It's raining quite steadily as I sit in the pre-dawn darkness. What a wonderful sound! I feel rain-deprived after our drier-than-normal summer. Our rainfall is still lagging -- I'd like to say by how much, but I'm having trouble parsing the charts on this page, which monitors our local weather. In an abundance of journalistic caution I'm just going to say we're behind and leave it at that.
I hope yesterday's blog post didn't seem too slap-dash. I woke up at 7:07 a.m. and I have to leave for work at 8 a.m., so I sat down and cranked it out in about half an hour -- and during that time our new couch was delivered and I was trying to eat breakfast! There was a lot going on and I didn't have time to "finesse" it. Today I can sit and write a leisurely post.
Yes! The new couch is here, as is the new rug:
Dave stayed home yesterday to intercept the deliveries, as well as deal with the drain engineers, who had to come back because the first guy didn't fully reopen the drain. As my mother used to say, everything has to be done at least twice.
I really like the couch's appearance, but I confess I'm still getting used to it. By the standards of our conversation the other day, this is really more of a sofa than a couch. It's structured more for sitting than for lounging. I knew it would be smaller than the Big Brown Behemoth, but it seems very small when I'm sitting on it, and it also seems to have a very slight forward rake, maybe to help older people like me get in and out of it. My mom's couch was like that too.
I love the rug. The design is called Robin's Wood, and it goes well with all our plants and our general garden theme in the living room. Dave seems a little unsure about it -- "it's very colorful," he said -- but again, I think it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Overall I'm very pleased with our updates.
There's a lot of other stuff going on related to my job and potential retirement. The school has agreed to my application and presented me with a proposal, which I have informally accepted, so it looks like it's going to happen. I have to have the whole thing legally vetted now, before signing a final contract, and then next spring I'll be done. It's a weird and frankly scary feeling, but I think it's time.
(Top photo: An autumnal hydrangea in our garden. Oddly, this hydrangea is pure white when it first blooms, so it's interesting that it picks up some color as the season progresses.)
Oh, I love a new couch and that one looks wonderful. I think the rug is really pretty, and it does seem to blend in with that pretty garden room. I wish you'd posted the sound of the rain -- will we ever hear it again in southern California?
ReplyDeleteI will take a video next time! Are you all in drought? I didn't even realize that.
DeleteI LOVE the rug!!! And the couch/sofa/thing-you-sit-on is pretty nice too.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love that rug and the way the leaves spill off the edge, very artistic.
ReplyDeleteWe liked that too -- it's very unusual.
DeleteThe rug is very unusual. Hope Dave gets used to it. When I bought a new sofa/settee (never couch!) a couple of years ago I made sure it was long enough to lay on - reading is better that way!
ReplyDeleteI can lie on this one too, but it's narrower than the old one.
DeleteIt is very smart and elegant. The flow of plants from the rug to the indoor plants and then outside to the garden gives it a natural feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I agree -- I like the leafy theme.
DeleteI do love those colours. Very uplifting. Perhaps some squashy cushions would enhance your comfort?
ReplyDeleteWe saved the small brown throw pillows from the old couch and I'm using one of them now. :)
DeleteThe rug design is bold but very fitting given your houseplants and the view to your lovely garden. A great choice... but I prefer sofas that give good back and neck support. That one would be too low slung for me. Please don't get mad because I said that!
ReplyDeleteI'm not mad! The back support seems good but I'd agree there's no real neck support.
DeleteLove the rug - it's most unusual and goes well in the room, but do be careful you don't trip over those "extended" leaves! Not wishing to offend, but the sofa doesn't look very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThe little leaf extensions aren't too hazardous because they're mostly under furniture -- not really where we walk.
DeleteI love the new sofa (yep, that’s what I’d call it) and rug. So perfect for the room and the rug enhances the garden atmosphere. I absolutely love the color palette of the rug and the silhouette. Exciting news about retirement.
ReplyDeleteI like the color palette too. When Dave first found this rug he saw a beige variety, and then I discovered they offered this darker one at HALF PRICE! I would have chosen it anyway, even at full price.
DeletePlain sofa, colourful rug..a good combination!
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to discover why the hydrangea changes colour like that
Yeah, I would love to know! I guess the plant puts it to work gathering food, since it has outlived its usefulness as a flower?
