A few questions, considering buying from you

[xreycon]

Hi Duane,

After a few visits to Macy's, Natuzzi, and some of our local furniture stores that supposedly carry higher end sofas and not seeing anything we like, or seeing something that looked kind of OK but then coming home and researching and learning the quality isn't so great and and so much from this forum I am actually considering buying a sofa from your store.

I have read through a lot of your stickies and have done searches on this forum, so I hope my questions are somewhat "prepared." It's all a bit overwhelming so please don't hesitate to direct me to a particular sticky on anything if I've missed something.

1. After looking through the H&M website and some of the pictures here, the Ava is the style I am most attracted to. Can you recommend another model or two for us to consider, just to have another option. We like crisp, tailored looks, and we like the back of the couch to not be too much lower than the back cushions. And we'd like something that is not too low in the back for watching TV (I'm not too sure about the actual height, but one of the couches that we looked at that seemed not too low was 34" H in the back.)

And does the Ava have removable seat and back cushions. And what else (and where) can I find out about it as far as the construction of it. Not sure if all H&M sofas are constructed in the same way that applies to all the sofas or if it varies by model.

2. We have 2 cats - one of which is attracted to leather. From what I understand, the protected leather would be our best bet, right. (even though I fully understand nothing will stand up to claws).

And along with this question - we are already thinking about what we could do to protect the couch. Right now we have some throws on our couch and never bought any corner protectors because I've never seen anything that looks attractive. But we will have to do something. Do you have any recommendations for attractive corner protectors or know of any other of your customers that have dealt with this issue.

3. From what I understand Grade 1 and Grade 2 won't necessarily last any less than a Grade 3 or 4, etc., so I am considering getting a quote on one (or maybe both) those grades first just to see where we'd end up. Would a Grade 1 leather feel rough and uncomfortable against the skin? Or within the Grade 1 we might have some that feel softer than others? And would swatches give us a realistic idea of the finish? (I know for color it can vary)

4. I notice on some models - this seems to happen more in the more pillowy type cushions- some cushions seem a little lobsided, or each cushion looks a little different than the next. Is that to be expected because the furniture is handcrafted.

5. Wondering about buying without actually sitting in the sofa. How can I get an idea what it may feel like - the seat pitch, etc.

And along the same lines, the firmness and feel of the cushions. I want to avoid puddling of the leather, and I know you recommend the 21 oz for this - how can i get an idea of what this might feel like as far as firmness. Does this cushion weight have any give at all. And for the Ava for now, what would you recommend for the back cushions.

Thanks Duane. I figured this would at least get the conversation going. Once I hear back from you I'll start taking a look at the leathers and then get an official quote.