Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

hey want me to design the architecture for you? I can whip out the design and then you go from there.
After 34 years of seeing sofas, I think designing one is like taking candy from a baby.
The only thing that you need to start doing is, get in contact with these companies:
Kravet Fabrics
Robert Allan
Calico Corners
United Fabrics
Waiverly
Michael Allan
and I can get you a whole list and purchase discontinued rolls of fabric.
I have the hook ups on Foam Molding (the owner knows me since I was 2 years old) as a matter a fact has anyone seen how they make the foam?


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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

I`d like to hear Kathy from IBdesigns thoughts since she makes custom slip covers for office chairs along with signal banners.
jillybeans

Hey  Nuevolution..! For the range of trendy styles and designs in furniture you may also add one company in your list that is the chesterfield company(uk).

 

Contact No: 01617371600

contact@thechesterfieldcompany.com

 

 

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Armchairs

Hey Leatherarmchair..! Do you deals with Commercial Hotel Furniture or Restaurant furniture..?

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commercial hotel furniture

Hi,

 I am a former long time executive for an upscale furniture chain of traditional and custom made furnishings.

A few comments on your discussion if you don’t mind.  Edgar is very correct about the traditional construction of sofas. It would be practically impossible to accomplish what you are contemplating. A traditional tailored sofa requires too much actual upholstery work on the frame to make interchangeable fabrication practical.

HOWEVER, there are new construction techniques that would suit your needs very well. They do make “paneled” sofas, essentially components upholstered separately and then bolted together.  This is not the preferred construction, but it makes production much cheaper.

You could make fabric coverings for each component that can be changed. The problem of course would be fit. It would be difficult to make a slip on cover as taught as an upholstered cover for obvious reasons. However, I think there are ways to overcome that. One is to design a less tailored sofa, along the lines  of the overstuffed “shabby chic” concept. Domain used that concept for awhile. It mitigates the need for taught fabrication.

I do believe your concept is valid for some markets. Some consumers would like the changeable fabrication option. Furniture purchasing, especially for upholstered pieces, has changed from being a onetime investment to a much more disposable design element.  With the advent of HGTV everybody is now a “designer”!

Here is the big issue that I see. Quality fabric is a major part of the expense of any sofa. This will add significantly to the cost.

I’m not sure of your marketing plans, direct to consumer or through retailers but obviously you will have to pay close attention to costs.

Good luck, if I can be of help let me know.

Paul

www.frontlineplans.com

frontlineplans@yahoo.com

 

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Paul Joseph www.frontlineplans.com frontlineplans@yahoo.com

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