I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was impressed by how organized and efficient the warehouse was. But what surprised me most was how labour-intensive the process still is. The only pieces of automated equipment I saw were the computer which laid out the patterns to maximize use of the fabric and the large cutting machines. From that point on, it was human hands that did all the work - sewers to sew the fabric and make the buttons for tufting, people who cut the leathers by hand, framers who attached the springs, and two lines of strong men who put the sofas together. There is so much skill and effort involved in creating one piece of furniture.



I learned that Decor-Rest was founded by Angelo and Christina Marzilli in 1972 - they went to High Point  Market for their honeymoon so you know a love of furniture runs deep in their blood! In the years since, they've built a large company which surprisingly, to me, still felt like a small family-run business. All the workers seemed happy, and I could hear laughter ringing down the assembly line. Its a minute point but I think happy workers translates into a better quality product.

After a yummy lunch which was cooked up in their commercial-sized kitchen and Christina cleared my plate (See? Family business!), I got to tour the showroom. Here's a few of the lovelies that caught my eye:

Love the tufted back and the gently sloped arms on this sofa.

I need a proper dressing room to put this luxurious quilted chaise!