I think lots of people have a perfect couch in mind.
I know the sweet Amanda does, and you probably do, too. In fact, I think there is a This American Life segment about a man who has been searching for the perfect couch for something like 10 or 20 years, and until he finds "the one", he's got some terrible futon. Many people know I've had a longstanding (okay, 3 years or so) love-affair with the Amelie sofa in light blue velvet from Anthro. The thing is, in real-life that sofa is actually pretty small and spindly and also seems very un-kid-friendly (you know, for the future). Sharp points and all that. And it's not even available in the blue right now, anyway. SO. I moved on.
My new love is still French-y, vintage, and dusty blue velvet, but it's larger and (seems) sturdier. Lo & behold, when I went to "visit" it today, the couch I've been saving my pennies for from Neiman Marcus online was on sale...
Friends, I totally went for it. And it was substantially less pricey than the Anthro sofa, to boot!
If your tastes run a little more vintage/traditional/romantic in the realm of furniture, I really recommend checking out what the Neiman's website has to offer. Some of it is surprisingly affordable, and most of it is really beautiful.
Happy Thursday & xoxo
BEAUTIFUL! Hope you don't have a cat.
Posted by: Christine | July 21, 2008 at 05:01 PM
I love everything! Wish I had a digital camera so I can show that I have done. You are so good. Hoping to see more.
Posted by: Christine | July 21, 2008 at 04:58 PM
That IS a beautiful couch. How funny, I am actually always on the hunt for the perfect couch...and until then I'm living with a hand me down piece of junk!
Posted by: t | June 26, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Congratulations on the perfect couch! So jealous!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | June 23, 2008 at 11:38 PM
In LOVE with that! You lucky dog!
Posted by: jenn | June 22, 2008 at 06:13 AM
how cool! I'm so happy for you. One of the most fun purchases I've ever made was my couch...I think it was more fun that buying my tiny condo. congratulations on your new beauty
Posted by: Marissa | June 21, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I USED TO SLEEP ON ONE OF THOSE BABIES. after i was over it, the only way to get rid of it was to chop it all up. we had made our windows smaller so it didnt go out the way it went in :P
Posted by: kim* | June 21, 2008 at 12:18 PM
That is beautiful!
I am glad you found the "right" one
and I especially like the color and textures
I love your new pictures and bought the July Martha issue. I understand the picture with you and Martha is cut out and on the wall at a local government office..... you are so special....
Posted by: flower lady | June 21, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Perfection! And my favorite part is the subtle assymetry. My face must be dusty-blue with envy:)
Posted by: pixyolive | June 21, 2008 at 08:03 AM
it ... is ... stunning, emily. How wonderful for you! As for me, I've been in love with the anthropologie cotswold sofa (if I remember correctly? the deep leather one with smooth arms and back) since first sight. But alas, I am in grad school, so for now I'll just have to keep dreaming and vicariously sinking into your lovely deep blue one. I do so love tufted upholstery!
Posted by: sarah | June 21, 2008 at 03:45 AM
What a gorgeous couch! Best of all, it looks so comfy.Enjoy your new couch!
Posted by: angela | June 21, 2008 at 03:42 AM
i'll take the couch in a soft, sage green please.
congrats on the couchy goodness!
Posted by: kat | June 20, 2008 at 09:20 PM
That is one gorgeous sofa! Way to go on the splurge, I think if it is something you LOVE then why pass it up? You know you will have it till it is falling apart! Truly beautiful.
P.S. I totally lurk on your blog b/c you are the SWEETEST thing ever and I am so excited that ya'll are moving to Portland, that is the BEST town ever and it makes me happy to think of Black Apple enjoying it's wonders! Love you and all you do!
Posted by: Shannon | June 20, 2008 at 06:06 PM
I had a similar experience with finding my own couch which turned out to be a rather large 3 piece PINK sectional I got a the salvation army for only $150. I love it to death and it fits in perfectly into my studio/front living room of my house.
Posted by: Katie | June 20, 2008 at 05:55 PM
De-lurking because this post reminded me of a passage from one of my favorite books:
"I always say -- a prejudice on my part, I'm sure -- you can tell a lot about a person's character from his choice of sofa. Sofas constitute a realm inviolate unto themselves. This, however, is something that only those who have grown up sitting on good sofas will appreciate. It's like growing up reading good books or listening to good music. One good sofa breeds another good sofa; one bad sofa breeds another bad sofa. That's how it goes.
