FAQ
Do you charge for delivery?
Yes, we charge $199.00 for local delivery. We want to be upfront with all parts of the furniture buying process. Delivery is never free, and we don’t believe that every piece of furniture should carry an invisible delivery upcharge. If you purchase one item or 10 items, the delivery charge is the same $199.00 fee.
Can I pick-up my order at the store?
Unfortunately, no. Our stores are located in areas that can not accommodate a 53’ truck dropping off furniture. We use a centralized warehouse to receive our deliveries, and we then deliver to you in smaller trucks or vans.
What is the warranty on the furniture I am buying?
Each manufacturer has its own warranty. We are happy to tell you all the warranty details for the item you are purchasing. Just ask your designer.
Do your manufacturers offer Performance Fabrics?
Yes, and we highly recommend performance fabrics. Unlike fabric protection in the past which was a topical treatment, performance fabrics are woven with fibers that are made to not absorb stains and spills. Performance fabrics are very easy to live with, they clean beautifully, and the performance is woven into the fabric so it is permanent.
Why does my area rug shed so much?
Chances are you purchased a hand tufted area rug. This type of rug uses a layer of latex on the back of the rug to lock-in the fibers. The latex grabs most but not all of the fibers, so for awhile the rug will shed the excess fibers (the fibers not grabbed by the latex). But don’t worry, the shedding will stop after a couple of months and a few full vacuum bags.
Most furniture doesn’t fit me. How do I find a sofa that I can get in and out of?
Much furniture today is very deep and the seat is low. So I agree, I find it very hard to get out of a deep / low sofa as a 61 year old. I had to roll out of a sofa at a big national chain because it was so low! We recognize that there is a large market for furniture that actually fits. We can order furniture with various seat depths, seat heights, cushion softness / firmness, leg heights, arm types – all of which allow us to customize the fit of the furniture to your body. Come and see us for a fitting.
How do I maintain my sofa cushions?
You should rotate your cushions regularily and also adjust the cushion filling regularly. Take the back cushion, turn it upside down and drop it on the floor several times to adjust the filling. Put it back in place, but turn it 180 degrees. Take the seat cushion, put it on the floor, and walk on it (clean socks please). Put it back on your sofa but flip it over. And also vacuum your sofa to remove as much dust as possible. If you follow these easy steps weekly or every other week, your sofa will look better longer.
Do I need to condition my leather furniture?
Yes, your leather needs to be conditioned at least twice a year. I usually tell my customers to use the change of seasons as a reminder – when you turn on your air conditioner, condition your leather. And when you turn on your furnace, condition your leather. Conditioning leather consists of wiping on a leather conditioner (Guardsman makes a great leather cleaner / conditioner), leaving it for 10 minutes and then wiping off any conditioner that remains on the surface.
Do you have sales?
Yes, we have a hearty sale schedule. Please follow us on Facebook or check our website (shopharrisonwest) for sale notices and updates.
What is with the dog in your logo?
We (Don and I) have had Scottish Terriers for 25 years now. We currently have George and Wally (Wally is our 5th Scottie). So it seemed natural to include a Scottie in our logo. You may also see the dogs in the stores, they do like to be included!
What is your design philosophy?
I think Harrison West is the Michigan embodiment of a good English interior. Not too serious, all about comfort, using pieces from different periods, and always welcoming friends and dogs. We think you should enjoy your rooms and live in every part of your home.
How do you entertain at home?
A cocktail in every hand, an array of great hor’dourves, and then out to dinner. I love having people in my home, but I hate cooking. So, hor’dourves are all I can handle, and we have several great restaurants close to take care of dinner.
What do you take as a hostess gift?
A candle or a book. Nothing that requires immediate attention on the part of the host or hostess. Let them spend time with your gift later, after their guests have gone home.
What is the first thing that you notice when you enter a home?
Scent! And as a dog owner, that sends a shiver up my spine. I love Lampe Berger as a method of scenting a space very quickly. Lampe Berger is a French company that developed a scent burner in the late 1800’s. The burner uses a scented alcohol as the distribution method, and will scent your entire home in 20 minutes. If you are not familiar with Lampe Berger, you should be.
What is your return policy?
Good question. We are happy to accept returns for 14 days after purchase on in-stock merchandise. Special orders are different, since the manufacturer starts production on the order as soon they receive it and do not allow us to cancel the order. So, special orders can be cancelled for 3 days after the order is placed.
Do you offer any type of financing?
Another great question. Yes, we partner with Synchrony to offer 12 month differed interest financing. What this means is that as long as the balance is paid off within the 12 month term, there is no interest charged on the loan. If the loan is not paid off within the 12 month period, the interest is added to the amount due.
Are there any extended warranty options available?
Yes, we offer Montage Furniture Services as an extended warranty option. This is not a furniture treatment, but rather it is a warranty. It covers things like a tear in the fabric or leather, a broken motor on a reclining section, damage from a pet, a broken frame, and much more. Each Montage policy will cover up to $30,000 worth of furniture for 5 years. If you are interested, ask your designer for more information and the cost of the policy.
How long does it take to receive a special order?
Many special orders will be to our warehouse within 8 weeks. However, some of our manufacturers are European (Stressless, Fjords, H2) and can take closer to 14 weeks to get a special order to our warehouse. Ask your designer for more information on special order delivery time.
