavern chair (or may be 2 chairs) in the Weston Cane Burnished or similar leather (my wife is really hell bent on having a chesterfield sofa).
This is a living/entrance room that connects dining room/second floor bedrooms/kitchen/office downstairs. Hence a lot of foot traffic, but not so much usage except for my wife reading in a chair occasionally or me sitting there sipping scotch with couple friends once or twice a month ("drink that mash and talk that trash" :) ). We just became empty nesters, no pets/grandchildren.
The planned layout is putting the sofa next to the window, one chair in the corner and optionally another chair in a place of the redwood bench. The window is facing EAST (82 degrees), so there is a lot of sunshine till noon or 1 pm. There is also a huge air return for the whole house in the corner next to the sofa location and we open the window quite often in a summer time.

Thank you in advance for your opinion/advice/thoughts/etc!

and night time

The old furniture layout

I definitively don't care for the "old" furniture layout and I would not put a sofa - especially with aniline leathers - in front of that window. Those sheers are not stopping the UV rays will sun bleach the hides to a light milk chocolate over a period of time.

I DO like the idea of a Chesterfield and it should be directly across from the fireplace. The Curio Cabinet goes to the left corner where the bench (with the purse on it) would be now, then two chairs in the corners. The chair closest to the window you will still have to keep an eye on for sun fade issues (or put UV solar film on the window). The low back Chesterfield will keep from making a visual block in the room and it appears your room corners are wide enough to take a pair of Author chairs (get one ottoman to share, perhaps?)

Air return will not bother the furniture.

Rather than push your upholstery to the corners and walls, bring them into the room - will create a better look for you.

If you want to go a step further - the drapery sheers are very dated - I'd pull them down and replace with horizontal blinds (which will also give you some sun control).

Thanks a lot, your idea is just superb! I really appreciate you helping me out!

More questions, if you don't mind:
Which Chesterfield (Chancellor/Kent/Tavern or something else) has more visual appeal from all the sides and do you think 1744 Chancellor Sofa is low enough (Height 33") not to look like a barrier? I spent several days at my office looking at different sofa/leather combinations on your site and simply overwhelmed with it!
After reading so many forum posts we are looking at Grade 3 leather, either Tiburon Cognac in pull ups or burnished:Weston Cane,Cameo Brown,Buckingham Walnut, Hyde Park Earth,Hyde Park Cognac. Which one do you think is better with clear maple hardwood floor and light walls? Or you have some other ideas?
Is Author chair comfortable for a big man? I'm a 300 lb powerlifter, with broad shoulders, a barreled chest and some guts, 5'10". If not, which bigger chair do you think will look the best with a chesterfield type sofa/author chair? Or better to have a matching pair and me occupying the sofa? I was not able to find the Author chair in local retail shops to try. Are there any known copycats in R&H/Ethan Allen/etc?

Thank you again!

I don't really favor one Chesterfield over another for all-around visual appeal. I think any of the units that are less that 35" in overall height would be good. My very favorite Chesterfield from a style standpoint is the Hennessy, however its a very long sofa at 93" so you would have to check the space for scale.

http://www.hancockandmoore.com/Produ...ey-Tufted-Sofa

The 5067 Tavern is also spectacular...another favorite

http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...ghlight=Tavern

Any of those leathers are good hides. I think they will all look great in the room. I don't particularly like the rug currently in the room, the grays in that piece are fighting everything in there and will with the sofa, too. I would pull that out and either do without it or explore a new choice.

Hard to say if you will like the Author - but I think you would find it great. It's a pretty manly-man chair (named so after Ernest Hemingway - true!) and 95% of my customers for it are larger men. I do have one on order for stock that will be here in the next month or so as well - ordered it in Cameo Stone Burnished. There are a few that makers that have tried to copy the H&M Author and they are miserable failures, they don't ever get the pitch angles right on the knockoffs.

