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Designer Style

So you need a new sofa, what style? What colour? How big? Sectional, sofa bed, 3 seater, 2 seater and what the heck is a condo sofa? We call in the designers to make this process a little less daunting.

We asked some of the local designers that frequent our showroom to tell us what their favourite sofa is and to impart some words of wisdom to our readers who maybe trying to navigate a decorating project.

First up, designer Jennifer McGahan. Jennifer says that HTL's 8342 sofa is her absolute favourite. "When I'm shopping for furniture I'm all about the details! This piece is full of them, look at this beautiful button tufting, the pleating, the welting detailing and the luxurious thick leather is so glamorous. I am in love with this sofa!" We're happy to hear it Jennifer!

Jennifer’s Shopping Tips:

• Scale is key to the success of any room. Sounds obvious but many people don’t shop with their floor plans and room dimensions. Beyond the practicality of making sure it fits through the door, you also want to see how it will fit with the other pieces in your room.
• Plan ahead what you need, so that you stay focussed and don’t get distracted. Know your colour scheme and bring your paint swatches.
• Buy the best quality sofa you can afford so that you have quality construction and a piece that is built to last. If you buy a neutral, classic sofa you will be able to build a room around it. You can add in less expensive trendy items but your sofa should be the foundation.

HTL’s 8342 is available as a 3 seater, loveseat and chair. Can be ordered in fabric or leather . $2495 as shown.

Jennifer McGahan (613) 762-2093 www.jennifermcgahaninteriors.com

Interior Decorator Melissa McDonald chose the Bowan Sectional as her favourite sofa style. “This sectional, is compact and can easily adapt to any space, it’s streamlined design makes it a timeless piece and most importantly it’s extremely comfortable”. “The added bonus of having a sofa bed is a great option for my clients who are looking to have their family room double as a guest bedroom.”

Melissa’s Shopping Tips:

• Sit on it like you would at home, kick off your shoes and lie down. All sofas must be test driven!
• Buy a sofa that suits your lifestyle. If you like to formally entertain then a big plush sofa that your well healed guests sink into isn’t a good fit. If you have kids and pets, consider micro fiber and leather as long lasting and durable options.

The Bowan sectional is available with a sleeper and without, a sofa and as a chair. There are hundreds of different fabrics and microfibers to choose from starting at $1495 for the sectional.

Melissa McDonald 613-298-7580 www.melmacdesigns.com

Rosemary Valeriani of So Home Interiors chose HTL’s 1766 as her favourite sofa. “I like the sleek design it’s perfect for a small condo. It’s modern without being cold, it will fit into any space and will work easily with existing pieces.”  “This sectional will certainly add life and drama to your room, it’s dynamic sunflower yellow certainly grabs my attention.” Who wouldn’t feel happy in a room with this piece? “ The chaise is one of its best features, you can either seat another person at the end or keep for yourself for lounging!”

Rosemary’s Shopping Tips:

• Always measure! Tape out the dimensions of the piece you like on the floor where you want to put it. See how the traffic flows around it, you will easily see how many other pieces will fit. The new condo size sofa usually measures approximately 72” and can be perfect for a tight space. Alternatively a love seat and two chairs are also a great option if you want maximum seating for a small space.
• Love it! Keep looking till you find the right sofa that fits you and feels good. Don’t buy it just because it’s on sale.
• It has to suit your needs. Sometimes people aren’t realistic as to what their expectations are. You will eat popcorn on it, somebody will spill something on it, and no matter how many times you tell your husband not to leave the newspaper lying on it…he will!
  

HtL 1766 is available in a variety of different leathers $2995
So Home 613-822-0674 www.sohome.ca

Interior Designer Ellen Lee looks pretty comfy on her most favourite sofa! Her choice is Domicil’s luxurious Albatro. “It’s absolutely stunning! This sectional is so me. It has enduring design, it’s clean and elegant yet incredibly comfortable. I look for good ergonomics and this piece hits me in the right places, I can curl up in the corner of the lounge or sit comfortably on the sofa and my feet touch the ground.” “The sleek leather allows for adding lots of different textures as the seasons change and would look amazing with many different paint colours.”

Ellen’s Shopping Tips:

• Be in the right mood. This is a big purchase and you need to feel excited and inspired! I find with my clients that there saturation for shopping for furniture is about 2 hours, after that they need lunch.
• The sofa is usually your investment piece so make sure that if you share your space that your partner is comfortable on it. Again, ergonomics are important, I like a sofa with good back support. Decide what features are important to you before you go so that you make sure to tick them off the list.
• Also think about the use of the room, if you have elderly parents can they get in and out of it easily?
  

The Domicil Albatro is available for custom order in a variety of colours starting at $4090

Ellen Lee registered Interior Designer 613-260-7778 eliko@bellnet.ca

Decorating is suppose to be fun! If it isn’t then consider hiring a designer or decorator to show you the ropes. Their job is to provide expert advice and guidance based on education and experience.

For more details on the sofas shown here, check out our website or visit our showroom.

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