Home Dec. Ideas

I'll go first. 

My problem is that I live in an historic home (read a quirky Cape circa 1770) with a very narrow staircase leading to the second floor.  I want to get a comfortable armchair up there for a reading nook but most upholstered chairs will not "make the bend" of getting into and up the enclosed staircase.

Short of removing a window and it's casings and hoisting a chair up with a crane, what are my options?  I really want a chair that I can settle into, curl my legs up under me and read on the arm of the chair.  I don't care if it's low to the floor like a boudoir chair but it has to be roomy enough with high-ish arms.

I've heard of some chairs being cut in half and then re-asssembled but I think that sounds like waaayyyyy too much trouble and money.  Did I hear correctly that some recliners come apart for moving? 

Thank you, ladies, for all the hints!

Sahalie, I am looking for a chair.  Not a chair I already own.

I looked at the LaZBoys on the net and there are a couple that I am interested in.  One of the furniture stores near here carries the line so I will take a look at what they have.  I used to have a nice LZB until my last cat peed on it.    That was it for both the recliner and the cat.

Is LaZBoy the only recliner brand that comes apart?

Daff, I'd appreciate any leads you could offer.

barbe, you are right about the mattress/box spring.  There is a twin bed in one room and a double in another strictly because a queen would not fit.  I had not heard about the split box spring and that would surely help, but I don't think I could get even a queen mattress up there.  I could barely get the full up there.  Old houses are full of charm...........or something like that.

LOL, barbe, spoken like a true salesman. 

Okay, while I am chewing on the chair issue, I also want to address a window issue.  I need something to block light/sunlight while I am working on my computer at certain times of day.  I don't want anything on the windows like regular curtains as I don't want anything fussy.  I just need to keep the sun out of my eyes for about 1/2 hour a day depending upon time of year and how many leaves are on the trees.

I've been considering honeycomb shades but I hate that they all seem to be backed in white for outside view.  I would like something much darker like brown or black.  Also, I've been told they tend to collect flying insects in warm weather. 

My other thought is a fabric Roman shade.  I suppose I could make these but do I want to bother?  Anyplace with good prices?  Smith and Noble is on the expensive side.  I need to cover a three-panel French door plus another window.

Thoughts and suggestions, ladies?

Ok, will check out the bamboo shades.  I actually have a lined wooden shade in my downstairs bathroom.  Don't know why I didn't think of that.

Oh, the shade has a white backside.  Maybe I could find one with a dark one.

Stopped at the local furniture store on the way home from the market this noon and looked over their LaZBoys.  Nothing small enough for me.  They DID have a few Best recliners, though.  One in particular fit me perfectly.  (5'2" and short legs)  Is this brand any good?

sahalie,  I have shutters in several rooms of the house and I love them esp. at night when I can shut out the cold.  However, I do need something that I can raise b/c I'm dealing with French doors.  Otherwise, they'd be perfect!  Good suggestion.

Wow, what a perfect chair.  If I could physically FIT it up my stairs I would take you up on it.  Unfortunately, my 250 yo house has one of those narrow, enclosed staircases.  Doorway is less than 30" wide.  So, no luck yet on finding the perfect chair.

Did you hear that lots of house maggies are out of business?  Home, Country Home, O at Home, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, etc.