Coffin Couches Offer Eternal Comfort

2013 - Volume #37, Issue #4, Page #07

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A couch made of a coffin wouldn’t fit every home’s decor. But Vidal Herrera has discovered that many folks will fork over $3,500 or more for his unusual furnishings.
  Herrera is a retired deputy medical investigator in East Los Angeles who owns a private business that performs 750 post-mortem procedures annually. Secondly, he runs MorguePropRentals.com, renting autopsy tables and other equipment seen on television series such as Body of Proof and Hawaii Five-O, as well as in movies.
  It was after the champagne flowed at an after-movie party that a set director asked Herrera if he could make her a coffin couch. He played along and said he could, but didn’t take her seriously until she called a couple weeks later and asked if it was finished.
  Four years later, www.coffincouches.com continues to receive orders from all over the U.S. and the world including Korea, Germany and Japan. He purchases coffins that can’t be sold because they have minor damage such as scratches and dents after being shipped by container from China.
  He creates each design based on customer tastes and relies on several neighbors to do the welding, carpentry and upholstery and painting to finish them.
  “We remove the lid, and use them as window awnings,” he explains. “Then the front is cut off, and all of the padding is removed.”
  A steel frame is welded to the bottom to support up to 900 lbs. Padding and upholstery are tacked to a plywood frame that is placed inside. Steel legs are bolted to the underside.
  Many designs include Harley-Davidson, sports teams or business logos. The coffin furniture appeals to people who like tattoos and motorcycles, as well as folks just looking for unique pieces. For example, the White Knight Cow couch was designed for a former Iowa native who now lives in L.A.
  “The pink one is very popular with the ladies,” he adds, noting he’s sold couches to beauty salons and a fortune-teller.
  Pin striping, embroidery and silver or chrome–plating are just a few of the options Herrera has included on the customized couches.
  “We will be offering matching coffee tables, end tables and recycled embalming machines to be used as lamps,” he adds.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Vidal Herrera, 5134 Valley Blvd., East Los Angeles, 90032 (ph 323 226-9018; www.coffincouches.com).

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Coffin Couches Offer Eternal Comfort FARM HOME Furniture A couch made of a coffin wouldn’t fit every home’s decor But Vidal Herrera has discovered that many folks will fork over $3 500 or more for his unusual furnishings Herrera is a retired deputy medical investigator in East Los Angeles who owns a private business that performs 750 post-mortem procedures annually Secondly he runs MorguePropRentals com renting autopsy tables and other equipment seen on television series such as Body of Proof and Hawaii Five-O as well as in movies It was after the champagne flowed at an after-movie party that a set director asked Herrera if he could make her a coffin couch He played along and said he could but didn’t take her seriously until she called a couple weeks later and asked if it was finished Four years later www coffincouches com continues to receive orders from all over the U S and the world including Korea Germany and Japan He purchases coffins that can’t be sold because they have minor damage such as scratches and dents after being shipped by container from China He creates each design based on customer tastes and relies on several neighbors to do the welding carpentry and upholstery and painting to finish them “We remove the lid and use them as window awnings ” he explains “Then the front is cut off and all of the padding is removed ” A steel frame is welded to the bottom to support up to 900 lbs Padding and upholstery are tacked to a plywood frame that is placed inside Steel legs are bolted to the underside Many designs include Harley-Davidson sports teams or business logos The coffin furniture appeals to people who like tattoos and motorcycles as well as folks just looking for unique pieces For example the White Knight Cow couch was designed for a former Iowa native who now lives in L A “The pink one is very popular with the ladies ” he adds noting he’s sold couches to beauty salons and a fortune-teller Pin striping embroidery and silver or chrome–plating are just a few of the options Herrera has included on the customized couches “We will be offering matching coffee tables end tables and recycled embalming machines to be used as lamps ” he adds Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Vidal Herrera 5134 Valley Blvd East Los Angeles 90032 ph 323 226-9018; www coffincouches com

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