Sofas...

[Fnaar]

2 things: why do people need a new sofa in time for Christmas, and just how different is 'next season's sofa' going to be from all of this season's?

1) So you can spill red wine all over it, get miffed with the stubborn stain throughout the year and convince yourself you need a new one for next Christmas... isn't that how capitalism basically works?

2) Not a lot

3) (which you haven't asked)... because ALL sofas are made in a giant factory in China and they just put different labels on them. Much like cornflakes.

 

[Theseus]

3) (which you haven't asked)... because ALL sofas are made in a giant factory in China and they just put different labels on them. Much like cornflakes.

... or bikes!

How much really changes between a 2010 & 2011 version of a bike.

 

[Arch]

... or bikes!

How much really changes between a 2010 & 2011 version of a bike.

indeed. The only benefit to me seems to be the chance to get 'last years' stuff cheap - although it's more normally 'several years ago' in my case.

 

[Over The Hill]

I would recommend Multiyork. Proper sofas in traditional style. Good solid frame that has weight in it. Ours are now about 5 years old and stood up well - still like new.
We could choose how high the back was, from 3 choices. Choose the fabric from about 1000 choices and chose the combination of seats. All the fabrics can then be removed (zips in discreet places) to wash it if needed and they guarnatee you can just order replacement covers for ever more as they keep the patterns. Not cheap but also not a silly price.

Only new furniture we have bought in our house.

 

[Fnaar]

indeed. The only benefit to me seems to be the chance to get 'last years' stuff cheap - although it's more normally 'several years ago' in my case.

...but it's like being an early adopter with gadgets I guess... there must be enough folk who fork out for the rush-released next-year's model with inflated prices and teething problems...

and while I'm here... magazines, ffs

If it's the October edition, don't start selling it in early September! Grr, it makes my blood boil etc etc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Arch]

and while I'm here... magazines, ffs

If it's the October edition, don't start selling it in early September! Grr, it makes my blood boil etc etc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

We're solving that with the September issue of Velo Vision, off to the printers today...

 

[punkypossum]

Update: Found tiny two seater in local shop after looking just about everywhere else, and it's reduced by more than half. Should be landing on my doorstep tomorrow!

 

[Piemaster]

...but it's like being an early adopter with gadgets I guess... there must be enough folk who fork out for the rush-released next-year's model with inflated prices and teething problems...

and while I'm here... magazines, ffs

If it's the October edition, don't start selling it in early September! Grr, it makes my blood boil etc etc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I've just ordered a kindle...........

The magazine thing AFAIK happens because some of them (possibly a lot) are not monthly, but every 4 weeks. Thus they can sell a December and a Christmas edition.

+1 on Arch's thing with sofas though. Doesn't everyone sit in front of the TV, stuffed with turkey sandwiches, on Boxing Day think 'I must rush out and buy a new sofa'

 

[XmisterIS]

OP - I have been converted to big-sofa fashion! I stopped in at one of those sofa supermarket places when I was on the bike and it started to rain ... and I got sucked in! I started sitting on those bad boys, and my God they were comfortable! Then I found the ones that have the electric recliner with footrest - you can make your sofa turn halfway into a bed, but still sat up enough to watch TV, and by Christ it was even more comfortable!

I am now converted, and I want one. They are the Dog's nads! I swear that XmrsIS would live in it if I got one ...

 

[dellzeqq]

http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/i...&sigr=11cfl11pu&sigi=11loi9e0r&sigb=12h2maa07

XmisterandmrsIS's sofabike was the talk of the town!

 

[SavageHoutkop]

What on earth has happened to sofa fashion? I've got a really small living room, so all I want is a reasonably delicate looking 2-seater with an equally reasonable price tag, but every single sofa at the moment seems to be a big chunky overpadded lump, where even a 2 seater is the size of an old style 3 seater. The only one I can find was nearly £2000 pounds, and I certainly didn't like it that much. And why do they all have to be either shiny leather, mad florals or something that looks like it belongs in an old-men's club? ARGH!!!!

I'm in sortof the same situation. Unfortunately I've decided I want a reclining sofa as they are just so comfy!
I've taken Mr SHK round to sit on various sofas and we've disovered that because he's taller than I am it's very hard to find a comfy sofa that suits us both.

Taking that into account, as well as that I would like to 'buy British', and want the sofa to be leather, leaves us with one we've both decided is the best - at £2,030 (sale price).

*sigh*

Oh - Arch - the reason for the 'delivered in time for Christmas' thing - the lead time on the sofa we're after is 10 weeks or something (sounds like a Brompton factory waiting list!) and we currently only have two dining chairs and no sofa (or indeed any other seating!) at all. So, if we want people over for Christmas unless the sofa arrives (and some dining room chairs - anyone got any space saving dining chair ideas??) they can come as long as they stand or sit on the floor!

If anyone else is looking, there are 'smaller' sizes by both G-Plan and Sherbourne where the length of the sofa is about 1.55m for a two seater.

(Scarily enough if you want one of the 'italian' sofas with a brand name attached you can go up to £5000 easily!)

 

[gavintc]

... or bikes!

How much really changes between a 2010 & 2011 version of a bike.

I know this will sound dreadful. But I bought my Kinesis TK in the early summer 2009 and then was a little bit miffed when the 2010 bike was 'released' shortly afterward. The colour scheme on the new version was so much nicer. But, I have to admit, there was no other change and there had been a hike in price. Occasionally, substantive changes occur, but I think most years there is simply a change to the paint and a price increase.

 

[Arch]

Oh - Arch - the reason for the 'delivered in time for Christmas' thing - the lead time on the sofa we're after is 10 weeks or something (sounds like a Brompton factory waiting list!) and we currently only have two dining chairs and no sofa (or indeed any other seating!) at all. So, if we want people over for Christmas unless the sofa arrives (and some dining room chairs - anyone got any space saving dining chair ideas??) they can come as long as they stand or sit on the floor!

Well, yes, I can see the logic there. It's not so much the lead time, but the idea that everyone needs to get a new sofa for Christmas - it feels like a keeping up with the Joneses sort of thing. I can't believe all those ads are aimed at people who currently don't have a sofa at all...

 

[CopperBrompton]

To me, a sofa is an excellent example of the 'pay a decent amount of money for something you'll keep forever' principle.

I made the mistake of buying a cheap sofa many years ago. It was looking tatty within a couple of years, and starting falling apart after five. I then bought a couple of decent sofas (one Ilva, one Habitat). The Ilva one is now ten years old and looks as good as new. I don't ever see a need to replace it. The Habitat one is in my office and doesn't see as much use, but I'm confident it will last forever too.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The Habitat one is in my office

Casting couch?