Having a wobble over the sofa I’ve ordered - how to proceed

[FromageFromMars]

After a long and boring search, I ordered a sofa, chair and footstool from Tetrad which blew the budget but I reasoned it would be worth it for something handmade. The lead time is 12 weeks and it’s due to be delivered at the end of this month.

I'm now having a wobble about whether I’ve done the right thing. It’s £2.5k more than I had planned to spend, is velvet which I’ve heard is hard to care for and is very low so I worry about older visitors being comfortable. It looked stunning in the showroom which was an amazing converted mill but I worry it won’t look quite as good in my house.

I will lose a lot of money cancelling now (over £1k). The living room has been delayed massively so it won’t be ready by the time the sofa arrives either so it’s going to be a while before I can see them in situ. What would you do in my shoes please?

We have a feather stuffed sofa. It does need very occasional plumping ( mainly where my husband's arse leaves a dent) but it is amazingly comfortable.

Is it the big footstool @FromageFromMars ?

@justasking111, it’s the Lamour stool with these dimensions:
Width - 128cm
Depth - 78cm
Height - 30cm

Do you have this as well?

No my DIL. grandpa made an oblong wooden play tray to put on top of it. The children spend hours sat around it with Lego etc. it's so useful with raised sides.

@Teddleshon have you a link please? Thank you 🙏

It is a beautiful sofa. Keep it

One of my two sofas is velvet and honestly it's aging really well. 4-5 years old now. And I have a cat in what you may term a clashing colour!!

It will be beautiful I’m sure, you could perhaps put a tray on the footstool/ coffee table books, and use it like that?
I’ve been inspired by Julie jones interior designer on fb/ insta, some of her videos show how to balance warm and cool colours in a room, incorporating pieces you already have, rugs etc. it might help you feel more excited about your purchase.

It's gorgeous. Keep it!

If I were you I'd do your best to keep it clean to an extent, but ultimately don't worry about it too much - it's there for you to enjoy, not to keep immaculate. No one will judge a sofa for not being pristine!

I bought my velvet sofas from Loaf. I have 4 cats but make them sit on a blanket when they jump up. I too am very indecisive but I absolutely made the right decision. They are very easy to keep clean and the cats don't scratch them whereas they scratched every other fabric sofa I've had.
And I have to say, I only plump the cushions once a week. I rather like the lived in look.
You should go for it. You will regret it if you don't.

@FromageFromMars

Has your sofa arrived yet?

Its a beautiful sofa and a great choice. I say that as someone who has wanted to buy this very sofa for the past two years and I am super fussy.
If you are really scared get a lovely wool blanket in the same colour and have it over the seat until you are less worried about it.
The footstool looks good too but very pricey, could you get this refunded, might be a shorter lead in time? Much less important quality wise (I bought a vintage duresta footstool for £50 on FBM).

I think that’s beautiful. It should work with lots of different styles and it looks comfortable. It also looks as though as it ages it will have a faded elegance about it (deliberately NOT saying shabby chic, it’s better than that).

OP that sofa is gorgeous! Im sitting on a tetrad which is easily 15 years old and had kids and dogs all over it during that time.

I’m in love with your sofa 😍

how are u getting on?

we’ve been fine with velvet, and we didn’t pay for the fabric protection stuff (one messy teenager here) and it still looks pretty good after seven years

Thanks so much for the reassurance everyone. My sofa is now ready but I’ve delayed delivery as the room is not even close to being finished.

My attention has turned to how I will decorate. I love statement wallpaper and have ordered a few samples. I really love this one so got a couple of samples colour matched but they are too cold for the room (the dark and lighter grey/blue). The wallpaper will only be above the picture rail then below will be solid colour panelling. I thought maybe I could use the warmer pinky colours but I’m thinking a warmer teal/blue might be a better way to go (probably need to find a different wallpaper though).

What do others think? Feeling pressure to do the sofa justice!

I'd get the furniture Swatch and lay it against the wallpaper sample personally