If you would’ve told me a year ago that I’d have an orange couch, green chairs and yellow walls, I would’ve laughed. But alas, here it is.
Here’s the scoop: When Corey and Alex came to visit a couple of weeks ago, aside from simply visiting with each other, she arrived with the larger purpose of helping me furnish an empty room. Our casual living space is now in the finished basement and that left the formal living space with nothing but the brown footstool you see in front of the couch. We absolutely did not want to buy an entire living room set for an outrageous amount of money, so I explained to Corey beforehand that we’d be thrifting it. If anyone can help me get something accomplished, she can.
Sidebar: There are no electronics in this room and that is an intentional omission. This room serves as a place where people can visit with one another face to face and talk. Remember real live social interaction? Yeah, I remember it too. It will happen in this room.
Having already eyeballed the two green and gold chairs for $20 each at a Habitat Re-Store the week prior, we made that our first destination. I announced along the way, “If they’re still there, it’s meant to be.” Sure enough, they sat coupled in the middle of the room. I paid $43.12 for them, picked up some foam and batting (to replace the inside of the seat cushions) from Hobby Lobby for $15 and the throw pillows from TJ Maxx for $10 each. Voila, chairs!
Next to find was a love seat or some sort of small couch with the additional challenge of matching it to the green chairs. We must have sorted through half a dozen thrift and consignment shops before nearly giving up. The last stop was a flea market that had nothing but baby clothes, Kiss memorabilia and tchotchkes. However, across the street from the flea market was a furniture shop advertising “blowout sales.” Why not, right?
Inside it was a normal furniture shop with normal furniture shop prices. We went immediately to the back room where the Last Chance Sale pieces were placed in mismatched rows. There it was: the orange couch. It was very modern and bold, and the juxtaposition of its shape against the curvy retro chairs was perfect. When the salesman didn’t know the price offhand, he went to ask a supervisor (you know, the usual sales tactic). Quietly, I remarked to Corey, “I love this couch but I won’t pay more than $200 for it. If it’s $200, then it’s meant to be.”
She agreed with my assessment just as the salesman and his supervisor returned. He stammered and rubbed his chin, then asked, “Will you take it for $199?”
I paused for dramatic effect, then casually answered, “Yes.”
Jackson spends every morning on the orange couch reading books. I told Chuck that I’m so in love with this couch that he may wake up in the middle of the night and find me sleeping on it. It was meant to be.