Yep, definitely the Curio/rug/drapes have to go! As room is being empty it was easy to create some mock ups. So I simply cut construction papers for the dimensions
of henessey sofa (W93.5" D40"), Author chair (Width 40", Depth 43") and Author ottoman (Width 30.5", Depth 27").
The henessey's size is biggest of Chancellor(Width 89", Depth 42.5"), Tavern (Width 82.5", Depth 34") or Kent (Width 88", Depth 38.5").

I'm trying to visualize/balance out 3 different plans:

Henessey/Chancellor + Author chair + ottoman in "Tiburon Cognac" , as those sofas are much more imposing on the room.
Tavern/Kent + 2 Author chars + one/two ottoman in "Cameo Brown" or "Weston Cane"
Tavern/Kent + Highlands chair (in the left/bigger corner) + Author Chair in "Cameo Brown" or "Weston Cane"

I wonder if it's too bold to try to mix leather, like Kent sofa in "Cameo Brown" JIT program with optional Weston Cane gimp and Nailhead trim and Author Chair/ottoman "T&C" in "Weston Cane" with optional "Cameo Brown" gimp and Nailhead trim. Added leather pillows in "Weston Cane" can help with a color/leather transitioning. Or it's simply impossible as batches varies too much even for the same leather type.

That's the layout I like, you would adjust of course when the pieces actually were placed in the room.

Not enough contrast between Weston Cane Burnished and Cameo Brown, you will want more shade variance otherwise the effect is negligible. All those pieces have enough detailing going on to not really need any "pop" with contrasting welts, etc.

All burnishing is done by hand so its the amount of glaze applied that affects tone vs batch of hides.

I found only one picture of Henessey sofa on the site : http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/atta...2&d=1463694910
it's hard to notice a difference in Henessey Tufted Sofa and 6038-3 TL Henessey Tapered Leg Sofa.
http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/...pered-Leg-Sofa
http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/...ey-Tufted-Sofa
Does it look better with much lighter leather as it's magical in white? Also, the cushions are not removable for Henessey vs Kent/Tavern/Chancellor. Is it going to be a problem long term in case of sagging/repair needed?

Thank you!

Only difference in those two units is the leg style.

I've never had a single issue with any tight-seat tufted sofa sagging or needing a seat repair - not one in over 30 years. Just don't accidentally cut the leather with a knife or razor blade and you won't have issues.

Hi. I'm replying to your question regarding the Henessey sofa with the cushion not being removable. First off, the sofa is gorgeous!!!! Second, I have 4 cats. The cats have definitely put a few marks on the sofa and recliners with their claws primarily just from jumping up on them. They don't really scratch the leather like they did my fabric couches. I've been able to put either hand lotion or leather conditioner on the scratches, and they basically disappear. However, one of my cats puked on the non-removable cushion of the sofa after I had had it for about a year. It dried before I saw it and cleaned it off. The leather that I have is Hyde Park Brownie which is an aniline leather. It totally took every bit of the color out of the leather right smack dab in the middle of that seat. I was absolutely SICK over it and shed many tears. I worked with the people at Leather Solutions. They got a sample of my leather and did a custom stain for me and detailed instructions of how to fix it. It was scary as could be, but I was able to put the color back in. It's not perfect, but you really can't tell unless you are looking for it. It just sort of looks like part of the burnishing. I also struggled with whether or not to get a sofa with a non-removable cushion. In the end, I went with it because I just loved the look. I'm not sure that I would do that again though with a non-protected leather. I have no option to just send a cushion in for repair. Cats are vomiting machines. I love them, but I could choke the person who dropped off a pregnant cat on me 12 years ago. LOL. Here's a picture of the sofa I just took. It's still stunning. I get sooo many compliments on it, and no one has ever noticed the vomit spot.
Attachment 11734

