OMG--Went furniture shopping after 2 margaritas!

16 years ago

In a previous thread I lamented that buying furniture for my den is hard. I had my eyes peeled for a curved sofa.

Well DH and I hit the stores today and after going to about 3 stores and coming up with *nothing*, we got hungry and went to lunch. We ran into some friends and ended up staying awhile and having some beers/margaritas.

Then we made what I hope doesn't turn out to be a colossal mistake of going to one last furniture store. (I really figured we'd just browse, as this store is usually waaaaaay out of my price range. But they do have a killer scratch and dent room, so I figured we should at least check it out.)

Somehow we left that stupid furniture store the proud new owners of furniture that doesn't even remotely resemble what I set out to buy!!!

Oy. I'm nervous. Don't even know if this dumb couch will work, but I do love it. It's a big ol' leather couch with rolled arms and nailhead trim, but the cushions are a gold, sage, and red floral tapestry material. It's extra deep, so there's plenty of room to tuck your legs up for a movie. It's not the top top top of the line, but it's a VERY nicely made sofa. Down and foam filled pillows, real leather, fully reversible cushions, etc. It was on clearance for $850, but we ended up getting it for $800. We got a mis-matchy ottoman for around $250.

While it's not what we set out for, it's a much better quality piece than what we'd seen all day, and more importantly it was within our budget.

I'll probably still need to get an additional chair, but the couch is so darn cute I'll be okay with that.

At least I think the couch is cute....It may be freakin' hideous. We did buy it after 2 rounds of drinks, for heaven's sake. Plus, it was in their basement. Picture flickering fluorescent lights, tons of shadows from rows and rows of furniture, and the two of us climbing all over everything. *That* is how we made a decision. Urf. I can't wait until tomorrow to see if it'll work or not!!

They're delivering it after 1:00, so I hope to post a happy follow up.

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Comments (86)

moonshadow
16 years ago
LOL @ squirrel ;D
Kathleen McGuire
16 years ago
Reno, what time zone are you in? It's 12:39 ET! Please don't tell me you are pacific time!I can't wait that long!
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jenanla
16 years ago
I actually loved both versions and can't wait to see how this turns out. Maybe have a couple of cocktails before I pick out my kitchen cabinets, seeing as I can't decide what the heck I want.
bellaflora
16 years ago
Reno

It has good bone. And you can always make another cushion cover like this sofa..

{{!gwi}}
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay, I couldn't stand it. I went back to the furniture store and took pics.

"Good morning, ma'am. Welcome to Bruno's. How may we help you?"

"Er, uh....just here to see a sofa I bought yesterday. I sort of can't remember it."

(silence and quizzical look)

"What I mean to say is that I'd very much like to borrow a pillow to to get a better feel for the depth of the fabric. I'd also like to take a photo of the couch, if you don't mind."
(Translation: I'm afraid I bought a putrid vomit couch and want to cancel the delivery if I really did)

"Sure thing, ma'am. Here is your pillow. Go ahead with your photographs and we'll see you this afternoon!"

(Right buddy....only if I go home and see this pillow in decent non-morgue lighting!!)

I am pleased to report that I do indeed think the sofa will be a great fit for the room.

I tried in vain to get the camera to capture the true colors. The flash kept washing out the red and making it disappear or look pink. But you can at least tell from this photo that the couch doesn't really even resemble the putrid green-y orange-y cell phone pic:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Hard to get a good look, but the sample pillow looks great:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

It's 12:39 central. They have given me a window of between 1-4 pm today.

I'm a little more relaxed about it now, though. The fabric in person is just perfect in my room.
iasheff
16 years ago
Oh, I love it-- It looks great in your pictures!
no_green_thumb
16 years ago
Hi, Reno - I have been following this thread and it has been hilarious. A few drinks always take the edge off. Maybe that IS a better way to shop! I have never seen a leather/fabric combo couch like that. I think is is beautiful. Can't wait to see the pix when it is in your house.
punamytsike
16 years ago
I might have forgotten, but are you planning to do anything with the stairs?

