There are just as many black leather sofas in family rooms as brown ones these days all over the country so if you are looking for an update or need black or a dark colour because you have kids, here are my recommendations:
1. How about this one in fabric?
This is IKEA’s Stockholm sofa. It comes in two pieces so it fits through the hallways of a small condo. I would nix the two cushions on each side and do regular decorative pillows.
2. With a green area Rug from IKEA
3. A trendy coffee table from Crate & Barrel
4. A fun chair or two in a coordinating fabric introducing white which pops with black and a strong colour. Use a sunbrella fabric with kids and pets and then have something washable.
5. Where to put the TV
The other day a client asked where I would suggest bookshelves in her family room. She already had one wall with a flat screen TV sitting on a low entertainment unit. My recommendation was to get rid of that piece and install a wall unit with bookshelves on each side. Otherwise, if you install a row of bookcases on an adjoining wall it leaves the TV wall looking empty.
There are many configurations to choose from to create a place to store your books and what-nots but if you do it on one wall instead of splitting it up, it looks better. Also I would choose white because black might be too heavy (especially if you already have black furniture).
6. Or if you prefer blue over green how about this chair?
7. And this carpet with just a little hit of black to tie in the sofa:
8. And two X chairs because they are so versatile and look good sitting anywhere, in front of the fireplace, underneath a console table. . .
9. Books wrapped in twine
If you have bookshelves, buy stacks of coffee table books or use your own collection. They are necessary to create pedestals for accessories. And you know those books wrapped in twine that you can buy already looking natural and neutral at Restoration Hardware? Well you can put them together the same way yourself:
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.
Love love your blog! I am a faithful reader. Great ideas and good design!!
Katie Flynn
Acreativeinterior.com
Hope you get well fast, Maria. How kind of you to think about posting for your readers instead of just collapsing in bed.
Great ideas! Love that couch! Kori xoxo
Hi Maria, Sorry I haven't been by. It's been a CRAZY week hosting my husband's boss and sewing the banner. :o) So much cooking!
I'm so sorry that you are sick. Colds are just awful! Wow–you used my remedies..oregano oil, garlic… But three weeks, that is not fun.
Sorry to hear you are having such bad weather too. I love the great decorating ideas! I've used some of them this last year… especially tablescapes. IKEA furniture is so stylish!
xo
Donna
All of the "sick" this winter has been hanging on way too long; I hope you're on the mend soon.
We were at Ikea today looking at garden stuff and lights (and found neither). But, we did see this lovely pinkish rug. They paired it with gray/slate/pewter and silver in their room display and it was wonderful.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80203602
Very good ideas…not being a big fan of a black sofa I liked your ideas very much and am sending this post to my niece because she and hubby have set their hearts and minds on buying a black sofa for their living room (actually a pair of them) which I wrinkled my nose at…..so this post has given me hope…lol and will give them some inspiration. Thanks!
Loved this post. I really liked the first combination with the green…so pretty and fresh. Now you have me thinking about a run to IKEA.
So sorry you have a nasty spring cold and yet you deliver such a wonderful post!!! Thank you…..but go to bed and rest! (I love that green rug under the black sofa!)
Hope you feel better soon, what a great idea…a black sofa…so elegant and crisp…thanks for the post.
Absolutely love the pottery. Always adds pops of color and texture. What you need is room service to bring you homemade chicken noodle soup on a tray. Wouldn't that be living well? Get better soon friend.
MARIA- Re: your cough. With the weather this spring you might consider that it in not a cold but more of a reaction to the rapid temperature swings. I have a condition, asthma like, where the cough can last for 6 – 8 weeks. This year have been really bad. I see a pulmonologist, but your regular doctor may be able to help.
Hi Anonymous,
You are right on, I finally went yesterday, he said it was viral and there was nothing to give me and that I sounded like I was getting better. he said to drink lots of hot tea for the 'steam' and to avoid sudden changes in temperature so there you go!
Thanks so much for your note!
Maria
I adore the blue and white armchair. Such a great accent. Perhaps the bright colours will magically beckon Spring to arrive here in Vancouver . . .
I certainly hope you feel better soon — three weeks is a long time for a cough!
I enjoyed this post. The only think I take exception to is those books. It is just troublesome to me to mess up books that way, even if they are headed for the incinerator.