What does it cost to work with a designer?
At Harrison West, there is no cost to work with a designer to pick out furniture. If you want help with more than furniture (paint, flooring, etc.) we charge $450.00 per room or $1,500 for an entire home. If you are not quite sure the scoop of the project, we do also have an hourly options at $95 per hour.
How big should an area rug be?
Well, the front legs of the sofa and chairs should be on your rug. A rug that is floating in front of your furniture feels too small, and a rug that sticks out behind your furniture can feel too big. Remember, we can get custom sized area rugs if you have a room that is oddly shaped. Come and talk with us!
Do designers save their customers money?
Yes! By getting the room right the first time, you will save money (also time, and frustration).
Who are the best designers in Midland?
Well, not to toot our own horn, but we are! I have a very talented staff of designers at Harrison West Midland, and I can also get help and suggestions from my experienced staff in Clarkston or Grandville. We are all just a phone call away.
My room is finished, but it just doesn’t feel complete. What did I do wrong?
Most likely, you need the jewelry of the room – accessories! The texture of most rooms consists of the accessories that are used on tabletops and in bookcases. And in general, most people use accessories that are too small. Think about stacking objects on books on your coffee table, or adding pieces of artwork behind objects in your bookcases. If you have a collection, great – let’s highlight it with lighting and make sure your star pieces are the most prominent. We can help you find larger accessories and make your room shine!
My recliner will sit in the middle of my room. Can I get a battery?
Yes, rechargeable batteries are available for every motorized recliner we sell. Typically, the battery will need to be recharged once a month. The battery does not have to be removed from the chair to be recharged.
What are typical costs for furniture from Harrison West?
Sofa: $1,999.00 and up – Reclining sofas: $7,500.00 and up – Sectional: $2,999.00 and up – Reclining sectional: $10,000 and up – Recliner: $1,599.00 and up – Club chair: $999.00 and up
Is Norwalk Furniture good quality?
Norwalk frames, suspension and Qualux® Ultra cushions carry a lifetime warranty. They wouldn’t offer this warranty if they didn’t make it right the first time.
Do you sell mattresses?
Lady Americana – Offers interlocking coil “W” shaped innerspring system, which supports the body better than a standard vertical spring providing balanced comfort for every body shape. Stressless – Offers varied foam support system designed to provide stronger reinforcement for torso, and lighter support at the head and feet.
What should I do to prepare for a meeting with a designer?
What is the difference between a Stressless recliner and a Fjords recliner?
Stressless is more complex than Fjords; Stressless does some movements automatically (i.e.: lumbar and headrest ) when the chair moves – on both the manual and motorized chairs. – Stressless has a flatter seat pan, whereas Fjords has a saddle type seat pan. With Fjord recliners, you can definitely feel the seat wrapping around you. – Stressless has a much larger range of models and sizes, whereas Fjords offers fewer models and sizes. – Because Fjord recliners are less complex, the price can be approximately 20% less than a comparable Stressless model. – The benefit of a manual recliner is that the back is free to move with you and provides continuous support, whereas a powered recliner is locked in position when the motor is no longer engaged. The constant moving and shifting with a manual recliner is very healthy and helps with blood flow.
How do you tell if a sofa or sectional is of good quality?
The suspension, or spring system, should be a coiled spring or a heavy gauge sinuous (flat) spring. Look for 8 or 9 gauge wire used in a sinuous spring, and the springs should be placed close together. Coiled springs are the gold standard. The cushions should be a good quality foam (Qualux) or should have a layer of coiled springs between layers of foam.
How do you tell if leather furniture is good quality?
The other layers of leather that are split off the hide are called “Genuine Leather” or “Bonded Leather.” I do not sell any furniture made with these types of leather because they are a lower quality. The final category is Matched Leather, where the surfaces you touch are leather but the sides and back are vinyl matched to the color of the leather. This is another type of “leather” furniture that I do not sell. Refer to the info in my previous FAQ about sofa / sectional quality for info on the frame, suspension and cushions.
Is Harrison West an LGBTQ-owned business?
Why work with an interior designer?
Good question. Easy answer – we have access to more furniture and accessories than you will find on your own, at a wide range of prices.
Can I refresh my dated room without getting rid of everything?
Most likely. Replacing a few key items can often make a room look fresh. An ottoman to replace a coffee table, new artwork and pillows can work wonders.
Do you sell artwork?
Yes we do, but let us help you narrow down your options! There are thousands of pieces of art available, and we can recommend what will work in your room and in your budget.
What is my style?
That is a big question. Most of us don’t really fit one style, but rather like elements from many different styles. This mixing of elements is what makes a room or home interesting. Modern art mixed with a very ornate French table, or a primitive farm table mixed with chrome chairs – it all can work, and we can help you achieve it!
Can you help me with an area rug?
Yes, we sell a lot of area rugs and have the knowledge to help you find the best rug for your room. We buy rugs from 10+ different rug vendors, so have many options.
I don’t want to buy a sofa from a catalog. Do you have samples?
Yes, we have our favorite sofas, sectionals and lounge chairs in our studios so that you can try before you buy. We also have all of the cushion options so that we can help you customize to exactly fit your comfort.