I love to share with you the exciting new happenings in my life, big or small, so I thought you might like to see my new living room couch and chair! 
Here’s a photo of me on our old couch, taken on a Christmas morning (that’s me opening presents).
I actually loved that old couch and how it went with the porcelains and prints I have on display in the room, but its springs were losing their spring and the devil cat and the New York cat were shredding the fabric on its arms.
That couch and its matching armchair belonged to my Aunt Loraine, who died in the late 1990s. They sat in her apartment for at least 15 years. I believe she got them from a friend, but the upholstery was her selection and I thought of her every time I looked at them. My living room was filled with happy memories, with furniture and decor from my parents’ house and from my in-laws, who are still alive and well! But, thanks to the devil cat and the New York cat and a set of sagging springs, it was time for the couch and chair to go.
(Devil Cat and New York Cat)
My original idea was to economize, but my husband talked me out of going to Ikea. The first furniture store we went in was having a sale. Passing up all the economical items they had, we fell in love with a leather couch, armchair, and ottoman. Here’s a view of the living room now. I admit my coffee table looks dwarfed by that big couch, but, because that table is one of the “memories” I don’t want to remove or replace it.
Like all new things, it takes some getting used to. I still expect to see my aunt’s old couch and chair when I peek into the room, but I am happily surprised that we actually splurged on this comfortable, cat-proof set!
You might wonder where the old couch and chair went. I offered it to a Latino friend of my cleaning lady. When she, her husband and their two little children picked them up, the children were so excited about getting my 30+ year old, cat-shredded furniture that it made my heart ache. I’m happy my aunt’s couch and chair found a loving home.
Now…Guess where my favorite place to write is! Here’s a photo of me, writing on my laptop, gazing at the porcelain figurines that were my mother’s, my aunt’s and mine.
Speaking of new….Oct 1 is the release day of The Liberation of Miss Finch, my Harlequin Historical Undone short eStory, telling you what happened to Claude, the boy my Three Soldiers rescued and who was an important character in Valiant Soldier, Beautiful Enemy. Purchase The Liberation of Miss Finch at your favorite online eBook store or at eHarlequin.
What new purchases have you made lately?
I would definitely sit in that oversized armchair too! I have a leather Morris chair that reclines and it’s my favorite chair in my favorite room in the house. Hmmm, I may have to blog on it.
Enjoy your new furniture and thanks for sharing!
Hey. I may have started a new trend. Furniture blogs!
I like the look of the old, too! And there is something about the sentimental memories. Glad the old found a new home. I don’t think books counts in this buying new question.
Everything counts, Judy! Whatever new thing makes you happy!
Then it would be books I order from Harlequin every month, and my books will be arriving in the next few days.
That chair looks entirely too comfy! I’d be asleep in moments.
I have my Great Aunt Icie’s low set 100 year old rocking chair. It is a lovely old Victorian piece with brocade upholstery and these graceful swans as the curves of the arms. She worked as a seamstress until her eyes failed her when she was 85. She is the one who taught me to quilt and tat. The chair sits in my sewing area. And my resident female cat sleeps on a fat cushion I put in the seat to protect the fabric. She loves that chair and none of her furry brothers and sisters dare sit in it.
As to the new, I am shopping for a washing machine. Not terribly glamorous or comfy, but necessary!
Louisa, I love the sound of that chair. I have many pieces of furniture from my parents’ house and my aunt, scattered around the house. My living room, though, holds the most memories.
Your new couch looks great, Diane. Sophisticated yet comfortable. I love the smell of new leather couches. I’ve been thinking of replacing my old tatty IKEA ones with leather. But I’m sure you felt a wrench at getting rid of your aunt’s couch too. Nice that it went to such a good appreciative new home!
Deb x
Hi, Deb!!!!!! Or should I say G’day.
The leather was a real splurge, but I love it and expect for it to last as long as my aunt’s couch and chair did
This looks very comfy! I’m afraid to admit I DID go to ikea & it was not a good choice. Need loads of cushions to relax & my fav place to read is now my old blue chair. Damaged by my late cat, but I add a quilt for beauty & part of me secretly loves the little memory he left underneath.
Kirsten, I’m glad you have a favorite chair with a memory!
Love your new furniture. We have purchased a couple of sofas, but haven’t been completely satisfied with them. Have passed them along to our kids as they set up their homes. We just gave the love seat of our set to our son for his apartment. When we get our house finished, I have my eye on a brown leather sofa that is really comfortable. The cats won’t be a problem, the dogs will.
librarypat, I had no idea leather could be so soft. I’m in love with my couch and chair!