Kim, I think your MIL took the prize of 2009! lol. And no, I don't think anyone here thinks you don't care for your SD.

Go to a large furniture store, and you will see lots and lots of pretty recliners that look like regular fabric arm chairs, but they also recline.

My dh has a recliner but I don't and never wanted one for myself until I saw how cute they can be.

Do a "recliner" search online and you'll probably see what I'm talking about. And they're small enough to put in a bedroom and then bring it out when she's there!

Contemporary not Traditional but looks sleek.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chair

Better?

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1362011&navAction=jump

Here is a link that might be useful: Chair

Yes, it is a recliner.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=3100&catalog=room&category=rm_living_spaces&subcategory=recliner

Here is a link that might be useful: Chair

La-Z-Boy sells ALL kinds of recliners, not just the huge man-eaters that you are probably thinking about. The good thing about them is they know how to do recliners, they work well, and they last. Check them out:

La-Z-Boy

Thanks, Les, Oakley and Dilly. I appreciate the ideas. I feel better knowing there are lots of options out there. I will head out tomorrow to see some of these options in person.

And yes, Oakley, my mother-in-law takes the prize for this, that is for sure. My MIL is the reason why we have a super cheap looking grandfather clock in our house that matches nothing we have, either in design or color; why we have a brand new dish drainer sitting in our extremely limited counter space (can't go through life without a dish drainer!), why we have TVs in our kitchen and bedroom that we didn't want or need and don't use, and why we had what amounted to two full holiday dinners the other day for just 6 people (I was serving ham and asked her to bring the veggie and rolls, since she likes to bring something - she ended up bringing a fully cooked turkey, several side dishes, multiple desserts, fruit/dip, veggies/dip, and chips/dip, along with the vegetable side dishes and rolls). It's rather comical, really, but does get old after a while.

As my own mother always says, "it could be worse!" I always try to keep that in mind.

And besides, she produced a pretty good son, so I can't complain too much, even if I do like to make a little fun out of it. ;)

Take a look at the ComfortTouch recliner from LazBoy -- can adjusted with air chamber technology to suit the sitter!

Jan

Thanks, Jan, that sounds like a great feature. I'll check it out!

Kim, not sure exactly what you are looking for, style wise, but we just purchased a recliner this weekend. I too do not like the over stuffed look of most recliners today. We wanted a smaller looking recliner to fit a spot that would not hold a larger chair. The recliner is for me and I am only 5'3", so needed something small.

We ended up with a Lazyboy rocker/recliner called the Harbor Town. I love it. With the open side arms it does not look bulky and it is so comfortable. It is available in many colors/fabrics as well as leather.

Ummm. I'll be the voice of decent when it comes to Lazy Boy, maybe they were great in the past, but neither my DD's $3000 recliner sofa nor the 300.00 recliner we bought last year are worth the money we paid for them. Our recliner has squeeked and made noises since we brought it home and we rarely sit in it! My daughters sofa has the same problem and they have no kids. Just two adults. Junk...absolute junk!

I can understand your situation but it sounds like your MIL is a caring person that enjoys giving........whether it's by giving TV's or bringing lots of food. I used to always complain about the amount of food my Mother prepares and brings to gatherings but it finally dawned on me that it's how she shows her love.....and we do LOVE her food!

Anyway, while you're shopping for the chair, please try to keep in mind what style and design will be the most comfortable for your SD.
I have a granddaughter and can understand the love and concern your MIL must have for her GD. My guess is she thought she was helping you by buying the recliner and saving you the expense.

I'll get off my box now..........

Not sure if this would fit your decor or not, but perhaps you'd like one like mine. It's not at all bulky compared with most recliners yet can fit in in a more traditional room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Macy's recliner

Lukkiirish, have you contacted La-z-Boy about repairing or servicing your chair, and has your daughter done the same? We just had them here in August to repair the reclining feature on DH's old recliner, that is somewhere in the 18 year old time frame. They fixed it up, gave everything a once over, and it is great. Older DS now has it in his apt. at college. It is where I sleep when we go down to visit.

I also have read terrible reviews of Lazy boy lately. We have an old one that has been great. I was doing research to replace it & decided against another LB. I heard they are made in China now & not the same as the older chairs. Finally decided on a Stressless chair by Ekornes. Definitely not cute, but I love it!!

Val, I luvvv your recliner! That's exactly the kind I want, same fabric and all. Now if I could get my dh to let me get rid of this green chair he likes, which he doesn't sit in either. lol

Lazy Boy...I don't find them as comfortable as Lane recliners. Or as pretty. Lane seems to have more color choices.

Oh man, Val, I think you just cost me $400!
I hadn't thought of looking at Macy's, I too, love that style and fabric, in fact, I just had a rocker recovered in a similar paisley.

GW rocks, even if it costs moola.

Les, Thanks for the suggestion, I should probably give it a try for our recliner. It's had this problem since the first time we sat in it. Even if they were to come fix it, I still don't think good workmanship means someone should have to come repair it within a week of it's delivery.

As for my daughter, oh boy...what a mess. Her and her DH bought their sofa with the idea of buying quality for the long term. They went directly to the Lazy Boy Store and even paid for someone come to their house for a consultation. (it's their first home) The setup suggested by the "expert" is way over sized for the room and the custom pillows they ordered and paid for in advance (at 45.00 a pop) where never even delivered. When I suggested she pursue it, she said she's called several times and has gotten a different response each time. Of course, now that store is closed. She's so disgusted with the outcome she just doesn't want to deal with it anymore. The entire couch itself has not worn very well at all either, it's sad.

I am ashamed to admit it but we are always "fighting" over my dh's recliner which just a plain ol traditional one. I have been drooling over one at (Im hiding my face, Big Lots) It is a faux leather and considered a chair and a half. I had hoped to get it for dh for Christmas but it didn't happen!

About the MIL, my mother had one of the worst in history (I promise!). However, she always told me "You may not always be his wife, but she will ALWAYS be his mother!" Trust me it could be worse!

Happy New Year!
Alicia