"There are people who drive luxury cars, but have only second- or third-rate sofas in their homes. I put little trust in such people. An expensive automobile may well be worth its price, but it's only an expensive automobile. If you have the money, you can buy it, anyone can buy it. Procuring a good sofa, on the other hand, requires style and experience and philosophy. It takes money, yes, but you also need a vision of the superior sofa. That sofa among sofas."
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, Haruki Murakami
Posted by: Ellen | June 20, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Finally delurking to let you know that I love your blog, your creativity, and the sweet way you share it with the rest of us. And that's the most beautiful couch I've ever seen.
Cheers!
Posted by: Marie | June 20, 2008 at 02:39 PM
I absolutely love the couch from Nieman's. Just a comment: My friend had a couch with legs like this(really thin and fragile looking) and her daughter's 6'4" boyfriend came over and sat down (or maybe plopped down) and broke one of the legs! She was able to get it repaired but it was so sad when it happened, she didn't know if it could be repaired at the time.
Posted by: Renie Cee | June 20, 2008 at 02:17 PM
It took me a full 4 months to find the perfect sofa. It's the MOST important thing in your everyday life and should absolutely make you happy.
Congrats! It's gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Susan | June 20, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Adorable! I recently posted about my favorite sofa too (funny how important that seems to be): http://ottoman.typepad.com/ottoman/design/index.html
But, it's about $10,000! I think I'll stick to my easy-to-clean microfiber with my munchkin for now! It may just always be a dream sofa - and that might be okay. :)
Posted by: Summer | June 20, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Good. Lord. Perfection.
Posted by: Jessica | June 20, 2008 at 12:24 PM
That couch is amazing! I am looking for a new couch but never thought to check NM. I figured they would be too expensive!
I will have to go check them out! Thanks Emily!
Lisa
xoxo
p.s.
Can't wait to see my little Hedgy book!
Posted by: Lisa | June 20, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I love it! My sister just picked up a blue velvet number and she has 3 kidos. Velvet is one of the most practical fabrics ever. My mother-in-law's velvet couches lasted for 20 years.. the cushions and frames and everything else wore out before the fabric. You are gonna love it!
Posted by: tiffany | June 20, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I love your new sofa! It was funny because I thought I just might pop over to the site and see if there's anything for me and I kept nitpicking at everything until I realized that I was trying to make them more like the couch I already have! I just need to get it recovered and it will be perfect (the fabric on it now is a very cat-unfriendly-snagable sort and it looks TERRIBLE -- at least we paid all of $300 for it in the first place)! Thanks for helping me to realize that I had the perfect couch for me all along.
Sounds sort of like the Wizard of Oz . . .
Posted by: Leila | June 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Wow, a $2000 couch is a steal? I must be living in another world. It's a beautiful BEAUTIFUL piece, by the way but I just about had a heart attack when I went to find the "surprisingly affordable" furniture section on the NM website.
Anyway, that's just me. :)
Posted by: Stacy | June 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Love the couch but from a moms eye I see it getting filled with crumbs, dog hair and dust down in the little wells and fabric flaps. But is a very nice couch, just not in my crazy house lol Thanks for sharing ;)
Posted by: Heather | June 20, 2008 at 10:26 AM
How exciting! That certainly is a lovely couch. As much as I adore things with a little more, shall I say, flair, my boyfriend likes things a little more low-key, so we'll have to make a compromise! :) Such fun!
Posted by: elliebelle | June 20, 2008 at 10:01 AM
love the couch but i still can't see my 2 kids not destroying something so beautiful for now i still live with fitted slip covers that are great to take off and wash when all of those accidents happen..
you might want to invest in 'scotchguard' to protect it from sticky hands 'in the future' that is...
Posted by: michelle | June 20, 2008 at 08:42 AM
That Amelie thing would have no welcome in my home, but the beauty you got can come any day!! :D
Posted by: muralimanohar | June 20, 2008 at 08:35 AM
That is a sofa worthy of some serious time spent on it! Beautiful choice
Posted by: Sarah | June 20, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Oh my goodness, that is so freakin georgeous!
Posted by: alice | June 20, 2008 at 03:56 AM
You may have started a stampede on the NM site because I just tried and they are down for maintenance! Great sofa, good for you!
Posted by: lsaspacey | June 20, 2008 at 03:36 AM
I am sure that it costs a bundle. Are you having it put out before you move? if you are make sure you keep the box so it stays safe... I mean if it is in a box. Moving with such big things, or nice things for that matter can take a tole on the piece.
Posted by: Rebecca | June 20, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I know exactly which radio segment you're talking about - I heard it on NPR once on a Sunday. It was freaking hilarious, and I know people who are exactly like that, but about tea instead of couches.