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rhondarenee8

Hi. I'm replying to your question regarding the Henessey sofa with the cushion not being removable. First off, the sofa is gorgeous!!!! Second, I have 4 cats. The cats have definitely put a few marks on the sofa and recliners with their claws primarily just from jumping up on them. They don't really scratch the leather like they did my fabric couches. I've been able to put either hand lotion or leather conditioner on the scratches, and they basically disappear. However, one of my cats puked on the non-removable cushion of the sofa after I had had it for about a year. It dried before I saw it and cleaned it off. The leather that I have is Hyde Park Brownie which is an aniline leather. It totally took every bit of the color out of the leather right smack dab in the middle of that seat. I was absolutely SICK over it and shed many tears. I worked with the people at Leather Solutions. They got a sample of my leather and did a custom stain for me and detailed instructions of how to fix it. It was scary as could be, but I was able to put the color back in. It's not perfect, but you really can't tell unless you are looking for it. It just sort of looks like part of the burnishing. I also struggled with whether or not to get a sofa with a non-removable cushion. In the end, I went with it because I just loved the look. I'm not sure that I would do that again though with a non-protected leather. I have no option to just send a cushion in for repair. Cats are vomiting machines. I love them, but I could choke the person who dropped off a pregnant cat on me 12 years ago. LOL. Here's a picture of the sofa I just took. It's still stunning. I get sooo many compliments on it, and no one has ever noticed the vomit spot.Attachment 11734

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Thanks a lot! I'll show your post to my wife as she is still struggling to choose! So far only the Kent sofa got eliminated, Tavern/Henessey/Chancellor are still going.

Here's another picture that shows my layout with the Henessey sofa and Sami recliners.

Attachment 11735

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rhondarenee8

Here's another picture that shows my layout with the Henessey sofa and Sami recliners.

Attachment 11735

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Looks awesome! Now you have a dog to keep your leather protected all the time :)

Yeah...That's Lincoln. He likes to put his front feet on that sofa and toss his ball on the back of it and have it roll back to him. That cat on the table is named Satan, by the way. We call her Satie for short. LOL. Me and my animals.

One thing I will say about the aniline leather. It shows even fingernail marks, but you can rub them out. We did have a bad issue though with my husband's head rest on the recliner. I guess his skin is just more oily than mine. It stained the head rest BAD within about 4 months even though we had put the protection products on it. Again, Leather Solutions came to our rescue. They sent me a product that I sprayed on the back side of the cushion that soaks up the oil. After about 10 applications, it looked new again. Now we use covers to drape over the head rests. They fall off constantly and are a pain, but it protects the leather. My chair never did that. I think it just all depends on the individual person's skin. It's another thing to think about though with that sofa. If it will be sat on a lot with a potential for oily skin contact, there is no way to get to the back of that cushion. Of course, you couldn't get to the back of the tufted part either, so I'm not sure it matters. My cats could just as easily have vomited on the tufted part. It's a tough call, but it is very elegant looking with no spaces around and between cushions.

Finally found a combination for 2-tone ottoman (author/campaign ottoman)! http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...ght=carrington
Interesting to see the pull up leather "Tiburon Cognac" on the top and may be burnished hide on the bottom, like Cameo Brown/Cameo Carmel/Buckingham Walnut/Weston Cane.

So far, some progress has been made on our furniture/leather selection. Looks like we are going to do 2 tone combo.

1) Fire place chair in Buckingham Walnut Burnished (T&C)
http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...kingham+walnut

Author chair in Buckingham Walnut Burnished with a gimp on the bottom (Cameo Mocha), like in
http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...light=bohemian .

Author chair ottoman: bottom part is in BWB with Cameo Mocha gimp and top half in sofa's or contrasting leather (in case of Capri leather for the sofa).
http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/...r--and-Ottoman
Ashmore boot stool: sofa's or contrasting leather (in case of Capri leather for the sofa).
http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/...ore-Boot-Stool

I plan to add Tresanton bench (T&C in Cameo Tan or Class V animal prints) to play with as I can easily move some pieces to the other rooms.
http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/...resanton-Bench


2) The real troubles are to choose the leather for 5592-NC Tavern Sofa.

a) Buckingham Walnut Burnished, it's very nice, but having too many pieces exactly the same is kind of suspect.
b) Capri Butternut, simply awesome and matching well with BWB: http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...apri+butternut
c) Capri Harness, looks great as well: http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...=capri+harness

But I really, really like the pullup leather and the whole aging/patina process, while Capri is simply perfect and does not have those bursts of color and BWB is tough/topcoated/glazed.

d) Tuscany harness.
e) Tiburon Java.
f) Tiburon Cognac.
g) Tiburon Walnut for ottoman/footstool.


