First Things First - The Dream Achieved

Note: These home posts are a year late, but better later than never, right?

What was the first thing I did after I signed the papers and got my keys to my new home?

I went to the West Elm website and ordered my dream green velvet sofa; the Harris sofa in Tarragon Astor Velvet.

Harris sofa

Once I realized I could afford a home I knew I should finally purchase a "real" sofa. The last few decades I had first lived with a basic futon loveseat and then spent far too long on a two-seater sofa handed down from a friend who bought it from Goodwill. Who knows how old that thing truly was? Despite how it looked upholstery-wise it was in good shape and the coils were in shape. For many years I had a dream to reupholster it, but that never happened. Overall, it was hard to feel like an adult with those things. 

I deserved to get what I wanted and could finally afford to buy new. Now, of course, I'm still frugal but I wanted to up my game quite a bit. The companies I researched were Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, CB2, RH (fka Restoration Hardware), West Elm, and Target. 

The most important factor was who had the right style in the right shade of green? Many had similar styles, but the green velvet factor was key. I chose national brands with nearby storefronts because I needed to see and feel the product via a visit or fabric swatches in the mail. A purely online purchase wouldn't work, there is too much margin for error.

I also needed a fabric that was hard wearing. That is this velvet which is also luminous and wonderfully light reflecting. I'm still in love with it as much as I was when it arrived almost a year ago.

My inspiration was the 1930s style of a classic Jean-Michel Frank's club sofa. I believe I achieved that in an incredibly luscious green velvet that appears to change color during the day and throughout the seasons.

Here it is early in my home owner journey.

More updates to come...