I need help. Not mental help. I don’t think. Well, I do think. I don’t think I need mental help. Yet.
Anyways. Since moving back to BC we bought a very comfy sectional, something we always wanted and a big improvement in looks from inherited green and cream plaid, but I’m just not sure which way I prefer it in our space.
Since I am actually a certified Interior Decorator, I feel a little silly putting this out there, but it’s hard to be objective in your own space! I have enough trouble choosing my own paint colours, something that will take me minutes to form hard and fast opinions about in other people’s homes when they’re paying me! Furniture is a whole other beast.
So here’s the trouble with the couch. I like it this first way because it’s so open and gives the kidlets lots of play space and leaves room to get around the exersaucer and such… (the little table isn’t there anymore, it’s on the other side)
But then, it has its problems. In the evenings I have to sit in a very specific place to see the TV or work on the computer, or even do homework, since that’s where the lamp is. Also, it gives me a mild case of agoraphobia after living for 2 years in our teeny tiny cozy Ottawa apartment.
So we flipped it like this:
This is much cozier, and provides ideal TV-viewing-while-lying-down opportunity, as well as more room to come in the patio door without tramping on my carpet. But company kind of has to cuddle.
Then I got claustrophobic.
Poor Carl. Little does he know I am just executing a master plan to tone his arms to bulge out of his shirtsleeves.
Actually, this configuration would be perfect if it was just Carl and me living here. Very cozy indeed. However, toys tend to get stockpiled in moat formation around the ottoman/coffee table (which I know, should be squarer and not the same colour as the couch but I was vetoed on buying a new one just because we bought a new couch. Boo.)
Anyways, what do you think? Open, and easy to pull in extra chairs for guests? Or cozyand ideal for TV viewing and preventing me from spending the evening staring at my kitchen, which inevitably needs work and distracts me from doing nothing?
At least we have no toys or food accumulating under our furniture!
We have since switched back a third time to the open plan since we’re hosting about 20 people this weekend…but aren’t sure where to go from here. Thoughts?
Hey Anna!!
Long time no talk, I stumbled across your blog and now I can’t stop reading! (sorry if that makes me a stalker) – I figured we had kinda lost touch, and now we can re-connect ! Anyways-about the couch, I think you should stick with the second option. I love the first option, but if you’re trying to relax and cant’ see the TV, what’s the point ;) We had a similar predicament in our place, and at the end of the day I just didn’t want to be staring at my (sometimes) messy kitchen while I was trying to relax. I’m probably not helping!- think about what you use the room for the most and which activities you can compromise compromising on!-good luck.
Jen!! Thanks for your input…I think I agree too :)
Hmm…I love to relax on a sectional but I’m not sure what I’d do for hosting..where do the guests sit best…I like the second for coziness and keeping your patio doors free. We just got chocolate coloured furniture and the fabric feels like a soft corduroy material.
Ok, since you asked, I will give you my humble opinion. First plan. And then go buy another light for yourself. (I found some nice ones for a good price at Zellers. Way cheaper then any other store.) Or just get Carl to move things around. Or get some dollies and get your guests to work for their dessert. Until I’m the guest. Then all bets are off.
Haha, our light lost it’s bowl in the move and it’s yet to be replaced…one of those things you just stop noticing.
Hmmm, now that I see it both ways, I like the first “open” way better. Though the other way is optimum for watching TV/movies…..I say keep it the open way, and when we want to watch a chick flick together, we could get both our husbands to move it for us and increase both of their bulging biceps. ;)
Wow! I love your couch. Can you convince Reuben that we just CAN’T possibly live with our green/blue couches any longer? Maybe if we moved across the country, I could convince him. Anyway, I think it looks nice both ways and as I tend to like cozy spaces, I’ll just contradict everyone else and say I like it closed in:P I don’t know, though. I really thiink you should have the Ottawa gang over to test out all the possibilities!
I love your couches, we can trade when you move here ;)
I also liked the cozy way, since I find leather is already un-cozy since it’s cold to sit on in the winter!
I agree with Andrea. Better open than claustrophobic. Your poor mother, when she visits, prefers not to be claustrophobic at any time :) Plus, it does work out better for the kiddies at this point. The time will come when you don’t have to worry about that anymore.
Oh, mom. Read before commenting :) I agree though. Open is better. Embrace the space :)
Well, I really like it better the first way. It’s nice and open and the couch fits in better. But I’m not the one sitting on it! Maybe you could set it up the first way during the winter and then switch it in the summer when you want easier access to the patio door? In any case, I like your couch! I’d love to sprawl all over it and watch tv with you… or sit like a lady on it and eat chocolate with you. :)
Haha, we would definitely be sprawled AND eating chocolate :)