Sofa searching
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| Via Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams |
"Looking for a long-term relationship with a sleek, modern partner with comfort and firmness under its stylish exterior. Must enjoy cuddling and watching Doctor Who and The Big Bang Theory as well as curling up with a good book and cuppa hot tea. Should also be welcoming enough to accommodate friends and family."
After reading dozens of online horror stories on sofas from Room & Board, Crate & Barrel and CB2 losing their shape over time, I'm a bit terrified of bringing home a pretty, young thing only to have it turn old, lumpy and saggy. I've read some reviews where new cushion inserts, the botox of the furniture world, are required after the first few months. Is it too much to hope for a sofa with some longevity?
Luckily, throughout this entire process I've been receiving good advice, particularly from Jeanine, who has recommended a few options and items for consideration. I know there are some fabulous design bloggers out there with great taste; what sofa / furniture buying advice you got for a gal?
*Just FYI, shopping for furniture by actually going into brick and mortar stores is the equivalent of Speed Dating
Forget the search for a sofa. Get yourself a nice Davenport. That's what my folks called our couch ("Stop jumping on the Davenport!"). I have no idea why. No one else in the neighborhood used that term.
ReplyDeleteGet this: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Brown-Leather-3-seat-Recliner-Home-Theater-Seating/1540495/product.html :)
I'm actually totally commitment-phobic when it comes to furniture, especially when my "dream home" is something that will come later on down the line. As long as I'm renting, I'll get furniture that is affordable, serviceable, and at least attempts to match, and don't worry much about longevity because when I move, which I inevitably will, there's no guarantee the piece I buy today will fit in or look well with my next place. One day, I will have a living room where all the decor is centered on a beautiful, signature piece that will be very carefully selected. One day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that and enjoy the search for "the one" - I know I'd have lots of fun looking for furniture and sofas... As for the shopping itself: apart from all the fabulous little shops we have here, I have to admit (hanging my head in shame) that I do enjoy an afternoon spent at IKEA ;-)
ReplyDeleteDr Who and The Big Bang Theory - that just made me smile as they're my son's absolutely favourite tv shows! xo
Enjoy furniture shopping, I can imagine it's not so easy to find "the one"-- that will stay with you always, to keep you comfy and within the budget and style..we chanced upon a really good one, Malaysian made in good suede. We've had it for years from a non-expensive local store. Because we were renting, we didn't want to splurge but we wanted something that could sit a lot of people and that is proportional to our living space. You'll have to keep sitting on each sofa you like until you find the perfect piece.
ReplyDeleteRecently, when I was looking for a sofa, I went to about 8 furniture places before I found THE ONE. After weeks of Bob and I disagreeing on everything, we finally came to an agreement on a cute, affordable sofa at Raymour & Flanigan. It takes time, so don't settle! I almost did and I would have regretted it.
ReplyDeleteOh, sofa searching is sooo hard. We wanted two different sofas and found the first one immediately at IKEA no less. The other one took months to find, its from West Elm. The IKEA one is still in great shape after 7 years but the West Elm one is getting a bit saggy...Good luck hunting down the right one!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, I hate shopping for furniture. And yes, pocket book, go ahead and shriek your heart out. So expensive for what you actually get. What's a girl do to? Good luck with your search. I'm very out of the loop... What's this move you're talking about?
ReplyDeleteHeehee...well, our couch is from Ikea:P I'm not the one to give advice obviously but Ikea does carry some nice ones:)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've got nothing. I've always had roommates . . . and it's always been their sofa we used. Though I have had several friends purchase theirs from IKEA; they've seemed to hold up quite well to children and pets (which is a bit repetitive), so . . .
ReplyDeleteI have an IKEA Karlstad sofa that looks as perfect and un-lumpy as the day I assembled it (no easy feat, by yourself). It holds its shape wonderfully but is also a total snuggle-fest waiting to happen. I flip the cushions every 2 months or so when I give it a deep vacuuming, and it seriously looks brand new. Bonus? $500. $629 if you want an ottoman, which we just bought and I totally want to marry.
ReplyDeleteWe ended up, after weeks of looking and desperately needing a couch, buying a white one. Yes, it's been a stressful purchase, but it looks so, so hot. As with all things, this is not 'The One' (I felt that put a lot of pressure on). It's just One. One of many things I will buy over my lifetime. If I hate it in a few years, I will likely sell it. If it gets really dirty, I will clean it. Etc. Live with things and enjoy them so you're not stressed in your own home = the best advice I ever got. Has made me enjoy everything a lot more.
ReplyDeleteSofa shopping IS terrifying. Long-term commitment, hello? We have two sofas, one in orange that I had total buyers remorse between purchase and deliver and have loved for nearly 10 years, and a newer gray one that has the cushion issue you describe...it's the back cushions, so I'm not too worried. Just to lazy to do anything about it. ;)
ReplyDeletei have this one from dania http://www.daniafurniture.com/living/sectionals/item/4217
ReplyDeletei really love it, it's kept its shape perfectly, it is compact and low profile but definitely doesn't feel too small and the seating is nice and big. i can sit cross legged on it, lay down, snuggle, sleep. it's good. however . . .
my one caution when sofa buying microfiber is the devil! they say it's sooooo easy to clean. this is an urban legend, it is NOT true. no no no no no.
Oh man, we went through the same thing looking for a new sofa and ended up getting one from Ikea. It's surprisingly cute and comfy and has maintained its shape for two years now. I consider it a steal!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE shopping for shopping. It can be daunting and exhausting but once the find the right pieces, the sense of satisfaction makes all the time and effort all worthwhile. Happy shopping, my dear! I hope you find something great soon.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't furniture buying advice as much as... only tangentially related.
ReplyDeleteDepending on how long you stay at your new place (since you're so early in your career) you could even pick something up at Goodwill or Ikea. I brought my adorable couch from Goodwill for 80 bucks and I still love it. It's been through some spills too! Sofas are large and bulky to move so I'm not sure if the investment is 100% worth it at this point. Just my 2 cents.
Also, Goodwill has super cute vintage sofas.
I don't watch Dr Who but I certainly love the "dork show" when I remember it's on!! I have a tendency to sleep on my sofa so I know how important comfort is. :) I hope you are out finding the perfect sofa now!
ReplyDeleteI am still without a sofa in my apartment (two chairs are making it work) but the fact that I'm hosting book club is making me scramble. I'm looking into having a vintage sofa that belongs to m grandparents (and I swear can make work) shipped out to Portland. Crazy, I know! But it's a GOOD sofa, and shipping it will cost about the same as buying from one of those places your mentioned. Plus it's sentimental, so to me it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteBut for youuuu :) I am not sure if you are into estate saleing or resale shops, but buying an old sofa with good bones (wooden and solid) and a nice shape for super cheap and then reupholstering with your fabric of choice could be a nice way to go. If this sofa from Houston doesn't work out, I'll for sure be going that route.