KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
With the exception of the first suite, a bamboo conservatory job all the other have been pre owned, either from friends or from the small ads. (We've got a lazeeboy I won so that was a freebie) the price of new stuff is rediculous and nowadays people seem to change their furniture more often than I decorate! Nothing wears out its just got bored with.

greenbee

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

Nothing wears out its just got bored with.

My ikea sofabed is wearing out. I've replaced the foam on the seats once already, but the replacements haven't lasted as long as the originals and it is uncomfortable again.

Then again, my parents still have the sofa that they bought (at auction, from a hotel that was refurbing) in 1976. It has been reupholstered once and had one new loose cover. They also have my grandparents' sofa (also reupholstered once, and with one new loose cover). But both those were rather better made than my ikea one.

Mattresses do need replacing, but how frequently varies. It's amazing how a new mattress makes a difference when you thought it wouldn't. Modern divans may need replacing if they're just software, cardboard and fabric. But I also have beds that belonged to my great-grandparents. They are wooden head and foot boards with metal struts running the length of the bed and a sturdy divan sitting on the metal frame. The divans are probably 100 years old (and could probably do with reupholstering, but I make do with giving them a thorough hoover every so often). The mattresses are (thankfully) newer. My uncle was using 100 year old horsehair mattresses in his spare room until about 10 years ago until he and my aunt had to spend a few nights in there... they bought new mattresses

Siebrie

We have two sofas: a 3-seater from I.kea and a 4-seater from my auntie. The 3-seater we bought 4 years ago; it was discounted, and came with a discounted second set of covers. I still like it, but the cushions are already going soft and difficult to get off of. We may have to get new, firm, cushions/seats.


The 4-seater has lived with my aunt and uncle for at least 20 years, then lived with their eldest daughter and her family for another 5 years, then was re-upholstered by my sister's fil and lived with my sister for 4 years until she grew tired of the colour. So, it's at least 32 years old, and the cushions are still nice and firm. The re-upholstered material is not so good, though. The zips won't fasten anymore, and the fabric cannot be washed. I think we will have to get it re-re-upholstered, and it will be worth it. I won't kondo a perfectly good sofa. Even our guests comment on how well it sits

oceanspirit

I bought my first brand new furniture, a sofa and matching armchair, 9 years ago at the age of 39. Both still look brand new. They were ordered from a local independent shop and manufactured in a local town and weren't any more costly than the furniture superstores.

I couldn't find a decent quality bed as they all looked fairly scruffy in the showroom and I wasn't keen on spending £800 on a divan that I didn't even like. For £1200 including delivery from a far flung town I have a solid mahogany frame in French Renaissance style which was made in the 1920s. It has upholstered head and footboards and it definitely sparks joy. If I decide at any point I don't like it I can always sell it hopefully for a price similar to that of purchase. I'm sure it will last the 40 years I shall need it for as it is absolutely solid, unlike the divan which looked as though it would drop to bits at any time.

RL has prevented kondoing for a few weeks but the clutter is driving me mad so am hoping to get back to it v soon.

uk_american

A sunny good morning Kondoites. I'm still here, still pressing on with things.

On the sofa topic, I bought mine from the vendors in 2006 when I bought the flat. The thought of getting a new one delivered up four flights of stairs didn't appeal. Plus, the one here was already my style. I did splash out on a new set of cushion inserts from a little manufacturer up in Edinburgh found via the bay of E.

I bought a new mattress in 2006, just under 700 quid. I've always had a topper on it so it has stayed like new for me. I know toppers are not to everyone's taste but as a light sleeper I love anything that helps me to sleep better.

Floss

Our bed was bought by DH in 2001, a kingsize cast metal frame & mattress. We liked it so much we bought another in 2013 for our spare room! I think we are going to swap over the mattresses tho

Our suite was bought by my mum in 2003, its a Parker Knoll in a "Tudor" tapestry fabric (wish I'd argued for the fabric I preferred!) and I inherited it in 2005. Although it's not ideal for DH & I in that it's too deep front-to-back, it's way too good to get rid of so I think it will end up being reupholstered to suit our taste!

mrs-moneypenny

Went through a box of paperwork today, put it in some kind of order and have managed to kondo quite a bit, some can just be cycled but a bit needs shredding first.

dragonette

My bed and mattress was my big luxury and splurge - extra strong divan base with an orthopaedic mattress, just over £900 Inc delivery. I can't imagine spending 10x that :eek:

My sofa is a hand me down from a friend's mum. In all honesty I think she got rid as it's white leather and v slightly grubby - it now has 3 throws and looks brilliant

silvasava

We had our suite made by a friend about 25 years ago. It was covered in a very dark patterned fabric and about 3 years ago I thought it could do with reupholstering in a lighter fabric. I had some quotes and they were more than the cost of a new suite!! We have a local house clearance shop and I saw two beautiful settees in there in the colour I wanted and nearly identical style to the ones I had - at £180 for the two I couldn't turn them down. My other two found a good home via Freecycle. The swing ticket was still on one of the sofas & it came from a very reputable manufacturer.
So often a trawl through the ' preloved' furniture turns up beautiful quality items that are a fraction of the cost of new.

mavvymoo

Greenbee ---Mav - your local independent dept. store has sofas in the sale at the moment and they're a LOT less than that! As are the beds. Where on earth were you looking?!

Mmmm Harr*ds :rotfl:No only joking I have been looking at HOF JL,Furniture Village all those type places really that sell nice quality I need 2 x 3 str sofas really and also want loose washable covers so that puts the price up.
The bed was in Furn village there is loads around that price that is no way the most expensive :eek: Some are over 10k :eek:

When you say my local independent do you mean Bakers or Aldis* As thats all I can think of

I worked selling furniture for years so I am very fussy as I have seen how the mass produced Far East sale sofas come in on the shipping containers complete with maggot ridden dead goats and enough rats to sink the flipping ship :eek:and how they are made with thin hardboard and staples Same as the bedbases really.

So yes I know I am fussy :rotfl:But want quality really just not happy to spend the money they want for them Happy to buy an old very well made one ( Duresta) something like that and pay to have it recovered but they are still so much money.

I will keep looking but think I will just stick with what I have got :rotfl:


Mav x