goodbye chocolate monster sectional …hello new Belgian linen couch

grieigedesign.blogspot

Couches are a big thing in our house.

Which is actually funny since I live with guys--two sons and a hubby—who don’t typically have decorating opinions. In fact, the mere mention of paint colors and fabric swatches is enough to elicit a glazed, hypnotic stare from each of them. Followed by an agreeable thumbs-up sign which I’ve come to love and expect because hey, I get to decorate the way I like.

Except for this. When it comes to getting rid of our family room sectional…whoa..what’s this? Suddenly everyone’s got an opinion.

the beloved BCM

Over the years the men in my life have become downright clingy and territorial about this oversized mass of cushions that I not-so-fondly refer to as the Big Chocolate Monster.

Did I mention it was huge?  And way too big for our room —(although who follows rules when it comes to the family room?)-- but it got us through the grade school years and the high school years…and it’s been the center of some pretty amazing memories.

Ok. I admit. I do have very fond feelings for it.

Stella taking a nap

I think couches are like dogs in a way. They take us through certain stages of our life. And they represent whole chunks of time and memories that can make it so hard to say good-bye.

This brown sectional was the perfect place for our special “family nights” over the years. And the fact that it was the size of a small island meant everyone had their special spot. Me on the chaise, Patrick in the corner and Michael and Jim somewhere in-between amid the blankets, pillows, books, and laptops. And of course all our dogs have loved it too.

What did I hate about it? Cushions everywhere.

What never bothered anyone else? Cushions everywhere.

Although the  best part about the BCM was that it became our private family cocoon.

It was also famous for its magical, dirt-hiding shade of brown and its ability to fit multiple high school bodies on it, when they occasionally used it as a Crash Pad. No exaggeration… but I once woke in the morning and counted five huge high school boys sleeping on it after a party with arms and legs popping out everywhere…

So here’s my question. What is it about testosterone and giant sectionals? Anyone out there know the answer?

Me neither.

But here’s the latest in my couch saga. (Are you enjoying all these photos of lovely linen couches-hint-hint?)  Because a few posts ago I casually mentioned that I’d received my best birthday present ever.

And well……. guess what?!

I finally got my new couch.

Yep, after all these years it finally happened…

sniff sniff

and it’s time to say good-bye to the Big Chocolate Monster.

Sorry guys.

I’m no longer listening to your complaints that you’ll move out if the Big Chocolate Monster goes. Because guess what?

You already are….moving out.

In the end this was the deciding factor. With Michael --our youngest-- heading to college in a few weeks Mr. Moss finally gave in to the idea of replacing the family’s beloved sectional.  Only don’t be sad, because this Crate and Barrel piece still has some life left; it’s now being divided up between the boys who are taking parts of it to their college apartments.

How’s that for a happy ending?

In the meantime I’m blissfully entering into an exciting decorating phase around here.

I’ve decided it’s time to lighten things up and re-do our family room as part of this new phase of our life. And there’s nothing that screams fresh-new-beginning-more than a change in couches.

Don’t you agree?

 

 

Come on guys. There are other pieces of furniture that are just as comfy as the BCM.

Although I did promise I wouldn’t choose anything that could be mistaken for formal or stiff.

And I planned on staying with something big and comfy, a couch long enough for six-foot-plus guys to sprawl out on--because gosh forbid--none of this sitting upright with a proper posture in our house.

So this was our plan.

With size and comfort in mind, Mr. Moss and I headed out to the Restoration Hardware Outlet in Vacaville, California with the idea of ‘just looking.”

After all this time waiting for my couch I wanted to relish the experience. Take my time and visit all the cool stores I had on my list. I wanted to go to the San Francisco Design Center and gaze at designer fabrics and get floor plan ideas…  

Are you with me?

Except I happened to forget one thing. I was shopping with a dude. A guy’s guy. A man who prefers to make decisions when he likes something. Who quickly summarizes the details and then says, ‘What are we waiting for?’ when I admit that I really like something. Gulp.

And did I mention how he loves a great deal? Just like me. So when we walked in and discovered all the RH couches were 40% off plus an additional $100.00 for every five hundred. And when we found the couch we liked but realized it had one broken foot which meant even more money off…

Well, you guessed it. Looks like it would be a Restoration Hardware English roll arm linen couch with down cushions for our family room.

Here’s a photo of the new couch foot being repaired by my Dad and Jim. It’s all fixed and just like new!

Stay tuned for more updates on my family room project. I'm so excited.

(sigh…some things never change )

 

xoxo

Leslie

 

I’m sharing this post with these friends:

• http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/08/please-join-me-for-scoop-78.html
• http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/176th-inspire-me-tuesday-300-birthday.html
• http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-130.html

 

linen couch photos from: casadecorada45blogspot.com; cotedetexas.blogspot; dreamywhitesblogspot; restorationhardware; velvetandlinen; jaysonhomeandgarden; greigedesign; countryliving 2003

 

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