Thursday, January 29, 2009

True Love

I love my sofa. In fact, I'm hooked on it and I'm going to link up with Julia's Hooked on Fridays. We've had it for 9 years this month. My sister has the same sofa, and my dad and stepmom have the loveseat. We like to keep it in the family. I love that it is big and comfy. I love that it is a perfect golden-toned neutral, but still has a pretty design to add texture and interest.



I also have the matching chair-and-a-half and ottoman. Some people might say that's too matchy matchy, but I consider it one of the best design decisions I've ever made.

You see, the chair and ottoman as made by the manufacturer (Broyhill) came in the same fabric as the throw pillow below. I had them make all three pieces in the same neutral.

My sister has the floral chair. It's pretty, and fits her cozy style.

But my furniture has been our main seating in 8 different houses. Most of them were rentals, some with different colored walls, some with different colored carpet (see photo of Firstborn, above). Some of them I have been allowed to paint, some not.

Every time I wanted or needed it to fit in somewhere else, I just changed out the throw pillows. The dotted ones in browns and aquas (above) were lucky finds at Goodwill when we were in our last house and our living room was painted Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage. They probably were the stock throw pillows that came with somebody else's new couch and didn't go with their decor.

This furniture has served me well. It has looked good in every house. It goes with anything, and I never got tired of the upholstery. It's also super comfortable. Because let's face it: looking good only gets a sofa so far. Beauty is more than skin deep.

Alas, after nine years and seven amateur moves, it's getting worn. They don't show up too well in the picture, but there are several areas verging on holes.


It's really taken a hit in the last 16 months because of this.


What to do? I really don't want to replace it. I can't really afford to, either. We aren't poor, but we don't buy on credit anymore. However, this month we have a looser cash flow because of refinancing our house (5%, yay!) and not having to make a mortgage payment for February. I'm not saying it would be the smart thing to do with the 'extra' money, necessarily, but I'm toying with the idea of having slipcovers made. I can sew, but I won't tackle this one. I'd want it done by a professional.

That would create the problem of choosing a new fabric. I've been eyeing this toile by Waverly for some time and thinking about making window treatments with it. Would it be too much on a sofa? Instead of the window treatments, I mean.
Or maybe something like this, also from Waverly.

Decisions, decisions. Of course, I guess the first step would be to see if it is even economically feasible.


20 comments:

Lucy Marie said...

I am certainly not near as skilled at decorating as you or your sisters and I'm not sure if you are hoping for opinions here or not ... but I'm giving mine anyway ... I love the toile fabric, but I do think it is too much for a sofa. That opinion may be a bit biased because I tend to be quite plain jane when it comes to furniture. I just think it would look a bit busy, especially if you have other patterns in the room. I was much more drawn to the second, more subtle fabric. That fabric seems to be much more similar to what you have now. So, if you are hoping for a big change, I'd look at more options but if you are happy with what you have now and are hoping to sort of recreate that look, I think the second option is perfect. And on another note, your dog is really cute!

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Once I had a sofa for 11 years....same holes. If the fabric is still in Broyhill's line, you can have them make you new cushion covers....that's what I did - it ran around $100 - $150, but it was cheaper 1. than a new sofa 2. than recovering the sofa - so you might want to check that out!
Great blog {and the sofa has good lines & color...plus the comfort factor! No wonder you are hooked on it}
Karla & Karrie

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Thanks for joining my party again this week!

I went ahead and deleted the first link for you. Just so you know, you can delete your own any time you need to--I think you just have to click on the smiley face next to your link.

I can't tell you how many times I've done the same thing you did. Mr Linky keeps the link and wording you used last time to be "helpful." It usually just screws me up if I type too fast and hit Enter before realizing the old one's still on there.

Have a great weekend! :-)

Anonymous said...

First things first....your dog is adorable! Now on to toile...the toile is very pretty but I would use it as an accent, i.e., curtains, pillows, etc. The couch does look super comfy...now, I am sleepy (hypnotic couch).

Shannon said...

They look comfy! I would go with something neutral again like the second fabric. Although I have always loved that toile. Maybe something more solid and you could make some pillows in that wonderful toile.

Anonymous said...

I can see why you love the couch! And the dog is a cutie! I think it would be awesome if you can order a new cushion cover from Broyhill! Easy!
-Kim

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Taya @ Delightful! said...

Isn't it great to know that you still love your purchase after many years? When I'm looking to buy something I always ask myself if I will love it in the years to come. I only go trendy with accessories! I quite like both of your fabric choices but am leaning towards the second one because it's closer to your current pattern that you love!

Anonymous said...

We have have the same couch for over 16 years! I really am attached to it. I've sat on this couch and nursed my three babies here. (My youngest is eleven now!) I hope you find something just as wonderful if you do replace it!

Unknown said...

I just stumbled upon your blog from your link at Hooked on Houses. I had to leave a comment that I have your couch! It used to be my sister's and she gave it to us in brand-new condition. Since it's in our living room and not used much, it's still in great shape. Now our family room couch - that's another story.

Sheryl

Anonymous said...

I know how you feel...I'm in love with my faded tobacco brown loveseat. {sigh} Have you considered a chanille (sp?)slipcover? Very soft, and as durable as microfiber (for that cute doggie)?

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

My friend has the same sofa...yes it is cozy!

I am a HUGE proponent of slipcovers! HUGE...go for it.

found ya on Hooked.

Unknown said...

I love both fabrics, and think that the 2nd would be great on a sofa. Then you'd still have the versatility that you love about the current fabric.

Michaelle said...

I'm a sucker for a good, comfortable sofa. I like the second color...neutral with texture. But would it hold up to three kids and a dog? Not sure! LOL

Glad to have found you. I will add you to my blogroll.

Mrs. Dunbar said...

My mom has the same exact couch and loveseat as you. How funny is that? I'm sending her the link to your blog now.
I don't have any creative tips for you, but I think you'll make the right decision for your family.

Anonymous said...

I love the second fabric but didn't it have a light background, hard with doggie. I love the neutral but patterned fabric that you have now. I just read yesterday that toile is out, not that I follow trends but if you want something timeless stay away from an obvious pattern. Toile has been around forever but only became so widely used in the last 15-20 years. gayle

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh boy, your couch looks soooo comfy! Makes me just think that there are some great naps taken there.

julie & joe said...

I like the toile fabric.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Did you ever decide on a flooring choice?

Anonymous said...

I think the toile would be great on the windows (easy to change when you're tired of it), but I agree that it would be too much on the sofa. It sounds like one of the things you loved about the sofa was that it has been so versatile, which it would be no longer if you go with a strong print. My floral chair looks cozy in that picture you posted, but its days are numbered. I'm looking for fabric for slipcovers myself and am going to redo my sofa and three chairs. I'm going plain, baby...throws and seasonal pillows will be my color splashes. I'd do yours for you if we lived closer (deep sigh and discreet wiping of tears). Let me know what you decide. Love ya!