FURNITURE REVIEWS FROM A DESIGNER WITH $41M IN PURCHASES

25 Years Experience

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$41M Furniture Specified

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House Beautiful Next Wave Designer

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Creator of The Call Standard™

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Independent Reviews

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25 Years Experience ■ $41M Furniture Specified ■ House Beautiful Next Wave Designer ■ Creator of The Call Standard™ ■ Independent Reviews ■

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FAIBLE
■ Lounge Sofa (40" and above)
FAIBLE
■ Lounge Sofa (40" and above)

SCORE: 64

BEST FOR: 70’s - 80’s Italian Glam

AVOID IF: Comfort and longevity is your priority

BOTTOM LINE: A great looking sofa that is less successful on comfort and build.

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■ Lounge Sofa (40" and above)
PB MODERN
■ Classic Sofa (37-39")
PB MODERN
■ Classic Sofa (37-39")

SCORE: 88

BEST FOR: Family comfort

AVOID IF: You have a small space or require something tailored

BOTTOM LINE: An absolute pleasure to sit in. And a strong contender (as long as you follow my purchasing advice).

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■ Classic Sofa (37-39")
JASPER
■ Cocktail Sofa (30–36")
JASPER
■ Cocktail Sofa (30–36")

SCORE: 90

BEST FOR: Classic modern interiors

AVOID IF: You need to float a sofa in the middle of your room

BOTTOM LINE: You cant find a better made sofa at this price almost anywhere. Just keep in mind its few design weaknesses when placing in your room.

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■ Cocktail Sofa (30–36")

READ SHOPPING GUIDES

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THE UNLEVELLED PLAYING FIELD
THE UNLEVELLED PLAYING FIELD

A clear look at how design, policy, and access determine winners and losers. This piece reveals hidden system advantages—in technology, cities, workplaces—that favor some and marginalize others. With sharp examples and practical steps, it shows how design reinforces inequality and what designers, leaders, and citizens can do to level the field. Concise, urgent, and solution-driven, THE UNLEVELLED PLAYING FIELD challenges assumptions and points to design-led paths to fairness.

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CRATE & BARREL FABRICS, RANKED: A friendly hierarchy for shopping the upholstery program — what to pick first, what to use carefully, and how to choose the right fabric for the room.
CRATE & BARREL FABRICS, RANKED: A friendly hierarchy for shopping the upholstery program — what to pick first, what to use carefully, and how to choose the right fabric for the room.

Want a Crate & Barrel sofa that actually survives real life? Mr. Call is ranking their top fabrics by everyday durability, not just good looks. Skip the guesswork and learn which powerhouse performance fabrics to choose—and which delicate ones to skip.

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INSIDE A $6,000 SOFA
INSIDE A $6,000 SOFA

A great sofa is so much more than just a place to sit—it’s a stack of hidden details. Mr. Call breaks down exactly what you're paying for in a $6,000 benchmark couch, what to look for, and where cheap construction likes to hide.

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LOOK FOR THE MR CALL APPROVED MARK

Mr Call Approved™ means a product scored 90 or more on The MCD Standard™.

The word 'dwell' in bold black letters on a white background.
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Logo for Elle Decor with the word 'Elle' vertically and 'Decor' horizontally.
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