High quality, long lasting USA made sofas for a family room?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

We have been on the hunt for a new sofa and chairs for our family room that gets daily use. Upon doing our research it has become apparent that finding a high quality, long-lasting USA made sofa with consistently great reviews is really difficult, especially with some kind of warranty. Our biggest concern is comfort and quality to ensure it will be a worthwhile investment that can stand the test of time (8-way hand tied, Kiln dried wood, etc.)

We tested out a Burton James sofa and a MT Company chair, and were also looking at Wesley Hall. They seemed great on the floor, but wanted to do deeper research before pulling the trigger, and are curious if others have had actual experiences with these brands, or if there are recommendations for other brands that should be considered? Any suggestions are so welcomed!

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The KEEPING ROOM

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

There are several high-quality, well-made (in America) upholstery pieces in the market. The issue is 90% of the consumers put a price ceiling on what they want to pay for them and take themselves out of that category. There is no rocket science to building it correctly, it's simply a function of labor and material. To reduce costs you cut back on one or the other, or both. Only a few companies remain that don't bow to the cheaper price pressure.

I am one of the country's largest dealers for Hancock and Moore for example. The reason its built so well is the owners (Jack Glasheen and Jimmy Moore) decided when they left Classic Leather in the early 1980's they would not compromise the build, and let the price land where it does. Although they have retired and sold the company to Rock House Brands (Century Furniture), the standards remain in place. Being privately held, they never had to answer to stockholder profits like publicly traded companies must do. To this day, they are one of only four companies still building frames out of solid maple, everyone else in the industry has moved to plywood. And they hire the best craftspeople available, jobs rarely open up at H&M as they pay the highest wages for superior workmanship as well.

Wesley Hall builds a nice product. If you like that line I don't think you will regret a purchase of their sofa. Be sure to get a durable fabric, and don't get caught in the trap of being told you have to have a Performance Fabric or Microfiber. Those don't always wear well, they're just easier to clean.

Duane Collie

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Comments (26)

homechef59
4 years ago
You might try Sherrill. I like Ethan Allen.
latifolia
4 years ago
Take a look at Temple. We've had great luck with them.
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Tracey Woods
4 years ago
Room and Board?
Sammy
4 years ago
I have a 25 year-old Michael Thomas twin sleeper loveseat that I’m about to re-cover — or at the very least have custom slips made for. That’s how good the quality is. FYI: Michael Thomas was one of the two companies that combined to form MT Company, the other being Miles Talbott.
Hamma
4 years ago
What is your budget and style preference?
Manon Floreat
4 years ago
Wesley Hall has a good reputation as a quality furniture manufacturer. I've sat in some of their showroom pieces and was impressed with the ride. Same is true for Hancock and Moore and Taylor King, although recently I read some disparaging remarks about Taylor and King. So, you should ask pointed questions of any vendor that carries their wares.

Hancock and Moore is the gold standard for leather in the USA. The leather is great and so is the sit. They are a manufacturer that produces furniture that will likely outlive your children. But not everyone is keen on leather.

Baker is another manufacturer that is heirloom quality. I've experiences a few of their pieces and they really are great. EJ Victor is purportedly the Rolls Royce of upholstery and has a price tag to match. I've never seen any of their pieces in person, but from what I've see of some of their online offerings, I'm a little suspicious.

I own none of the aforementioned and therefore cannot personally attest to their performance over time. And by over time, I mean in excess of 20 years with daily use.

The best advice I can give is to take your time, sit, examine and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible if you're looking for furniture that will last more than 20 years.
Iris E thanked Manon Floreat
latifolia
4 years ago
We've got a Hancock and Moore recliner, which is very nice. The leather is lovely quality.
njmomma
4 years ago
following
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JAN MOYER
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Taylor King, Hickory Chair, Hancock and Moore.......and About 8 k at least, for a sofa and two chairs, and more if leather on any.. A brick and mortar retailer, or an interior designer. That's the deal. : )

The very brutal truth is nothing is built to last beyond ten years any more. That is because nobody wants to keep a thing beyond ten years. I have had a Taylor King sofa for over twenty years. But my sincere bet is if a new one? Cut the time frame in half. Still., all mentioned above, ( and I left out the Cadillac in Baker due to price.....) among the best. Need to come down in pricing? CRLaine.
Iris E thanked JAN MOYER
Iris E
Original Author
4 years ago
@Hamma Our budget is around $4,000 for sofa and $2,000 for the chairs. We don't want leather, but in doing research it looks like possibly Hancock and Moore have some fabric options.
girlnamedgalez8a
4 years ago
We have a Massoud sofa that is close to 25 years old. It is a wonderful piece of furniture & at the time it was made locally I believe in Dallas.
chispa
4 years ago
We have a custom made large sectional by Century Furniture that has worn well in the 8 years we have owned it. Used daily by people and dogs.

