Time to say Buh-Bye!

Yes, it's time. A beautiful home and economic patriotism!

'Economic Patriotism' I plan on using that term tonight!

I guess I could always craigs list the old one, right?

ooo, have fun tonight. KoP location? We were just there couple of weeks ago. I was on a mission to get those birch tree sheers that are used for their panel system. They were so unlike the photo that there was no way we were bringing them home!

All I got were cocktail napkins!

And yes, time to say goodbye to the old couch.

I can totally relate to the couch dilemma!!! We're on the verge of getting the Ikea Karlstad sofa, and I'm also hesitant. We have a very high quality 1950's sofa but it badly needs new cushions and upholstery. Three years ago, I spent several weeks painstakingly re-upholstering it and within a WEEK the cat had scratched the arms and the fabric was dirty. I wanted to cry.

We have always meant to get a good-quality modernist leather sofa when DD was old enough, but now we have 2 cats... I just can't stand the heartbreak again. Same goes for spending $800+ to re-upholster the current sofa. It just seems easier to buy the Ikea one for the same money, knowing I can wash or replace the cover if it gets wrecked. Yeah, it's cheaper looking (and probably feeling) than a "good" one, but I can't afford to buy "good" sofas every few years if the cats and family wreck them!!!

Have fun at Ikea!

STacey

Another vote for bringing in the new!

I used to love shopping at the King of Prussia IKEA! Loved eating there too! The Swedish Meatballs were fab. But I digress.

Can't wait to see pics of your new sofa! I love IKEA sofas. Keep us posted.

Yes! Economic Patriotism and recycling! Who could say no to that?

Definitely sounds as if it's time to replace. Having it reupholstered would cost more than the new Ikea one.

I will caution about the Ektorp pieces tho as I had thot we'd buy the sofa and a chair or two when we redid the LR a few years ago. I loved the idea of having slipcovers available that fit. However having looked at (and sat in) many sofas in other stores I could not believe how comparatively uncomfortable the Ektorp was. We chose another brand which is much more comfy with deeper cushions. However we did pay almost twice as much and that was on a 50% sale.

IMO Ikea is probably good value for the price and I'd still like slipcovers but they're too expensive to have made and I'm not doing it myself.

It's all about family here. Good luck~~
I wish we had an Ikea to visit! :(

Staceyneil - the Karlstad is the sofa that I was originally going to go w/. I was going to get 2. I even bought the floor length white cotton slipcovers when they were discontinued. I really liked how the Karlstad feels.

Yep - going to KoP/ Conshy IKEA! I think the fit of the Ektorp sectional is right for us. I've always found it pretty comfy and I think that it will def. loosen up over a few months. I remember how stiff my cheap leather chairs were. I was pretty concerned but they've squished up quite nicely!

Thanks!

Your post really hit a chord with me. I thought, "gee, someone else who has had a sofa for many years and is thinking of replacing it." When I read that yours was about 12 years old, I nearly died. My sofa, love seat and wing chair are now over 30 years old. Honestly, the wing chair and love seat look practically new but the sofa has some issues; the cushions are very flat and some of the contrasting piping has been ripped by the cat I once had.

I just hate the effort it takes looking for new furniture, the decisions about the fabric selection, so on and so on. See, you're not alone.

That is the exact reason DH keeps after me to replace our sofa and why I started the thread on sectionals last weekend. DS keeps hitting his head on the back of the sofa where there is no padding. Looking for a sofa with plenty of padding on all parts including the edge was not even on the radar when we bought the one we have. :)

Of course the sectional I am in love with is ridiculously expensive. I was going to go sit in it this weekend but snow/ice have us staying in.

I can't wait to hear how your trip goes. :)

I was struck by ttodd's choice of replacing excellent quality with IKEA.

We just got rid of a 6 yr old IKEA sofa because it had turned to garbage.

If I was facing the same choice, I'd keep the quality piece of furniture.

