Yeah, you don't purchase an Article couch if you want quality or long term durability. They have gorgeous designs and great lines but aren't an "investment" piece. My friend purchased one of their leather couches 2-3yrs ago now and the leather is very worked in. We purchased a leather couch 6yrs ago (from EQ3 -$2500 vs. Article Sven $1800) and our leather and couch still looks brand new. Not to mention we are the ones with a child (and who is constantly "reminding" him not to jump on the couch). If you like really worn in leather quickly, then the one your purchased shouldn't be a problem. However, you will most likely need to replace within 10yrs or so.

Hope this helps!

I would LOVE to see a picture of your friend's leather couch. This was the hardest part about making the decision to purchase one of their couches. I was unable to find any photos or reviews of their leather sofas 2-3 years after purchase.

So, may I ask if you kept the sofa and whether you like it? I am looking at getting this exact one.

First of all Jason, all major leather manufacturers sew a breathable fabric on the back side of a loose cushion seat/back. This is standard across the board. Leather doesnt breath as well as fabric, without this fabric on the back side, once you sit on the cushion it will feel like a balloon slowly letting the air out, once you lift off the cushion it will stay compressed for quite sometime before the air can be pulled back into the cushion. The foam inside will last only a few months also if the cushion doesnt breath.

Now the quality of the leather or fabric is a different story and I will let the previous comments steer you their.

This is true, I have an “American Leather” sofa and it has the same breathable back material. I was also looking to replace my sofa because it is basically 16 years old and it looks discolored and worn. I was really liking the style of the Article sofa but, after looking at the pictures of Glo’s friends sofa I may keep mine and wait to find a better quality sofa without the huge price tag of American Leather.

Old post but still critical:

On the single sided upholstery:

1) yes its by far and away the most common way leather is upholstered. True literally no matter who makes the couch.

This says absolutely nothing whatsoever about quality.

Single sided upholstery is the standard whether its a Chinese Coaster or Home Elegance sofa sold at Walmart for $500.... a Vietnam/India/Chinese sofa made for Article, EQ3, West Elm, Pottery Barn or CB2.... or a $4,000 leather sofa manufactured by American Leather in Texas for Room and Board..... or an $8500 leather sofa manufactured in North Carolina for Restoration Hardware.... or a $15,000 leather sofa manufactured in Italia or Germany for BB Italia/Minodi/Roche Bobois/Poliform/other simarly super high priced stuff.

2) No iCustomSofa.

Its not about ventilation. Its not about sliding.

It is always always always about cost.

both ventilation and sliding have easy, simple, straightforward solutions.

If it was truly about those phenomena, then vinyl or PU sofas would similarly never have double sided upholstery. They ALWAYS do. Seriously go talk to Jonathan Louis about that horrific ultrasuede (its PU) that they sell for people with cats. Double sided.

3) Why do people believe that American Leather is "good quality" or "good craftsmanship"?

AL is not an example of quality per se

If they are an example of anything it is high consistency high efficiency.... "low cost for the particular product".

Domestic leather furniture. In that sense they are pretty cheap and sell a reasonably good product.

They achieve that through extensive use of garbage foam, plywood/engineered hardwood, and just extremely judicious use of leather.

Other than their sleepers.

Now JL furnishings is out of business, AL has the only specialized premium sleeper on the market (JL used to make a directly competing "Elite Leather" sleeper that was better than the AL sleepers)

Hi Jason Bryant, I'm about to buy this same exact sofa today!! How has it been since you got it 4 years ago? REALLY would love to know -- Please save me from making a huge mistake or giving enormous piece of mind that it'll work out! Haha