UncategorizedThe Death of the White Couch March 28, 2013 {via} Since I really got into interior design, I have loved white couches. I love the bright, neutral canvas they provide. They really go with any decor. {via} I love the modernness of this image. Very my new, evolving style. We had a slip-covered white sofa in our last house. I loved it so much. Did it get dirty? Sure. But we could toss it in the wash and bleach it. Good as new! Granted, that took half a day to accomplish and it wasn’t totally fun putting it back on the couch and making it look “pretty.” That was an older couch my parents so sweetly loaned us for our first home since we didn’t have one. But, it wasn’t the most comfortable for my husband. So we said when we moved, we were finally going to buy a sofa. What grown-ups! Is it weird that I’m almost 26 and never bought a sofa? Oh well, we’re coming up in the world! So, I had planned for a long time to buy this couch from Pottery Barn. {via} Now, Pottery Barn couches are definitely out of our price range, but I’ve surprisingly found a lot of these on Craigslist for prices we can afford. I love that it is still white and it’s also slip-covered for cleaning purposes. Though, I do think this slip-cover would be much harder to take off and clean because it has multiple pieces and fits much tighter than our last one did. So, even though it can be bleached, we’re talking maintenance. The “design should be pretty not practical” side of me (yes, I do not have kids yet), didn’t care and was still planning to get this sofa. But my husband disagreed and started kindly mentioning that maybe we should get a darker sofa. I hated didn’t like this idea and said no. I was seriously in love with white sofas and couldn’t picture how I would design a living room with anything else! I know, I’m a white-loving weirdo. Then I started thinking about our life now with a Great Dane, who despite our best efforts, only wants to sleep on the sofa (we’re going to break that habit when we get a new one…somehow). And then I thought about the future babies that I want to fill our house up with and this next sofa will hang around for a while since sofas are investments. We definitely aren’t replacing this thing yearly. And I caved. One day, in total secret, I started looking at colored sofas online. I didn’t dare tell my husband and get his hopes up because what if I hated them? But guess what? I didn’t hate them. I actually loved them! Remember, all of our walls in this main living area will be white. The living room walls will be white, the living room built-ins will be white, the front office/sitting room will be white, the dining room will be white, the kitchen will be all white…you get the picture. Everything surface within sight of this couch (other than furniture) will be white. So, maybe a colored sofa wouldn’t be so bad… Our first thought was tan and I’ve seen some gorgeous tan sofas. But with the raw/rustic wood island that will be right behind the sofa, they would basically be the same color. Then I saw this beauty and it hit me… {via} Yes, charcoal gray! Perfect! As soon as I saw this, I began scouring the web for charcoal gray sofas. We currently don’t have anything else this color in the main areas, so I think it’ll really stand out while still being neutral. And the durability? Ahh, yes, much more durable than white. There are three factors that we’re considering in making a sofa choice: looks (of course), price, and comfort. Though I know sofas are investments, we cannot spend $1000 or more on a sofa. If we do, there will be nothing else in our house! And comfort for a sofa is a given! Here are my favorite options so far based on looks. I love this basic one from IKEA. {via} And it’s actually slip-covered, so if we had to, it could be washed. And did I mention it’s $499?! Very affordable. Still a huge purchase for us tight-wads, but good for a sofa. When I was at IKEA last weekend, I actually sat on it and was surprised how comfortable it was! My husband will be the true test when we go back next weekend. We have different standards when it comes to comfort. I love the classic lines of this one above. I think it’ll go great with the modern decor I’m starting to lean toward while still allowing for lots of country. I was pretty sold on this sofa as long as it passes the comfort test. And then, I started seeing some more modern sofas. And fell in love with the statements that they make! They’re a lot like the sofa in the image above by Emily Henderson. Very modern lines, tufting, and huge statement. Both of my favorite so far are from Urban Outfitters. I’m loving the Either/Or Convertible Sofa in Gray. {via} Mid-century Modern loveliness. This one is more expensive at $749. But what a statement it makes! Now, comfort level, I don’t know. We’re hoping to see it in person and test that out soon. The other one I love that has a similar feel is the Night and Day Sofa. {via} It’s $649. Both of these last ones convert into beds, which is a huge plus for us. Living in a small house, we are determined to maximize every single inch and make it as functional as possible. With only two small guest bedrooms, there will come a time that those are filled with little ones (we hope) and that will leave us with no space for family or guests to stay. Convertible bed/sofa? Very helpful. And, though these are majorly modern, I can still picture them with my chippy furniture and some older/vintage accents. Loving contrast, remember? *** Now comes my reason for this post… One of my favorite things about having a blog is being able to run decisions like this by other design-loving friends. Y’all help me see things clearly! Which should I go with? Assuming they’re all comfortable for now (unless one of you has one or has tried them and knows?). Do I go with a more classic sofa and bring in some modern accents in other ways? Oh, and spend less money? Or do I go with a majorly awesome statement couch, which is cool since it’s the biggest thing in the room? And yes it would be more money, but we’re getting a guest bed out of the deal too. I need help! What do y’all think?
