I was at a client recently who impulsively purchased a sofa last year at a price that seemed too good to be true. Turns out it definitely was too good to be true, and the workmanship was so bad that it now needs to be replaced. It may not end up on the street like the sofa in the photo, but it certainly was an object lesson on the importance of purchasing quality goods. Penny wise and pound foolish is a well-worn phrase, but in the furniture business it is so true. Poorly made sofas are glued instead of hand doweled, they use wood that is not kiln-dried, and the result is that even with light use they will wear out quickly. There are, of course, different price points, but you can purchase a quality piece that will last a lifetime without paying a fortune. Another important measure of quality is detail. Cushion foam should have a high-density core with a wrap of down that is channeled so it doesn’t move. A cheap core with a wrap of polyester will simply not last. So as you make interior decisions, sometimes it’s wise to wait until you can purchase quality. In the long run it will generate much more satisfaction and, yes, even save money.