Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The Musical Furniture Game

Cottage Sofa - part 3


I apologize in advance for the quality of those pictures. They were not taken to be published. They are not styled. But for some reasons you'll learn if you read this post through and through, I can't take new pictures and I know you want to see the new sofa!

Je vous préviens dès le début. Les photos de cet article n'ont pas été prises pour être publiées. Ce sont des photos personnelles, destinées à mes parents, mais je ne peux pas en prendre de nouvelles pour l'instant - vous saurez pourquoi si vous lisez bien l'article - et j'ai cru comprendre que vous vouliez voir le nouveau canapé...

Yes, laudry is drying behind the sofa... We had rain that day!
 
So, just in case you haven't followed my lastest adventures, here's a summary: Cottage needs a new sofa and after much research, I found one I liked on the Ikea website.

Pour le cas où vous n'ayez pas suivi mes dernières aventures, voilà un petit résumé : Cottage a besoin d'un nouveau canapé et après beaucoup de recherche, j'en ai enfin trouvé un qui me plaît sur le site d'Ikea.

Early one morning before going to work!
 
My mom and I went to the store to sit on it. I know some of you love Ikea and some readers wrote in the comments they were so sorry to live far away from any store... For me, an Ikea trip is very similar to a nightmare. Navigating in it is like walking a labyrinth, finding the exact object you saw online is nearly impossible, hoping to find an employee who actually knows where said object is located is like hoping my pupils will learn their lessons - a waste of time... Also, most parents who are bored at home with their children yelling all over the place seem to believe it's a good idea to spend the day at Ikea.

Ma mère et moi nous sommes rendues en magasin pour l'essayer. Pour nous, se rendre à Ikea a tout du cauchemar. C'est un labyrinthe dans lequel retrouver l'objet repéré sur Internet est mission impossible. Croire que l'on va dénicher un vendeur qui sait retrouver le dit objet est aussi illusoire que de croire que mes élèves vont apprendre leurs terminaisons du passé simple. Et ai-je besoin de vous parler des parents qui ne supportent plus leurs enfants qui crient à la maison et pensent que passer la journée à Ikea est une super idée ?

Anyway, we found the sofa in the sofa section - this, for once, was easy. We had to negociate with two children who didn't want to get up and then we could sit on it... We understood why the children didn't want to leave: it was quite comfortable. The one displayed in store was with a blue velvet slipcover, but there were swatches from different slipcover to get an idea of the fabrics.

Pour une fois, trouver le canapé a été facile - il était dans la section "canapés".  Déloger les enfants qui étaient installés dessus a été plus compliqué... Mais une fois assises à notre tour, nous avons compris pourquoi ils ne voulaient plus bouger. Le canapé est confortable. Il était présenté en velours bleu en magasin, mais il y avait des échantillons des différents tissus, ce qui permettait de se faire une idée.

 
I have a small European-sized car. I knew I'd have to order the sofa on line and then get it delivered to Cottage. But when I checked the website, I was rather disappointed by the delivery charges... Nearly half the price of the sofa! Well, what other choice did I have? I'll just wait for my next school break so I can organise the delivery.

J'ai une petite voiture. Je savais depuis le début que je devrais faire livrer le canapé. Mais quand j'ai consulté le site internet, j'ai été bien déçue de voir le prix exorbitant de la livraison par rapport au prix du canapé.  Mais, bon, quel autre choix avais-je ? Je me suis dit que j'allais juste attendre les prochaines vacances pour organiser la livraison, car je suspectais bien un truc comme "livraison entre 9h et 19h" !

On one of the first days of the winter school break, I had friends over for dinner. They have a house in a village not far from Cottage and they are also renovating it. So, of course, the conversation, at some point, was about our next projects. I talked about my future sofa. And suddenly, they offered to pick it up for me the next time they went to Rennes, Brittany's capital city, where Ikea is, as their car is a lot bigger than mine.

L'un des premiers jours des vacances de février, j'avais invité des amis à dîner. Ils habitent à quelques kilomètres de Cottage dans une maison qu'ils rénovent eux aussi. Bien sûr, la conversation a vite tourné autour de nos projets. J'ai parlé de mon futur canapé. Et là, d'un coup, ils ont proposé de me le prendre lors de leur prochaine escapade à Rennes car leur voiture est bien plus grande que la mienne.

