My new-to-me sofa.

The last time I wrote about sofas, I was debating between two styles - a classic english roll arm or something a bit more clean-lined. Well, despite my love of a good ol' roll arm, a few months ago when I saw a listing pop up on craigslist for a clean-lined, three cushion sofa in amazing condition, that had the exact lines I was looking for - I hastily emailed the seller.

As much as I love the roll arm, as you all know, I had become totally smitten with the simple lines of Jenny's baker sofa (that she found on craigslist and had reupholstered). After seeing her sofa in various photos on her blog, I started to think more and more that this style would work in my new space too. I'll have a bunch of different styles going on and lots of textiles and patterns...so the more I thought about it having a sofa that was slightly less "style defined" (a roll arm is quite english formal to me) felt like the right way to go so that everything else could really hold their own against it (a roll arm is such a dominant style that a small bit of me thought that with the persian rug, ethnic textiles, etc. it might all be just a tad too much - something more clean-lined might work better).

Anyways, a few days after emailing the seller I went to take a closer look at the sofa (the pic she posted wasn't the greatest) and decided rather quickly that I would purchase it. Yes, I bought a sofa before I found an apartment. I'm a rebel.

It was exactly what I was looking for in this style: the lines are clean which make it feel modern but it has a slightly vintage feel (maybe because of the fabric?). Under the arm covers, it has lovely simple detailing on the arms. It's super comfy. The back cushions on either end curve around the arm as opposed to being a rectangle (does this make sense?). The legs (important because I knew I'd be removing the skirt) are fab. It has three seat cushions. It is nice and wide - perfect for napping! You could tell it was solid and well made. And most importantly, it was in my budget.

Turns out, the daughter was selling the sofa for her father who, at 90, had recently moved into a nursing home. Her mother passed away 10 years ago and, together, her parents had purchased the sofa back in the 70s. Since then, it has sat in her parents formal living room - barely getting any use. So to say it was in excellent condition was an understatement. When I lifted the cushion to inspect, the manufactures label was still there in perfect condition and I noticed it was made in Canada. I googled the company and, to my surprise, they're still in business and based in Toronto where they do custom high end upholstery and also reupholstery - perfect. I sent them an email, with the photo attached to inquire the cost of reupholstery but also to see if they'd have any info about how their sofas are made and got this response less than 24 hours later:

Hi - The sofa was probably made in the late sixties, early seventies. It's a solid maple frame with a web and coil construction, 8 way hand-tied. A new sofa today, made the same way, would cost about $4000 + the cost of fabric......

Needless to say I spent less than 1/40th of that price - a total bargain for something in such great condition and so well made I think! It's lasted 40 years...no reason to think it won't/can't last another 40!

I can't wait to get it reupholstered but, for that, I will wait until I'm in my new space before deciding on a colour. In my mind I'm leaning towards a medium gray - the safe choice, or playing it bold and going with a raspberry-ish colour. We'll see! And definitely a velvet or cotton velvet - something with that texture. And while the cushions are in excellent condition I'll probably get them re-wrapped with down...again, we'll see. Decisions, decisions! I look forward to sharing the process and the "after" with you all!

+The roll arm has been a lust of mine for so long that I suppose it may return - but for the time being I'm super happy about and excited with this purchase.
++I wrote this post a while ago, shortly after buying the sofa, and I just noticed this week that Fabricland is having a really good sale on fabric - so I might buy my fabric ahead of time instead of waiting. I'll have to go to my storage unit, get my rug out, and take a picture so I can pull a coordinating colour from it.

A quick update on the apartment search.

It's Saturday, a long weekend, and I'm posting? Yes, I am - because I wanted to share a not 100% confirmed but it's looking very good update on the apartment hunting front:

It looks like I may have found the one. Why share when it's not 100% confirmed? Well, my hunt for the right apartment has been fairly well documented on here up until now - all of the close calls and resulting disappointments.....so why stop now!

Long story short: On Thursday I viewed an apartment that I actually like and is available for June 1. Through talking with the landlord, who I quite like and who I think likes me...and Howard!, he mentioned that current tenants in the exact same unit but on the top floor of the building had just given notice and that unit would be available for August 1. Obviously I'd prefer to be on the top floor. So I took an application, went home, and gave it some thought. On Friday morning I called him and let him know I really like the apartment but would prefer the top unit - even if I have to wait until August. He seemed very open and okay to that. I mean, the way I see it is what landlord wouldn't want to rent out an apartment before it's even vacated - that takes pressure off of him too! He'll be out of the country for the next month so when he's back I'll go take a quick look at the top unit (which will still be occupied) and if I like it we'll go from there. But I mean, it's the exact same so viewing it is really just a formality.

