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How Durable is PU Leather?
The term “PU leather” confuses many people because it has two different (and contradictory) definitions. Product descriptions, salespeople & interior design professionals often use “PU leather” to describe all synthetic leather fabrics, including bonded leather.
Are There Any Affordable Leather Recliners or Reclining Sofas That Won’t Fall Apart?
The key to long-lasting affordable recliners & reclining sofas is not the leather, frame, or mechanism. Seat cushions usually wear out first, often within 5 years or less. Hydeline is different! 10+ year estimated lifespan. Leather reclining sofas <$3000.
What are the Best Recliners with Manual Mechanisms?
Most manual recliners have a limited number of seating positions available. Power recliners can stop at infinite positions. High end modern style recliners can combine manual mechanism longevity with infinite position comfort.
How Can Bassett Reclining Sofas Sell at 60% Off? Is it Just a Scam?
Bassett is advertising reclining sofas at 60% off. The Parker leather reclining sofa pictured above is advertised at $7299 Super Value Price $2999. Is this Sale discount legitimate or is it a scam?
Is the Crate & Barrel Gather Sectional Good Quality?
The Crate and Barrel Gather & Peyton sectionals have cushions with coil spring cores that last twice as long as the standard foam cushions.
Which Sofas and Sectionals Have the Best Combination of Quality & Value?
Discover the best quality sofas under $3000 and sectionals under $5000. Frames, foundations, and cushions are all built to last 15+ years!
Natuzzi Editions vs. Palliser – Which is Better?
Natuzzi Editions and Palliser make very similar furniture. These brands are leather specialists, competing for customers in the same mid-price range.
England Furniture, Craftmaster or HickoryCraft? – Who Makes the Best Quality Sofas? Updated March, 2023
England is slightly above average quality for mid-range price sofas. Craftmaster is slightly better than England. HickoryCraft is owned by Craftmaster and specializes in Custom Orders.
Is the Flexsteel Vail Sofa Good Quality Furniture?
Flexsteel boasts that its blue flat steel spring is the strongest foundation ever made. But a sofa’s lifespan is determined by its weakest component. Cushions are usually the first part to fail.
Best Murphy Beds for 2023
Best Murphy Beds for 2023. A Guide to Murphy Beds with an emphasis on LoriBeds which is offering a special 15% discount to my readers.
Is There a Recliner That is Best for Sleeping? Consider an Adjustable Bed!
Zero gravity recliners are often recommended for people with back pain. But a new recliner may not be the best solution for back or neck pains. Adjustable beds may be even more helpful.
Adjustable beds are now offered by most major mattress brands.
Why Did Furniture Companies Continue to Sell Bonded Leather After Knowing It was Defective?
Bonded leather is a defective product. Both manufacturers and retailers are well aware that bonded leather frequently peels or flakes within just a few years. The damage is not repairable and is not covered by warranty.
Jeff Frank is a 45-year veteran of the furniture industry.
He has worked directly with hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, designers, and suppliers.
Jeff’s manufacturing company, Simplicity Sofas, founded in 2007, won the $20,000 Grand Prize in a 2012 nationwide competition for “Most Innovative U.S. Small Business.”
Simplicity Sofas was one of the first furniture manufacturers to sell Direct to Consumer. The brand was selling nearly 100% of sales through its online website several years before Amazon and Wayfair popularized the concept.
After 15 years, Jeff retired from Simplicity Sofas to devote full time to this Insider’s Guide to Furniture blog.
Over his career, Jeff has been directly involved in all aspects of furniture manufacturing, retailing (both stores and online), and product design.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Jeff was a Buyer for a major furniture retail chain, purchasing over $200 million of furniture & mattresses.
As a Buyer, Jeff negotiated with hundreds of large & small furniture manufacturers. He also set pricing for Special Sales Events and the everyday showroom prices.
Other responsibilities included merchandising, advertising, customer service, and more.
In between Jeff’s work as a Buyer and his ownership of a furniture manufacturing firm, he formed a product design team that created a new type of modular, ready to assemble furniture.
Jeff has received 7 patents. 5 of these were licensed to a major furniture manufacturer, accounting for over $40 million in sales.
Jeff has been writing about the furniture industry for over a decade.
He has published more than 2000 articles & reviews, with over 2 million views.
The Insiders Guide To Furniture includes over 500 articles and reviews. Several of these are constantly being re-written and updated.
Research is ongoing. Jeff visits the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina to view new products. He also speaks frequently with factory executives.
He is happy to receive your Ask the Expert questions about product quality & value, brand comparisons, design & construction, costs & pricing, customer service & warranty issues, and many more furniture-related topics.