To begin, let me explain about the furniture we replaced. K's recliner/rocker has been in this house for more years than I can remember. The back was sagging on one side and the decorative buttons from the back were mostly missing. I believe I repaired the underneath, protective material several times--when the cat was smaller/younger, she would climb up inside of the chair, after she ripped the cover material. It wasn't even in good enough shape to put it out on the side of the road with a 'FREE' sign on it--no one would have wanted it.
Our couch has always been a second bed. The master bedroom in this house is quite small, so we can't fit anything bigger than a full-sized bed. K and I really need a queen or bigger bed in order for us to sleep comfortably. Also, we both radiate heat like space heaters, so putting two hot bodies in the same bed does not make for restful sleep. K has taken to sleeping on the couch--a lot. Some nights he will start off in bed and then move to the couch and other nights he just falls asleep while watching TV and stays there for the entire night. AND he likes to nap. On the couch. Having over 200 pounds rolling around on a piece of furniture that is not supposed to be used in the manner he uses it, doesn't do good things. (Full disclosure: I have been known to sleep on the couch at times, also. ;)) I am still convinced that the spring--or whatever it was--that broke in the back of the couch several years ago was because of all of the sleeping done on it. Of course, the cushions were beginning to break down and the upholstery was beginning to wear, so it was time to buy new.
We also replaced our mattress and box spring. It has been way too long with what we had. I would wake up in the morning less rested and more sore than I was when I went to bed. NOT good. When we moved the furniture out of the room in order to clean for the new stuff, I realized just how bad the mattress was. We set the mattress on its side and it looked just like the belly of a woman who had gained 85 pounds during pregnancy, only to lose it all in less than six weeks. In other words, it was sagging and lumpy. Yeah, time to replace.
This time, we went with La-Z-Boy furniture. We have always had wonderful luck with La-Z-Boy recliners, so that is what we replaced K's 'old blue' with. It was completely his decision, as it was mainly his chair. The couch, too, is a La-Z-Boy. I'm assuming it will hold up a bit better than the last one we had--which was a different brand. K decided that he really wanted a pillow-back--after saying a while back that we would NEVER get one. Sooooo, here is the new furniture:
The bed frame we have is antique brass. I believe it was my great-grandparents, so it is probably close to 100 years old. And it sits rather high. With the old mattress and box spring--which were quite thin--the bed was high. But nothing compares to what the bed is like with the new mattress. I can't get into the bed without a step stool. The top of the bed is about waist-high for me. This will be a very interesting 'getting to know you' period until I'm used to it. The only good thing is that I won't strain my back whenever the bed needs fixing or the bedding needs to be changed. ;) And to top it all off, I think I will need to get quite a bit of new bedding. But, at least it will be fun. And here is the new bed:
Oh, and if you never noticed or knew, I LOVE the color blue. :D
Blue!! I love blue, too. I can see what you mean about there not being enough room for a queen-size bed. That bed is high! Hope neither of you fall out!
ReplyDeleteMy recliner is at least 20 years old and really should be replaced, but I'm not sure I'd like a pillow back-I'd have to try it out.
When we moved here 5 years ago we bought a new bed with mattress etc. The mattress was expensive as we were hunting for comfort. We previously had done the couch thing too. We now are having to buy a new mattress. After two years the mattress caved on both sides. It's been like sleeping in a d*** ditch! This year our Christmas present to each other is better sleeping conditions!
ReplyDeletejanet: I finally gave in to my 'blue' obsession and embraced it. I had gone way too long trying to get close to other colors, to no avail. As I have said: "I like blue no matter WHAT color it is." :D
ReplyDeleteThis recliner is nice because there isn't that crappy 'lump' that hits a shorter person right in the back of the head. It probably is meant to rest on the back of your neck and give stability, but you have to be much, much taller than I am. I always have had the 'lump' hit my head in such a way that I was sitting lopsided or with my chin practically touching my chest--just NOT comfortable for me. This chair is quite comfy.
leazwell: Every time we buy a mattress--or are in need of one--is a time of great stress for me. I don't know HOW to buy a mattress and no matter HOW many I lay down on, it still isn't the same as actually sleeping on one for many hours. I'm always wondering if I will suffer 'buyer's remorse' for ten or more years. >:(
We have friends who have a 'sleep number' bed--actually it is their second one. They rave on and on about it and wouldn't get anything else. I would want to try one, but until we do a major remodel of our bedroom--and make more room for a bigger bed--I just don't want to spend the money. Also, a lot of people are enjoying the memory foam mattresses. K and I thought of one of those, but with the two of us being as warm as we are, we couldn't do it--they tend to retain heat too much for us.
K and I give larger purchases to ourselves for Christmas, too. After this many years of marriage, there isn't much that either one of us wants or needs that could be given as a gift. And for the most part, we are lucky enough to be able to get what we want when we want (or need) it--it's not as if we are a young couple with small kids and have to watch our pennies as carefully as before. ;)
I can understand the stress of buying a mattress-I'm uncomfortable "trying one out" in stores. And I'm still worried about having a new mattress & boxsprings delivered in a truck that might have picked up bedbugs! That's a big one that's making me put off getting a new mattress.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my present bed, it smelled strongly of something that I had to go get a plastic mattress protector that totally encased the mattress. It came wrapped in plastic. But my body heat reflected off the protector and it was miserable so I took it off, and put up with the smell-I eventually didn't smell it anymore but Mom could-and still does on occasion. So that's another concern about getting a new mattress-I know we should have called the store to complain, but it just seemed like too much trouble. If my next bed smells, I'm certainly going to complain!
Oh! I just LOVE your new furniture! Congrats. La-Z-Boy tends to hold up VERY well over the years. And I think it's pretty funny you need a step-stool to get INTO bed! HA!
ReplyDeletejanet: I remember watching those 'news' stories about buying brand new mattresses that were actually recycled ones--THAT has always been what I think about when making the purchase. :D Although, with such a small community as we have here, I don't think any store could get away with being shady for too long.
ReplyDeleteIn the past year or so, I have gotten two new down-filled pillows and THEY have a distinct odor. It isn't as bad as the old Dick Van Dyke show episode about 'cheap, chopped, chicken feathers,' but I still can smell SOMETHING. (It doesn't help that I have a nose that a perfume maker would pay a million dollars for. :D) I believe the smell has dissipated, but then I just may have gotten used to it. Oh, and I spent BIG time money on these things--bought them from LL Bean! And the same as you, I SHOULD have gotten in touch with the company and said something, but I didn't.
meleah: La-Z-Boy makes some of the best furniture around! The Youngest and her husband have the swivel-rocker we bought for me to use for nursing The Oldest 33 years ago! Other than the upholstery in dire need of being replaced--if for no other reason than the fact it is ORANGE!--the chair is as good today as it was the day we bought it.
While climbing--LITERALLY--into bed the other night, I told K that I feel as if I'm in a production of The Princess and The Pea! The thing is, I only need the one mattress. :D