With plenty of retailers in one location, a shopping trip to the Ploughing means you get to maximise your research when it comes to big purchases. Finline Furniture were at the Ploughing offering discounts in their showrooms in Laois, Cork and Dublin. Ciaran Finane of Finline Furniture has tips you need to consider when making your purchase.

1DO YOUR RESEARCH

Get online or start drawing inspiration from magazines. Before you even step into a shop, have a good idea of what you like – but remain open-minded to professional advice. Take pictures of the room your new couch will sit in, so the person helping you make your purchase understands its orientation. Also consider snapping a few images of other rooms in the house, so they have an idea of the style of furniture you like.

If your room is a blank canvas, place newspapers on the ground to determine how big you want your couch to be. This will help avoid overcrowding. Also if you already have carpet, curtains or other fabrics you need to match in with your couch, try bringing in samples.

2 Sturdy Frame

Bend the knees and lift. The simplest test to see if a couch has a sturdy frame is to feel the weight of it. Well-constructed furniture is extremely heavy and you’re looking for a frame that is made from hardwood material, such as beech. Hardwood frames are kiln dried to get rid of any moisture from the frame. Softwood frames, on the other hand, are more likely to bend or twist over time, leading to creaking noises in your furniture or, worse, cracking.

3Spring Success

The best types of springs are the ones you never know are there. Most Irish manufacturers use serpentine or coil-sprung springs to produce a real comfy sofa. Watch out, though: many imports simply use webbing, as it’s less expensive. This doesn’t have longevity and isn’t considered as comfortable. If the webbing is very rigid, it will feel too hard. If it’s not rigid enough, it’s going to sag over time.

4 Shape Up

Do your research but remain open minded – especially when it comes to shape. Although the decision on shape often comes down to personal preferences, don’t forget the practicalities. Large armrests might look fantastic but they tend to be used on a larger couch. Can your room accommodate it? L-shaped couches are very modern looking, but they do utilise space better. Fabrics can often achieve the look you want, so try to be more practical in your approach to shape.

5 Get Your Back Up

Pillow back or standard back, the choice is yours. Generally, the pillow back looks more opulent and is very pleasing on the eye – but it does take more maintenance to constantly have them plumped, especially with kids around. Comfort wise, the standard back usually wins out, and they are certainly the more popular option. Some people might have a big room with two couches, and may opt for a mix of both, choosing the standard back as the couch they sit on most.

For someone with back issues, they should also look for a shape that has lumbar support, with more plumping in the lower part of their back. Some people even opt for an armchair that is solely theirs and offers excellent head support as well.

6 Determine Depth

When it comes to depth, don’t over think it. The greatest test is simply sitting your bum down, seeing where your legs fall and sussing out if it feels right to you. Sometimes (especially for smaller people) if your feet aren’t hitting the floor, it might not be the depth of the couch but the height of the cushion. Stores like Finline Furniture can adjust the height of the legs on the couch to give a height that works better for you.

7 Finding a Fabric

You’ve got the frame, you’ve determined the shape. When it comes to the overall effect, though, choosing the right fabric is key – and potentially very confusing, as there is so much choice.

Remember: you have options, though. If you can’t decide between patterned or plain, consider mixing and matching. A patterned couch can be complimented by a plain armchair that adds a pop of colour. If you’ve got kids and are looking for something durable, linen and cotton fabics are very hardwearing. So is polyester – and it’s very good value for money.

If you’re looking for a more opulent feel, consider velvet or chenille – but that will be reflected in the price. Shiny fabrics usually sit well in big rooms, but they aren’t the most comfortable, so are often considered for the occasional sitting room, rather than the everyday living room.

No matter what fabric you opt for, make sure to bring a few samples home and see what it looks like in the natural light of your room. And when it comes to colour, winter white and cream may not be the best idea – so don’t be afraid of beige and light grey. Remember: everything can be steam cleaned in situ.

8 The Price is Right

If you’re looking for a well-made sofa, expect prices to start at €800. However, remember these are starting prices. You also need to budget for extras. For example, your choice of fabric can really affect the price.

Remember to budget for foot stools too, which could be a couple of hundred euro extra. Arm protectors or throws may be another €50, while achieving the buttoned effect on your fabric could be an extra €100. And some retailers will charge extra for scatter cushions.

Finline Furniture custom make couches depending on your requirements. For example, they can size it to fit perfectly in your room or provide a higher back for someone who is very tall, but this service is an extra 15%, as they are making it exactly to your requirements.

Finally, you may be offered Scotch Guarding as an additional service, but it isn’t that necessary. Steam cleaning can do the job perfectly well.

Holidaymakers pleasantly surprised by Irish food offering

In all, 77% of holidaymakers in Ireland are satisfied with the food on offer, according to Fáilte Ireland at their Food Connect conference, where they discussed how Ireland can sell itself as a leading destination for food lovers and travellers.

Head of food and hospitality for Fáilte Ireland, John Mulcahy said: “There is quality produce on the ground and a great many experiences on offer for visitors when they come here. However, what is also clear from the research is that while people are pleasantly surprised by our food offering once they get here, perceptions beforehand may be lagging.”

The conference discussed the results of World Food Travel Association 2016 Food Travel Monitor, which examined 2,500 travellers in 10 countries, including Ireland.

Other findings include that some of the most desirable food experiences for holidaymakers to Ireland are visiting a local farm, visiting a whiskey distillery or attending a food festival.

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

James Whelan Butchers took the top prize at this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. The Tipperary-based butcher’s won the Gold Q with their dry-aged Angus striploin steak, which was described by the judges as “juicy, succulent, with an unreal flavour and a strong yellow colour that is well matured”.

At the event, hosted by Rachel Allen, Dunnes Stores was named retailer of the year for their My Family Favourites mature white cheddar, produced by Bandon Vale.

Other winners on the night included Camran Crafts’ orange, mango and gin marshmallow, which won the Small Producer of the Year Award and Dublin-based Antoinette’s Bakery which took the Gold Café award for their cheese and onion roll. The Irish Quality Food Awards is now in its fourth year and aims to recognise excellence in food and drink across Northern and the Republic of Ireland.