living room Archives - Page 2 of 12

This Year’s (Very Red) Christmas Tree

Nov282018

This year’s Christmas tree strategy is simple: red, red and more red. We put up one family tree downstairs; it’s a Martha Stewart one from Home Depot that we’ve had for several years. The kids start by putting on any and every ornament they’ve ever made–paper, pipe cleaners, glitter, marshmallows, it doesn’t matter! (This is also the time each year I realize that I still owe the twins a baby ornament of their own. . . )

When they’re finished, I go behind them and hang the “decorative” ornaments. Sticking to one, heavily layered, color scheme pulls it all together.

To create a similar look: use shades of all one color for effect, vary the sizes (mine are a mix of 2.75″ and 4″), and place them both on the tips and tucked into branches for a really layered look. I finished with this inexpensive throw blanket as a tree skirt that works great if your tree is tucked in a corner like ours.

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A Plan in Progress: Our Living Room Refresh

Oct122018

Fall is in the air and it has me itching to make some changes to our living room. I’m starting with throwing out my stained white slipcovers and moving out one of the two matching sofas. I’m also moving in more pattern.

(See something you like? All product images are linked.)

I’m also experimenting with different art above our fireplace. I haven’t decided if the black and white is staying yet. I think I’ll wait and see how I feel once the patterned sofa is in place.

And here’s a quick look at the sofa with a $49 (IKEA) beige slipcover. The other sofa won’t be here for another month. Stay tuned. . .

Slipcovered Sofas: Are They Worth It?

Sep262018

After owning (white) slipcovered sofas for a couple of years now, it seems like a good time to give an update on how they’re working for our family and if the “ease” of washable covers is really worth it.

We have a pair of the IKEA Ektorp sofas in our living room, and I’ll stand by my opinion that for the price and the comfort, they’re a great fit for our not-so-gentle family of seven. But the washable slipcovers? Not so washable, after all.

I started out like every other slipcover owner in America who said “I’ll just throw them in the washer.” Truth be told, there’s no such thing as “just throwing them” anywhere. In a perfect world, I guess you would take them off every month or so. My average, I’m ashamed to admit, is more like once a year. We’re not suppose to, but “we” eat snacks (and ice cream and popcorn and salsa) in front of the TV and I just got tired of worrying about it, which leaves us with less then crisp white couches.

Look closely. Someone–who shall remain nameless–decided to eat chocolate ice cream while paying more attention to a ballgame. . .

While I can take the covers off by myself, the pain of getting them back on the frame is more of a two-man job. They say not to bleach them, but I’ve tried it–along with OxiClean and stain sprays and everything else I’ve read online that’s been recommended. The verdict? The white doesn’t come out white. (This could be due to my once-a-year-washing schedule.) And it’s a lot of trouble, I tell you, to go through the process of washing them and get a dingy result.

So, the alternative is to buy new slipcovers–or a new sofa. . . For our IKEA Ektorp, a new cover is $250. I’m sure it varies but a quick Google search says the average cost to have a sofa cleaned is between $100-$150. Although the “new” doesn’t last extremely long around here (for anything), I still feel like new slipcovers are a good investment for a few years, at least. While I’m speaking from the experience of having white sofas, I think you could get away with keeping the covers even longer if it were a darker color. . .

What’s been your experience with slipcovered furniture?

Do you think it’s worth it?

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