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Couch Problems, Take 4,253 (And A Solution)

Couch | Pillows | Top Rug (machine-washable) | Bottom Rug

Alright, so fiiiiiiine, the white family-room couch wasn't my smartest-ever purchase. I rationalized it because a) it's Ikea, and that's where my budget tapped out, b) there was only one Ikea style that I really liked, and c) that one style only came in dark grey (too dark), pink (too pink), turquoise (just no) and - yes - white.

But I figured we'd be able to collectively hold it together for at least the minimum of two years that I feel like you should be able to get out of an Ikea sofa. ...Right?

DIY Projects

What To Do: Hideous ’70s Linoleum Floor

Oh heyyyyyy

I spent yesterday in Malibu, doing a little renovation consult for a friend who recently purchased a trailer home right on the ocean (more on the trailer home thing in a bit; it's a super cool story). It's an interesting undertaking, because the house is going to be torn down and rebuilt from the ground up in a couple of years, so the renovation is more about making the house pretty and livable for the short term, without spending tons of money on things that'll ultimately end up getting tossed.

So. My advice was to figure out what amount of money per month was a comfortable amount to spend on general Life Happiness (meaning an amount that creates no financial stress whatsoever, but that feels "worth it" for the lifestyle improvements it'll confer), and multiply that by 24 to arrive at a budget for the mini-reno that'll take him through the next two years. Certain things are OK to spend a little more on, IMO - appliances that'll make the jump to the new place, and so forth. But when it comes to structural features, things are a little trickier.

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The Hunt For The Non-Hideous Recliner

This is the Rolf-Benz 3100. It is very expensive. More options to come.

My friend Erin wants a recliner. Or, according to Erin, her husband wants a recliner...but let's be honest: We all kind of want a recliner, even though we know that recliners are the furniture equivalent of minivans.

Erin wants a recliner.

Decor

Couch Boat, Take Two

Couch | Pillows | Throw | Nude Beach Print

I remember when I bought my first Grownup Couch™; for all the fuss I made about the thing, you probably do, too. That couch lives with Kendrick now - I kept the consignment-store set that used to be in our old living room, and that is now dying a slow death thanks to the fact that it is white (rrrg, also totally my fault).

Our division of assets was eminently fair - way beyond fair to me, honestly; I kept the vast majority of our furniture after our split. But I did still have a moment of mourning for our old Couch Boat when I moved into my new place and discovered that the new family room is an absolute behemoth of a space, and would have been the perfect spot for the thing. And the amount of money I had available to spend on couches after, you know, lawyer's fees and mover's fees and such was something like $2.

Decor

The Ten Best Things At Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Right Now

I continue to have never in my life watched an episode of Fixer Upper (except for during my post-surgery recuperation saga...I think...but I was in a bit of a fugue state and cannot be expected be held accountable for - or remember - any choices made during that time period). And yet I am so in love with virtually the entire Hearth & Hand collection at Target that I'm kind of embarrassed by the level of my affection.

I am afeared it makes me a bit basic.

But whatever. Call me basic. It's so good.