I'm trying to decide on what model of Berkline to get, but finding stores that carry floor samples is difficult. Since I'm sure others are in the same position, maybe we can help each other. If anybody has any sightings in the Houston area, please report them and I will add them to this list.


088 - Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer)
090 - Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer)
094 - Fingers Furniture (Gulf Fwy at Cullen); Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer)
096 - Fingers Furniture (Gulf Fwy at Cullen)
099 - Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer)
187 - Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer)
45001 - Star Furniture (Gulf Fwy at Nasa 1)




Fabric Samples:

Star Furniture - Gulf Fwy at Nasa 1
Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer) - Leather samples only

Leather Furniture Shoppes (Fondren at Westheimer) : 090, 094, 075 It have been some time since I've been there. I think that had a couple more bekline styles as well. All in all a good selection. They have an ebay store and a web site at gothifi.com. Their ebay store is under the gothifi name as well and shows more information. Full fabric selections as well.

I went by Leather Furniture Shoppe today (thanks for the tip). They have changed their inventory up a bit. I have updated the list to reflect their current offerings.

They may have the 895 as well, but I'm not sure (they use their own names and not Berkline's model numbers).

I spoke to Jim there at the Leather Shoppe and he said he can beat anyones price. Want to see if thats true.

Red Knight,

Did you ever end up talking to Leather Shoppes again about pricing? I might try to swing by there this weekend to see if I can see fabric samples for the Berklines. I'm just trying to keep my options open in case the wife HAS to see before we buy through the powerbuy. Assuming I get the greenlight to buy at all. :)

Regs,
Jeff

I might try to swing by there this weekend to see if I can see fabric samples for the Berklines. I'm just trying to keep my options open in case the wife HAS to see before we buy through the powerbuy.

Regs,
Jeff

Jeff,

You should just get the Power Buy vendor to Overnight you some swatches! ;)

-KM

Kyle,

I actually ended up ordering every fabric swatch that htmarket.com had yesterday. Still, it might be nice if the swatches were a little larger than they appear to be on the cards from htmarket. Not sure if Leather Shoppes will have bigger samples... or maybe even a whole chair covered in the stuff, but it can't hurt to look.

As for getting stuff from Roman, he specifically stated that they don't have fabric samples in the powerbuy thread. :(

Regs,
Jeff

Leather Shoppe had a big book of fabrics - some with a "page" sized sample and some cut into smaller samples of different colors. All their chairs were (unsurprisingly) in leather. It was definitely useful to sit in the chairs to determine what the best seat type for me was, but his prices weren't really competitive with Roman's. Or maybe he wanted to haggle about it, who knows. I'm not much of haggler.

Yeah, I'm not going to haggle or anything... I just want to see the leather or the farbic up close. I have committed to using Roman (if I get the greenlight from the wife) and I am not going to change that now after having his answer so many questions and put in the time with me, you know? Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to swing by this weekend with the wife and see what she thinks.

Regs,
Jeff

Just an update. Leather Shoppes will be moving to a new location at the Beltway and Clay road. They hope to be moved by late March 2007. They PLAN on having one of every type of chair that is made for the Home Theater section, but mentioned it's going to be a cash flow call as they get nearer to moving. They are having a moving sale as we speak and here is what I saw as far as the Berklines go, along with my impressions. Bear in mind, I am 6'3", 180lbs and most of my height is in my torso.

The Bijou - 086 model. Maroon colored. Right side of the showroom. Way too short for my frame. Comfortable seat, nice Grade 3 leather. Very soft.

090 - Black discontinued hand stitched leather. Feels similar to 7575 leather. Comfortable seat, but back is still too low for my frame. These chairs are located in the mock "theater room" to the right after going into the main Berkline room.

094 - Reddish/maroon color in 7575 leather. Has the detachable trays in a burled wood. Very comfy. Pretty good head support when reclined. My favorite chair in the store.

099 - (immediately behind the 094 on the floor) Reddish/Maroon grade 4 "natural deerskin" leather. I didn't like this leather. Being all natural, it was not buttery smooth and showed ALOT of grain, which is not to my taste. The height on this was about the same as the 094, but I preferred the 094.

The Wolftrap 187 - Brown colored 7061 leather. Good height and second place in terms of my favorite chairs there. The seat was comfortable, but I didn't think it provided as much head support as the 094.

The Ritz 990 - Dark brown leather (not sure what grade... VERY shiny and smooth) HATED IT. Everything I don't want in a chair. The style was totally not my taste with it's visible rivets or whatever you want to call it. The cushion (if you can call it that) was very stiff and hard compared to all the other chairs. Reading the specs, my guess is that it had that new CMAX cushion... and one sit dissuaded me from that. Also, it was too short for my frame.

Anyway, hope that helps for people who want to check these out near the Houston area.

Regs,
Jeff

The Wolftrap 187 - Brown colored 7061 leather. Good height and second place in terms of my favorite chairs there. The seat was comfortable, but I didn't think it provided as much head support as the 094.

The 187 is the same chair as the 094, but does not have the compartments and trays. I bet you felt different on this chair because of the different leather. Again the frame, the back cushion and the seating cushion is identical to the 094.

You liked the 094 and 7575 leather the best? - No surprise here. :)

Thanks, Roman. I'm certain you are correct in that the difference I felt was leather-related between the 187 and 094.

Are lighted cupholders available on the 187?

I was basing my "lighted cupholder" observations on the 194 and 094 according to the PDF's on your site. The 194 says it does come with them as an option, the 094 says it doesn't.

So it looks like I am inching towards the 187 as the right price/performance for me. the fact that we actually SAT in the suckers this past weekend helps too. :)

Thanks again,
Jeff

the 194 is actually does not have the lighted cup holder option.

The 187 and 094 do have this option.

The Berkline spec sheets are not always correct :)

Thanks for the clarification, Roman. It's much appreciated!

So for those keeping score at home. If you are in Houston and like either the 187 or 094... you can see and sit in them in person at Leather Shoppes on Fondren at Westheimer. :)

Regs,
Jeff

Anybody know where some 078's are on the floor to try out?

Only at Best Buy.

Best Buy, unless you live near one of the dealers that bought out of Berkline's close-out program when they decided to can the 078.

Whats the difference between the 187 and 45008?

Both chairs have 090's base.

The 187 has 44'5" high back. The back is similar to the on which is on the one on the 099.

The 45008 has 42" heigh back. It also has slightly different back. The armrests are different. They are lower. The armrest also have hidden cup holders, which can be revealed by pulling back the top part of the armrest.

While the 45008s are nice and comfortable, I personally did not like the lower armrests. It was also quite easy to slide the upper part of the armrest in order to reveal the cup holders, but was awkward to close it back.