Well-chosen sofas and window treatments both need good design and durability
San Francisco interior designer Courtney Jones boils down the choice of a new sofa to what she calls the four F's - form, frame, fabric and fill.
Sofas are one of the most heavily used pieces of furniture in a household, but also one of the most expensive, she stated in a news release. As a result, the average consumer should know what to look for before making such an investment.
Choosing the right sofa for a home means taking into account how the sofa is used, its unique design and how much space it needs to be attractively situated in a room.
That's where form comes in, said Jones, who owns a custom home furnishings store in San Francisco. The lines of the sofa, its back height, style of arm rests and number of cushions all make up the form. Those factors will determine whether a sofa can fit into a certain space and match the homeowner's style preferences.
"We get to know our customers well, often going to their homes to get a feel for their style preferences and what they already own," said Jones.
The frame is the nuts-and-bolts construction that determines a sofa's quality and durability. Solid construction of hardwoods such as alder, maple and oak results in the sturdiest sofas.
While most people prefer cushion fill that has a foam core surrounded by materials such as wool batting and Dacron, others are choosing sustainable choices such as soy or organic cotton fabrics. Cushions wrapped in goose down require plumping and can cause an allergic reaction in some people, the website warns.
The fabric of a sofa may be the most decorative feature, but it also needs to be durable to stand up to regular use. From leather to chenille, there are endless colors and patterns from which to pick.
A window treatment that has similar features - durability and good design - are faux wood blinds that come in a wide variety of finishes and colors that can be coordinated with the sofa fabric. They bring a natural look to a room, while complementing both traditional and contemporary furniture pieces.
"While many choose a neutral fabric for their sofa, and change its look with a variety of pillows," Jones said, "others see it as an opportunity to create a room anchor and choose a bold or unique fabric."
Sofas are one of the most heavily used pieces of furniture in a household, but also one of the most expensive, she stated in a news release. As a result, the average consumer should know what to look for before making such an investment.
Choosing the right sofa for a home means taking into account how the sofa is used, its unique design and how much space it needs to be attractively situated in a room.
That's where form comes in, said Jones, who owns a custom home furnishings store in San Francisco. The lines of the sofa, its back height, style of arm rests and number of cushions all make up the form. Those factors will determine whether a sofa can fit into a certain space and match the homeowner's style preferences.
"We get to know our customers well, often going to their homes to get a feel for their style preferences and what they already own," said Jones.
The frame is the nuts-and-bolts construction that determines a sofa's quality and durability. Solid construction of hardwoods such as alder, maple and oak results in the sturdiest sofas.
While most people prefer cushion fill that has a foam core surrounded by materials such as wool batting and Dacron, others are choosing sustainable choices such as soy or organic cotton fabrics. Cushions wrapped in goose down require plumping and can cause an allergic reaction in some people, the website warns.
The fabric of a sofa may be the most decorative feature, but it also needs to be durable to stand up to regular use. From leather to chenille, there are endless colors and patterns from which to pick.
A window treatment that has similar features - durability and good design - are faux wood blinds that come in a wide variety of finishes and colors that can be coordinated with the sofa fabric. They bring a natural look to a room, while complementing both traditional and contemporary furniture pieces.
"While many choose a neutral fabric for their sofa, and change its look with a variety of pillows," Jones said, "others see it as an opportunity to create a room anchor and choose a bold or unique fabric."
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