i have a cat like your cat.
first the nails.
With Nutmeg, I started by doing front nails. back nails were so much harder. but she LOVES dessicated chicken, so she gets a treat whenever I do her nails.
Now she is 3 years old and she is PERFECT when i do her front nails. We still have a little song and dance with the back nails, but I no longer think one of us is going to get hurt and when we're done, she doesn't run away. She waits for her treat. It CAN be done.
It sounds like the leather sofa is very convenient for a launch site. Would you consider moving stuff around so that the couch is no longer the prime launch off area?