Let’s Chat Couches

By Mandi 04/17/2012

The way my personality works is sort of um…….obsessive.

I have decided that I need a new couch for my living room. Is their anything wrong with the one we have now? Meh. Not really. It has a few troubled spots but for the most part its in good condition. So what is the problem? Remember the Craigslist couch that I posted about a little bit ago? THAT. IS. THE. PROBLEM. (And for those interested I got a text from one of my friends informing me that she was the couch thief. Can you believe that?! Cute Jules said that the Navy Leather was in bad shape and there were dogs and cats involved so that gave me some closure on it)

The theme that my living room design is taking on (at least this is what my friends lovingly call it) is

Santa  Fe  Brothel.

Now, I know that sounds absolutely horrifying and totally intriguing right? And I am sure my good friend google will bring us a few unwanted visitors because of it. But.

It is going to be ridiculously amazing.

Anyways back to couches.

Here is where I am having a bit of a hard time.

I want a REALLY fun crazy couch. I have one in mind that is retro orange lusciousness. But the problem is that its more than I normally spend. Like 3 times more.

And the dilemma becomes this. I know that I will change this room around in the next few years. I know that it will last longer than the last living room design because I have finally found my style and esthetic. But its not going to last a super long time, lets be honest. I don’t know if it will take on a whole new design or if it will evolve just a little, but right now I want a colorful couch.

(That is one of the reasons that I love thrifting so much. Because when you are over a piece of furniture it was $20 and not $500 and its easier to let your style evolve.)

So do I go for something like this?

Or this?

Source: flickr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

 

Or do I spend roughly the same amount (most likely a little more) on something more neutral like this?

 

Or do I just keep the brown leather one that we have now?

For the record the orange couch isn’t THOUSANDS of dollars, but it is a few hundred. And its SO amazing. And velvet. (Anyone know how velvet does with kids?)  Or do you have a sweet retro couch in your possession that you want to donate to Vintage Revivals? Opinions?

Love  Your  Guts,  Mandi

71 thoughts on “Let’s Chat Couches”

  1. Follow your gut. If you love it, buy it, but not if it breaks the banks and you have to live on ramen and crackers for 4 months. If you change things up in a few years, chances are you’ll still recoup some of the money if you decide it’s time for something more neutral.

  2. A velvet couch for a few hundred? I say do it! Neutral is easier to work around, but I’m already bored with mine and it’s only been a couple years. *snore*

  3. I say get the fun couch. We went neutral and got our gray couches. Nice couches but then I realized how dark they made the room. If only I had snooped around for something different. I blame moving for my decision. I was so exhausted that I just wanted something quick and easy. lol.

  4. I feel your pain, my mom came running into my house saying a neighbor up the road had free furniture. I was like lets G O !! So, we cruised down there and got a lamp, some wooden boxes, a bench, and a dresser and mirror all in her little Escape. They had an amazing retro couch. I begged my husband to go get it…he may have been in the middle of something, but seriously what’s more important than free furniture?!? He said he’d go by in a little while….it was gone. Totally bummed.

    Kari @ the Sunset Lane

    1. Kari, here’s how you need to handle that next time – since we all know there will be a next time!

      Sit on the couch in said neighbor’s yard until a) your husband comes to pick up you and the couch or b) your neighbors get creeped out and offer to drive you and the couch home!

      Works like a charm!

  5. No neutral! I’ve just started following you and I know you are not a neutral girl. Besides, even a bright couch can be neutralized (sans lasers and sci-fi gear) with the right accessories.

    I have neutral couches and feel like I’m constantly fighting the battle of brightening my room. Then again, I such at ID so that’s the more likely problem. 🙂 Want to come to Chicago and decorate my new home? 🙂

  6. The first yellow one is beautiful. And velvet one, I think it must wash like that faux suede, if not, at least it is super luxurious to sit in. Neutral is safe, but a bit ho hum.

    Anyhow, I get your dilemma and your strategy; I have a love/hate sofa I bought 10 years ago. It doesn’t blend in, its a colour and I am done with it, but I cant get rid of it! I need a bigger house with two living rooms. Buying a low priced sofa is a great idea for this (evolving style) reason.