For sure, we are going to order samples in 2-3 weeks as my wife is out of the county now.

But after spending 2 months on myfurnitureforum.com and reading practically every post from Duane and seeing all the pictures:

- There is up to 20% color variation in pull up leather, so the important thing is the feel and smell
But I suspect they are all perfect to touch/smell (Duane checked them all as excellent choices in class III/IV),
sitting next to the fire on BWB is going to be awesome.
- Samples are from scrap leather, so you can't rely on them for color and burnishing will change them a lot.
- Tiburon/Tuscany are from Italy that is famous for high quality and artistic inconsistency.
- Capri is the best quality to touch/sit, but should be treated much more careful than burnished/waxed hides.
- Burnishing on High Point Market pieces are head and shoulder above the regular ones, so can't choose based on them.
- You can't specify light or heavy burnishing in your order, it's up to the person sanding/toning/glazing in H&M, it's going to stay the same forever.
- Pictures on the site are highly affected by the light/cameras/etc.

Master degree in rocket science did not really prepared me for interior design career! So, I really appreciate any advice on which pullup leather will contrast/companion better with chairs in BWB given overall light/neutral hardwood floor/light beige and what to use for ottoman/footstool if Capri butternut is the way to go! Feel free to recommend the other hides/color schemes to consider! The overall feeling in the room should be informal, like slouching/reading/spending time with friends (drinking that mash, talking that trash, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHAyvXt0Bz0).

Thank you in advance!

I'm almost tempted to reconstruct the Photo Gallery: http://hancockandmoore.com/Photo/167...r-Tufted-Sofa#
Sofa shown in Tiburon Clover with A nail. 6418-1 Surge Chair in JC Helena Multi & Essence Lagoon with Rainier finish & A nail. 6510-1 Tulip Chair in Tortuga Plum with Java finish & J nails.
Tiburon Clover is not available anymore, so the combo would be Tiburon Pine, Tiburon Ocean and Tiburon Grape.;)

I think a lot of this will have to do with your preference for tonal variations in the room. And this can be very much up to the individual preferences. Myself, I'm not so much locked into pieces matching up - I like them to stand alone yet flow with the room. Not everyone agrees with that however, so that becomes decorating choice and you take your best guess OR hire a professional decorator who will put the look together for you.

For example, I'd not personally do two chairs in Buckingham Walnut Burnished of different styles. I'd keep that Author chair as you have it, then do something like this on the Fireplace chair (depending on room colors) because this just says "Fireplace Chair" to me.

Attachment 11873

As to the sofa, I think these units in Capri are some of the finest and nicest sofas ever to come through my store. Pull-ups are great, but the Capri/Quintessence/Markle leathers are on a whole different level. The model with the tufted seat is really spectacular in particular.

Attachment 11874Attachment 11875

And pull-ups are great, but its a totally different feel and touch than the ultra softs. They will have a wavy touch to them vs the velvet feel of the others.

You're on the right track though - order some swatches and start narrowing them down a bit.

Thank Duane!
The best part of using the second chair in fabric is that I can order it later after getting rid of old drapes/carpet/curio (which is uphill battle).
What about using Tavern sofa + Tavern chair in the same leather dark/reddish leather? I wonder If you think it's going to be too much tufted leather with Author in BWB, I can use 5587 Yosemite Chair in BWB/Cameo Tan/etc like in picture. They look great next to each other.

