|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 11, 2018 0:19:22 GMT
Right, who knows anything about sofa beds? Mine is absolutely knackered, it's probably as old as the boat, the fabric is so sun bleached that it is split in numerous places, the foam in the base has obviously crumbled away and there are even a couple of places where some type of staples are sticking through the material. So firstly, I saw this. Apart from looking a bit "Och aye the noo" is there any reason why it would not be a wise choice? How would wool stand up to the rigours of boat life? www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOFA-BED-RED-TARTAN-ROYAL-STEWART-SCOTLAND-100-WOOL-204CM-4-SEATS-CLICK-CLACK/253378308214?hash=item3afe862876:g:mPAAAOSwPe1T3Zkh:rk:1:pf:0Anyone got any alternative suggestions for a supplier? Also, is there any prospect of flogging the old one? I'm thinking that because the base and mechanism are in perfect condition, if I put it on ebay as sold for restoration/ re-upholstery then firstly it might do someone a favour and secondly it would save me a trip to the tip. And any other advice on sofa beds welcome.
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Oct 11, 2018 0:53:24 GMT
700 quid seems a lot
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 11, 2018 1:02:39 GMT
This is true, although it would be used daily as a sofa and a couple of dozen times a year as a bed for the next 20 years or so, so I'm prepared to buy on quality rather than price. Plus it's made in Scotland so I would have the satisfaction of keeping Sweaty Socks in work rather than slimy Indians, Jam Rolls or slitty-eyed Chinks.
|
|
|
Post by patty on Oct 11, 2018 5:11:27 GMT
trouble with sofa beds is they can be quite uncomfortable to sit on and that one could fall in that category. I always think need to sit on them. Guess it being wool ups price... Nice and bright, that'll cheer up the interior.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 5:31:53 GMT
I believe Patty is absolutely right. It has to be comfortable to sit on, first and foremost. We got rid of an excellent Wilson's bed settee for just that reason (that and we're anti social ). I wouldn't buy without being able to sit on it first. Rog
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Oct 11, 2018 5:36:08 GMT
there are quite a lot of small manufacturers of furniture tucked away in little factory units on industrial estates. Most of these will sell direct (if you can find them) items they normally make for chain retailers at a greatly reduced price. (one I had personal contacts with was in Barking. I used to get bags of their wood off cuts as firewood for free)
might be worth a little explore as it could save you a lot of brass
|
|
|
Post by tecka on Oct 11, 2018 9:43:19 GMT
I bought my sofabed off LLLS furniture based in Smethwick. I had looked around for a while and spoke to these guys for two reasons. Firstly, I could see from the eBay shop that they had many different styles. Secondly, my family are local to Smethwick and they didn't mind me going to the factory to chat with them. The service I had was great, we talked through what I needed and they made some great recommendations. They maximised use of space by not having arms on the sofa, which while recognising that not everyone will find comfortable means I actually get a full length bed in the space I have as the flat arms are usable in the bed position meaning whoever uses the bed doesn't have to sqeeze between. I also miscalculated the height whilst in the sofa position, upon speaking to them they instantly said to pop back and they would alter the feet to fit - which it now does perfectly just under the gunnels which saves loads of space. They are only a 5 minute walk from the cut from either the main line or the Smethwick line. They even gave me a lift down to the boat with it but classed it as pick up which saves the £70 postage (I got as close as I could to where the Navigation pub used to be by Smethwick bottom lock) I've used the sofa daily for three years, have had 4 people sat on it at a time (the lack of arms help here also) I've used it as a bed personally, and had probably a further 5 people use it. All who use it as either a bed or sofa comments on the comfort. Obviously I can't state whether it'll last the 20 years but can say that in three years it's as comfortable as it ever was and doesn't appear to have any sagging or wear as yet. I'd say worth a look as I have been really happy, I will say that they have some unusual fabrics to choose from though. Made myself feel a bit silly by looking to add the eBay shop through here to find it's the same company you linked to in the op. Could have saved a lot of time by simply typing... Mines off them, I recommend... Mine was around half the cost of that though. It's smaller without arms but maybe it's the fabric pushing up the price. www.ebay.co.uk/str/lllsfurniture/SOFABEDS/_i.html?_storecat=19899310014
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 11, 2018 9:49:38 GMT
Yes, the showroom is in Smethwick so I'll pop along and have a look at their demo model. I have managed to answer my own question about being able to flog the old one though, a quick look at ebay suggests that second-hand sofa beds are about as wanted as a ginger stepchild.
|
|
|
Post by tecka on Oct 11, 2018 9:59:12 GMT
Showroom is a bit of a stretch, unless they've refurbed it's essentially the loading bay and you look at items ready to be delivered. You do get to see the factory though and the staff were a good bunch.
If I remember correctly they essentially custom build so you can choose any of the designs and upholster in any fabric.
If it helps I'm moored in Brumagen at the moment if you want to see a three year old one to give an idea of longevity.
|
|
|
Post by peterboat on Oct 11, 2018 11:29:09 GMT
I have a wilson sofa it has done good service as a sofa and as a bed all leather and still looking good after 7 years sometimes paying more does get you more
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 18:39:58 GMT
I got rid of mine earlier this year as it was horrible to sit on, have sat on some at crick show and they were not much better, I would suggest looking for electric recliner sofa, these come apart making them easy to lift in the doors
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 30, 2018 20:55:05 GMT
Well, here it is. Just makes the rug look crappy now though. And the coffin-like interior.
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 30, 2018 21:13:33 GMT
Well, here it is. Just makes the rug look crappy now though. And the coffin-like interior. I missed this thread earlier. I would have gone for a nice purple satin material to complement the interior decor. Or how about just having a shallow tray with some soil specially imported from Transylvania?
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 30, 2018 23:09:01 GMT
Here's the old one, in all its horrendousness, sat on my mooring. When I viewed Desiree the broker said "It needs a new sofa bed" and that was four years ago so I've had my money's worth out of it. The base has collapsed, the fabric is so sun-bleached that it is falling apart, there are nails and staples protruding from it. I did toy with the idea of re-upholstering it but I've never done that before and in the end I just decided it would be easier to do a Saturday's overtime once a month for the next five months to pay for a new one instead. I'll break the old one up instead, dispose of the filling in the CRT bins and burn the framework either in my stove or on bonfire night.
|
|
|
Post by patty on Oct 31, 2018 5:01:51 GMT
Thats very bright..a fetching red rug would marry it all up nicely ...
|
|