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Collection by Aaron Britt

How to Shop for a Sofa

Down cushions? Hardwood frame? New York City interior designer Timothy Brown gives us a quick tutorial on what to inspect when you’re inspecting.

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Grant XL sofa by Thrive Home Furnishings, $1,949.
Grant XL sofa by Thrive Home Furnishings, $1,949.
Frame Game Skip plywood or particleboard and look for a hardwood frame with eight-way hand-tied springs (all the springs are tied together, more evenly distributing the weight of the sitter). Atwood sofa by Gus*Modern, $1,999.
Frame Game Skip plywood or particleboard and look for a hardwood frame with eight-way hand-tied springs (all the springs are tied together, more evenly distributing the weight of the sitter). Atwood sofa by Gus*Modern, $1,999.
Bergen by BoConcept, $2,286.
Bergen by BoConcept, $2,286.
Going Vintage The shape is what really matters here. The fabric, in 99 percent of cases, will be changed, and the insides will be replaced with fresh down and foam. If the shape is good, a little work and the sofa is like new. Narrow Arm sofa by Calvin Klein Curator Collection, $4,400.
Going Vintage The shape is what really matters here. The fabric, in 99 percent of cases, will be changed, and the insides will be replaced with fresh down and foam. If the shape is good, a little work and the sofa is like new. Narrow Arm sofa by Calvin Klein Curator Collection, $4,400.
Favn sofa by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen, $10,522.
Favn sofa by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen, $10,522.
Up with Upholstery Natural fabrics are best, and I also prefer neutral fabrics on sofas. This purchase will stick around for years, and the last thing you want is to be saddled with a pink floral sofa to work around. Hi-Bridge 97.5-inch sofa by Ferruccio Laviani for Molteni & C, $11,294.
Up with Upholstery Natural fabrics are best, and I also prefer neutral fabrics on sofas. This purchase will stick around for years, and the last thing you want is to be saddled with a pink floral sofa to work around. Hi-Bridge 97.5-inch sofa by Ferruccio Laviani for Molteni & C, $11,294.
Powell sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti, $13,260.
Powell sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti, $13,260.
Victor sofa by Paul Loebach for MatterMade, $16,000.
Victor sofa by Paul Loebach for MatterMade, $16,000.
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