  7. I really do love the orange, but I remember years ago when I was buying my first couch ever I was really tempted by the chenille old world tapestry look that was hugely popular. I resisted and got something neutral. Two years later I was at someones house and they had one and I hated it, I was so glad I hadn’t bought it. Of course at that time there was no way I could have bought a new couch every two years so neutral was good for me. I guess the question you have to ask yourself is if you are prepared to spend the money for something new in a couple of years just in case you get sick of it.

  8. I have velvet chairs and they clean up really well. Try using your couch and if it doesn’t work you can change it out. I can’t wait to see what you do.

  9. I am in love with the orange velvet couch. My husband would never let me so I want to live vicariously thru you. GET IT!!!

  10. Hi ,
    love your blog it is like sunshine to me. I hope you go with the hot sexy option – orange or maybe if you wanted a little safe – how about a tufted blue velvet – could go great with the new santa fey theme or could easiy be changed for chinoserie modern or retro or classic – love me some gorgeous blue velvet, that’s what I’m trying to find right now .
    just remember what you really love – is it hot sexy orange – I think so
    good luck , I look forward to seeing the results

  11. From the sound of it, I think you’ve already talked yourself in to the colorful but slightly pricier option. 😉 Like you said, even spending a hundred, or 2, or even 3 on a sofa is CHEAP! You can sell it for what you have into it down the road if you get tired of it. BUT remember, that just because it’s bright doesn’t mean that it can’t work as a neutral in your space and doesn’t mean that you can’t totally change the look of it by morphing it’s surroundings, adding some different pillows, etc. I think you know what you should do. 😉 Party on…

  12. Personally I love non-neutral couches, and have honestly been looking for a retro one for a while (with little to no success so far). Velvet in any furniture form is wonderful, you should just go for it!

  13. Are you familiar with the blog “Little Green Notebook”? I remember reading a post by her about velvet couches or chairs and how she was able to clean them up really well, and she has 3 little girls 7 and under I think. She also has some really great tips and products for cleaning furniture and getting out stains. I would definitely check it out if I were you, since I can’t remember details. I too have to say that I love the first couch. It would never work in my house, but I’d love it in yours!!!

  14. I know the button dilly’s are a huge part of this kind of couch but what about a slip cover over neutral? I’m not talking a purchased on but more of a half-assed effort at making one, stapled around to the bottom and individual cusion covers…
    Although you may end up spending as much on fabric as you would new.
    But there is always the resell-value. If you could get half of what you paid for it in 3 years, is it worth that to you to buy new?

  15. If you don’t have pets, velvet is great. I would ask yourself if you would regret not buying it. I think it’s worth spending a little more on something you love, something that makes you happy every time you see it.

  16. I would go for the colorful couches and spend a little more! You might check outlet centers too, I have gotten great deals on sofas at “box stores” outlets.

  17. i dunno.. i totally have tunnel vision now that i saw the sectional.. #3.
    think of how many brothel-ers you could fit on that!!

  18. Okay….while perusing an antique shop in Michigan, I found the coolest couch and it sounds like just what you need….especially to compliment the brothel part of your decorating theme 🙂

    Seriously, a retro orange sectional that is totally Brady Bunch all the way. It was some kind of leather (vinyl) but was absolutely perfect in condition. It had the metal legs and it was like a beacon in the shop calling to me. I wish I had a place to put this couch myself but since it was about the size of my entire living room, but it was pretty awesome.

    Out of your choices, I would go with the orange one, love the style and the button tuck and the high arms. Very cool.

    Good luck and if you decide, you can always move to MI 🙂

  19. We had a GORGEOUS gold velvet looooong couch with down cushions ~ awesome right? Not-so-much. Great to look at, but [butt] UNCOMFORTABLE! Perhaps your *head* should not be the only body part making the decision. (HA!) Combine the sit/snuggle test with the color choosing. Whatever you decide will be fab!

  20. Girl, buy the couch. Do it. I’m going to by myself a bright turquoise one when I redo my living room. I think you’ll be sad if you don’t. I’ll be sad if you don’t. Don’t make me sad.

