Expert: Mark H. Miller - 6/21/2006

Question
I am having trouble finding a sofa to fit in with the style of our Texas farmhouse.  Everything in the stores is the wrong style or if the style is right, they don't offer the right color.  I want a mixed media sofa that is not formal, but very casual.  I want a sofa that contrasts the fabric on the cushions from the sides.  It could have oak trim.  I would like attached cushions, bun feet, and hobnail trim.  Can you suggest how to go about finding someone who will custom make a sofa in my area?
Lorene Overall
375 Crestview
Livingston, TX 77351
(936) 327-2803
dgoverall@livingston.net

Answer
HI,  

Yes, first of all I would not go to a small upholstering shop that primarily reupholsters furniture for the retail trade and trust them to make a new custom sofa for you.

You may have to go a large city nearby, such as Dallas or Houston.  Look in the phone book yellow pages for custom upholstered frame manufacturers.  Call them and ask if they will recommend a custom upholstered furniture manufacturer in the area.

Again in the yellow pages look under upholstered furniture manufacturers (custom).  The above may work for the trade only and not deal with a retail client direct.  Usually the more reluctant they are to deal with a retail client the better they are.

Check to see if there is a large fabric and furniture design center, probably in Dallas.  Call them and tell them that you would like to have a custom made sofa built to your specifications and can they recommend a local manufacturer in your area.

If none of the above lead to a good contact then contact an interior designer, not interior decorator, in your area and tell them that you want a custom sofa built to your specifications and can he or she obtain that for you.  Doing that will mean that you have to pay the interior designer a fee, however, your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater,  "high-end" interior designers affiliated with the A.S.I.D. will most certainly have the resources to obtain exactly what you want.

I hope this information is helpful to you,  please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.