He has to save for the tea that's $110 an ounce because each leaf is hand selected and only grown in one valley in Japan etc.
It's silly if you ask me.
Posted by: Kristin | June 19, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Oh that is gorgeous. I always wonder if the tufted sofas are comfortable. I love love love the color. Is the back asymetrical, because that is so cool. Your style is so much fun, I love to see the little snippets of decorating you do.
Posted by: Kristin | June 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Hi Emily, that is a pretty sofa for real. I've been having sofa woes for a while - still not quiet finding what I want. Thanks for sharing the link.
Dy
Posted by: Dyan | June 19, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Oh wow Emily, sooo exquisite! I'm very jealous ;)
Posted by: jessieofoz | June 19, 2008 at 10:50 PM
question: what do you people do with cat claws and nice furniture?!?! (aside from declawing) i don't have any "nice" furniture because my cats would destroy it.
Posted by: katie | June 19, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Merry Merry couch potato!
Posted by: Rosalie Gale | June 19, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Emily - was it on sale on the NM website, or at a store? It looks so much like the Milo sofa at Anthro that I've been drooling over for awhile, only I like the velvet much, much better.
My aunt has a blue velvet couch for as long as I've been alive and I have always loved it - I keep trying to find something of my own like it!
Posted by: sarah | June 19, 2008 at 08:54 PM
COngrats! I felt like a *real* -for real grown up when I got my first real couch! For me it was red and uber comfy. Still love it!
Posted by: Jane | June 19, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Emily... that couch is indeed gorgeous! I must confess that I have the Amelie couch in the blue and got it for a steal of $900!!! I waited and waited for it to go on sale, only to find it disappear all of a sudden online, then i called everywhere to find a store that would sell me their floor model and "voila!" the store 15 minutes away said they would sell it... yay!!! We have been enjoying it for some time now and my two little babes are hardly afraid of it. Though, it is a bit small but it is the perfect size for our living room. Now, I am in search of a small little couch for the family room, but I think I may have found it... a little metal french baby bed, I will turn into a little love seat. I am so excited! I completely understand your search for the perfect couch! Hooray for Emily and her new couch!!!
Posted by: rubyellen | June 19, 2008 at 08:54 PM
COngrats! I felt like a *real* -for real grown up when I got my first real couch! For me it was red and uber comfy. Still love it!
Posted by: Jane | June 19, 2008 at 08:54 PM
COngrats! I felt like a *real* -for real grown up when I got my first real couch! For me it was red and uber comfy. Still love it!
Posted by: Jane | June 19, 2008 at 08:53 PM
that sofa is beautiful. I love the color, too.
Posted by: kiwi | June 19, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Oh wow that is sooooooooo faBuLoUs!!!!!! Good for you girl!!!! Looks oh so comfy and very kid-friendly. :D
Posted by: Paulette Insall | June 19, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Way beautiful!! Please take a picture of it when it is in its new surroundings--Atlanta? Portland? Love your style.
Posted by: kelley hart Jenkins | June 19, 2008 at 07:52 PM
That sofa is gorgeous. The color is sophisticated and reminds me of a sofa I liked that was similar but in hunter green. And if kids are in the future they will spill and mark on the furniture but by then you will have enjoyed it and that's what re-upholsterers are for, right?
~Christine
p.s. I received the brunette Sophie doll with owl print and she is so wonderful! She is in good company with two other Sophies I bought from you. I'll post a pic of her with her new admirer in the next day or so in your feedback section :)
Posted by: Du Buh Du Designs | June 19, 2008 at 07:49 PM
oh I am searching for the perfect sofa as well! I love your choice, it looks comfy and classy at the same time.
Posted by: AmandaMay | June 19, 2008 at 06:53 PM
oh...it's a dreamy sofa..cozy and glamorous all at once! We are still in that awful (seemingly eternal) renting and holding out until we find a place to own stage before we can get a real, live sofa (and really settle)....until then it's 'lets pretend the futon is a couch' game round these parts...alas..I fear I'm running out of pretty vintage quilts to throw over it!
By the way, your fabric designs from Spoonflower are ADORABLE! You've got such an eye for design in all formats....just loverrrllly!! I'm still learning the whole process, and am anxiously anticipating a few swatches to arrive! SUCH excitement! :)
Posted by: marjorie | June 19, 2008 at 06:49 PM
i sure hope to see this beauty in a painting in the near future. What a dream couch. Kudos!
Posted by: michelle | June 19, 2008 at 06:44 PM