Quality leather furniture recommendations?

[jones2289]

Gents,

I am looking to add a new leather chair to my living room within the next few months. Like many others here, I prefer to buy the best quality I can afford, and take care of it, as opposed to just buying low-quality goods and replacing every few years.

This will be my first major furniture purchase, as most of my current furniture is from thrift stores, hand me downs, etc. I found a chair at Pottery Barn that I really liked, but some internet searching has lead me to question the quality of their products.

Does anyone have recommendations of good quality, long lasting, leather furniture? I have included a link to the style of chair I liked below. While I would really like an Eames lounge chair, I don't think that's in the budget right now.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/turner-leather-armchair/

Thanks,

Adam

 

[StillShaving]

I don't have any specific recommendations, though I know that the internal construction is as important as the leather used and the finished look one sees.

This may not give you any any more insights, but I listened to part of "The Story" on public radio which was about a local furniture manufacturer lamenting the lack of quality in today's furniture and how he foresaw (hoped) more manufacturing would return to the states. More here: Day One: Jobs in America (public radio) including a story about Lincolnton Furniture - Guaranteed for Life .

 

[rxonmymind]

May I recommend going to Estate sales? The quality of furniture that I often see there in house taken care of meticulosly and usually in the upper end of neighborhoods are of yester year quality & build. there's a reason why those furnitures from the 50's command a premium from the likes of Dunbar, Kroehler and anything made in Denmark during the mid century. These had dovetail corner joints, solid oak or Mahgony slats etc. If one can't get to an Estate sale go to some Antque dealers that specializes in mid century furniture. You'll not regret it. My Grandfathers country chair at his cabin has been going strong since he bought it. Still looks new 70 years later. That was made with durable leather back then with clean lines, and simple solid wood.

 

[roklein]

Check out Restoration Hardware.

 

[_MementoMori_]

Look at Vanguard. They're made in the US and very high quality. My wife sells their stuff all day at a high end furniture store here in St. Louis.

 

[Hunter]

I would avoid La-z-boy, I know a few people that bought there stuff that gave out after a few years.

 

[Not The Original Kermit]

I would avoid Ashley Furniture. The internal construction of their furniture is terrible not to mention their after sales service is subpar as well. I could go on forever about my experiences there but I won't.

I begin to wonder if quality furniture should be added to extinct things.

 

[cdhumiston]

I would avoid La-z-boy, I know a few people that bought there stuff that gave out after a few years.

That's interesting as I was going to recommend La-z-boy based on my own experience with it. We ordered a leather couch and two recliners from them back in 2000. I had two kids at the time who were rough on furniture and I have also had the furniture moved twice. My grandson spent the last 6 weeks with me and he basically used the couch for a trampoline and it shows no signs of giving out. As far as I can see the furniture is just as good now as the day I bought it besides a few small scratches from my cats claws. The frames are very sturdy hardwood and the leather is of good quality. The only thing I don't like and I'm not sure if this is the norm, but only the seating and arm surfaces are leather. The sides and back of the couch and chairs are color matched vinyl. YMMV as usual...

Chris

 

[Hunter]

Yeah I think it all depends on what factory made it, if they felt like having quality control that week, lots of things could go right or wrong. Maybe the ones made for the American market are better than the Canadian ones?

 

[Doc4]

Ekornes/Stressless from Norway.

 

[_JP_]

I would avoid La-z-boy, I know a few people that bought there stuff that gave out after a few years.

A few years? There's a ten year warranty on my La-z-boy. My brother made good use of the warranty on his. Raising four kids can be tough on furniture.

 

[jones2289]

Look at Vanguard. They're made in the US and very high quality. My wife sells their stuff all day at a high end furniture store here in St. Louis.

Heck, wish I would have known. I was just in St. Louis this past weekend! Checked out the Science, Art, and City museums.

Thanks to everyone else for the suggestions. I think I will check out the brands mentioned, as well as keep my eye out for estate sales. I love going to estate sales anyway, so this will just be one more thing to look for.