By the way, the pillow looks great with your curtains :)
bellaflora
16 years ago
Reno,

the persimmon color in your pillows pick up the terracotta floor beautifully. And the sofa has that Tuscany old world vibes that you love.

I think this will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship...:-)
natesgramma
16 years ago
Oh, I think this is going to be a happy day. Looks great so far.
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL!! Thanks for the sober votes of confidence. Can't wait to post pics of it in the room!

Puna, yes, I have plans to tear out that ugly staircase and have it rebuilt with wood treads and wrought iron balusters. It may have to wait until this summer, tho.

I was thinking of painting it in the meantime. It really sticks out like a sore thumb, doesn't it? Blech.
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
They just left.

I really like it. It does read a tiny bit orange, but I have orange floors, so I think it works. For the price we paid, it's a good fit.

Bear in mind that the rug is NOT staying.

{{gwi:1543983}}
organic_smallhome
16 years ago
I think it's absolutely perfect. Plus, it's unique looking, not to mention sumptuous and probably extremely comfortable.
patricianat
16 years ago
Good job. Fruit of the vine paying off.
squirrelheaven
16 years ago
I does look good. So, now I can say a different rug would be better since it's not new :)
robbyrob
16 years ago
It's beautiful Reno!
skypathway
16 years ago
OMG - when I saw your first picture with dayglo colors I was afraid to post anything - it was horrible even with a few drinks under your belt. Scary what fluorescents can do.

But now you have in your home and photographed properly with good lighting and it's perfect for your space. Wow, what a difference lighting makes. It's got that dressy/casual vibe going on that you have with the rest of the room. Perfection.

Sky
georgiagal
16 years ago
Oh, goodie, Reno...I got here just in time for delivery! And the whole sordid saga. I love it, so happy you found a deal. I have always liked those leather/fabric combos. It looks great in your room & you got a deal too. What's not to like!?
amysrq
16 years ago
Great job! I'm raisin' my glass to ya!!!

(well, actually I'm still painting the hallway...but I'll be having my feet-up-at-last glass of wine in a few hours hopefully)

It looks really beautiful with the WTs and chandelier! I have some orange paint left over from my laundry room if you want to paint the stairs. (just kidding!)
Kathleen McGuire
16 years ago
That's It! I'm having two 'rita's and hit'n the stores!
It looks great Reno! Love all of it with your drapes! :)
punamytsike
16 years ago
Looks very nice. By the photo it looks like you should have some room for couple of chairs, yes/no???

I would paint the stairs too, if you have to wait long to get the permanent solution LOL
love-my-lilhome
16 years ago
Poured me a glass of straight orange juice (last time I drank in 1968 I got a delivery 9 months later and not a sofa )
sitting here with feet propped up looking at the "sofa from and a good time was had by all".

Hic-cup, I love it!
Good job .

Linda
kiki_2007
16 years ago
Reno - This thread is absolutely hilarious! I am so happy that you shared your story. And, even better that is a GREAT sofa for $800! What a super bargain and what a great piece of furniture.

Cheers!
noodlesportland
16 years ago
wow-looks very cool!!!
Consider painting the stairs the wall color until you can change it-that way it will just fade away...
oceanna
16 years ago
It looks great, and what a bargain. Now you know what you have to do next time you go shopping. I'm so glad you're happy!
Molly Brown
16 years ago
I think a round of Margaritas for everyone. It looks great! What time is the party?
I want to plant my butt on that sofa, it looks soooo comfortable. Great job!
roguevalley
16 years ago
Nice Sofa! Hmmmm.......maybe drinking before trying to pick out paint colors would work equally well for those of us who are tortured by that process!
mahatmacat1
16 years ago
It looks like it was made for that room. Amazing. Something was "talkin'" when you bought it :)

I think a new mode of design operation is called for--reduction of the voice of the superego by quieting it with alcohol, to enable faster and more effective decision-making :)
cherigw
16 years ago
Reno_fan . .my first thought was 36th and Western and then when I saw the pic, I KNEW it was!! You're right, they DO have a great "pound" ("pls adopt me and take me home") and I thing it looks fantastic in your room!!

