Hi there! We are searching for a new custom sectional for our FR.
We've seen tons, but the one we are leaning towards is the modular sectional made by Kroehler. I know Kroehler is made is Canada which is what we prefer and the leather quality appears to be good as well. Does anyone have any feedback on this brand or offer comparisons with other brands?
Thanks so much!
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WOW! Thank you all for the amazing detail.
We have been shopping around for a few weeks and I agree with all the different varieties of leather and comfort and quality. It's definitely hard to find that perfect sofa, and our specific challenge is finding a modular sectional in the size we want that looks modern and is comfortable too. So far Kroehler seems to have the best options for us, and DBD you are right, we found it at a small independent store at a great price! I havent had luck at the Bay, Sears or those other large retailers...
Jeep - we will be heading to DecorRest in the next few weeks, but tryiing to find a Saturday to go always is difficult. I've heard good things about their selection so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We also have to check European House Furniture and Ideal Furniture which both allow you to customize everything from the thickness of the cushions too!
Kroehler used to be a top name in furniture but I have no real idea if it is still holding that reputation. I remember my mom complaining in the 70's or 80's that they had changed ownership or something and just weren't what they used to be but don't have any other experience with them.
this may be more than you asked, but just in case you are new to this...When I've bought furniture in the past few years, their name has not come up which makes me wonder. I also just checked their site to see who in Calgary carries them (since I'm familiar with the stores here) and can't say I'm impressed. They seem to be the places like ones that are rent to buy, leon's, and the Bay. Now those first two I give no credibility to when it comes to quality and the Bay I am just not so sure. I've purchased sofas from the Bay back in the olden days and they weren't very impressive in the quality dept. now that could have been because I didn't know to look at quality features and got what I could afford at the time but I don't buy there anymore. One time when I did look there, their stuff was only partial leather (the rest being a matched vinyl on the back and sides... Sears and some other places have a lot of that too).
Meanwhile, before you invest in anything, really shop around and learn as much as you can about the manufacturers and the store you are buying from. If you have to leave a deposit, make sure it's by credit card, no cash. We've had a few stores go under here and there is no help for recovery if you left a cash deposit. Besides, furniture is one of those things that can make you nuts with how long it takes and if the store or mfr start taking too long, it's impossible to get action with cash. A credit card deposit can be cancelled when stuff isn't delivered so that gives you leverage.
The Canadian made (and those made in the southern US) usually have better wood in them that are more suitable for our climate. You have to really watch because the consumer laws are iffy when it comes to claims of 100% hardwood, kiln dried frames. If they have a band of 1 X2" wood running around a particle board frame they can say it's hardwood. There is no way to really know unless you rip the cambric off the bottom and that isn't something a store is likely to do but the makers who are 100% wood will have all sorts of pictures, write ups, etc. to prove to you they are really good wood. Another tip off is to look at the feet closely. If you see they are plastic, the frame is probably not 100% wood. There are also differences in supports, stuffing, and leather. Know that even within one brand there are differing qualities so when you see a Natuzzi in a high end store and one in a lower end, they may look alike, but there is a difference in quality and construction to make the price difference.
One real tip off to quality is the warranty. If it's just a year, don't bother unless the price is worth it. I couldn't see any info on the Kroehler site about warranty which seems to be how it works with the companies who make different qualities for different stores. Take it from someone whose first leather sofa's frame broke about 10 minutes after the warranty was up, it's not worth it. The really really good stuff is guarranteed for life, next best is 20 years, and then comes 10 and 5 years. A lot of companies also have a separate warranty for the leather from the frame, make sure you know what applies to both. Some companies warranty their leather against pretty much anything including pets, knife wounds, etc. while others barely cover them. Ask at each store because that is when you will start to see the differences even when you are looking at a brand you thought you knew. That's when you can really tell something the Natuzzi you just saw at a high end store is actually made differently than the one you are looking at at Sears. The warranty is different. Most stores offer extended. You only need the extended if the mfr warranty doesn't fully cover all you want covered. I've had good and bad experiences with extended warranties.
As far as leather goes, there are very different qualities. If you want it to last, you need one that is dyed right through, not just on the top. Take samples and scratch them with your nail to see if they self heal or not. That is usually pretty apparent when you see the samples because other people will have done that to them and the ones that show scratches are a pain to deal with. Some are thicker, some are shinier, but durability is everything and you don't want something that will be all scratched or stretched or wrinkled in a year or two. As mentioned, some never warm up and aren't very comfortable while others are heaven. Stores often have various grades on their floor models so do sit on them a few minutes at least to see if they warm up or not.
It also helps to check the seats don't slide. The better ones have velcro so they don't slip. One done with leather fully covering both sides is a slider. Also make sure they cover the sides of cushions with leather because if they don't, it will drive you nuts seeing fabric when someone sits. It's also nice if you can remove the back cushions because you can rotate them if you sit in one spot all the time. On the one I have now it does have separate back cushions and they are zippered to the sofa. Others of similar styles are sewn on. My last one didn't have cushions being more of a flatback and since the stuffing etc. were so good it was never an issue.
Meanwhile if I can tell you anything, it's shop around and go and see a lot of different stores, high, medium, and low end before you settle on a brand.There are some really super Canadian brands and you may not find them everywhere (usually the smaller independent stores have the best selection it seems) or highly advertised, but they are out there. I found the best deal ever at one of the very high end stores here and got a life time warranty set of my dreams for the same as an imported set I was looking at at Sears (I never expected to see prices like that at that store but turns out when they have sales at those stores there are often amazing prices). Next time I had to buy (because my dream set wouldn't fit through the door in this house when I moved...) I shopped around again and low and behold, major clearance came up at a high end chain. It was a buy now, one of each model only type clearance and because I had shopped around I did know I was getting the quality I wanted. So I got the one I have now for 75% off and my SIL got a $10,000 natuzzi for $1000. Real deals. One thing I do know to do now in that situation is to take a cushion into sunlight. I got a colour I didn't expect because of the lighting in the place at the time but I can't complain at all about the quality of the piece.
Also, and this is a big one, make sure the store has a good return policy. Many places have a no return policy (like Ashley's or big sales like I got my last one at) and you have to know that going in especially if you are ordering something more custom. When I got my first one I didn't know much about leather and ended up with a neck skin on one seat. Didn't seem like a big deal at the time but that one cushion wrinkled (neck skins are wrinkled so they rewrinkle with use) and always looked awful. The set I have now was a great deal, but the colour in my house was a rude surprise to me. It's things like that when you need a return policy in place.
Further to what PearlG said; I have a newbuck leather sofa. Bought it because of the easy to clean and keep clean feature. Well it is clean. But that is because it never gets dirty - no one likes to sit on it! When we do, we slide off, similiar to crumbs and dirt I suppose. It is also very cold and takes a long time for your body heat to warm it up. So like PearlG said, if you can get away with the other types of leathers, do that!
As for the brand you mentioned, I do not know much about it.
I have a Decro Rest made in Canada leather sofa and Love Seat and it has stood up well and very good quality. They make several different styles and the leather is very good quality.