Furniture shopping

Ever since our GC told us that we needed to pick paint colors in two weeks, I've been on a net-surfing blog-reading binge as well as lots of furniture store hopping. It's been a crazy few weeks.

Sometimes being ignorant is easier. From my design blog-reading, I learned that paint colors are supposed to be the last thing to pick, not the first. You should pick your furniture, bedding, and tile before you pick paint color. (Pulling my hair when I read this!)

Sofabed for guest room:
We sent our in-laws to try out American Leather sofabeds since they were the recommended brand in our local parents club. Good thing was that they really liked it. Not so good thing was that they wanted the queen plus size versus a regular queen since it's wider. Retail cost: $3099 *sigh*

Out of the fabric choices, I picked a microfiber (read: durable and kid-friendly) that didn't change colors when you brushed it like all the other microfibers. Yay, one piece of furniture down!

SuedeLife Heathered Flannel

Master bedroom;
We decided to stick with our current duvet cover, the very popular Calvin Klein Bamboo Flowers. I want a new padded headboard so I can read before bed. Our current metal headboard is not pleasant to lean against. Really liked this headboard. It took a couple of trips to the furniture store to try out different fabrics.

Living room:
Completely fell in love with a Pottery Barn loveseat for the living room. Fortunately, I was able to find one on craigslist. Now it's just a matter of deciding which fabric with which upholsterer.

We'll wait on the other chairs for the living room since it'll be easier to shop for that after we move back in and can really measure the space. Plus, DH wants a piano for the living room so we'll see how much space is left over for my chairs. Would love a wingback but don't know if it'll fit. :p

Btw, Pottery Barn offers free design service! This is how I found the loveseat I want. A very nice designer takes you around the store and points out different aspects of their furniture. She also cautioned me against the couches with one big cushion - they wrinkle really easily when someone sits on it and it just looks bad. She also pointed out that if we have a small space (which we do), then seeing the legs of a couch and the space underneath will make the room appear larger.

Family room:
Getting a sectional from somewhere somehow. Maybe IKEA? The only problem is the limited selection of colors and sofas. May have to look elsewhere. We've decided on the layout we want so now it's just a matter of finding which brands can do it.

Office:
Probably do an IKEA adjustable-height desk since I'm short and regular office furniture is not designed to be ergonimcally correct for petite people.