Bump

I’m curious to know if you found something that works. I want to replace a Vanguard sofa and while its a well constructed sofa, sheds feathers constantly and looks like garbage unless you fluff and rotate constantly. I just don’t think maintaining a sofa should occupy so much time and attention.

UPDATE 2/11/21: We ended up purchasing a leather sectional from Interior Define and we're very happy with it. We chose one that has relatively structured pillows, the "Gaby." Both the back and seat cushions have foam wrapped with down-blend inside an inner fabric cover with sewn "channels" that keep the all feathers from sinking to the bottom. After reading a million reviews, I think the channeling is key to keeping the cushions from looking like crap in short order. And a number of the higher-end sofas didn't have channeling, so it's worth asking about.

The sectional still looks great after almost 6 months. I do see some loose feathers inside the cushion covers, but the leather keeps any stray feathers from poking through. Not sure whether they'd poke through cloth.

I do fluff and rotate the back cushions that my husband and I sit against (we both sit in the same places) every day, and I fluff and rotate all the seat cushions once a week, as well as vacuum under the cushions. By "fluff" I mean actually reach inside the outer cushion (not the inner fabric cushion) and break up the lumps of feathers.

I think that after a couple of years, I may have to put additional foam inside the cushion covers to keep them from "puddling," but it's quite inexpensive to purchase custom-cut foam online in the exact shape and dimension of your cushions. By "inexpensive" I mean relative to the cost of a new sofa, ie., around $200 for the entire sectional. I've also seen a very inexpensive solution where people just stuff bed pillows into their sofa cushions when they start to lose shape.

If you haven't considered leather, it's the most durable and only looks better with age. Our last sectional was leather too and lasted 25 years. I treated this new one with Otter Wax when we first got it and plan to retreat every 6 months to a year. I wipe it it with a damp cloth (water only) once every month or so. Nothing stains it. I once got some salad oil on it and a bit of Otter Wax took it right out.

Please also bear in mind that my husband and I practically live on this sectional as we have a very small bungalow without much seating. We both work from home and it serves as my "office" 70% of the time and his 50% of the time, and given the pandemic where we're not going anywhere, is used for many hours every day.

I got this couch more than a few years ago and I'm very happy with it. https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-furniture-living-room-sofas-fabric/melrose-sofa/melrose.html

Can local upholsterers revive your current sofa and make it like new again?

ital mover - no, it was 25 years old and an ugly '90s behemoth ! See above—I found a new one.

Luci, I must be missing something. I don’t see an update that shows which sofa you decided on.

Veronica - right below yours and above Elaine's, with 2 photos.

Thanks for responding. Oddly nothing shows up on my end. I thought maybe it was my app but I logged in on my PC and still nothing. Weird!

Veronica, how many comments does it show for you? I show 9 comments, including mine with the new sofa. You could try refreshing your browsers. I'll try posting my comment here without the photos:

UPDATE 2/11/21: We ended up purchasing a leather sectional from Interior Define and we're very happy with it. We chose one that has relatively structured pillows, the "Gaby." Both the back and seat cushions have foam wrapped with down-blend inside an inner fabric cover with sewn "channels" that keep the all feathers from sinking to the bottom. After reading a million reviews, I think the channeling is key to keeping the cushions from looking like crap in short order. And a number of the higher-end sofas didn't have channeling, so it's worth asking about.

The sectional still looks great after almost 6 months. I do see some loose feathers inside the cushion covers, but the leather keeps any stray feathers from poking through. Not sure whether they'd poke through cloth.

I do fluff and rotate the back cushions that my husband and I sit against (we both sit in the same places) every day, and I fluff and rotate all the seat cushions once a week, as well as vacuum under the cushions. By "fluff" I mean actually reach inside the outer cushion (not the inner fabric cushion) and break up the lumps of feathers.

I think that after a couple of years, I may have to put additional foam inside the cushion covers to keep them from "puddling," but it's quite inexpensive to purchase custom-cut foam online in the exact shape and dimension of your cushions. By "inexpensive" I mean relative to the cost of a new sofa, ie., around $200 for the entire sectional. I've also seen a very inexpensive solution where people just stuff bed pillows into their sofa cushions when they start to lose shape.

If you haven't considered leather, it's the most durable and only looks better with age. Our last sectional was leather too and lasted 25 years. I treated this new one with Otter Wax when we first got it and plan to retreat every 6 months to a year. I wipe it it with a damp cloth (water only) once every month or so. Nothing stains it. I once got some salad oil on it and a bit of Otter Wax took it right out.

Please also bear in mind that my husband and I practically live on this sectional as we have a very small bungalow without much seating. We both work from home and it serves as my "office" 70% of the time and his 50% of the time, and given the pandemic where we're not going anywhere, is used for many hours every day.

I also don't see it, so its not just you.

Tina, I just posted the review of my new sofa right above your comment, this time with no photos - can you see that one?

It is not showing up. Can you just tell us which one you purchased? TIA

Veronica & Tina: I got the Gaby L-shaped sectional from Interior Define in Palomino Leather. If you can see this I'll try to post my review in smaller sections. https://www.interiordefine.com/shop/gaby-family

I’d like to read your review too. I’ve seen this one online, one of the few I like so far. Which seat depth did you get, and how tall are you may I be so bold? Your room sounds very similar in size to mine.

