Friday, November 16, 2007

The Couch


Have you ever heard of Alberto Nieri? I had not, until we found this great settee. It’s hard making a really good picture of such a large piece with my simple camera, so these photo’s don’t really do it credit, but you can clearly see the woodwork is handwork and the shape is well thought of: it is so comfortable!!

Underneath the cushions I found the label. Believe me, this is Italian top design. Here's the link to their official website. In fact, Ferrari designer Pininfarina designed a special line for the Nieri group. Read about that here.

When the BF moved upstairs two years ago (see previous post) I gave him some old furniture I didn’t have place for, a neighbour donated dining-room chairs and we bought a couch in the thrift-shop. He and his mate chose one that was comfortable and cheap. I found it ugly, but it’s his place, so I said nothing. Early this year we found an easy chair in great condition on the curb that matched with the colour of the couch. There was a small couch of the same model as well on the curb, but since he already had one that was slightly longer, we settled for the chair. We also didn’t have that handy dolly yet and I wasn’t looking forward to carrying the couch, especially as the chair turned out to be heavy as it was.

A few months later he decided to throw out his old two-seater couch anyway, since he was now always using his easy chair. But this summer he started talking about looking for a larger couch. I just knew he was going to want a couch again. We saw many at the curb, but none good enough to be worth the effort of bringing it up the narrow stairs.

Then last September we finally had luck. We went into the 'rich' part of our neighbourhood (large apartment blocks built some ten years ago) and already at a 100 meters distance, seeing the outline of a couch I said I’d better go home for the dolly. A closer look proved what I suspected: it was made of genuine leather, a three-seater and in great condition. This neo-classic design wouldn't be my personal choice, but the great condition and the quality of the woodwork made it easy to decide this one was going home with us. And the more I look at it, the better I like it.

As I turned to go pick up the dolly at home a man just stopped with his bicycle and wished me a good evening. I had never seen him before, but feeling happy about our find I just smiled and greeted back. When I returned I found the man and my BF chatting in French while turning around and admiring the piece. The man turned out to be a Moroccan who lives in that street and most of them love to speak French. He also pointed out the logo (AN) on the couch to us which made me suspect more and more we had found something really expensive.

I know a lot of Moroccans pick trash and recently I found out why: they load it up vans and trailers and ship it to their family at home! (And unfortunately for a good reason-there is still a lot of poverty there) So if we had arrived a minute later, I’m sure this lovely piece would now be in North-Africa. However the guy was kind enough to even help us loading it up the dolly. Now that’s real trash-pickers ways as it should.


PS: note that in between the first and last pictures the tv and rug have changed? I'll come back later to those finds :)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's really amazing you found that in the trash. The wooden detailing is great. What were they THINKING?!
-Jenn

Deb said...

I love the couch....what a nice find for you! It would be very interesting to know why it was set on the curb, but I'm glad you found it....Debbie

Lisa McGlaun said...

Wow, I wish I could find something that nice on the curb. I use a group called Freecycle for most of my finds and I've had luck with Craigslist for used furniture in good condition.

You have an interesting blog. I enjoyed the time I spent reading.

Peace,
Lisa

Nathan said...

Looks so comfortable....and the blue color goes so well with the flag of Quebec?

Le-Chat said...

Ah Nate, you know M. has a 'thing' with flags... But it's true, the colour of the couch is so nice we even decided to paint the room in blues around it. Now that's a project still to start, but I have all the paint ready. Curb found, of course.

Anonymous said...

hello my brother !!
very nice your sofa with the flag of "Popo" no ?
i will send your blog to popo at Montréal !!
i kiss you and As......... by the Dude in white wine !!!!!!!!!

Le-Chat said...

Thank you, sister-in-law! Yes that is Popo's flag and therefore a cherished one. Send our love and yes, would be nice if you'd send her the blog too!

xxx
A&M

zakkalife said...

had fun scrolling through your blog, I found you on blog catalog

the pig potholders are adorable

refabulous said...

What a great find! (And I love your blog!) I want to go treasure hunting with you. :( They don't have treasures like that in my neck of the woods... or maybe I'm not looking in the right spots....?

Le-Chat said...

Thanks, ReFabulous. Guess it depends a bit on the trash system of your town, but I never expected a find like this even here.
Didn't know you started a blog too. Nice! I'll list it with my links.