> I spent ages trying to work out what "who knew more about furniture than most" meant, thinking it would be expanded upon or referenced later.

Assuming it was an intentional, it could be a reference to one particularly violent piece of furniture. (I forget what kind exactly, it's been a while.)

Mony Python - "One: people aren’t wearing enough hats."

Two: Terry Pratchett "Hold my beer."

Clearly as an appreciator of hats, and arguably furniture, Sir Terry was echoing Monty Python.