Wednesday, April 7, 2010

diamond in the rough


Isn't she a beauty? She gleams, just like the hidden treasure she is. So where did I find this leather couch to which I am assigning all of these jewel-like attributes? Craigslist.

Craigslist can be overwhelming and a waste of time, but it can also be amazing. Let me give you the history behind the couch, and you will see what I mean. I've been looking on and off for a new couch for a while. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a new one because I know that having young children isn't good for the life span of furniture. That's why I've been checking Craigslist. I've been hoping to find a good deal on a used couch, but I saw that it was like looking for a needle in a haystack: junk is everywhere. But on Monday I saw an add that caught my eye. The couch looked kind of terrible, but I loved the shape. I thought, maybe it's just a really bad picture and the couch isn't as banged up as it looks. So I wrote the guy and asked. I told him I really wasn't interested in driving to where he was, 45 minutes away, if it wasn't in good condition. I also asked if he could tell me how old it was and where he got it. He had to do a little research because he had bought it from a friend, but he found out it was 2 years old from William Sonoma Home.

Honestly, I didn't even know William Sonoma had a Home section. I had never seen there stuff or been to their website, so I checked it out. Then I fell out of my seat. Their leather couches run anywhere from $5,000-$6,000! I didn't even know couches came that expensive =). But evidently they do, and this guy was telling me he had one sitting in his garage, collecting dust.

So we jumped in my parents' mini-van and headed over to see it in person. Nathan gave me the speech about keeping my game face on so that we could see if he would take less. I gave him all of my assurances about keeping the enthusiasm down, trying not to look sold on it immediately, etc, etc. And then we pulled in, I saw that it was perfect and beautiful and exactly what I was looking for, and I could wait all of 60 seconds before blurting out, "I love it! Let's get it!" I don't think that's exactly what Nathan had in mind when he had told me about that game face, but I could hardly help it. I kept thinking he was going to change his mind. So we threw bartering out the window, bought the couch, just barely fit it in the van, and headed back.

I got the first little prick in my bubble when my dad helped Nathan get it out of the van and he told him it smelled like smoke. Nathan and I have had terrible sinus trouble for the past week, and consequently, we can't smell a thing. So that explains why the couch is currently sitting in our garage. It's fumugating.

I'm really not discouraged. I have every hope that we can get the smell out with a little work and time. So far, I have saturated all non-leather parts with Febreeze, rubbed the leather with a special leather cleaner, and opened the garage during the day for the breeze to help it air out. Any other suggestions? I'd love to hear them, because I am eagerly looking forward to the day (hopefully soon) when the couch makes its residence inside the living room!

11 comments:

Annie said...

Wow! Terrific find! I've heard that one thing you can do to help get rid of smoke smell is to take dryer sheets (the kind that you put in your dryer to soften your clothes) and tuck them in wherever you can so that they won't be seen. I would think you would remove them after awhile, and maybe even replace them periodically if it seems that they help.

Unknown said...

Congrats on your awesome find!!!

Lee said...

I love Williams-Sonoma Home! That's awesome you found such a gem! I'm not much help with the smoke smell though. I'm curious what others will suggest!

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I've heard a similar thing as the dryer sheet comment, but would also suggest stuffing newspaper down in the crevices....ALSO, friends who have bought cars that smell like smoke have told me that they cut apples in half and put them under the seats and that it COMPLETELY takes the smell out. I don't know where you'd stuff apples in a couch, but thought i'd throw it out there :)
---lindsay

Anonymous said...

saddle soap is what is used on handmade leather saddles

http://www.ehow.com/how_5617036_cigarette-smell-out-leather-furniture.html

Anonymous said...

saddle soap

http://www.ehow.com/how_5617036_cigarette-smell-out-leather-furniture.html

Anonymous said...

lemon pledge, make the leather shine and smell great. Just test a small area first, but I have used it on many couches.

asplashofsunshine said...

I was curious too, so I went online to get ideas. I accidentally clicked away from it, but I think it was livestrong, com or something like that. The newspaper idea from a previous comment was there, and saddle soap too. It said to wrap it in newspaper and repeat if necessary. Check out livestrong.com

Mel said...

Love the classic design of the leather couch! You will love it for years to come. Good luck on the smell.

Staci said...

Oh I hope you get the smell out!

I had a BAD experience buying a dining set off of Craigslist. It reeked of smoke. I should've known better.

Long story short - after re-padding, re-upholstery, airing out...I resold it. No one else could smell "it" except for me and it drove me crazy!

Kacie said...

jeremy and i are sooo excited that you found your dream couch..our sadly empty apartment will be very appreciative as well!!! : ) thanks again!!