[OT] Props/Furniture: Couch-in-a-Box!

[labricoleuse]

I realize that this post is off-topic for this blog, technically speaking. I'm justifying it because frequently the line blurs between props and costumes ("propstumes," anyone?), and because when it does, it's the crafts artisans who build those pieces, and because the subject is just plain really super duper cool, IMO.

We--crafts artisans--are often called upon to make bags and satchels, parasols, walking sticks and swordbelts, and enormous strange elements of macropuppetry (witness the Audrey arms), sometimes in tandem with props technicians. I have worked as a props assistant occasionally when freelancing, especially in soft-goods construction, upholstery/drapery construction, and sculptural propbuilding. This post is actually all about my new couch, but i am guessing that if you enjoy the subject of this blog, you will enjoy hearing about my couch. Seriously! Read on!

See, I lived a nomadic freelancer's lifestyle for a while before settling into my current staff job, and as such i developed a profound appreciation for modular furniture that was well-designed, ergonomic, space-efficient, and easily assembled, disassembled, and moved/carried by one single medium-build female (me). I haven't owned a couch...well, ever. I've always had futons, which i've liked for their multifunctionality but disliked for their general utilitarian design over comfort, and the fact that wrestling a futon mattress out of an apartment and into my vehicle is, for me, a bit like trying to move a dead horse in a dufflebag around.

So, i was overjoyed when i discovered the existence of Home Reserve's build-it-yourself couch-in-a-box furniture. The idea being, you choose the size and style of couch/loveseat/armchair you want, and it arrives via UPS in 50 lb. boxes that a lone human can move into their abode--up stairs even! You open the boxes, bust out a Phillips-head screwdriver, and within an hour or two, you have a couch. The frame is constructed so that you also wind up with a "secret compartment" of storage under your seat cushions! Because you do the assembly, the price point is around $300 (higher if you choose more expensive fabrics), and because you do the assembly, if you ever want to change the color, you just order new fabric covers. If your cat barfs on it, you just take the covers off and clean them. God, what's not to love? I totally adore this couch.

The website is full of great information, from an animated gif illustrating how the furniture goes together to a fascinating (to me at least) page showing what goes on in the factory--sewing and frame cutting and such.

While i'm not sure this sort of furniture is for everyone, it's right up my alley. I had a great time putting it together--it's like a huge puzzle that turns into a loveseat when you're done--and it's perfectly suited to my lifestyle. You eat a lot of wind pudding with a career in the arts, so the low price point and easy transportability was key, and the fact that it turns into really quite a nice piece of furniture clinched it. (I got a loveseat in the Monroe style, with Chicago Olive upholstery, if you are curious.)

So, apologies if you wasted your time reading this couch testimonial crap when all you really care about is what i have to say about 18th century footwear or whatever. That's valid.

But dude, i really really love my new couch.

Next post: Unequivocally costume-related, i swear.

Comments

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

Ok, why didn't I learn about that years ago, before I went thru 3 second-hand, heavy-as-hell ordinary couches? Each one was free, so, yay for the price, but boo for being impossible to move w/out an army of ppl I had to bribe w/pizza & beer!

[librarianofdoom.livejournal.com]

I'm actually in the market for a couch right now, but I'm also looking at the possibility of moving in another six months, so I'd be interested in hearing what you think of your couch once it's been lived in a little bit. Is it actually comfy?

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

Granted i have now only had it for two days, but at present it is extremely comfortable. The seat cushions and arm rests are high-density foam, whereas the backrest cushions are proper pillows (i.e., sack of fabric full of polyfil or similar stuffing).

One thing i really love about it is the seat height--it's not so much a concern for me, but my parents are in their 60s and it's harder to get up from a low squishy sofa seat the older you get, so i'm glad to have a couch that they will have no problems hauling themselves out of when they visit.

[ardoise-vide.livejournal.com]

holy crap! i think i might move from slipping slip-cover not-quite-long-enough loveseat thinger to real couch! i like the monroe couch in Milky Way Black Laquer... helllooooo tax refund!

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

That would be like, a Tim Burton couch! If you get it, you have to post a photograph of it in situ. :D

[mama2jude.livejournal.com]

After my two pieces of nice, "real" furniture were systematically destroyed by my kiddos, I vowed to only buy "furniture that comes in a box" until they are significantly older; this is right up my alley! Thanks for the link--we will be in the market for new sofa/s soon!

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

My cat wants to come over and take over your new couch! :)

[unluckymonkey.livejournal.com]

that sounds lovely! now, if you have to move, as I frequently do, does it come apart well or like bad, composite material desks, you think?

hot stuff!

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

It seems like it would come apart well, unless you like, bore down so hard with the screwdriver putting it together that you stripped the holes out or something.

It also seems like you could also move it easily without taking it totally apart--take off the arms and pillows and bits comprising the interior storage areas, separate the "seat" sections from one another but not necessarily disassemble it down totally.

Next time i move, if i'm doing it in my car (station wagon), i'll take it totally apart, but if i have access to a pickup or small truck/trailer/etc, i'll take it mostly apart down to sections one person could load.

[unluckymonkey.livejournal.com]

awesome! Thanks for the info!

[ningal61.livejournal.com]

This is perfect timing for me. I'm moving very soon, and need a new (and much more portable) couch. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[mylaar.livejournal.com]

when i first started reading your post, i thought it was going to be about some art project i read about, where artists are all given the same piece of not-yet-constructed ikea furniture (i think it was a couch) and construct whatever they want out of it? it was either that, or that they come up with alternative instructions to construct new items from a not-yet-constructed ikea item, and then print up the instructions and secretly leave them in ikea stores. only i couldn't find either of those things online. i did find this though, which is similar and interesting in a bricological (is that a word?) way: http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/

couch in box!

[(Anonymous)]

I've seen the couch in the box website before (and was drawn to it as an option for many of the same reasons). I was lucky and the person whose job I was taking over didn't want her couch so I ended up not having to buy one. How does it compare to "standard" couches (the kind that don't come in a box). I was really impressed by the site, but I also really wanted to sit on one to try it out! Love your blog btw!
Judy- Crafting out in sunny San Diego

Re: couch in box!

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

I find it more comfortable than regular couches, really, because there's a solid frame under the cushions instead of strapping, bedsprings, etc. I hate couches that i feel like i need someone to throw me a rope to get up out of, and this one is comfortable, but firm.