https://www.centuryfurniture.com/

I have also bought sofas and chairs from Cisco Brothers Furniture. This is a small family owned business here in Los Angeles, but they also sell through furniture stores throughout the US. Their furniture is made in their factory in Los Angeles. The pieces are also around 8 years old and wearing well, but these aren't used every day. They can customize any of their pieces.

http://www.ciscobrothers.com/
Iris E thanked chispa
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Adrienne Morgan Interior Design
4 years ago
Lee Industries. Look at their site. Many many styles. Use their fabric or a COM. Very good quality and not too pricey. They’ll tell you you have to order thru a designer but....if you call your nearest showroom I’ll bet money that they will waive that. I’ve used Lee for 20 years and never had a problem.
Iris E thanked Adrienne Morgan Interior Design
Design Girl
4 years ago
Verellon is 8 way hand tied. Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams. None are inexpensive.
Hamma
4 years ago
If your style leans more towards modern, I highly recommend Thayer Coggin. Might be slightly above your budget for the sofa, but I'd keep an eye on sales. (For example, www.dwr.com).
pink_peony
4 years ago
At your price point I would look into King Hickory, Sherri and Wesley Hall and CRLaine depending on fabric you choose.
Susan Davis
4 years ago
After 20 years and 8 kids I just re upholstered my Hammary Sofa. I bought it in 1989 on sale for 1400$ marked down from 2200$ with a limited upholstery selection.....Best decision ever! Love it. Some upholstery businesses can build you an 8 way hand tied sofa with hardwood frame to your specs.....an option.

Sherrill is wonderful too. A pair of chairs for 2000 not going to find I don't think, and a sofa closer to 6-8 thousand probably.
Jennifer Hogan
4 years ago
following
Lou Myers
4 years ago
Bradington Young?
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Bradington Young was always pretty reliable, haven't used in quite a while : ) Pearson too.
PRO
Shaker Interiors
4 years ago
I think Hickory Chair and Pearson are wonderful quality. They are made at the same factory in Hickory, NC, which I have visited. Besides having eight way, hand tied coils, you should sit in whatever you are going to purchase, because a high quality sofa is going to run at least $4,000. Act like Goldy Locks and find the “just right” comfort level for you and your family. That could require sitting in lots of sofas. The seat depth, back pitch, and cushion composition are really important.
eastautumn
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I don't have any experience with the brands you mentioned, but we are thrilled with the quality and durability of our Stickley sofas. We have the Prairie Settle sofa and love seat in leather (with exposed wood frame), but they have many fabric options as well. We have cats, and it's great not to have to worry about them clawing the fabric like they did with our previous sofas.

All of our Stickley pieces have stood up amazingly to kids, pets, and daily heavy use. They are made in America and while they're not cheap, I'm confident they will outlive us so we will never have to replace them. We have had them for about 13 years and they look as good as new. My husband wipes them down with leather conditioner about every other month and there is a slight patina on the leather where we sit on them, but it doesn't detract from the look at all. The wood is so hard it doesn't get dented and scratched from things banging into it.
C de Lorimier
3 years ago
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Anna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years ago
**
MMS
3 years ago
I saw a previous poster saying their Massoud furniture from 20+ years ago was of great quality. But I want to warn you all that the quality seems to have taken a turn for the worse (the seller still says it's still made in TX, so we can't blame off-shoring on this one).

We recently bought two Massoud club chairs. Fabric is gorgeous, craftsmanship looks fine, but the cushion material is cheap and flimsy. It feels like dorm room seat cushions you buy at Walmart. It even makes a little crunchy noise when you sit. Seriously. My husband is a tall 250lbs man, and when he seats on the chairs for more than 30 min the seat is crushed, and it takes a day to go back to normal. We flip the seat and back cushions daily, and still, they are already crushed after 2 months of use. We are beating ourselves up for having believed that $$$$ equaled quality. Do NOT buy Massoud!

High quality, long lasting USA made sofas for a family room?

The KEEPING ROOM

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homechef59

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High quality, long lasting USA made sofas for a family room?

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