Kristina says March 28, 2013 at 11:39 am Hmmm … I say the last one. The Ikea one is -nice- but a little boring, yanno? I mean, it’d look totally cute with pillows and such, but the last one is modern without being too modern, and plus you will love having a couch that converts to a bed (we do and its been a huge help for us). Also, if you are looking to sell your white slipcover, I’m looking to buy one so … 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says March 28, 2013 at 1:20 pm Thanks, Kristina! I really do love the modern look of the last two. We’ll have to see what Chris thinks 🙂 Reply
Megan Shipman says March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pm I made the leap and purchased a slipcover from Pottery Barn a few years ago (before I discovered Ikea). I love my sofa, but I have also sat on the ones at Ikea. The comfort is fairly comparable, especially when you take into account that you can purchase 3 Ikea sofas for about the same price as a Pottery Barn one. (Wow, just typing that sentence makes me want to vomit!) Good luck with the sofa hunt! Reply
Lindsay says March 28, 2013 at 1:19 pm Thanks, Megan! You’re right about the cost. For us, that is such a huge factor because we’re thrifters at heart and we also have a lot we want to do in this house! Good to know on the IKEA comfort. Hopefully, Chris will agree! Reply
Jessica Hightower says March 28, 2013 at 1:35 pm I love the second couch!!! It’s modern, but still has the country/rustic feel to it! As long as it’s comfy, I think it’s a very wise decision to get one with a pull-out bed! Reply
Lindsay says March 28, 2013 at 1:56 pm Thanks Jessica! I think the second one is my favorite when it comes to “looks” too. Comfort will be the real test… Reply
Meghan says March 28, 2013 at 1:55 pm I love the third one. I’m a fan of clean lines (and charcoal grey) – can’t wait to sit on it! 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says March 28, 2013 at 1:56 pm Thanks, Meghan! You will DEFINITELY be on of the first people to sit on it. Can’t wait to have y’all over as soon as things are a little better/cleaner! Reply
christine aldinger says March 28, 2013 at 5:16 pm 1st one…IKEA……….but i can’t get into the modern furniture i think they have a very cold look….the IKEA sofa looks classy and with the throws & pillows out there it can be sressed up to be modern or country…..i do love the grey…gl!!! Reply
Jennifer @ Miller Musings says March 28, 2013 at 5:56 pm My favorite is the second one. In my experience, a really good blow up mattress is way more comfy to sleep on than any sofa that converts to a bed. It always seems like the sofas that try to do double duty as a sofa and bed always end up compromising on one end, or both. 😉 Reply
Jennifer Dudley says March 28, 2013 at 5:57 pm well you asked………I think the first one and here is my reason. I know you are wanting contrast and are moving more modern at times the first allows you that versatility. It is classic and timeless. You can bring in modern in ways that are less of an investment. If you do the others your pretty much locked into that, what if your style changes again? Mine sure has. No matter what you pick, this white loving girl is digging the charcoal gray!!!!! Reply
Maribelle says November 24, 2014 at 7:25 pm So. I just stumbled across your blog via pinterest and this post seriously spoke to me, even though it’s almost 2 years old haha. I’m an ‘all white’ decor loving freak, struggling to find the best sofa for our living room, but stuck between country/classic and leaning towards some aspect of modern decor. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find a crazy beautiful sofa like you did on craigslist! Here’s to hoping ;)! Reply