Sofa U Love got its start making furniture for Hollywood stars. When it opened in 1971, the largest movie studios, including Paramount, Warner Bros. and Universal, called upon Sofa U Love founder Varougan “Johnny” Karapetian for his high-quality, custom-made furniture, including sofas, loveseats, ottomans, chaises and sectionals. Its work has been in “The Tonight Show,” “Batman” and “American Idol.”
Soon after, the company began making pieces for anyone needing a specially designed piece nonexistent in any other store. Fifty years later, the Karapetian family is keeping alive its legacy, with eight Sofa U Love locations across California offering custom pieces in over 1,000 fabrics.
“What I go by is simple: Just get customers exactly what they want. Our niche is that we do custom,” said Johnny’s son, Vincent.
“It’s custom-tailored to fit their unique style, size, color and feel for their home. It’s our job to make it easier and guide the customers in the right direction. We have thousands of fabrics to choose from, but it’s our job to narrow that down and guide the customers in the right direction. With our experience, we can do that.”
Vincent started with the family business at 17 years old, sweeping floors and delivering furniture. At 47, he sits at the helm of the company alongside longtime business partner Marina Davtyan, together managing the creation of furniture for a range of customers across the Sofa U Love locations and online. Most of the staff have been with Sofa U Love for decades, creating a familial feeling that contributes to the company’s overall success and care for its products.
“We’re just a huge family. We know everything and everyone, and there’s this beautiful trust factor and way we know each other. I think it improves the product, and by their experience and knowledge, they just build the perfect product,” Vincent said.
“I never consider myself a boss. I consider everyone my coworkers. I give everyone the same level and respect, and I treat them like family.”
Vincent has sold furniture to newlyweds, families and repeat customers who purchased from his father decades ago. The latter is his favorite part of managing the Pasadena, Palm Desert, Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks Sofa U Love locations, all of which boast five-star reviews on Yelp.
“It’s just such a good feeling that like we’re doing something right, that we’re making people happy, getting positive reviews. Hearing people say how happy they are with our product and that it improves their comfort at home, it just makes me feel so good. My family was a part of that. And I want to leave my kids a good legacy. One day, it’ll be their turns working in the business,” Vincent said.
Everything at Sofa U Love is made in the United States, ensuring that the business supports the local economy. As an added bonus, they avoid the recently increased tariffs on imports.
“I feel like our company is doing better than most, because all these other companies whose products are made in China, they’re struggling,” Vincent said.
Those interested in new, custom furniture for their home should take photos and measure the space for the piece, then come to a Sofa U Love location. There, a staff member will showcase the different fabric textures available for the items and give them advice on what the best addition to their home would be.
“When they go into the store, they can touch and feel the textures, and they can look at the furniture in the store for reference for how and the different size. It’ll just give the customers peace of mind on what they’re getting,” Vincent said.