Cheri on Tudor
perky_2
16 years ago
lovemylittlehome, ROFLOL!

Reno - I need to drink before shopping, you did good. I love it.
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
Cheri!!! You guessed it. Gotta love Bruno's. At least I gotta love them now that I'm happy with my purchase.

Thanks all for walkin' with me through the quagmire that is my decorating.

:::Sigh::: I always wish I could be deliberate and effective like Susans02 or Dgmarie. They actually plan for things, and then order things, and wait for things. But I suppose I shouldn't knock it if I'm happy with the end result, right? LOL!
moonshadow
16 years ago
Nice! It looks sooo comfortable!
I'm not a planner or an orderer (not if I can avoid it) or patient with waiting either. ;) Wish I was more like that too!
momfromthenorth
16 years ago
This is probably the funniest thread I've ever read on GW! That first cell phone picture made me hold my breath.
I am sooooo glad the sofa turned out to be such a great fit for your room RenoFan. It's just perfect in there! And what a fantastic $$$ deal.
Moral of the story: Never trust the colors in a cell phone picture
teeda_2006
16 years ago
It's a great sofa, and I'm sure you'll work wonders in the room with this is as your inspiration. One of the things that I like about it is that you could have slipcovers made for the fabric cushions and change the look of it periodically (as well as prolong the life of fabric).

Regarding SUI (shopping under the influence), a few weeks before Christmas I read an article in the newspaper citing a recent "research study" that found those who drink and shop tend to make more impulse purchases. Well, DUH, as my kids would say. Publish that one in the Journal of Useless Research!

In your case, however, the impulse purchase turned out to be a great move!
lynnski
16 years ago
Fabulous sofa, a terrific bargain, and an inspirational story. What a combo!

Paint the stairway the color of the walls, as suggested, and make them disappear. Or paint them the color of the drapes, wrap the hand rail in twinkle lights, and invite it to the party. But please, do something soon to put it out of its misery!

(BTW, we just encased a set of stairs with a wall, and although it goes against today's OpenEverythingUp! aesthetic, it was perfect for our home, and gave us a lot more usable space on the first floor. The area in front of the stairs became a real room. Just another approach for you to consider. When you're not inebriated.)
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL Lynnski!

This poor room has been the catch-all room since we moved in. We sort of turned a blind eye to it's design flaws until we decided to use it as a living room.

Now that we've done that and there's some life in there I'm becoming *keenly* aware of just how bad that staircase is.

Trust me, there's no loyalties whatsoever. If I have any money left after we re-do our deck this month, I'll go ahead and have it re-done. It's spoiling my margarita sofa!
duluthinbloomz4
16 years ago
I had a premonition - 72 responses and "the cheese stands alone".

Glad it worked out well for you, truly.
magsroses
16 years ago
I'm pretty new to these forums and this thread was such a joy to read.

A few years ago the same thing happened to me. We went out to dinner--and it was hurricanes instead of margaritas for libations. We went to Steinhafel's and I fell in love with a chair and ottoman (as my husband recalled). I could not remember what it looked liked exactly. We get so many compliments on them that I seriously consider drinking a preface to furniture shopping.