Ahhh...you found Alan Price's room in the Hancock and Moore Showroom. Alan is the Chief Designer for all this class of H&M Upholstery and that also happens to be the room I usually hang out in and chat with everyone because its a real guy's room.

There are so many other factors that come into play when laying out room decor - its more than the leather color. Like you see in Alan's room, it's the carpet, the wall hangings, the accessories - the drapes, etc. To really plan color you should have an idea of how you want to the whole room to flow and what stays and what is going. At least a plan. If you want to post some photos of your existing room layout in this thread that's helpful in making recommendations.

Ultimately it's the look you and your wife like. You won't have a mistake either way, it's just preferences.

Thanks to the latest China tariffs news, time to procrastinate is running out!

So, I'm limiting my choices to Tiburon Java or Tuscany harness for the Tavern Sofa/ottomans. The Adirondack chair from the Market picture is looking fantastic,
but I'm not sure that I like the way wood designed at the back of the chair.

1) 4691 Author chair in Buckingham Walnut Burnished with a gimp on the bottom (Cameo Mocha) and Mesa wood finish as a main/fireplace/reading chair.

2) This one, I'm not quite sure and it may be wise to buy it later in fabric or matching/contrasting, etc.

5843-1 Jameswood Chair in Cameo Tan Burnished (T&C) as an occasional/window/eye candy chair with Mesa wood finish to add some modern/designer touch to the all other tufted pieces! Belgian Chocolate wood finish looks very attractive, but there are chances of scratches/beer/etc. and it's not fixable.
The potential issue that I see with this one is that if the curio stays then the window corner may look overcrowded with tall wood furniture.
So, 5852-1 Traveler's Chair in the same color as Tavern sofa can be a better match for the sofa and look fine with tall curio as it's kind of square 33x33x33.


3) Two 4690 Author ottomans with Mesa wood finish. One is in TBJ/TH, the other one with a top in TBJ/TH and the bottom part in Buckingham Walnut Burnished with Cameo Mocha gimp just to break a monotone schema. That gives me the most flexibility, like placing them next to the chairs or creating mini corners unit with Tavern sofa or moving chairs/ottoman to a different room/etc. So, kind of having some symmetry and creating a main color together with Tavern sofa.
But I'm open for suggestions on the color/hide selection on ottomans, like may be using Cameo Tan on the bottom part instead of BWB gives more contrast, etc.

4) 5592-NC Tavern Sofa in Tiburon Java or Tuscany harness with Mesa wood finish.

The chairs and the sofa should have 21 oz cores for the seat cushions , instead of the standard 18 oz.

Duane,
Thanks for the tip with having 2 different chairs in the same color! I also found your negative opinion on the Fireplace chair from several years ago, so that settled it. I guess discussing Tiburon Java vs Tuscany Harness is like a beating a dead horse, but still let me write it down the summary of other people impressions for myself:

Tiburon Java: Slick/Waxed/Buttery/less scratchy giving Tavern sofa more formal/stylish look.
Tuscany Harness: Rugged/Saddle like to touch/man cave/easier scratched, but I guess if I apply the Leather solution with wax year after year it's going to be the same?

The question is which one is aging better in your opinion? The famous 072 Campaign cocktail ottoman moved from your shop to your house aged so great, that it's hard to argue! So far, despite the leather variations in those 2 hides, I really like all the pictures of them that I found on the forum. Hopefully, the samples are going to come shortly.

What are your thoughts on playing with different Tiburon hides for the seat cushions on Author/Tavern to jazz it up or due to the leather variation, etc it's better to leave it alone as it's easy to make it an eye sore? Like you mentioned in one thread long time ago that you did not like
http://hancockandmoore.com/Advert/23/Lakota-Sofa-Ad , Lakota Sofa Shown in Laredo Whiskey, Terra French, Luggage Burn, and Tiburon Peacock with Mahogany Distressed finish.
May be it's easier to simply order pillows with it in Tiburon Peacock/Tiburon Paprika (I really like Tiburon Peacock and wish there was Sonoma hide in Paprika, as you recommended a sueded leather on the back of the pillow) or leave it alone for now and buy pillows in fabric later?


