Long time, no post! In brief:
-- Boyfriend & I disassembled an old sofa; I got a painful bruise where bit of sofa fell on my foot
-- Boyfriend built a sofa {a daybed, really} & I helped {yes, nagging somebody to remind them they promised to build you furniture is "help"}
The daybed is still unfinished, but it is currently functional.
Right away it was one of those How did we ever survive without one? kind of things. It is multifunctional -- much better suited to our sprawling/lolling needs {i.e., eating dinner in front of the TV & then falling asleep on the spot}than the unipurpose sofa ever was . The cats seem to like it as well, since it gives them ample room to sprawl/loll with us, hence we reap the benefit of a greater feeling of family togetherness.
Mm, yes, daybed was a good idea. Kudos to Boyfriend on its conception & execution!