NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Sofa Swap

by

In my opinion, couches are one of the most difficult pieces of furniture to purchase. Why?

  • You want something of good quality, but you don’t want to take out a second mortgage on your house to get it.
  • You want something that is pretty on its own, but neutral enough to be able to pull off a variety of different of accents and colors.
  • You need something comfortable, but you want it to look nice, too.
I’ve been considering a new sofa for a while. Our couch was really good quality, and was given to us by Ryan’s very generous parents. (See all our hand-me-downs here.) They actually gave it to me my senior year of college, so I’ve had it since 2005.
However, we ended up with a slipcover on it because the pattern was a lot for our Living Room. It also helped protect the furniture from the dogs.
However, the slipcover was not perfect, and the stretchiness of it was starting to bug me. Lola’s hair was like a fur coat for the dark slipcover. Plus, there were several holes in it from the Pugs. So, it was either find a new slipcover or a new sofa (I know I didn’t have the patience or skill to make a slipcover as beautiful as Robin’s.)
And, after I convinced Ryan we discussed it, we finally decided to go for a new sofa. Here were my criteria:
  • Passes the Ryan comfort test
  • About the same length as our sofa, around 83 inches (This is comfortable for 3 people and long enough to lay down.)
  • Slipcovered to keep it clean and dog-smell free
  • Some neutral color – probably tan
  • Under $700
This is really the first new piece of furniture we’ve purchased on our own, so I was a little nervous. (We’ve been handed down, thrifted or built everything else.) And, I really didn’t want to spend very much, because… well, because I’m cheap. And, when you’ve never really purchased furniture, you don’t realize or understand how much it costs.
And, then entered Emily and her slipcovered IKEA Ektorp sofa. This isn’t the first time anyone (myself included) has blatantly copied Emily. She’s like that cool girl that everyone wants to be. So, from the moment I knew she was getting the sofa, I began stalking her by email, asking her about it, what she thought about it, if she’d be wierded out if I flew to Colorado to see it in person? (Maybe that last one was in my head.)
I also found out from her that the reviews of the sofa were comparable to those from Pottery Barn. (Why would I do my own research on the subject?) And, just like that, I was leaning towards the Ektorp. I did look at a couple more, in case you think I’m ridiculous and a complete follower (although I am). I looked at JCPenney, American (Rowe furniture) and Furniture Row. Nothing really worked for us.
Then, we made had to make three separate trips to Ikea to score the couch. The Chicago stores are only about 2 1/2 hours away. (With a Cheesecake Factory next door.) 
  1. First we ensured it met the Ryan comfort test. (It did.)
  2. Then, we had a rain-out day. We still had to go, of course. It is IKEA. But, we couldn’t bring it home because of the rain. I did buy the slipcovers on this trip, because the color I wanted was being discontinued and on clearance (Ektorp beige). 
  3. And, finally on the third trip, we brought home a new member of the family.
So, would you like to meet her?

Isn’t she pretty? I love the contrasting piping. Very Ballard Designs, right?

As you can see, I decided to pick up the ottoman, too. We used our old ottoman all the time, so it was worth the little extra money. Plus, they had the same color slipcover clearanced on the third IKEA trip.

And, because the post isn’t long enough…
Evolution of the Living Room

We’re still trying to decide what to do for additional seating. Ideally, I’d like to put a few smaller chairs on the right wall. But, we can’t decide on the type of chair to choose, and don’t really want to spend any more money on furniture at the time.

For now, we’re just enjoying the new look. And, the fact that it met all of our criteria makes it a success. (It even came in right at our budget, with an extra slipcover and the ottoman. Score!)

Franco and Lola approved.

What do you think?

Comments

  1. ベンジャミン・ネタニヤフ、習近平、ウラジミール・プーチン、アンゲラ・メルケル、バラク・オバマ、ベンジャミン・フルフォード、石平の地球物語でございます。
    なんで？眼球が逃げるの？こわいの？
    渡来人＝韓国人なんだから、在日韓国人の中には彼らの子孫も多い
    韓国製のなかでもさらに粗悪品とうわさのデイジー！

  3. That Em, she’s the olive to my martini, I tell you.

    Your new couch is beautiful!! That piping is delectable–brilliant choice. And the scrumptious berry-colored pillows are perfection (Pier 1?).

    Is this what you contemplated bringing home from Ikea once but the weather prevented it? It’s awesome (though I was sort of hoping you kidnapped an Ikea employee for his/her discount).

  4. Looks great! Yet another reason I wish an IKEA was in driving distance. I could do some serious damage. Love the living room evolution and the pups look like they approve as well!

  5. Love it!!! and I love the color. We just bought our first sectional in November and we went from dark to light as well.

    Congrats on the new sofa purchase!

    And I want details about that lovely glass with your last name on it pretty please? Or if there’s a previous post that I’m dumb enough to miss please lead me in the right direction… Pretty please?!

  6. I absolutely love your couch. Smart choice getting your slipcovers before they were gone. You really have talent for putting a room together. I’m rehabbing a house that looks similar to your beginning photo, and it really is encouraging to see what can be done from the ground up! 🙂

  8. I’ve been dreaming of a new couch, too. My main issue is cat hair. I have a leather couch right now so it isn’t a problem. But that cover…that would be perfect! I love it. Maybe I should make another trek to Ikea myself!

  9. It looks great. And the pipping is a very nice, “this is classy”, touch. I’ve had my eye on those ottomans- but I can never make my mind up about the lift tab. I also really like your red circle pillows.

  11. One red chair with and green pillow and one green chair with a red pillow matching your furniture and and curtains!

  12. I love it!!! T and I have a major disagreement on IKEA. I realize that their stuff is not going to last forever, and it’s not always made with the best materials, but I LIKE the style and the price fits our budget! I’d much rather have something fun that I like instead of waiting around for-e-ver for something we can’t afford anyways. I say job well done…the room looks great!!

  15. I also have an Ikea Erktop sofa and chair with the ottoman. I love them! Having the pug it is great to remove the covers, toss them in the wash and have no pet smells or stains!

  16. It looks BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    I think an Ektorp sofa is in our (distant) future too. I have the Rowe version of this sofa in our living room, and I love it, but the den is jealous, and one doesn’t really need more than one overpriced sofa, now does one? 😉

  18. The after looks great! Moving that large chair out makes the room look SO much larger.
    You did a great job combining different colors and fabrics 🙂

  20. Looks great, Kim! I totally know what you mean about how hard it is to buy a good sofa without breaking the bank. You done good, girl. (And who wouldn’t follow Emily and her good taste?)

  22. Oh I love the khaki! LOVE. My aunt wants Khaki but we couldn’t tell online what the piping looked like, so don’t mind if I send this off to her for her to copy you!

    And I have an 8th grade yearbook with photographic evidence that I am not the cool girl. You can look at it when you fly to Colorado for real.

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