My new-found love for an American-made icon
Most of you already know that I have be searching for a new sofa. I have looked at dozens, from the low-end to the high-end and after seeing some brands in person that were suppose to satisfy those of us with keen taste, I even considered having one custom made. But my Eco side couldn't bare with the thought of buying brand new since many fine furniture pieces are in need of recycling. Plus, I knew that my budget could not afford me the quality made sofa of my dreams...brand new that is.
I'll admit to being a big fine furniture snob (when it comes to sofas) but I want the very best for a bargain price, within my means. Because of myfinickiness taste and budget, I have become an even bigger recycling snob and a lover of vintage items and DIY projects. There is so much to be gained by investing in well made used furniture from the past. I do admire French and European antiques and adore Belgian style used in today's interiors, but for me nothing feels satisfying in comparison to owning a good old fashion superior American-made piece of fine furniture.
I became determined to find an American heirloom quality sofa somewhere!
I began my usual scouting online through numerous listings on eBay and Etsy. I even daily checked Craigslist for possibility listings all over Texas. For months, every weekend I went shopping at local thrift spots, but wasn't finding what is in reality fine furniture, much less heirloom quality. What I did find was mid-lower range and common big store brand stuff that was uncomfortable and would test my and an upholsterers nerves to redo into a sofa that I could tolerate.
Fast forward to two Sunday's ago...
I finally struck gold as I walked into a consignment store and was greeted in the entry by a pair of matching traditional style sofas sporting a classic English arm. Both sat upholstered in a spice red silk mohair with down seat and back cushions. Products of the 1980s and in mint condition, they both looked as if they may have been sat in less than a dozen times. The color (not on my list of "must haves") was in such an exquisite fabric that it made me jump for joy. My instinct knew they were a treasure find as I visualized one reupholstered, but I wondered who were they made by?
Most of you already know that I have be searching for a new sofa. I have looked at dozens, from the low-end to the high-end and after seeing some brands in person that were suppose to satisfy those of us with keen taste, I even considered having one custom made. But my Eco side couldn't bare with the thought of buying brand new since many fine furniture pieces are in need of recycling. Plus, I knew that my budget could not afford me the quality made sofa of my dreams...brand new that is.
I'll admit to being a big fine furniture snob (when it comes to sofas) but I want the very best for a bargain price, within my means. Because of my
I became determined to find an American heirloom quality sofa somewhere!
I began my usual scouting online through numerous listings on eBay and Etsy. I even daily checked Craigslist for possibility listings all over Texas. For months, every weekend I went shopping at local thrift spots, but wasn't finding what is in reality fine furniture, much less heirloom quality. What I did find was mid-lower range and common big store brand stuff that was uncomfortable and would test my and an upholsterers nerves to redo into a sofa that I could tolerate.
Fast forward to two Sunday's ago...
I finally struck gold as I walked into a consignment store and was greeted in the entry by a pair of matching traditional style sofas sporting a classic English arm. Both sat upholstered in a spice red silk mohair with down seat and back cushions. Products of the 1980s and in mint condition, they both looked as if they may have been sat in less than a dozen times. The color (not on my list of "must haves") was in such an exquisite fabric that it made me jump for joy. My instinct knew they were a treasure find as I visualized one reupholstered, but I wondered who were they made by?
So I looked under the center cushion and saw this tag...
I thought WOW!
Unbelievable!
The Kittinger Furniture Company is an American fine furniture icon and has built furniture for the White House and many other offices in this nations Capital and other high American offices and homes for many years. Their furniture is built to last and be passed down through generations.
I stood there worried about how much they were asking for them. The tag said 795.00, which was still a steal of a price for a 10,000 dollar (today's price range) sofa of its kind, but for my mindset it wasn't the bargain I desired. It was still too much. My heart sank thinking of the money I would be spending having it reupholstered, or getting a slipcover made on top of that price. Then a sales guy told me they had been in the store for over 30 days so I would get a 45% discount. I couldn't believe a month had passed since I browsed thru this store, but it isn't part of my normal browsing route either. Actually, I had forgot all about Design It With Consignment and was only in there because of whim.
After almost straining my back by trying to lift one side (heavy and solid) and sitting on one sofa and then the other, bouncing, I fluffed the cushions and sat again. Then inspected both sofas fiercely, searching for ANY microscopic flaw I could find, but found none. I wanted to buy one so badly but was terrified over all of that 1980s spice RED mohair coming to my home. It is bad enough having red striped linen slipcovers on two wing chairs, but that is TEMPORARY. I thought of movies from the 80s like Scarface. I kept visualizing these sofas as part of Tony Montana's decadent and gaudy decor in his new palace home. I put the one pictured above on hold and went home to think about it. Why? Yeesh, I don't know. Besides being superbly made…
They were in MINT condition!
They were VERY comfortable!
They were AFFORDABLE!
They were the RIGHT size!
The 90 inches long by 37 inches deep size fits inside the blue taped "sofa crime scene investigation area" of our living room. They were vintage and made like the sofa of my dreams with my reality price. What more could I want? Not a thing! I can visualize what the sofa will look like AFTER its makeover, so the next day I bought one.
This tag was attached while in the store. I ripped it off for a souvenir as soon as the sofa delivery guys left my home.
She sat like this in the living room for only two days...
...before I decided to take the skirt off because the plan is to give it a make over.
I'd rather show the legs, which are built into the frame...4 with brass casters in the front and 4 without casters in the back
I told myself...don't stop there...and cut off the back and seat cushion covers. As soon as I did they all fluffed up wonderfully and look larger and fuller than when the sofa sat in the store. For a sofa that was supposedly made in the 1980s it is so awesomely CLEAN!
Who ever owned those two sofas barely used them. Of course after eyeballing the body for over a week I am debating whether to just reupholster instead of slipcovering. Or, should I do both? It is 8-way hand tied and the body is in such great condition that I wouldn't dare think of taking it apart and rebuilding it with polyester fill...the HORROR!
So for now I have thrown a king size coverlet over it, until I can make up my mind on the fabric for reupholstering. I do have samples of a 28 oz natural Belgian linen which would be perfect BUT the holidays are near and I am postponing all projects. We can curl up on the coverlet for a few months until the spring.
This Kittinger sofa is my most comfortable and favorite find of all and I am blessed to now own an American-made piece of fine furniture.
Till next time
~
When I find...I count my blessings!
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