I was thrilled to not pay the delivery charges, even if it meant waiting for a long time for their next trip to Rennes. And then just the next week, they called me, asked if I still wanted the sofa and brought it to me!

Je savais que cela pouvait signifier une longue attente, mais j'étais d'accord bien sûr ! Et là, surprise, coup de téléphone la semaine suivante : "c'est quoi les références de ce canapé ? On va à Rennes demain !"

 
Even sofas, with this store, arrive in several pieces that need to be assembled and we had quite a good laugh reading the instructions and following them, as the children created a house of their own in the huge box that had held the sofa.

Même les canapés sont en pièces détachés et doivent être montés avec ce magasin.  On a bien ri en lisant les instructions et en tentant de les suivre pendant que les enfants s'inventaient une maison dans l'énorme boîte qui avait renfermé le canapé. 

New evening ritual...
I'm really pleased with the look of the new sofa and thrilled with how comfortable it is.

Je suis très satisfaite de l'allure de ce canapé et enchantée  de son confort.

 
But, of course, as you are all well aware, once you bring a new piece in a home, a game of musical furniture begins and every other piece needs to move...

Mais évidemment, comme vous le savez, chaque fois que l'on amène quelque chose de nouveau dans une maison, un jeu de chaises musicales commence.

 
First, the new sofa took the place of the old one. I didn't get rid of the old one yet. I just turned it to face the fireplace to see how I'd like to have an armchair there... And I love how cosy it is to have two seating places at an angle. It makes conversation very easy... So it means we'll need an armchair someday.

Tout d'abord, le nouveau canapé a pris la place de l'ancien. Mais je ne me suis pas débarrassée de l'ancien. Je lui ai fait faire un tour sur lui-même de 90° pour qu'il soit face à la cheminée. J'avais envie d'un fauteuil à cet endroit et beaucoup de gens me disaient que cela serait trop pour un petit salon... J'ai donc fait l'essai avec l'ancien canapé : cela crée un coin cosy qui facilite la conversation. Bref, il va me falloir un fauteuil un de ces jours.

Secondly, with the sofas forming an angle, the coffee table was too long. I kept bumping into it and I also knew it would be a problem with my secret project... I listed it on my usual website: it was listed, sold and gone in 24 hours. That's why I can't take more pictures and have to use the ones I have on hand.

Ensuite, avec les canapés disposés en angle, la table basse était trop longue. Je me suis cognée un bon nombre de fois dedans et je savais que cette longueur allait poser problème pour mon projet secret... Je l'ai mise sur Le Bon Coin et en vingt-quatre heures, elle était partie ! Voilà pourquoi je ne peux plus prendre de belles photos du salon.


Third, now that I actually sit in the sofa, it became soon obvious that I needed a little side table... For now, I'm using a chair, but of course, I'm on the hunt for an actual table (or two).

Enfin, maintenant que je m'assoie effectivement sur le canapé, il me manque une petite table sur le côté. J'utilise pour l'instant une chaise, mais évidemment, je cherche une table (ou deux).


Now, if you'll excuse me, I've invited my friends - who really deserve it for helping me so - over for a drink that, for the first time, we won't be having in the dining-room, but in the living-room.

Je vais devoir vous laisser car mes amis ont bien mérité que je leur prépare un apéro que nous prendrons, pour la première fois, au salon.

 
Before you pour yourself anything, please have a good laugh thanks to a few Ikea jokes...


Je ne résiste pas, avant de vous laisser, à partager avec vous quelques blagues Ikea...

 

See you soon,



A bientôt,

Hasta la proxima,





54 comments:

  1. Beautiful sofa, perfect for Cottage. I spent many hours wandering round both Nantes and Rennes Ikea, had a love/hate relationship!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same kind of relationship here... I usually don't want to go to Ikea, but sometimes it's a "house savior"!

