WHY??

It's been a discussion for a few months now. We've been out shopping together a few times trying to find one that we can both agree upon. He's been determined to get one and I think he SHOULD have one if he wants it THAT badly. But WHY???

For me, they have always brought to mind the depressing livingrooms of the elderly who have long since given up on any ideas of tastful decorating in place of comfort while eating dinner watching "The Price Is Right" because "I just love that Bob Barker." Followed by "Wheel of Fortune" and a nap.

Can anyone name a style that recliners actually GO with? Early American? No. Contemporary? No. Traditional? No. Modern? No way! Eclectic? Not in my book. I've never claimed to be a fantastic decorator, but I do enjoy trying my best to make my home look good and I think I have an eye for knowing what looks good. I've just never been a big fan of giant, overstuffed, button-tufted, polyester crushed velvet recliners. Why do the manufacturers think THAT'S what recliner buyers want? I suppose because so many people buy them. But just go to the recliner section of any furniture store...that's what you get to choose from. Just plain ugly. Oh, and if you want to add features don't forget the option of adding cup holders, and the special compartments for your remote controls so you rarely have to leave your chair. God, I can just HEAR people getting fatter.

To those of you who have recliners in your homes, please don't be offended. I'm merely offering up my personal opinion of having one in my home. I've seen them in other people's homes and really don't mind them there. I just don't know what to do with one in my home.

So, about a week ago I came home from work to a giant box sitting in the entry just inside the front door. I knew this was a bad sign. My fears were realized when I read the side of the box. I couldn't imagine what hideous, enourmous creature would emerge from that box. My fears were compounded when I asked why it was still in the box and Andrew's reply was, "oh, the second box didn't come today." Oh my God, you mean there's MORE to it?? I had to go lie down.

Just in case you're wondering, the picture above is NOT the recliner that came out of that box. I just searched the internet for a picture of a really ugly one to help make my point for this post. The chair that did finally end up in one piece after the second part arrived the next day, is actually not that bad. It's a smaller sized one that sports rather clean lines for a recliner. Still probably not one that I would have chosen, but it isn't as bad as I tried to imagine. After some re-arranging of the livingroom and familyroom and the deletion of an old chair, we now have a recliner in our livingroom. I have to admit, it's not all that bad and if Andrew is happy that he now has a comfy place to sit quietly and read, I am happy for him. Actually I'm glad he just went ahead and bought it. That eliminated the need for me to have to endure actually shopping for one and being present when one was purchased.
I'm not sure my heart could have taken that much stress.