  21. You know what? A few years ago, I spent a little over a grand on 2 couches that are neutral. I thought that they should be neutral because it would last longer, style-wise. But, despite their super-comfy-ness, I want to change them! They just don’t make the kind of impact I want in the room. So, I say, buy what you love. Try to keep refreshing it as your style evolves, but if you need a change in the future, that’s ok too. Just stay within budget, and try to pass on the old stuff to people who need it.

  22. I love the color, and I’d go with it. And if you want it be magically transformed into something else in a few years, I’d get some Simply Spray paint and make that happen.

  23. Listen, if you buy the colorful couch and in a few years you want something more neutral you can always slipcover it. If you buy a neutral couch now you will always look at it and regret it and it will become a sore spot between you and your home. You don’t want that. Someone suggested buying a neutral couch and slipcovering it colorful??? What is the point of that? You might as well just go colorful to begin with. A wise woman once said, “…do what makes your guts smile.” Hmmm, I wonder who that was? Go colorful gal, cause we all know you ain’t the neutral type, Honey! Can’t wait to see your Santa Fe Brothel style! I know it is going to be epic!

  24. If you don’t get the colorful one, you will always wish you did. If things change so much and you want to mix things up later…you can reupholster it yourself! 🙂 There have been a few times when I settled for something cheaper but still yearned for the thing I really wanted, and eventually I bought it anyway. Just sayin.
    🙂 Can’t wait to see the brothel!
    Nat
    doodlecraft.blogspot

  25. Velvet, color, several hundred dollars? I would do it! If you have the $ of course. I am dying for a velvet tufted couch!!

  26. Actually just traded my totally practical charcoal gray couch for a totally impracticle teal one. And then promptly put 6 pillows that don’t match each other on it.

    I…could not be happier, honestly. I vote go for it!

  27. Velvet couches suck!!!! Hard to clean, don’t wear well, wear unevenly. It seems like a sexy option until you’ve done it once & vow to never make that mistake again 😉 Save your money & make your currrent couch work until you can afford the fun color in a leather couch.

  28. The orange one for sure. Infact, I just started couch hunting too. So you say several hundred dollars, can you tell us from where? I have to have it!!….mONICa

  29. So beautiful! I love the yellow couch.. of course.. but really I love the art arrangement over the couch. I bought a few pictures from Goodwill almost a month ago, and I cant figure out how to arrange them! bahaa!!! Great post. Thanks for the inspiration.

  30. Mandi, I think I know a little about this furniture obsession thing, since I still regret not snagging the crushed olive green velveteen couch that my roommate & I had in college 25 years ago or my grandmother’s yellow & royal purple grosgrain slipper chair that I loved all through my childhood.

    Take it from me. If you can still afford to feed your kids, buy the orange couch!

  31. I have an orange couch and I LOVE it! Believe it or not, it kind of works as a neutral. You would be surprised how much it goes with. I say DO IT! 🙂

  32. I think if you love color you will always love color. However, you may love different colors for different seasons of your life. I think a couch, at least a good one, is worth putting out the cashola. I think you should get the neutral one and then learn how to sew, or enlist a friends help and make a slip cover in your fave color of the moment. OR…save your money, buy the orange one and when you get sick of the orange,move it to another space or make a slip cover for the orange one in another color, assuming it’s slip cover worthy. Confused?! Me too.

  33. Love the first, third and forth option. We bought a new couch 2 year ago and I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted a specific shade of green and it had to be true microfiber…..not microsued. As you can probably guess it was hard to find. We finally found it but nad to spend a little more. Im glad we did though……I love my green couch!

  34. JUST. WENT. THRU. THIS. If you truly love the color, can justify the cost, and will be fine either reselling it or reupholstering later in some fab print/color then what’s the risk? I mean truly?! Also, is it truly an old school velvet (a polyester with a high pile) or a modern day microfiber? My folks have a true velvet couch and 2 chairs (pale yellow, no less) they bought in 1969. It’s still proudly displayed in their living room (cool furniture, not a cool room…unless you love Waverly wallpaper and border) and looking fly. We just bought a microfiber that looks like a velvet and I couldn’t be happier. We have two girls as well ages 5 & 4. I thought they would be the problem. Nope. My better half bled on the sucker within a week. Nearly made him bleed some more, but not one my FAB sofa. It came out brilliantly. So far it has been an awesome purchase for us. With as much thought as we put into things, how can it really be a bad purchase? Go for broke, my fashion-forward friend.