DeleteThe new couch is really nice, and the rug is very unusual with it's shaped edges, I think it would grow on me. My Hydrangea is doing exactly the same this year, and very weirdly a new pure white flower has appeared on it, while all the other flowers are the same as your photo now.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that yours is still blooming!
DeleteJust with the one flower head though, I have no idea why!!
DeleteLucky you on your upcoming retirement. I would literally be counting the days.
ReplyDeleteI am! Every time I do an annual task I think, "I'll never have to do this again..."
DeleteThe sofa and rug go perfectly together. The rug looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I'd be really excited about the upcoming retirement, too.
Glad you like it! And yes, I am excited. :)
DeleteI think the new sofa looks great with the rug. With all of the plants it looks like a really cozy place. Congratulations on your impending retirement. I know how scary it can be, but it is great!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling it will be fine. I've always been good at keeping myself busy!
DeleteIt's so exciting to have something new. One cannot resist looking at it all the time, almost to make sure it's actually there. Retirement is beckoning - a change to a different routine and pace of life. You will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI hope so! I can't see how I wouldn't, to be honest.
DeleteThe rug is an adventurous choice but I would need to see it a larger context to judge.
ReplyDeleteYour couch would not suit me at all, but it is not for me to sit in.
So your spring would be say March, so is that when you will retire? Are you afraid? I was, and it turned out to be for no reason. Ray could not believe how quickly and easily I adjusted to being retired. I expect you will too.
Mid-April is the date they've proposed.
DeleteThere are two ways of looking at that rug. The charitable one, and the vaguely sceptical. I understand Dave's hesitation. Let's just say, the actual plants should do the talking, not the rug taking over. To add a little more salt into the wound I'll guarantee you you will regret those bits sticking out. Being tripped up an accident waiting to happen. Let's hope none of your guests wears high heels. Or carries a baby in arm.
ReplyDeleteA sofa should always be long enough to sleep on it. And long enough for two people to sit on, having a conversation without invading the other's personal space which I believe to be about 50 cm minimum.
Steve, I do my damn best [which is not very good] to NOT say anything when there is nothing "nice" to say. Reminds me of those cliched female friends asking "Does my bum look big in this?" or similar. Want to do your friend [unless they are a Kardashian] a favour? Be honest. Though dare say, in your case, it's too late now.
Designer greetings,
U
PS As to your assertion that you'll get used to it: The Angel aka my son once observed that getting used to something is where a lot of tragedy stems from. A different discussion, on a different plain. Enjoy.
I literally cannot remember the last time we had a baby in our house! If ever!
DeleteThe sofa is long enough for sleeping/two people talking. It's 200 cm long. As for the rug bits, they're mostly under furniture so not much risk of tripping.
And I must politely disagree with The Angel on "getting used to" things. Adaptability is a valuable skill, though of course we must pick and choose what's worthy of adaptation and what's not!
I like the bold colors and design of the rug, and I love your new sofa. That's a gorgeous room you've got there!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We like it!
DeleteAre you placing bets on the first food spill onto your new couch/sofa?
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm betting either red wine or coffee. Something to cause permanent damage.
DeleteI love the rug! The sofa almost looks loveseat sized (but that might just be the camera angle). But it looks good in the room. Congrats on your retirement plans!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a full length sofa, but maybe slightly shorter than many American ones. We bought the "large" size, and there's also an "extra large" that's 30cm longer.
DeleteThe room looks nice, Steve.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen!
DeleteLooks great all round. Enjoy your new home.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabine!
DeleteI can see why the new sofa looks smaller -- anything would after that huge one. I'm glad you're happy with your choices.
ReplyDeleteAnd retirement is under way, yay!
Yeah, exactly -- that other one changed the scale of the entire room!
DeleteLooks As If Summer 2026 Will Be Wildly Yours To Adventure , Create , And Learn - So Stoked For Ya Brother Man - Also , That Rug Is Totally Righteous - Things Are Certainly Happening
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Your Weekend ,
Cheers
They are indeed happening, little by little!
DeleteI think the combo adds a whole lot of interest to your living room. The rug and the sofa do seem to go hand-in-hand, one plain and one so very not plain, but sharing the deep blue. The way the design on the rug goes beyond the border is something I've never seen before and adds its own uniqueness. And I am so proud of you for not being afraid of color! Is that the Florida in you?
