Domestic Bliss
I love it when my house looks good. My problem is that I truly detest spending time to make it look good. Seriously, I would rather scrub my kitchen floor or practice writing “Ns” with Maya than spend time looking at coffee tables. If I’m being 100% honest, anything involving too much domesticity kind of freaks me out. This includes stepping foot in a Home Depot, looking at open houses (we live in a condo and Ali is trying to get me to move to a house), and hearing the words “it’s time to settle down.” I’m not sure what my problem is but despite the fact I’ve been married forever and have a child, I still don’t consider myself the “settling down” type. While others dream of the suburbs, white picket fences, a dog, and some apple pie, I am perfectly happy living in a condo in the middle of the city with lots of dust, pollution, and loud sirens to keep me company at night. Anything more domestic than my current existence sends me into a fit of claustrophobia.
Because of my dislike for home maintenance, even the simplest tasks often take me double the amount of time they should. Lately though, possibly spurred on by Ali’s purchase of a car after 10 months, I have been a tiny bit more motivated to get things done. I am proud to say that in the past week I’ve managed to have the long-awaited microwave installed, I’ve met with 2 different companies for window shade estimates (for a total of 5 hours of the most mind-numbing discussions ever), and yesterday Ali and I decided, spur of the moment, to purchase a much-needed sofa and love seat for our living room.
Our current sofa is in quite a terrible state. I knew something needed to be done but I finally realized the urgency of the situation when even Ali commented that it looked pretty terrible. And when Ali notices that something is in a state of disrepair it usually means that particular item needed to be replaced at least 6 months earlier.
This couch has been a thorn in my side since we bought it 8 years ago. I’ll spare you the details of my attempts to return this shabby sofa. I won’t tell you the tale of my trip to small claims court to sue the store I bought this from and I won’t bother to tell you about my lecture to the small claims judge that his “thinking was flawed” for giving me the option of a. keeping the crappy sofa or b. getting a refund of 1/3 of what I paid. But I will tell you that this sofa has seen it’s fair share of Maya’s barf, my dad’s tea spilling antics, chocolate stains caused by yours truly, and more than a few spills of Gatorade caused by someone else living in my house. I’m not pointing any fingers Ali.
Yesterday I decided enough was enough and at the suggestion of my mom Ali and I battled the rain and traffic and headed down to the lovely city of Fountain Valley and Bassett Furniture. The great thing about this particular store is that their furniture is manufactured in 30 days or less which means that instead of waiting 3 months for a custom order, we only have to wait a month. For people like us who need a couch yesterday, this is quite a selling feature. Bassett’s prices are also very reasonable, and since Ali and I were miraculously able to come to an agreement on something, we ordered a sofa on the spot.
We bought this same sofa but in a cream colored linen.
This morning I am feeling rather shocked by our reckless behavior. Who knew that ordering a sofa could feel so liberating? In any case I am thrilled that I can cross yet another tedious task off my list. My only problem now is that as soon as the new sofa is delivered I need to find a new area rug to match. And maybe a new side table. And probably a lamp to go on it. This home stuff never seems to end and my pulse is racing from the anxiety of potentially spending yet another Saturday in search of furniture. With Ali.
I’m not sure if my health, or our marriage, can survive another weekend of domesticity.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
I LOVE that couch, its gorgeous!
I put things off home maintenance type tasks too. A good example is my lack of internet. I have an account all set up and ready to go, but I dont have a phone jack (I know, weird) so I have to have one put in, and I just dont want to have someone come and do it. I realize it takes no effort on my part other than being home between the hours of 1 and 4, but I just dont want to do it.
nice sofa, great choice! ew, fountain valley? i’m terribly sorry. that’s enough to make me jump out of a moving vehicle! i despise home depot with all my heart. and i always feel super butch when i buy things there
That’s a nice couch! I completely know what you mean about not enjoying decorating. All of my friends have really cute bedrooms with pictures and things and mine is just…a plain white room. I just don’t care enough to make it look “cute” lol
Gorgeous sofa! Decorating can be tough when you feel pressure to make things look a certain way. When my mama and I moved this summer, we went from an apartment to a house and it was like a train station for 4 months, no joke! I guess my best advice is that there’s no rush and it will all come together eventually : )
That sofa is beautiful!!! Love it!
We need to buy a new sofa for our sunroom– it’s covered with a slipcover, and was my husband’s PARENTS’ couch when they were first married, lol! Talk about a hand-me-down!
Beautiful couch! This is another area in which we are quite alike. I am not domestic at all. I admire domesticity in other people, but I’m pretty sure Martha Stewart would slap me if she was a fly on the wall in my home for a little while. We live in a small condo and the idea of a house scares me too. Especially if a yard is involved. I don’t have a green thumb at all. My thumb is black; I kill whatever I plant. I’m happy enough with our condo decor, but I’m in no way motivated to make improvements where there could be some. We looked at some houses and I told the realtor how they all needed so much work. He said, “That’s the fun of having a home.” That’s when I knew that I’m different from other humans…well, one of the many reasons.
Hahahaha, loved this post 😉
What a cute sofa!
I´m sure it´ll look amazing on your living-room… 😀
Have a great week, Ameena!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Oooh, that couch is beautiful. I’m waiting till my kiddies get older before I get any new furniture. Hope you have better luck with this couch than your old one 🙂
awesome looking couch. i am not, however, looking forward to a time where i become domestic like that 😉
The couch is beautiful. I loveee home decor, but I can imagine how stressful it might be when you’re in a store with your husband feeling the pressure to cut a check on the spot. Looks like you guys did just fine!