      Delete
  2. WONDERFUL! It goes perfectly in Cottage, with a nautical theme in the blue stripes. Very cozy, Magali!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi....love the sofa..it looks BeautiFul..an i'm sure you're thrill to pieces with it..but truth be told..i might love the story a tad more..an your description of the store is spot on..i bought an entertainment cabinet from them..holy cow..thought i'd throw it out the door before getting it together..
    so..just how long did it take before shadow an milo made it theirs..an how long before you decide on a coffee table..as well as the end table. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, I'd simply like to say, "Welcome, sofa; we're all very pleased to meet you and hope you'll be very happy with your new mum, Magali." Loved the IKEA description and cartoons (though I thought 'merde' translated as something else). You did well to escape the IKEA delivery service experience - at least, in the UK it can be somewhat traumatic: Will your goods arrive? Will there be parts of the order missing? Will the packaging (and therefore your goods) survive the playful handling of the delivery chaps? It's good to have friends!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love it! Have you considered a matching sofa where the old piece is? It would add extra seating and it's a very common look in the U.S. You could still add a small side chair as it appears you have the room.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Given the space I have, I'm thinking more of a matching armchair... Also because I personnally love sitting in an armchair. But I haven't commited to anything yet!

      Delete
  6. cute cartoons. Glad you got your sofa, it is a nice looking one - love those stripes. Only been in IKEA once and it was busy and children all over the place!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you chose the perfect sofa for Cottage. It looks wonderful and so cozy. This summer, an Ikea is opening very close to us so I'm going to check out the furniture as we are planning to replace our family room furniture. I see the kitties like it too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The kitties have their Paw of approval:). To stretch out on the sofa after a long day of work, heavenly!
    A perfect style for Mr. Cottage too.
    On the other side of the sofa I see tall bookshelves and a desk, do you work on your lessons? Are you painting a coffee table white or sea blue?
    Have a beautiful day Magali,
    Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a desk there, but it might go back in my study (again musical chair phenomena). I haven't thought about how I'll transform the new coffee table. It needs sanding badly and I could paint the legs afterwards...
      Have a great Sunday,
      Magali

      Delete
  9. The sofa is the perfect size for the space, and it's wonderful you were able to get it to you without having to pay the high shipping. Yey for friends!

    Your description of IKEA is spot on Magali! And the cartons? Way too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gotta Love Ikea! Your sofa is beautiful. Love the cottage stripe. Looks like your fur babies are loving it too. Glad it is comfy and cozy.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the Ikea jokes-I feel the same way about it, but on the other hand I am glad we have one close by. Your new sofa is perfect. I love the blue and white ticking stripe on it. So glad you got a comfy sofa!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks fabulous! I'm glad to hear it is comfortable too. Enjoy your beautiful new sofa (if the cats will let you!!)

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's very cute, and kitty approved. Love the ticking and the color. Also nice to have good neighbors. I have given two beautiful French style coffee tables away, one to each sister that lives here, for the same reason. They were both too big for the living room, the front room, where the piano is. My last home was large, so I had way too much furniture and some furniture just was too big.

    Funny IKEA jokes. I did not know etagere was also the name for the tea lights. I force my self to read the French. I have horrible French. I can't speak a word, but I can read it... So I was confused when he came out with bags instead of boxes for the etagere that is until I saw it in English. haha My Spanish is much better. Again I am a not a great speaker, but I understand almost everything in Spanish.

    xoxo Su

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How weird...The comment left out my sentence about etagere .... I was thinking a display cabinet, not tea lights. haha

      Delete
  14. Lovely couch and so glad it turned out to be as comfy as you wanted it to be.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I totally agree with you about Ikea--it is like running a gauntlet! Your living room is looking lovely and homey and I see your new couch is already Cat Approved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The living room is a lot more comfortable than it used to be... The cats and I are enjoying it!

      Delete
  16. The sofa looks great in your cozy cottage, Magali. It's perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The blue and white stripe is so crisp and fresh...just perfect for cottage! LOL...Like the accessories, especially the fluffly ones. Cats are so odd, anything new and they have to lay on it. Have fun looking for the other pieces of furniture you need. Cheers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Je le trouve très cocooning ce joli canapé, j'aime beaucoup et je vois que les griffus l'aiment aussi. Super que tu aies trouvé celui qui te convienne. Ton salon est mignon comme tout.
    Caresses aux minous. Bises. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, it's very pretty! We don't have an IKEA in OK. So the closest one would be in TX. I noticed the shipping is quite high, and I've never ordered from them.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ahhhhh what a great sofa you chose, it's the perfect size and style for Cottage! Ikea is great, no doubt!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So pretty! I love the Ikea experience but I have a friend who gets totally stressed out there. LOL! The cartoons are hilarious! I love the new sofa...it is so pretty. Glad to hear it's comfy too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I haven't been to an Ikea in ages. I think there are just too many choices! So much stuff! Though, I do like some of their items and I adore your new sofa. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations on your new sofa! It has upped the coziness factor in your living room! May it bring you many years of comfort!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your new sofa and the ticking/color! Very good choice! I have been to an Ikea store and its overwhelming to me. I walked around in a daze most of the time and leave without purchasing anything. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can definitely be overwhelming. On the rare occasions I go, I make a precise list of what I want before!