So, for the next month - I wait (and continue to look just to be on the safe side). And unless I find something better in the next month or the current tenants of the unit change their mind about moving - it looks very promising.

I normally try not to get too optimistic but I feel good about this one. So good in fact that I'm allowing myself to start mentally decorating....like I haven't been doing that for the past two years.

Okay, so that's my update. If all goes well I'll have another update for you in about a month but in the meantime know that it meets nearly everything on my list.

I'm off to enjoy the long weekend - even though I think I'm quickly coming down with a nasty cold. I've been blowing my nose and sneezing for the past hour! Of course, I'd get sick on my first long weekend not working of the year....

+Note: I know the pics are fairly terrible. The primary reason of sharing that first pic is to highlight the fact that there's a long hallway in the apartment...which means I'm going to go buy that Nate Berkus Arrowhead Runner :-)

A few links for the long weekend.

It's Friday AND a long weekend here - so I'm keeping today's post nice and simple.

+I shared the link to Jessie's home tour on Design*Sponge earlier this week but she's shared some extra pics on her blog and the two above, yes of her bathroom, are particularly inspiring to me. This is what I want my next apartment to feel like - bright, fresh, a little bit traditional but updated, dark woods, greenery, texture, old pieces, ethnic textiles. Love.

+I finished reading this book last week and can not stop talking about it to everyone. I'm writing a post on it but if you're looking for a quick but good read definitely pick this up. I've been consumed with learning more about North Korea since finishing it.

+Daniel, over on Manhattan Nest, has yet again managed to choke me up with his Happy Birthday, Linus post. Linus is his dog.

+I absolutely love Joy's sandals. Since I can't go all the way to Greece to buy my own pair, any suggestions on a similar looking pair available locally or perhaps online even?

+Apartment Therapy's Annual Small Cool Contest is now on! Very timely since I'm looking at small apartments. Any favourites in the contest so far?

+Speaking of apartments, I viewed another apartment yesterday (what's that, #7?) and we might have found something with this one folks....I need to talk to the landlord about something but will keep you updated.

+This is officially my summer jam of 2013.

Have a great (long) weekend and Happy Victoria Day to my fellow Canadians!

Almost makes perfect.

Ever discover a blog and think "holy crap, how am I just discovering this blog now??" and then proceed to go through the entire archive (over a few days naturally). Well, there's been a handful of blogs I've felt that way about upon discovering and that's exactly how I felt and what happened when I discovered Almost Makes Perfect last week. I've known about Almost Makes Perfect for all of a week and it's already solidly in my Top 5 favourite blogs. Yes, I think it's that good. And maybe you will to?

If you like great looking DIYs like this...or this... good design, yummy recipes that actually look doable, nice graphics, solid photographs, a simple but good looking functional blog layout, and a blog with a strong/unique voice (Molly is quite funny) - you'll love Almost Makes Perfect.

Check it out. Tell her I sent you.

10 tips for shopping thrift shops successfully.

So, I'd like to think that over the past little while I've become quite adept at shopping in thrift shops. While I still have yet to take advantage of the middle aisles (which is usually where clothes are found) - I'm still not totally confident braving those racks yet - I am quite capable of handling the perepherial - which is a good thing since that's where the things I love to look for are found. While yes, thrift stores can be filled with junk if you know what to look for, and perhaps more importantly how to look, there are great deals and treasures to be found. In the beginning, I felt quite...odd going into a thrift shop because, you know, that's where they sell all of people's crap that they don't want and that they gave to them in big black bags...why would I want to go through other people's crap. Well, let me tell you - people give away some good stuff! To be honest, it's a little bit hard for me to go into a regular store now and buy certain items at regular price! Let me share some of the tips I follow with you all.

A recent haul from the thrift shop. And yes, that white pot on the left is a Le Creuset - my first!

1. Always grab a cart or take a basket as soon as you walk in the door. You may not find anything and therefore may not use it - but it's always best to have it just in case. It sucks when your arms are filled with great finds and you can't pick up other potential great items to have a look because your hands are filled...then you have to walk back to the front to get a cart/basket all the while thinking someone is going to get to that item before you have a chance to get back to it...

2. If you know exactly what you're looking for go to that section first. This is a case of practice what you preach because while I believe in this tip I don't always follow it. For example, I love looking for wood bowls and other wood kitchen accessories - so I should head there first...but I like to go in order so it's usually halfway through the store. There have been a hand full of times when, by the time I got there, I see someone with something I would've wanted and I curse myself for not heading there first.