Reminds me of the Cosby Show episode when Claire buys a new couch …and Cliff is upset cause he loves the old dirty one…
domestic bliss 🙂
outstanding writing per usual
That couch is great. I’ve been very domestic this weekend, too. I’ve been shopping for a coffee table, chair, and ottoman for forever. Not that I actually bought one this weekend. I’m having trouble mixing my taste with budget. I really love home decorating. Just wish I had the budget to get what I want!
Its funny how when you buy one thing all of the sudden you need 5 more things to go with it!
I understand your fear of “settling down” and props on your cute couch!
Great couch! I would NEVER ever buy anything for the house in a cream, white or pastel color. Actually, let me say that my husband would never let us buy anything in those colors, knowing what a klutz I am. I let him do all the decorating – he has a good idea for color and design. Lucky for me, because I’m a disaster!
I admit that we almost bought a house just so that I could adopt dogs (see my priorities?). Fortunately, since we were looking at houses before the market crashed, we ended up renting a house. It’s far more domestic than either one of us had ever experienced before, at least as grown-ups, but I kind of like being able to walk around the neighborhood. Yep, we’ve settled down big-time which is a bit unnerving but also really nice sometimes!
Great choice! That’s the thing- I notice that any time I start “sprucing” something up, it just goes on, and on, and on. A “never enough” thing starts to happen… it’s the weirdest chain reaction!
That’s one nice looking couch; good choice!
I love to decorate, but I get really overwhelmed by all of the choices out there! I redid my entire room a few years back and although I love how it turned out, the entire process left me absolutely mentally drained. First I needed to pick a color of paint. Then furniture to go with the paint. Then blinds. Then rugs. Then linens. Then pictures… it.drove.me.insane. But somehow I still ended up with a gorgeous room, and I’ve no doubt that you will too 🙂
Gorgeous sofa! I know what you mean about the little (and big) tasks that go with domesticity. Sometimes I just can’t stand spending the time to get the little things a home needs. I’d rather just get the house fully-furnished and ready for living.
How’s the new car working out? 🙂
I am so happy you found something you love, that is so beautiful!
I think the scary part about owning a home and having all of these large-purchase items is the worry you will get the wrong thing and be STUCK with it. You know? That is how I feel sometimes. 😉
Exactly Kim! Either this sofa is going to look fabulous or it’s going to be a huge mistake. I hate committing to something I cannot return!
That sofa is gorgeous! I’m not real big into decorating or buying new things for the house either. For one, they cost $$! And also, I really like simplicity, so the more we get, the less simple things are. Makes sense to me to just not buy anything, haha! 😉
Hahaha, it’s so true- buying one piece throws the whole room off and then you’re in need of a whole new set up! But that sofa is beautiful- I bet it’ll look great because it’s so neutral and classic.
I tend to get overwhelmed by decorating- it’s just too much of a commitment to one style. And how am I going to know if I’ll like the same arm chair in 10 months?
OMG ameena, how dare you not even mention this one to me…i guess it truly was spur of the moment, good for you guys! am totally loving the style and will look amazing in your living rm and go with everything you already have! ok besides a rug u will not need to buy anything else, really. love it, so excited to christen it with you:) be sure to give me the delivery date so i can mark my calendar;)
XOXOXOXXOOX
Don’t feel too bad about the sofa, or reckless. My bestie ordered an elliptical machine yesterday!
Your new couch is so gorgeous!! Congratulations!! I love how your write about the stresses of domestic adventures – I couldn’t agree with you more! 🙂 I’m so glad I’m not the only one who wants to have a lovely tidy home but also still doesn’t want to “settle down!” 🙂
LOVE the sofa! It is absolutely gorgeous!! And I have to say, I think i’d rather live in the city than the suburbs.. much more exciting.
Nice Sofa. You should have just bought everythng in the pic so this way you knew they match and wouldn’t have to spend time finding sofa pillows or area rug… side table or even the lamp. 🙂
I hear ya though on the house stuff.. we have been in our home for 3 years and it is slowly but surly looking like a home. It took us 6 months to order blinds.. and we only did that because they finished the house next to house and we finally hand neighbors.
Ameena, so beautiful a name,like a princess…and ur best frens dinner has me all hungry here dear….
Am loving ur blog and am going to take a stroll around ur space now that have said hullo to u…………
Oh ur little angel is so so so adorable and cute…..
I love that sofa! I need to buy a new one too. Mine is an eye sore, but I have to figure out what to do with the old one before I can get a new one…
Beautiful choice! I too detest Home Depot and you can add Costco to the list! Good job moving forward and getting those choirs done however as you mentioned…..don’t they always add new chores? Ugh it is never done!
Have a great day…..
Classy sofa!
I zone out in places like Home Depot and Ikea… it sounds fun at first, but then we always get frustrated and irritable.
Hope you’re having a great day!
Such a pretty sofa!!
Your posts crack me up! I don’t think I could live in the suburbs either, cities are so much more alive 🙂
What a great post! That sofa is a great choice — classy and elegant but still functional. And I love being able to cross things off my to-do list! 🙂
Oh I adore Bassett Furniture.
When we remodeled our house we bought quite a few things there.
Congratulations…Its gorgeous!
Congrats on facing the domesticity demons! It’s a gorgeous couch and you can now cross tons of stuff off the to-do list.
I totally relate to how you’d rather scrub floors than pick home furnishings or remodel/renovate. I still want to cry whenever I need to do any household painting/fixing, and I’d probably rather just be seen than have to go through the buying of curtains or blinds. I think maybe we’re this way because we carry (gorgeous invisible!) “home” in our heart? That, or we are meant to be rich and have interior decorators…
This is precisely why I haven’t put much effort into decorating the house. It’s an ordeal — time-wise, money-wise, and stress-wise.
We’ve been in our townhouse for over 4 years and it doesn’t look all that different. Oh well.
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