Anne: we got the 24" seat depth but in reality it's only about 21.5–22" deep. My husband is 6'2" and would have preferred an extra couple of inches, but finds the depth acceptable. He "lounges" but with his feet on the floor or on an ottoman in front of him. I'm 5'7" and think it's perfect when sitting upright with feet on the floor, but since I always sit in the corner seat with my legs up, and also lie on the sofa, I'd have preferred the full 24," which was the depth of our previous sofa. Interior Define believes it was a manufacturing fluke, and they did provide photos of a Gaby in the warehouse, showing it measures a full 24" seat depth, so perhaps they're right. They offered to either replace it with a new sofa and waive all shipping fees, or offer us an additional 15% refund (we got it originally for 15% off just by asking). We opted for the refund because it's not that big an issue. We felt the deep option (which is 4" deeper) would definitely have been too deep and would have looked like "too much" sofa in our small LR. 24" would have been perfect but hey, we got what seems like a very good quality L-shaped leather sectional that we still love for $4549, so I can't complain.

Veronica/Tina/Anne: REVIEW PART 1): We ended up purchasing a leather sectional from Interior Define and we're very happy with it. We chose one that has relatively structured pillows, the "Gaby." Both the back and seat cushions have foam wrapped with down-blend inside an inner fabric cover with sewn "channels" that keep the all feathers from sinking to the bottom. After reading a million reviews, I think the channeling is key to keeping the cushions from looking like crap in short order. And a number of the higher-end sofas didn't have channeling, so it's worth asking about.

Veronica/Tina/Anne: REVIEW PART 2): The sectional still looks great after almost 6 months. I see some loose feathers inside the cushion covers, but the leather keeps any stray feathers from poking through. Not sure whether they'd poke through cloth.I do fluff and rotate the back cushions that my husband and I sit against (we both sit in the same places) every day, and I fluff and rotate all the seat cushions once a week, as well as vacuum under the cushions. By "fluff" I mean actually reach inside the outer cushion (not the inner fabric cushion) and break up the lumps of feathers.

Veronica/Tina/Anne: REVIEW PART 3): I think that after a couple of years, I may have to put additional foam inside the cushion covers to keep them from "puddling," but it's quite inexpensive to purchase custom-cut foam online in the exact shape and dimension of your cushions. By "inexpensive" I mean relative to the cost of a new sofa, ie., around $200 for the entire sectional. I've also seen a very inexpensive solution where people just stuff bed pillows into their sofa cushions when they start to lose shape.

Veronica/Tina/Anne: REVIEW PART 4): If you haven't considered leather, it's the most durable and only looks better with age. Our last sectional was leather too and lasted 25 years. I treated this new one with Otter Wax when we first got it and plan to retreat every 6 months to a year. I wipe it it with a damp cloth (water only) once every month or so. Nothing stains it. I once got some salad oil on it and a bit of Otter Wax took it right out.

Veronica/Tina/Anne: REVIEW PART 5): Please also bear in mind that my husband and I practically live on this sectional as we have a very small bungalow without much seating. We both work from home and it serves as my "office" 70% of the time and his 50% of the time, and given the pandemic where we're not going anywhere, is used for many hours every day.

Anne, did you get my answer about depth and the review I just posted in 5 sections?

For those not wanting to purchase something made in China, consider Maiden Home.

Design Girl, they didn't have an L-shaped sectional small enough for our space (93" or less on each side).

Luci Gabrielle, your reviews finally appeared! Maybe they were pending approval... I really have no idea how Houzz moderates these things. But thank you so much for sharing. Your sofa looks great in your space. Where did you find your accent tables and chair? I just set my heart on the Sloan from Interior Define and your feedback is reassuring. My husband and I really prefer the feel of fabric over leather and we may opt for the all foam cushions just to avoid something that requires regular fluffing.

Oh I love the Sloan, too, Veronica! That was the other one I was considering. Overall I think the ID quality is excellent and Customer Service was very responsive and a pleasure to work with. One note: the sofa was delivered with the legs attached, but they weren't screwed in tightly (may have loosened during shipping), which caused a creaking sound until we figured out the problem. So be sure to double-check that the legs are screwed in all the way!

Side Table is the Reeve Side Table by West Elm (https://www.westelm.com/products/reeve-mid-century-side-table-marble-h955/) and is a "marble veneer." West Elm has a matching round coffee table too (https://www.westelm.com/products/reeve-mid-century-coffee-table-marble-walnut-h520/), but I bought this one - which is the James round coffee table from Belham Living - first and actually like it a bit better. It's solid marble instead of veneer, and was about $200 less than the West Elm. I think it may be sold out, though, as I can't find it online. Found this one on eBay for $100 more than I paid: https://www.ebay.com/itm/143797146260?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=143797146260&targetid=1070198977085&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011572&poi=&campaignid=11612591250&mkgroupid=113642466472&rlsatarget=pla-1070198977085&abcId=9300457&merchantid=6296724&gclid=CjwKCAiA65iBBhB-EiwAW253WwHcNI42fLpQ7h-AD2j-7dkyqjav8XDOKvzPd_vYYlv4J5naOQYwvRoCCJQQAvD_BwE

Something I learned about marble and marble veneer is that you have to use coasters because liquid etches it!

Trying to revive this old thread to see how the Gaby held up and possibly hear about other small space sectionals- thanks in advance

Take cushions to upholsterer for cushion refills. Seems all manufacturers use poor grade fillings

I think the difference between recent sofas and old ones is old ones used springs covered in layer of foam and feathers.

https://insidersguidetofurniture.com/worst-and-best-sofa-sectional-reviews-for-2024-2/ This article goes through the quality and longevity of 66 sofa brands. Sofa quality has been going downhill but there are a few good brands left. Even with the good brands it is best to go with the most expensive cushion option. 100,000 rubs for the fabric. I am searching for a sofa with a tight (firm) back. For the one we have with a tight back, we just replace the seat cushions as needed and the sofa keeps going. It's covered with Surefit covers now that it is 40 years old. Not replacing it until we are done with dogs.