By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

DEAR MI-LING: I just remodeled my home and am looking for a good quality brown leather recliner and  chair, however, after reading the customer feedback after researching for a few months, I do not want to purchase from a store that only guarantees its work for one year!

PLEASE help! Can you direct me to a place that has excellent kiln-dried wood, excellent construction, resilient cushions that don’t collapse after 6 months and guarantees their work beyond one year! Something may look good on-line, however, I’ve read horror stories from deceived customers.

I would gratefully appreciate some advice. I am willing to spend up to $2,000 for a sofa and chair, not including end tables, cocktail table and accessories. Thank you so much

A guy in need

DEAR: A GUY IN NEED. As far as which brand you should buy versus, another I really don’t feel comfortable making a broad statement.

However, the best test is to sit in the furniture and then look at the structure of the piece. If you visit a furniture gallery that has a variety of brands and prices you will be able to touch, feel and sit in the products.

Ask to see the leather and fabric swatches and to view the prices according to the grade of fabric.

I would select a high quality leather because you can easily clean it and over time it wears better than most fabrics.

Be sure to ask if real leather is used all over the chair or just on the places where you sit. Often times, lower- quality pieces will use leather-like products on areas that you don’t touch.

If you order a custom sofa or recliner, you can usually select the grade of leather, and cushions that best suit your budget and style.

In many of the low-end frames, you can push down on the arms and feel cardboard. Make sure your frames are solid wood and the cushions have 8-way hand – tied coil springs.

I have several pieces with lifetime warranties and I have found that it’s more important to purchase your furniture from a reputable store that has a repair department and values customer service.

With improper use most couches and chairs will eventually pop a spring, but the right leather can last a lifetime.

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