  35. Love colored couches, but velvet is SO hard to clean and keep up with! Can you make a gorgeous cover for your current couch?? If your really dying for the velvet, I would go for it just remember to adjust your budget for next month. I hate regretting not buying something I love so I tend to get it then forgo *splurges* for the next month to make up for this month…it works for me. Can’t wait to hear more about your *brothel*!

  36. I am such a sucker for a sectional! With four littles in our house all the furniture (except one chair for texture) is leather or vintage vinyl. Such a chicken I know. Happy shopping.

  37. The gold couch in the first picture is WOW for me. Also the marigold sectional has a great 50’s vibe. The pictures of the neutral couches do not match the description you want for your living room, so don’t settle! Life is too short to always do the ‘acceptable’ – go for it!

  38. Mandi,

    As someone who lived through the home fashions you are posting the first time around, my memory tells me that the “velour” of the 60’s and 70’s did not have the cool treatments, thread count, etc. to stand up to kids well (even though that is around the time that they invented Scotch Gard). Go for the color, because that is who you are; just know you may want/need to reupholster due to wear, or just being tired of a couch that yells at you every day! 😉

  39. Love, love, love the orange couch!
    As a matter of fact I just got a neutral couch like the last picture in cream leather, but since you have “the guts” you should just go for it 😉
    I have 2 kids and 4 cats so fancy fabrics don’t work for me. Unfortunately it’s either leather or microfiber (I know…boring but easy to clean)lt, although leather and cat claws are a little tricky too.

  40. Well the advise I can give is that I waiting ages until I found the perfect vintage sofa, with original upholstery in a light orange. And I adore it! I’ve never been a neutral gal, always going for colour as I find it makes the whole room… happy! Good luck with your search, I love the second, third, fourth and last best style-wise (though that brown on the last is too poopy for me!) One word of advise, I had looked at a few like the second choice, and found them very uncomfortable. Love the look, but like comfort in my sofa more!
    XXX Suzanne

  41. When it comes to a couch or chairs I love neutrals. I can change my drapes,my lamps throw pillows etc…. every few yars and my couch is still in great shape. Of course I no longer have little children in my home. I look forward to seeing whatyou come up with.

    Mary

  42. Based on the number of people who commented here, and the people out in the universe who scoop up the most awesome things on Craigslist, you’ll be able to re-sell any couch you get. In fact, I think that a unique couch will sell better because it’s special.

    In college, we had a huge orange velour sectional. We sold it at the end of the year (it had to be moved out of a second floor window because it wouldn’t fit down the stairs) and ten years later, I still think about it.

  43. Oh man… I envy your home decor on a daily basis and I regularly see you at the DI with your kiddos and drool over the things in your cart… but today my friend you would envy mine! I got an ORANGE VELVET couch, tufted like the first picture, but orange like the third picture, at RESTORE for $35!!!!!! Just last week. I saw it and I HAD to have it, even though I already have couches. Now obviously my current couches have to go, and my whole living room is getting a revamp to match this magnificent couch. I second your “thank goodness thrifting is so cheap to you can revamp without it costing $$$$$$” sentiments 🙂 Perhaps next time I see you at the DI I’ll grab up the courage to say hello:)

  44. Mandi,
    I raised 2 kids and working on 2 grandkids! lol Velvet washes fairly well and if you love it a couple hundred is probably worth it. We have hotel surplus stores in our area and a lot of stuff is junk. But sometimes…you can get custom high end barely sat on couches. Now you will pay more than $20 but you are looking at $5,000-$10,000 couches for a couple hundred!!! Luv ur guts tooooo!!! HAPPY HUNTING:)

  45. Hey Girl, Just wanted to thank you for making SNAP so fabulous. I loved it! Seeing you there was a highlight & you did a wonderful job on your presentation. I blogged about SNAP and you today!

    Warmly, Michelle

  46. Everything you touch seems to turn into amazing! Get it!
    Then come to SoCal & teach me how to be you;)

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