I love the sofa and my suggestion for the stairs would be a creamy gold to accent the goldish color in the sofa. Your flooring is beautiful.
vfish
16 years ago
This thread is soooo funny. It reads like a soap opra!
I, too, have been a victim of SWI (shopping while intoxicated). Two times a year my girlfriends and I head out to a large wholesale "market". VERY Large place. We shop while we are being catered to wine, cheese, various foods, the forbidden drinks, etc. By the end of the day, I can't remember half of what I have purchased. I chalk it all up to a wonderful time with my girlfriends. The funny thing is, all of the packages begin arriving during the next 7-8 months. It's like Christmas every time the door bell rings. I can't tell you how many times I ask myself....What were you thinking????
The last time I went, I purchased our main sofa and two large chandeliers. I was so scared I made a huge mistake, but thankfully, my girlfriends are good even when their drunk and I took their advise making the purchases!
My 2 cents.
V
azdreamhome
16 years ago
I think you did great! What I like about your sofa is that you can easily change (reupholster) the fabric on the sofa cushions and get new pillows ... and voila... whole new look (future room makeovers or move it to different room). That's great versatility.

The room looks great but those white stairs are pulling the eye to them. Toning them down would be recommended.

My 2 cents!
patty_cakes
16 years ago
I've shopped for clothes after having a few-too-many, and being in a very relaxed *state*, found it didn't seem to take as long to find things I liked...and didn't return! I'm the type of shopper who can try on 50 items, and am lucky if I end up buying one. I actually think it's not a bad idea. LOL

Reno, your sofa is a keeper~gorgeous!! Some dicisions just need a little 'help'. LOL
juddgirl2
16 years ago
Oh, I was afraid to post after your first picture, but I really like it! It really complements your great room.
loribee
16 years ago
I loved the story and loved the sofa, too! Good for you!
beache
16 years ago
Love the sofa! Didn't you say in your other thread that your brother will sleep on it occasionally? You'll never get him off this one! I couldn't figure out how he would have been comfortable sleeping on a curved sofa!

As the queen of indecisiveness I think I need to try your shopping method!

beache
reno_fan
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, beache, he'll be using it to "crash" here on many nights. My DS tried it out last night and said it's *really* comfortable. He hates my decorating style, but said he likes this couch b/c it's so comfortable.

Just for grins, here are some pics I took of some of their other sofas. I would have taken home any one of these in a heartbeat. They are so my style. Mixed fabrics, leather, fringe, etc. They are waaaaay out of my price range, though. They start at around $4500 and go up to around $9500. And these were in the scratch and dent room!!

Fabric/leather couch. The seating cushions are reversible from fabric to leather. It was probably the most comfortable couch I've ever sat upon.

{{!gwi}}

Leather/fabric chaise lounge:

{{!gwi}}

DH especially recoiled at the site of this one. I believe it was here that he commented about schizophrenic furniture designers. I love it though.

{{!gwi}}

One day I may be able to do something like that!
kgwlisa
16 years ago
Only in the design world can you take scraps of all of the leftover fabrics, make something out of it and then charge 10x what it would have cost if you had enough of one fabric to do the whole couch. :D

Even though the one you ended up with is the least expensive, I personally think it's the nicest one of the bunch. You done good, even inebriated. Maybe this is a lesson to have a few before going shopping. A spoonful of sugar making the medicine go down and all that ;).
milkmaid
16 years ago
Reno, you really have the touch. I so enjoy all of your home photos (and stories).
kats
16 years ago
Well done Reno!
This was so funny and I'm so glad it turned out perfect for you.
But for future purchases a word of caution...
when you drink, don't shop with a girlfriend!

My neighbor went with her best friend to Colorado recently to visit another friend.
Lots of laughs...
Lots "'ritas"...
Fun shopping
More "'ritas"
and then......each of them bought a house!!! Yea, that's right... each bought a house!!!

Hi Sweeeeeetheart, guess what I bought for you while I was gone!!!! noooo- it's not a T-shirt! :)
susanlynn2012
16 years ago
Looks great in that room!
susans02
16 years ago
Oh my God - this thread makes me want to open some wine! Reno fan - it looks FANTASTIC in the room. Love the leather/fabric combo. You should be thrilled!!! Looks to me that when you "indeliberatly" got tipsy, you became a "deliberate" decorator!

OMG--Went furniture shopping after 2 margaritas!

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