Getting
the perfect sofa has never been easier.
Choose the Arm.
Choose the Leg.
Choose the Cushion...
or, choose from one of the many designs from our
collection.
Want it deeper?...
Want it longer?...
Want it in 2 weeks?...
No
Problem!
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...In The Beginning
In 1996, I opened my first furniture design store with a business partner in Venice Beach called Philip Paul Designs. I didn't know a thing about
design or furniture. I couldn't tell the difference between Chenille or Terry Clothe. I was an "Actor" that means I waited tables at the Cheesecake
Factory. But with a second child on the way, I had to come up with a great money making scheme. So I opened up a small store where I made even less
money than waiting tables... hmmm.
To make a long story short... we doubled the size of the store, I bought my partner out, and
learned a thing or two about sofas, furniture, and design... and loved making "House Calls"... getting out of the store and helping clients in their
home. We would pick out fabrics, measure, chit chat, show styles to fit their taste and space in other words, help them get the perfect sofa.
Where did you get the goofy name?
One day, I was going to a client's house, knocked on their door.. her husband opens the door and says, "Hey Honey, The sofa guy is here" and I
thought, wow.... I like that... simple, memorable, a little goofy... but then again so am I, but the question is, can it be classy? Will it convey a
sense of quality? value and design? or will it sound like a sleazy Salesman on cable TV?
"Come on over.. The Sofa Guy Here... I gotta show ya' a perfect little down filled, tight
back, swivel rocker chair in the sweetest little chenille you ever did see... but you better get it fast... it is not going to last long".
You can see my predicament. These are the things that keep me up at night. Well, for many years I Shunned, "the sofa guy" moniker in favor of a New,
more refined and dignified name, "Welcome Home Interiors.
Life in Conejo Valley, the land of the Self Employed
When the third Child came along, we moved up to Thousand Oaks. For some reason, my wife didn't want to raise a family of 5 plus a feisty
Dalmation in a 950sqare foot Venice Home. I sold my Venice Beach Store and started something new in Thousand Oaks. For some reason I did not want to
commute.
In the Conejo Valley, it seems that just about everybody has a business running out of their home. Well, I'm no different. My business in Thousand
Oaks sprouted out of my home and out of my truck. I wanted to keep things simple; no showroom, no employees, just me, my catalogue and my fabric
swatches. Welcome Home Interiors went door to door.
I still resisted the name The Sofa Guy.... oh, I would say it sardonically with a bit of self-deprecation ...but never as my moniker...
Get me out of the House!
I adore my family, but when your oldest comes home from school and says, "Daddy, aren't you supposed to be working..." and your infant son says
"daadaa....poopoo.....and your middle son says, "yea Dad, why aren't you working? And your Wife says, "Honey can you through this load in the wash
for me please?" It's time to find a new location.
Westlake Showroom
In October of 2006, Welcome Home Interiors moved out of the house and into the Westlake Design Center.
This place is perfect, a little industrial area off Lindero Canyon on Via Colinas where there is a wonderful mix of Interior Design showrooms, dog
groomers, flower shops, a little food place and no diapers.
Enough already.... be The Sofa Guy
January 2008 I said to myself, "by golly... I just want to keep it even more simple. All I really want to focus on is upholstery, sofas, sectionals,
dining chairs, overstuffed chairs etc... I want to be, "The Sofa Guy"
Here it is world.... I am coming out.... "Hi...my name is Paul.....and....I Am The Sofa Guy... wow...that felt good!."
I am proud of my new name. I have embraced the sofa guy within and I hope you, if you have actually read this far, have enjoyed the journey.
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