Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Show me your couch.....

I'm on a hunt....for a new couch/sofa/whatever you call it. A Canadian friend calls it a divan. But we are in desperate need of one. The thomasville one we bought probably 16 years ago, has needed to be replaced about five or more years...but other things got done instead....yep, you know how that goes. It's been a great piece of furniture for the "bones" of it are still doing ok for an old girl. But the fabric, well, now it's faded, and the piping is worn. I'm almost embarrassed to have not done anything about it. So I am finally going to focus and get something else. Besides, it is not the right scale for my living area anyway. With the high ceilings in there, I really need something with a taller back. I'm not sure about replacing the wing back chairs in there, but I'd like to. They are in good shape, too, but a little out-dated. I'd really like some club chairs and a new ottoman. Hmm, yes, in a perfect world, and if my husband were given a nice, fat pay raise....well, maybe. So for now, I'm thinking "use the chairs and just replace the sofa". So that means maybe doing away with the red accents and going a little more subtle. The chairs are blue, but at least blue is a little more in vogue again.....I found a nice chocolate fabric with blue accents in it I might could use.....Will the Mister like it??? I have my doubts. He's not much into browns.....so we will work around that, too.

Here are three styles I saw this morning that I liked. Some fabrics I chose are the brown with small blue dots....another is a paisley with blue, green and red. ( Will I tire of a paisley couch????) And then a chenille that has a raised damask like pattern in it. It comes in a taupe, but there is also a beautiful red in that fabric. If I got the red, it would be necessary to at least recover the existing chairs.

Styles:
You'll note that I like curves......which is good, because I've got lots of curves in my life! :)
So tell me what you like in a sofa, how you chose the one you have, what you would replace it with if you could, and would you try to use what you have or would you do the whole room over at the same time....????

So to recap, I know I want a taller back than the sofa I have now......and something that won't be radically different and will go with the living/dining area as it is. Take a look at the styles I saw today....please show me or tell me about yours and help me talk myself thru this decision. I woudl be eternally grateful......well, as grateful as furniture decisions can make one.......kwim????

19 comments:

Bee said...

No way, no how am I showing you my couch. It's also 16 years old and has been anything but gently used. As soon as this large dog grows out of her puppy stage, it's outta here. When I got it, the whole plaid cottagey thing was quite the thing. Now, it just looks tired. No, sick.

I like the middle couch. I think it's very pretty, but I find loose cushion backs a pain in the neck. I think all of the fabrics sound lovely.

Congratulations on getting a new one. And on having a husband who doesn't like brown!

Domestic Designer said...

I like the first one the best. I am a brown person. I just redid my bedroom in blue and brown. It seems to be a combo that is in right now. Maybe your hubby will compromise!:-) I am sure whatever you do it will look great. I guess in an ideal world we would all completely redo a room but then reality steps in....at least at my house. Have a great day and have fun choosing a new sofa!

April said...

It has to be comfortable, first and foremost! Not too soft and not too hard. I, also, prefer darker colors so it won't show dirt as easily! I love the one in the first picture!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

The styles you chose are all great! My own couches tend toward the #2 picture style. I choose a couch based on style, then I try them all out to find the right comfort! Choose a fabric that you'll like for many years, and that you could change things around in the room and have it still "go". Good luck! :)

Barbara Jean said...

I'm no help with sofa as we have needed one for years and i can't decide. I like what you like by the looks of it.

thanks for the note and i love Is 41:10. Hanging on to it.

blessings,
barbara jean

Gloria P. said...

I like sofa # 1.

sofa #2 doesnt look comfortable.

If your willing to keep the wing back chairs and only buy a sofa I bet hubbie will go witht he chocolate brown.

Brown and blue together are in! You could update the chairs with some blue and brown throw pillows. I am not sure if you sew but you could make the pillows and matching placemats for underneath your lamps......and that is another way to update a room buy new lamps.

Lisa said...

Girl, why do you think I was at IKEA LOL! I am in the same boat. I'm thinking a leather sofa with comfy slipcovered chairs. Just thinking...

Just a little something from Judy said...

I always enjoy reading about decorating, sofas, chairs, lighting...it is all topics that I take delight in. Personally, I like the second one, and the third one is growing on me. I think you could update your chairs with pillows to coodinate with your new sofa. Please let us see your finished room and the choice you made. What fun!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Those are all so pretty. I think my favorite one is #2. The turned legs on the bottom are gorgeous!
Carrie

Controlling My Chaos said...

I like the couch in the first picture. It's gorgeous. For me, I want a couch to be comfy, durable (pets!), and relatively neutral because I can dress it up with pillows. Also, I'm not a formal girl, I like casual.

cherry said...

MY is tooo too dirty ...I want an Ikea slipcovered sofa....love that look. Good luck on your hunt. cherry

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Good luck!! This is what I would do if I were getting a new sofa: I would get a neutral color and clean lines. Then when I get tired and want to redecorate (which happens a lot), I can switch out the pillows with my new design.

My sofa right now is a brown sectional. Very traditional and pretty with high, round arms. I bought it off my sister when she moved and it wouldn't fit in her new house. Score!

I can't wait to see what you decide to do!

XOXO
Jen

~CC Catherine said...

I select a couch for comfort first, style second. Currently I have a wonderful Henredon set that I purchased on my work bulletin board...I got it at a steal for only $350 for the 9ft sofa and separate chaise that went with it. In it's day, the price probably went for $5,000. The fabric is still excellent and it's made of down on bottom cushions and moveable back cushions. The neat thing I like about that is that I can cover those loose cushions if I want to for a splash of change for season and leave the base of it in the floral pattern already there. I think a sofa is like a spouse...it's gotta be what we want, or we just won't be satisfied with it. I personally like the brown one at the top...but it's definitely got to be what you and hubby want! ;) Hey, I'm celebrating Mother's Day on my blog this week...deadline to enter is Mother's Day at midnight, PDT. Please feel free to drop over and enter...there are a variety of gifts I'm giving away and there are two different ways you can enter! AuRevoir~ ~CC Catherine from "Catherine de th`e Cup"

Unknown said...

Hi there! I'm a first time visitor - it's nice to meet you! :)

I'd say just go with what makes you feel best without putting too much psychology to it. Usually when I think to much I don't get waht I really wanted in the first place. :) You know?

I think they're all pretty.

Have a great day!
Lynnette
Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the comment and wanting to send Joanne a card. I know it will mean the world to her.

Gonna have to pass on a photo of my couch too. We are due for a new one. Just not sure which one I want.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I like the first one!!! :)

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

My daveport (pulled that name out of the archives) is a love hate relationship. It is the quintessential French country sofa. I saved and searched for it for many years. It has fulfilled my decorating dreams. Here the catch...like gorgeous Manolo Blahnik high heeled shoes beautiful not real comfortable...to my hubby. I've convinced myself (like the heels) it's worth being a tad uncomfortable.

So, I may move it to the family room. Which has gotten a face lift (except for the fireplace hearth,that's next on the list).

I do think it's possible to match function with beauty.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Heidi Schulz said...

I say go red and recover the chairs. Don't buy a new sofa to match old chair fabric if you don' t love the old.

Angela Baylis said...

I have one bit of advice for you, my friend. Go for comfort! We have a leather one that is SO cold (and not very comfy) but refuses to wear out. I like the fabric ones better. I'm a brown person as it's "my color". I think we need to decorate in colors that look good on us! I can't wait to hear which one you choose! I love blogging, especially with you! Have a nice Friday!
Love,
Angie xoxo