Duane:

Yesterday I spent the day travelling a few hours from my hometown to see a selection of H&M sofa/chair styles and hides in person. As a consumer, I've learned a few things.

1. The swatch and the actual hide on the piece of furniture are more often than not, not even close to being the same. Not just due to dye lots either. Due to the fact that a 4 x 6 swatch can't possibly show the variation in leather texture or leather color that 6 yds of hide can. Even the swatches under the cushions rarely looked like a match.

2. H&M is pretty darn comfortable in most styles. From traditional to contemporary, they sit well.

3. These babies are expensive! And the retail stores I went to, for the most part, didn't see the T&C program as a savings to pass onto the customer. They saw it as an opportunity. The married pieces, in a couple of cases, were more expensive than custom Grade II or III pieces on the floor. I suppose it's whatever sells the best for the retailer.

4. I broadened my hide choices by seeing them in person. Some that I had either eliminated or wasn't interested in became possibilities. And I agree with McColl and a post she had recently, I don't know if I could order anymore just based on a swatch. I would think it leads to much consumer dissapointment regardless of the leather grade.

So, there's a little of what I learned. Now I have a few questions for you, please.

a) Can you give an opinion on both the Weston and the Antelope hides? I understand Antelope is a III and Weston is a II? Antelope looked protected, is that the case?

b) Would you be so kind as to give a price opinion? The Bradley sofa in grade II: $2850.00. The October sofa in grade III for $3000.00. The 84" Sundance in grade III: $4000.00

Thanks.