3. Bend down a bit and look at the back of the shelf. I'm pretty good at skimming the shelves quickly but sometimes I forget to just bend down a bit and look at the back at the shelf...and there's been times when doing that has lead me to finding something I really like that was hidden behind something else or just out of view.

If I didn't put that yellow arrow in would you have been able to spot that beautiful marble pepper shaker? I almost missed it. Actually, I didn't see it until I was in the other aisle looking at the pots (seen in the back) - I promptly came back for it (and found the matching salt shaker on the shelf below).

4. Paint, polish, oil. Doing any of these to an item can breathe new life into or give it an entirely new look. See beyond the chipped paint, dry wood, dingy finish....does it have good bones? Awesome lines? Is it well made? How would it look with a new coat of paint? Perhaps the wood just needs to be oiled to restore the finish? Maybe that vase is an awesome shape just in a hideous colour? Could that stool be recovered in a fabric more to your liking? Perhaps that piece is just really dingy and needs some brass or silver polish to shine bright (like a diamond - sorry, I couldn't help it). Sometimes it just takes a little vision.

I immediately fell for legs on these stools - but the brass is dingy and the fabric terrible. Some brass-o and new fabric and they'll be fabulous! Only $3.99 each (+30% off!)

How cute is this shiny stainless steel bottle opener - now that it's all polished. It'll look great on my thrifted bar cart.

When I saw this I thought "ew, gross!" but then I remembered it's brass - and pictured it all shiny....it'll look great on a bookshelf or table once it's shined up.

5. What else could it be used for? You might not need another tea cup but maybe you could use it to plant some herbs or for a pretty plant? Those fabulous curtains could be turned into awesome accent pillows. You don't really want a book of landscapes but you could easily frame a few pages for easy (and inexpensive!) artwork! Again, this tip takes having a little vision but once you start to think of things as being more than they are you'll get the hang of it.

I think this portrait would look amazing framed. From this book.

I'm not too sure what this is intended for (note the notches on it) but I thought it could make a lovely planter for some succulents.

6. If you're unsure put it in your cart/basket anyways. Then you can think about it as you check everything else out or before you head to the register. Trust me, it sucks putting something back on the shelf that you're unsure of only to come back a few minutes later to find that its gone - someone else got to it. It costs nothing to put it in your cart/basket - and you're allowed to change your mind. See, told you you'd need that cart!

7. Figure out what are the best days to go and go then. Most thrift stores will restock shelves throughout the day but, even still, I find some days are better than others. For example, the day I have the most luck at my favourite thrift shop is Friday. I had a theory that Mondays should be a good day but the handful of times I've gone then I've found nothing.

8. Check for the brand stamp/logo then google it. Sure, if you really love a piece then it doesn't matter who it's buy and if it's real or not. But there are times when you might be on the fence about something and knowing if it's one-of-a-kind, collector's, what have you - would make a difference. I am always looking for the maker and googling stuff while I'm in the aisle. You may think that china cup is worth a pretty penny and hard to find but turns out it's mass produced and worth nothing. Or vice versa - that $10 pan is an original DANSK and is priced amazingly low.

9. When you've finished circle back, even quickly, once more. Sometimes the shelves have already been added to, or you've missed something, or someone has put something back that they changed their mind about. I can't tell you how many times I've found things on my quick final round that I'd missed the first time around (good as I've become even I miss things!)

10. Visit often. And this is the hard part. You could find nothing today and 3 days later - wowza. Now that I've bought a car, I tend to try and visit my favourite thrift shop on my way home from work every Friday...or every other Friday. It's on my way home and so it's fairly easy to stop for a few minutes. It's simple math - the more you visit the greater your odds in finding something good.

This is the first piece of pottery I've thrifted. I fell for it big time and knew I'd be disappointed if I left it behind. Made in Germany. $8 (+30% off!)

And it goes without saying - only buy it if you really love it and will put it to use. Don't buy something just because you kinda like it and it's cheap - you'll end up with a house filled with stuff...and stuff that you just kinda sorta like. If I'm on the fence, I put it in my basket to think about it. If by the time I get to the register I've forgotten I've put it in my basket it - I leave it behind...I obviously wasn't thinking about it/excited by it. If it's meant to be I figure I'll see it again!

So there you go. 10 tips I follow that have lead to great success in thrift shops. Have you had any luck in thrift shops lately? Any tips to add?