Thank you in advance

Attachment 11914Attachment 11915Attachment 11916

I don't think you have to worry about H&M changing prices due to tariffs in their pieces when Italian hides are being used, so no need to rush. The CEO of H&M said "We just wanted to keep it to China specific product (leathers) and not take everything up" during the first round of tariffs back in early Fall.

Tiburon and Tuscany are so close to one another you could interchange the tags on them and no one would notice the difference. Both excellent Italian pull-ups in a classic fashion. The Leather Solutions Wax and Oil creams will keep it looking smart and newish, but the marks are the result of pressure points on the hides and those won't be removed by application of topical products. Personally, I love the pieces WITH the marks accumulated over time. For example, here's my Hancock and Moore 072 Campaign Ottoman in Tuscany Harness I have in my own home - has to be about five or six years old now - and I would not trade it for a brand new one. The marks add character. Photo taken a few minutes ago.

Attachment 11917

The Premium wood finishes are repairable, you just have to have a skilled person do it that knows how to do it. Anyone that can touch up a piano-finish can do it, it's just not your "hit-it-with-a-marker-and-go" suitable.

The only comment I have on using different leathers or covers in seat cushions is to make sure there is a contrast value if doing it, don't have the color or leathers similar to the main body cover.

Suedes on pillow backs hold the pillow in place (somewhat) on the sofa. Leather and most fabric will likely be prone to sliding on the sofa leather. Not a big deal, just a data point.

Hancock and Moore's internet was down for two days last week, and all samples I order via email. So they are behind in requests and if you don't seem them by this time next week ask me to re-order for you.

Duane,
We got our leather samples, thanks! It's much easier now. What would you recommend to add to Tavern sofa in Tuscany harness, like a welt trim on front part of armrest, etcin some Class 4/Class 5 and which one?

1) 4691 Author chair in Buckingham Walnut Burnished with a gimp on the bottom (Cameo Mocha) and Mesa wood finish as a main/fireplace/reading chair.
2) 5592-NC Tavern Sofa in Tuscany harness with Mesa wood finish.
3) 4690 Author ottoman with Mesa wood finish with two tone, Class 5 Allie Java on the top and French Purse Tan Burnished Class 5 on the bottom part.

I think you should probably get the Author Ottoman to match the chair, it's designed as flow-piece to the chair and I'm thinking it will be too much to have it in Allie Java / French Purse Tan.

If the Tavern Sofa and the Author Chair are going to be near one another (I assume they are) then my choice for a contrast welt on the sofa would be Buckingham Walnut Burnished, same as the chair. Makes a nice tie-in that way. I would not do more than the gimp on the sofa however, there are a lot of design elements already in the Tavern sofa and inside the arm panels I don't think wil add.

Hope that helps!

Unfortunately, due to the cost of the white glove Sun Delivery (East coast to California), it did not make the financial sense for me to order from Duane. But I really appreciate his help and hope that I will be able to order from his shop in the future, fingers crossed for the next High point items!:)
So, I ended up ordering 5592-NC Tavern Sofa in Capri Butternut in May locally, only to get a call a week later that there is a wait for at least 7 extra weeks for this hide! Ok, I changed my order to Tiburon Java with Mesa wood finish and AA nails spaced on the sides and back.

Lessons learned:

1) They still screwed up my order a little bit and delivered Mahogany distressed wood finish (default) for legs instead of Mesa.
Which is fine as it looks great/contrasting on my light maple floor.

2) Tiburon Java is the best! It looks so great and sophisticated (pictures that I've uploaded are so worse than in real life),
that if I knew, I would be ordering the Author chair in it as well, instead of Buckingham Walnut burnished.

3) Live edge redwood burl table that I made myself, looks great with Chesterfield style sofa in Tiburon java, especially with Mobius style legs that I ordered from Poland (etsy.com).

