I realize I am not directly answering your question, but do you think your wife would be more comfortable if you purchased it from a storefront as opposed to out of somebody else's home? I ask because after my divorce I was able to pick up a pretty nice 3-place couch for $150 at a consignment furniture store. It's a name brand couch and everything. My mom was shocked at the price, as most of them were going for $400 or so.
Even at that, I recall that when I first got married we had La-z-boy furniture built for us and it was something like $4000 for a single sleeper couch and loveseat. I think the couch in non-sleeper form was still $1800 if we'd gone that route. By my math, I can buy 4.5 $400 couches for the same money as a single $1800 couch built to my specifications. Anyway, not sure I can help much more other than saying that at least in the 7 years we had the La-z-boy furniture, it has been rock solid. They are really heavy and seem well made, but at a heck of a lot cheaper prices than going to Ethan Allen or any of the other fancypants custom furniture builders. If you really want a specific wood tone, finishings, and the exact fabric of your choice, then I guess custom built furniture is your only option.