Design

The Lily and Lessons In Chronic Couch Purchases

March 12, 2013

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We have been married almost 4.5 years and we just bought our sixth couch to replace this one (that is still needing a new home):
We knew this Klippan wasn’t going to be a forever couch, or even a 10-year couch when we bought it–but I never imagined we would be on number six.  Granted, number five (our Crate & Barrel Lounge sofa) will stick around for a long time in the family room.  And now that number six is purchased, we already sense its longevity and that is a calming feeling.  Like, our living room is coming around–and turning a corner.  Like, we’re becoming real adults about to hit our twenty-tens.
Although, it will be a couple weeks before it gets settled in, we chose the Lily Sofa from Younger Furniture for our grown-up, sticking-around-for-years couch in the living room.
After having a big swatch fest this weekend, we settled on a taupe fabric that will feel classic, well, forever. We really fell in love with the tailored and classical contemporary look of the Lily.  Younger Furniture makes a series of really impressive pieces (even one called Julia!) but it was their motto of crafting high quality furniture to fit active families that sealed the deal. We can’t wait for it to get here.
Did we learn anything from our ridiculous couch-buying journey? Yes. Well, I think so.  The first couch we bought for our very first apartment was huge.  A U-shaped sectional that we didn’t even measure.  We didn’t measure the couch, we didn’t measure our apartment. (I’m rolling my eyes at myself.) We just bought it and it miraculously fit.  We got lucky, but we learned that you should always measure.  Measure. Measure. Measure. It didn’t fit in our next place and we had to sell it.
The second couch we bought, we bought with a giftcard.  We bought it only because it was the right price for the amount that was on the gift card.  So, maybe at that point we were still learning other life lessons.  I’m glad we didn’t spend any REAL money on that couch.
On the third, we definitely learned that for a couch to be relaxing for us tall people (6′ and 6’4″), we need depth.  Our really deep Crate and Barrel couch replaced shallow #3.
Can you even believe that is the same family room?!
This Ikea one (our 4th sofa purchase) that we are now replacing, I don’t regret buying and I don’t even know if I “learned” anything from the purchase.  It was what we could afford at the time and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.  I wish Ikea didn’t discontinue it–but that’s something for them to learn. ;)
In the end, I guess we’re just a bunch of couch-buying fools.  But our couch journey ends here for quite awhile with two well-built, solid, classic couches under our roof.
 
Knock on “high-quality” wood.
 

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What do you think?

  1. Carrie says:

    Are you still loving your Lily sofa? We are considering another style from Younger + Co. Wondering how their couches hold up over time. Thanks!

  2. Cellini says:

    Wow! It is really good info! Thanks for sharing this post ????

  3. Kathy says:

    I’m considering the lily couch, how is it treating you?
    Love it or just like it?

  4. Love the new sofa! Can’t wait to see it in action in the room!

    We have actually never bought a couch! The one we have now used to belong to my parents. We’re saving up for a new sectional, with a high back for my tall hubs. I honestly can’t wait because our giant living room really needs a large piece of furniture to balance things out!

  5. I’m glad I’m not the only one either! We’ve had our couch for a while, but my boyfriend and I will be moving into our 3rd place next month… meaning three places in just a bit over a year! Sometimes you don’t mean for these (possibly silly) decisions to happen, but they do all the same!
    {lamourcheznous.wordpress.com}

  6. Adrienne J says:

    I’m so glad to hear someone else has had the same problem! We’ve only gone through 2 couches in two years but I’m having similar issues with the rest of our originally furniture. I didn’t think it all through before I bought it all!

  7. I had to laugh because my bf and I did the same thing – we got bored one night and went to look at furniture and ended up buying a sectional that almost didn’t even fit through the door and then moved into our house and it was HUGE and we had to sell it. I guess when you find ‘right’ couch it just makes you love it even more! HAHA

  8. Ooooh love it! Can’t wait to see it in the space.

    I think everyone goes through their fair share of furniture mistakes before getting it right (I know I did/do!). You learn the lessons and move on. I think this beauty is going to be a keeper!! :)

    xo.

  9. Rachael says:

    Sadly I think I’m worse than you! We’ve been married 5 years and might be on our 8th couch… I just blogged about it actually if you want to see how ridiculous I am. Thank goodness for a patient husband.

    http://myolsonfamily.blogspot.com/2013/02/couchaholic.html

  10. Anonymous says:

    The Lily is really nice, it’ll look great.

  11. Ooooo I like that! Your crate & barrel couch still kills me because it looks soooo dang comfy!!!

    I am so so so looking forward to the day when we can afford a new living room couch. This couch is a joke. But you’re right, it was what we could afford at the time and I’m glad we did because it is perfect for apartments, it actually called the apartment sectional. But getting. New couch when we move is in top of our list!

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