4) Pillows are ausome! I ordered them in Tiburon Peacock/Tiburon Paprica with Tiburon Pine welt, 18 inch, extra full. My wife was whining about it,
but she is so glad to use them now! They are not slippery at all and you can use both side to change the decoration.
Also, if you put those couple pillows to the middle seat it feels exactly like a chair for the arm support.

5) I ordered seat cushions as extra stiff + extra full to get the crown like in Chancellor sofa. They are very comfortable for me, 300lb+ russian powerlifter and for my wife
(half of my size)!

Attachment 12321Attachment 12319Attachment 12320

There are 3 interesting trends that are interconnected so far as I understand it and I wonder if anybody can add something to it!

1) Hancock and Moore got purchased from the old white dudes couple year ago and became a part of the corporate structure
(kudos to the guys who cashed it out at the peak!).
What happened next:
-- All Grade IV leather was eliminated from the JiT/H&C program: Chancellor/oakley swivel tilt chair in Heirloom Chestnut in 2018.
-- All Italian pull-ups were removed from the new Jit/H&C program: Campaign cocktail ottoman, Bandera Chair, Artist Chair, Neco chair, Settlement sofa/chair, etc.
-- Bunch of Grade III leather items were removed from the new Jit/H&C program: Paul Wing Chair, Swindon Chair( Grade III+Grade IV), Barron Chair, Summerfield, Salvatore Sofa, Bronson sofa, etc.

2) The real estate market in San Francisco Bay area lost 8-10% in the last 12 months. My friends, who bought a new house (1.4 million, 1,500 sq/feet) 5 months ago, now struggling to sell their townhouse/condo (1,300 sq/feet) for 1.1 million.

3) Local H&M dealers that a year ago were denying the mere fact of JiT/H&C and February/August H&M sales (giving the same price quote for JiT/H&C items as for the different hides) are now very open about it and willing to cut prices.

I can also ship most anywhere using a specialized furniture carrier as long as it's going to a commercial address that can accomodate a large 18-wheeler. It's about half the price of using a white glove service such as Sun Delivery, but you have to get it home yourself, or have it delivered to a local moving company and then you can arrange with them to bring it to your home.

Those "old white guys" that created Hancock and Moore were and still are my friends...and I'm an old white guy, too.

Items on the Town and Country / JIT program change over time depending on trends. They look at the sales numbers and see whom is ordering what items, and if an item (or leather) is still generating numbers (sales volume) and if it is then it stays in. If not they replace with better selling items based on what is currently selling, its meant to be the best-selling frames in their lineup. There are still several GR 3 Italian leathers in the current program, anything with "Burnished" on the end of the name is one of those.

Not every dealer qualifies for Town and Country / JIT or the Your Way promotions, it requires a significant buy-in commitment which is why when you come into my store I have fifty frames of H&M on the floor - I bought into all the programs.

The Author Chair and ottoman finally arrived. The burnishing is on the heavy side (Buckingham walnut burnished), there is no orange undertone, so contrasting welt/gimp in Cameo Mocha are not that contrasting. Still, it ended up well with a nice squeaky leather noise, though it's not as tall as described on the site, 35 inches vs 38 (may be just outdated info).

Looks nice and quite comfortable!

Attachment 12545
Now, it's time to think about Ashmore boot stool for the Author chair! Can be as simple as Cameo Mocha burnished on the top and Buckingham Walnut burnished for the bottom with contrasting welt in Cameo Mocha or to make it matching the piloows (Tiburon Paprika/Tiburon Peacok/Tiburon pine welt). Or to have fun with Grade 5 leathers, with Cayman Coffey/Allie Java/Nile Croc on the top and several Grade 5 leathers on the bottom, like French Purse/Society Cobra/Segovia Camel!
The price difference is not that significant.
I got my inspiration from: http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...hlight=Grade+5
Unfortunately, the ottoman and all 5 hides are not available anymore(8 years passed by), but I really like the idea. Actually, the Abbey ottoman looks exactly the same!
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