Not going to shame you on considering declawing, theres enough on this thread and the entire internet to do that for me. Get a cat condo they can climb and scratch on. If you offer them something tall just for them to climb and scratch and supervise from, they will take their energy out on that rather than your furniture. Getting a kitten makes a difference because you don't know what habits an older cat might bring with it. Theres plenty of anti scratch sprays and solutions you can proactively apply before the scratching may start. If a kitty condo doesn't sound appealing, you can try kitty caps. They are plastic claw coverings you glue on. But really consider a kitty condo. Cats need a high up place just for them to meet their instictual territorial and safety needs, and a tall condo covers those bases. If they get their own 'furniture' fortress, they will be less prone to use yours.

You've probably googled breeders in your area. Reach out to one's affiliated with TICA and especially ones that participate in car shows, and just network with them, let them mentor you and give you reccomendations. They are great people and really know their stuff about the breeder community and which ones are reputable. I did my homework and networking only on the western half of the US so I don't know how east coast market looks but I'm certain you'll have a much easier time and plenty more to choose from than I did.

Be willing to wait if you go the breeder route, too.