The Furniture Diaries: chapter 1, the sofa

 Why is purchasing a new sofa,

 one of the most daunting tasks that we face when re-doing a new living room?

Are we really that afraid? 

And why do we seem to love them unconditionally...like children...forever?

 Even when we know they have totally outlived their usefulness... 

let alone their style...we keep them.

We would never consider going out on a lunch date looking like this couch...

Yet we own them and sit in them...yuck...and look at them...for way too long.

Is buying a couch really that hard and time consuming?

Is it that big of a leap of faith?

Are we just a bunch of spineless scared-y-cats?

The answer seems to be... for the most part "yes"

It must be like buying a new car...

You're going to be sitting in it for a few years, so you better really like it.

I mean love it...!

as in L-O-V-E love it, like "new boyfriend" love it

And it better be really comfortable...

oh and we better make sure the dog can enjoy the sofa too...

Along with the kids, the neighbors kids and every other goofy guy that happens to stop by...

 to watch football, drink mystery beverages, and shove chips under the seat cushions,

All in your very own living room!

And your mom better approve too.   

Better yet, your boss needs to like your sofa...

It's a total reflection of "you"!

So lets get started...I need a sofa:

The big issue and perhaps the most important to most people, seems to be the cost. 

 Even though a sofa is a big piece of furniture, it's just one component of a great looking room.

But, dollar wise it can take up a rather large piece of the overall budget.

Here are some thoughts on how I began and what my criteria was,

 for a very smallish and beige/boring space:

1.  No big huge arms.  Because of the limited space in our new little place, the ends/arms of the sofa need to be flat.  I personally think big arms are really dated looking...sorry  

2.  I want something grey, no white for this project! But not a drab fabric...something with some texture and interest, but not a print or a stripe

3.  My budget is around $1500 to $3000 retail;  I could go a bit higher though, because I have this little issue with falling in love with things and not looking at price tags until its all over... but the crying.  

4.   Comfort is a must, because this is really our only spot to sit...the living room is around 16 x 12 for every thing! In the house we just sold we had 5 sofas/love seats in various different rooms...now we are down to just one!

5.  I like down...yes I think down is a must or poly with a down wrap for the seats and cushions 

6.   Slipcovers are not a necessity...but would be nice.  I am leaning towards a more sleek look, however, nothing too slouchy or wrinkled 

7.  It must be contemporary and current and somewhat masculine, to go with some of the other components that have already been chosen 

8.  And finally, I don't want to wait to get this guy for 6 months...8 weeks tops!

Sofa #1:  Pottery Barn; Americas favorite catalog company and one in which I have a love/hate relationship.
The couch above is called the Maxwell.  I can get it in a brushed canvas in a dark pewter color.  It's made with Eco-friendly sustainable hardwoods and is 83"wide and 40" deep.  They don't make it with any down, but that keeps the price lower, at $1699

Sofa #2:  Crate and Barrel;  another catalog type company, but there are many more custom choices available.  The sofa above is called the Lounge, shown in microfiber velvet.  Again, this is made with kiln dried sustainable hardwoods.  The cushions are a plant based poly foam with a down wrap.  Its 93" long and 46" deep and is $1599

 Sofa #3:  Restoration Hardware;  The Maxwell, shown in charcoal Vintage Velvet.  It has all the goods with hand tied construction, solid hardwoods, down, etc...etc.  At 108" long and 43" deep this big boy is...well...big.  As is the cost;  $3405

Sofa #4:  Restoration Hardware;  This is the 9 foot Belgian Track Arm, slip covered sofa.  Down cushions and seats, nice construction but  I'm not sure about the single seat cushion.  It's very sleek looking and very current, but the cost is $4050

Sofa #5:  Crate and Barrel;  This is called the Axis sofa.  Its 88" long and 40" deep.  The cushions are down wrapped and the construction is just like the others... sustainable kiln dried hardwoods... etc.  This one is shown in a stonewashed brushed cotton...no slip covers available.  Cost $1899

Sofa #6:  This is a custom made couch from a well known design firm.  I can do it in just about any fabric I want.  Its got all the goods in terms of construction, down... etc.  Its 90" long and 38" deep.  This may take a while to get (12 weeks) and will end up costing close to $4000 dollars but it will be a beauty.

Ok so are you totally confused?...I hope not.

A few things to remember:
These prices don't include tax or delivery, which can really add up
When you choose anything that is "custom" you can't return it..you own it!
Order swatches and hold them up in the room to visualize or make a project board, like a designer
And if at all possible...view the product in a show room and test drive it...

I chose one of these...any guesses?

~kelley~

p.s.:  don't forget to enter the "toaster lamp" giveaway...can't wait to announce a winner!