      Delete
  25. C'est vrai que je n'y croyais pas trop à ce canapé Ikea... et puis finalement, il est très mignon et très confortable... et dans le salon de Cottage il est tout à fait à sa place. J'espère que tu vas pouvoir te reposer un peu dans ce super canapé... à la place des chats ! Bises

    ReplyDelete
  26. Magali el sofa esta muy bonito te felicito y veo que a los gatitos tambien les gusta;) me encanta y disfruto saber de ti y Cottage cuidate y Hasta la proxima
    Nelly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahora, necesito encontrar las piezas perfectas para rodear el nuevo sofá ...

      Delete
  27. Your sofa is charming, Magali! So nice to have it delivered for you, too! Looks like the kitties are claiming it as their own. The 'map' of Ikea is so funny - and true! xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very cute sofa!! I love the blue strips. Your cats are very comfortable laying on it. Our cats had to sniff it all around our new sofa and chair before they finally layed on it. The pillows are adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congratulations on your new sofa - I love it! Looks like kitty's also love it. It really looks so good and I love the color too.

    I bet that Cottage loves it too. Enjoy your new sofa....

    Happy Easter,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  30. The big reveal! You did well, Magali. It goes so well with the room. I can see you there with a book and a woolen blanket, you look very comfortable.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  31. You found the perfect sofa for you and Cottage....and the kitties, too! IKEA is an experience like no other, but it's worth visiting if you find what you're looking for. Thank goodness your friends were able to deliver it to you, because the shipping is ridiculously high. I love the crisp blue & white striped fabric with your rustic stone in your living room. Well done, Magali! I hope I have as much success when I start seriously shopping for a new sofa.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love ticking and the look of it! Wonderful and cozy room! Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congrats on the new sofa it fits perfect in the cottage...I never go to Ikea either, farther away and its massive with too many turns and children?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! I love it! The navy ticking is just perfect and the sofa has that wonderfully comfortable look of Shabby Chic. Looking back you have really come along ways since I started following your little cottage. Congratulations! What a great job you have done.
    xoxo Jo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Je vois que pas mal de gens achètent leur canapé chez ce géant du meuble et ont l'air satisfaits... Celui-ci rend bien chez toi. Bon dimanche!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I always walks out of IKEA with more than I planned unless I'm with Steve. He is matter of fact, hits the spot for what we went in for, finds a quick exit and we're gone. Our best time was 20 minutes to buy wooden garden chaises and pads. We had a 45 minute drive in, 20minutes inside IKEA and 45 minutes back home. That would never happen with me.

    I love the sofa you chose and especially that ticking fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  37. les pieds visibles du canapé lui donnent une allure moins massive et sont un très joli rappel des meubles de Cottage !! et ce charmant Cottage serait-il, à présent, à la recherche de tables gigognes ??? je patiente, je patiente.... bien cordialement - monique59

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love that beautiful sofa, I bet Cottage does too!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am one of those people who take their kids to IKEA when there's nothing to do. Ha! They love to play pretend that the house set-ups are their houses and best of all, is playing office! This couch looks so pretty and perfect. good choice!

    ReplyDelete
  40. It's perfect, Magali, and looks like it was made for Cottage! Enjoy!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love your new couch, it looks perfect for you! I also love the way the room looks with the other couch turned at right angles to it. It's interesting how sometimes (within reason) more furniture actually makes a place look bigger. I had the same experience myself with a couple of chairs recently.
    Also, good luck in your upcoming runoff election. I see your area went Macron in the voting which is thrilling and makes me feel happy for you, I wish your country the best of luck on 7 May.

    ReplyDelete
  42. It's a good thing the kitties approve. It would be a shame if you had to get rid of it after all that.mi agree with you about Ikea. I avoid that store like the plague even though I like the merchandise. I'm excited to see your new tables. Get well soon!

    ReplyDelete
  43. very nice post.thank for sharing such a nice post.i like it so much.Check Office Furniture Miami

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.