ReplyDeleteI bet retirement is looking mighty good from where you sit right now, whether it's on that new sofa or behind your desk at work.
I surely wish it would rain here. A good, solid rain that lasted for hours and hours. Patience, right?
It's kind of a Florida-looking rug, isn't it?! Despite the English woodland theme, it seems almost tropical. Perhaps I did respond to that on some subconscious level. Yeah, I am ready for retirement, but I'm nervous too.
DeleteI love your plant theme decor. The sofa and rug complement each other well.
ReplyDeleteThe sofa has a lovely designer/contemporary look.
Thank you! I thought they matched really well.
DeletePersonally, I love both the couch and the rug!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Marcia!
DeleteThe sofa and rug are beautiful and they fit into the room perfectly. I love the rug. It's perfect for a room with a view to the garden and lots of green inside. I think it looks great.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are getting some much needed rain but I have to admit, all that sunshine for the two weeks I was there was great.
You really were here at the perfect time!
DeleteI like the rug especially how it breaks the borders. And it does go well with the sofa which doesn't look all that comfy to me. Definitely not for lounging. Is the living room where y'all watch TV? I wish we would get a good steady rain.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is our TV-watching room. (The TV is out of the frame on the right.) The sofa is actually quite comfortable, it's just smaller than our old one -- which I knew when I ordered it, but it's always hard to tell ahead of time what that will really feel like.
DeleteBringing the garden indoors, I love the floor garden. The sofa is handsome, may not be slouchy and homely but looks very attractive. A proper sit up straight decent conversation sofa.
ReplyDeleteI'm lying on it now, so it accommodates a degree of lounging, too!
DeleteMake sure you plan your retirement. don't just quit and go home. In a small place like I live in, you're well know and there's lots of interesting volunteer opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of activities in mind! We'll see where life takes me.
DeleteRaining here today - makes me happy as I've always loved the rain. Nice to hear about your retirement. The blue of the sofa and rug is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
I agree -- I love a rainy day when I can stay indoors and watch and listen!
DeleteThat looks incredible, like a designer planned it out. I love the look. It's very calming. Congratulations on retirement! I think you'll love it. I had a rough adjustment but that was partly because I live alone and am widowed.
ReplyDeleteI am the designer! LOL! (Is this my retirement job? :) )
DeleteYour living room looks fantastic! I love that rug -- and how it extends beyond the rectangular border. It's perfect with all your greenery. (You might want to use a good carpet tape to lock down those extending leaves, just as a tripping precaution, but that's easy enough and of course won't show.) The couch is really attractive but I know what you mean about adjusting. It can take awhile, can't it? And you're right about "sit" versus "lounge." Maybe a couple of squishy pillows (the burgundy or lighter blue of the rug) will comfy it up a bit. Or a footstool of sorts in front so you can sprawl forward! In any event, it's lovely and looks great. Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteAs for retirement -- bravo! I think you will love it. I'm sure you have a list of "things I want to do when I don't have to work anymore" -- keep it handy and adding to it! (I'm envisioning your list as more garden experiments, walking tours and who knows what! But maybe I'm projecting!)
The leafy bits on the edges don't really extend into the area where we walk, so I don't think they'll be a hazard -- at least as long as the rug stays in its current position. As for retirement, I will definitely be in the garden more, and out and about in the city!
DeleteI like the sofa-couch-divan-davenport and I love the rug!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good look!
DeleteI like everything about the new look!
ReplyDeleteExcellent -- I'm glad!
DeleteI'm not sure how Olga would have related to the Jungle Room. Do you play a lot of Martin Denny recordings?
ReplyDeleteHa! I have Martin Denny on my iTunes, yes!
DeleteYes to the rug and sofa.
ReplyDeleteI know that weird and scary feeling. It took a couple of years, but now it finally feels right.
I'm sure what I'm feeling must be akin to what everyone feels. Mainly the two big questions: What will I do with myself, and will I have enough money?
DeleteThe rug is beautiful. The sofa looks a little upright to my eye, but it's not my sofa. Me, I'm a recliner person.
ReplyDeleteI think the angle of my photo doesn't show the sofa at its best. It's longer than it appears there, for one thing. It definitely does not recline, though!
Delete