We did it. We finally got a new sofa, which means a couple of things: 1) we're grown ups, and 2) now I must buy a whole new living room to go with my new sofa (not really...sort of). But first, let me share our tale.
Here's where we were a year ago...
Sad brown blob of a sofa. We got this bad boy for about $250 from Ikea, and it served us well. However, it was time to move on, and here were our stipulations:
1. Cat-friendly fabric (i.e. no velvet, no leather).
2. No detachable back cushions. They sag and make me sad.
3. Versatile fabric to go with a changing decor.
4. Built to last.
5. Tufting. I should really have put this as #1 because tufting is just that important to me.
As a Christmas present to ourselves, we went on the hunt and had basically narrowed it down to the following sofas:
As we became less and less satisfied with the reviews and lack of options for each of these sofas, our budget started to creep up a bit as we weighed the marginal value vs. marginal cost of a quality sofa. I convinced Michael to take a look at Crate and Barrel's
Petrie, which had long been the apple of my eye.
In the end, the cost seemed awfully high and the reviews were mediocre. We ultimately ordered ourselves Ethan Allen's
Bryant. Because everything on it is basically custom (fabric, cushion material, tufting, leg finish), the gratification was delayed, but it arrived this week and we're super excited.
But first we had to get rid of our Ikea gem, so we took to Craigslist to offer her up for free, and I have to share with you the email exchange my husband had with the guy that ultimately picked the sofa up because it may be one of my favorite things to happen ever.
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From:XXX
Date: Feb 6, 2012 10:57 PM
Subject: A Grey Couch for Great Champion
To: XXX
My legend dates back to the 12th century. Many years I have quested and many couches I have found but nary a couch has met my great expectations. That beautiful grey stallion of a couch whose picture you posted has piqued my interest (as well as the interest of my other poor college roommates). I will pay thee thine asking price of free shillings, and include a bottle of fine mead to sweeten the deal (natural light can). Do you accept my offer? If so, please send a messenger falcon to the castle of testudinae with news of your decision.
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From:XXX
Date: Feb 7, 2012 10:11AM
Subject: Re: A Grey Couch for Great Champion
To: XXX
My response is but a tale of woe, for though thine missive was indeed exceptional, and thine offer of mead besting all others, many a suitor hath already laid claim to the couch you seek, striking with the speed of a coiled serpent.
But, if the guy doesn't pick up the couch tonight like he's supposed to, you're jumping to the front of the line.
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From:XXX
Date: Feb 7, 2012 12:44PM
Subject: Re: A Grey Couch for Great Champion
To: XXX
huzzah!!!
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And indeed, we were rewarded...
And look what we found...SEVENTEEN twist ties. Cats are such hoarders, man.
So, anyway, that's quite enough chit-chat...
Tufting!
The fabric is super cat friendly.
Of course, now that we have a shiny new couch and coffee table, I'm questioning all these other details in there / realizing some issues that I need to address, and I'd love some feedback on some of these items.
Some observations/questions/call for feedback:
- I thought I'd never say this, but I think there are too many accent pillows going on. They're sort of overwhelming the couch, no?
- Are these drapes still working, or should I consider a change? And if so, solid or pattern? Warm or cool colors?
- Do we like these keys I've hung between the windows? These are a new addition, and I haven't decided yet.
- I for reals need a solution for the printer/paper collection situation in the corner. This is the only place for this guy in the condo, and it has to stay convenient. I'm thinking some sort of end table with a cabinet so that I could tuck it in there. Thoughts?
- I'm not really digging this mirror/milk glass situation on the coffee table. I've looked around for round coffee table styling idea, and many of them are super impractical. I have a gold bowl on order, and I'm hoping that will work out. But then what to put in it?
- Not shown in this picture is the disappearance of our wine fridge, which we got as a wedding present. That sucker broke already, and they're so inexpensive that they're not worth fixing (as much as it hurts my environmentally-conscious sensibilities to say that). So now, we sort of have a hole on the other side of the couch and no place to put the wine. I'm at a loss.
find me elsewhere
