This week marks one year since I packed up (read: sold everything) and moved out of Denver. Naturally, this provokes some reflection. Much like the back of my Rav 4 this time last year, I can’t believe how full my time in Colorado and, namely, living in my Magic-Kingdom-adjacent townhome was. Moving to Denver at 22 felt like one of the first decisions that I had made for myself; doubling down on my already independent nature.
Going out on your own will simultaneously and inevitably show you how much you have, how little you have, and the glaring difference between the two. This applies in a multitude of ways but today I’ll lend this imagery to furnishing said home on a part-time paycheck and the power of pre-loved furniture. Herein lies the stories of my favorite Denver sofas.
My roommate at the time (hi, Mae) was understandably hellbent on getting a couch in our place before her friends would be in town for Labor Day weekend (hi, Nicole). While attempting to stifle the tension between taste and timeline, I promised her I would find a couch prior to the girls’ arrival. Having random, pieced-together jobs afforded me the time to scroll Facebook Marketplace religiously. Internally, I had been holding out for a leather sofa at the time, and – at 8a one morning – I saw this photo during my sunrise scroll:
$75 cash only …
For a West Elm Hamilton Sofa. The exact sofa that inundated my Pinterest boards at the time! I think I was at the seller’s house no more than 45 minutes later silently (and as quickly as possible) hauling cushions out to my Pathfinder in hopes that he wouldn’t find out that he was practically donating this couch to me somehow. A few hours later, the seller messaged me and let me know that his wife had made him aware that he ‘really underpriced it.’ I’ll say! This couch was my handpicked housewarming gift from God. It was the perfect fit for wine nights, dinner parties, fire nights, being converted into a twin bed, and eventually, our work-from-home perch.
If I found the Hamilton Sofa, we’ll say that the next sofa found me. On a very normal Goodwill lap a la my favorite location south of Denver, I walked past this sofa and got the feeling. It was a Ralph Lauren Milton Sofa for like $90 dollars. A lil’ 20% off tag later and it was knocked to $70.
I’ve tried to describe it so many times, but you just feel it! You can’t take your eyes off of it, or you suddenly start visualizing a new house layout because you cannot leave without it. As my mom would say, it’s “speaking to you”. While in this state of mind, I usually text a few people for “you’re not crazy” approval.
After a few laps, I called my dad who, at the time, had the perfect vehicle to transport this exact-sized sofa. Not one to really understand my taste, he showed up, shrugged, and helped me load it into the back of the van. The original vision was to have this sofa in the basement for a cozy speakeasy that I had already named and bought art for, lol. But, we unloaded it right into the living room and it just felt right. So it stayed! This, too, enhanced many a hosted party, coworking days at home, and guests dropping in to stay for a night.
When telling friends and neighbors that I was moving, they all asked what I was planning on doing with the sofas. The UHaul option was so appealing yet so idiotic for my budget and outlined moving plans. Just shy of a week before I had to move, I came to terms with the reality that I’d have to sell both sofas. You would have thought that I was a realtor showing a home the way that people were scheduled in 15-minute blocks to come and look at the couches. They both sold and though there is a tinge of regret here and there - they essentially paid for my move.
There are things that you think you will keep forever. Then, you realize that they are just things! Your preferences, needs, and taste will eventually shift. Just like the people who sold and donated these in the first place. Perspective, baby!
My time in Denver was spent piecing together, furnishing, doing, undoing, and figuring out a lot of what I liked (and didn’t like). In both furniture and life!! My sappy woo-woo love letter to these couches serves as an overarching thank you for the surprises and comfort of my time spent in Denver (all for under $200!!).
Wishing you a lovely weekend and maybe even a second-hand surprise!!
WFIM,
Josie
Miss those babies!!