Thanks for all of the ideas. I ended up bringing their scratching post to the room where the new furniture is...and it has worked like a charm. The furniture hasn't been touched since the post was placed next to the chair he and his claws had been enjoying When i am not home, I put a throw over that chair too. He wasn't really messing with the sofa or loveseat, but i knew the chair would be tempting, b/c it kinda sticks out on an angle when you enter the room, and it was an obvious target Anyway...here is hoping he continues to be a good boy and use the post only

Robyn