I love a great old sofa as much as the next person, and own one myself, but at this stage of ttodd's life, with kids and pets, this is a practical option. IKEA sofas are well-made for the price-point, and as Staceyneil pointed out, who can afford to replace high-end sofas every few years? The slipcovers that are available for these sofas are a real asset for young families too.

Reupholstering an old piece is very pricey, and with all the wear and tear, would probably not hold up well either.

Looking forward to hearing how the trip went.
I guess I need to look at Ikea huh?
Road Trip!!

Yaaayyyyy! DH is on board w/ the idea! I didn't even have to prod or run down my 'Why this is a practical, good and ultimately money saving' bucket list. Not that we're getting it anytime soon though but it did find it's way onto the 'Budget List' after we got home. So between me saving a few buckes a week, DH's alotted budget towards it down the road and me hopefully selling some of my rehabbed furniture finds this Spring, hopefully I will see a new sofa this Spring or Summer.

When I bought this sofa I never thought of things like padding shifting over the years and allowing the frame edge to be felt if one's head whacked it. I still think it's a good sofa and am pleased that both my MIL & SIL have each been through a total of 4 sofa's in the same amount of time and I think that our's still looks way better than what there's look like now.

If I had space to store it (sans mice in attic & smelly basement) I would keep it in a heartbeat for the day I had a larger room to put it in once I got it reupholstered.

Looks like I'm going to be on a decorating - repurposing - using what I have run soon! DH felt confident about hanging my attic chandies and flip-flopping the LR and Office!

Whoo hooo!

Off to hang my curtains............

I went the opposite direction when faced with the same decision. Our sofa was 13 years old but made very well (8-way hand tied and solid kiln-dried hardwood frame, etc.). I couldn't find another sofa that was as comfortable and/or that I liked the style of, so we had it and a loveseat recovered. It cost us about $800/each total for everything, and I am SO happy that we went that route! I hope that you're as happy about your decision and enjoy your new sofa for years to come!

Speaking of curtains, TTodd, may I ask where you got those white billowy curtains I saw in one of your earlier incarnations of your living room? It's just the look I'm going for in my house. If those came from Ikea, I will be beyond thrilled. :)

They came from IKEA! If they are the ones that I am thinking of they are Lenda in Natural. $14.99 per pair for 98" length (maybe $16.99 for 118") With oversized windows and a lot of them I couldn't afford to even buy from JCP for the whole house.

Lenda has tab tops (not a big fan of tab tops) but I turn the tabs down and use clip rings.

I also have Bomull (?) at $29.99/ pair for 98". They are heavier and have 2 layers. The 2nd layer is more sheer than the 1st. I 'customized' mine by glueing pom pom fringe on the leading edge. Still love them to this day! They are more 'natural' in texture and feel than Lenda. More like an unbleached raw cotton.

I like their curtains because they are completely washable which is what I need at this stage of our family. Which reminds me that I have to wash the pair w/ mac and cheese handprints on them. And the jelly handprint off the white wall. Maybe tomorrow!

Do you read "My Sweet Savannah" blog? She has the Ektorp sectional in her family room (2 kids) and it looks great. I love the pillows she uses. Check it out.

12+ is good for a sofa. With children I'm sure it's gotten alot of good use and now there is nothing wrong with finding something else! I do believe washable slipcovers would be great with kids. I've read (blogs) about several Ektorp sofas and they seem to have held up good. I can't say anything about Ikea - we don't have them here and I've not been in one. But, I've considered the Jenny Lund Ektorp chair for our bedroom - if I don't find an antique fan back or bergere type chair.

tina

Thanks Tina! I do read Mysweetsavannah and her sofa does look very good. I'm pretty sure she got hers off of craigs list and has mentioned numerous times how great it's been w/ her kids.

Last night was movie night and all 5 of us had to be on the sofa. My wine (nor my jammies) fared very well. There was a fair amount of kicking and yelling but nobody would get off to sit on a chair. I'm pretty sure I saw the dog role her eyes and leave the room. All of the kids insist on sitting w/ us and I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible.