Whew! As this busy summer winds down and school ramps up, I find myself needing some down time in the late afternoon to recharge for my evening routine. It’s been pretty obvious that the rest of my family needs some time to regroup and refocus, too, which is why I think we all end up on collapsing on the couch shortly after five each day.
Our down time may only last 15 minutes, but its an essential part of our day that allows us to relax, disconnect from the outside world, and reconnect with each other. I’d love to tell you that the couch we congregate on each afternoon is a lovely vintage piece that I scored at an estate sale for an amazing price and recovered in designer fabric. But I can’t, because it’s not. Our couch is brand-spanking new – the only new piece of furniture in our house.
It took me awhile to come around to the idea of buying a new couch, but what finally sold me was the thought of snuggling up with my boys reading, watching football and family movies, and the comfy cushions. Mostly the comfy cushion. As much as I loved our vintage green couch, those cushions just weren’t cutting it anymore.
So, about a year ago, my husband and I started saving and we bought ourselves a couch for Christmas. Hello, adulthood.
I thought about our couch conversion recently when helping a young family choose a couch for the living room in their new house. They’re into Mid-Century furnishings and were torn between vintage and replica options.
After discussing their lifestyle and intended use of the space, it was clear that a vintage style new couch would best suit their families needs. Playing off their freshly painted walls, I recommended dark blue upholstery to contrast with the gray walls and pick up the blue in the adjacent living room. Darker colored couches also have the added benefit of hiding dirt, spills, and stains, making them friendly for families with toddlers or teens.
I narrowed my clients’ couch choices down to the following options (all in dark blue, remember). They took a weekend to check out each model in person, verifying both style and comfort. A couch is a worthwhile investment and its wise to choose a model that will last until it’s a true vintage!
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Younger Furniture | The Louie Sofa
This is great quality piece with tons of fabric options in a true mid-century style. The tufting on the back cushions is my favorite detail.
Younger Furniture | The Michael Sofa
More contemporary that the Louie model, this lengthy sofa also features thicker lines and a more formal style.
West Elm | Peggy Sofa
Mad Men, anyone? West Elm has some stylish and well-priced options, and the Peggy looks especially striking in the Chenille Tweed, Nightshade fabric.
Dot & Bo | Graham Sofa
Here’s another fun option similar to Peggy, but with two seat cushions instead of three.
West Elm | Axel Sofa
I threw in this leather option just to give them a little something different in a more masculine style. The Axel would make a striking contrast with the pair of grey tweed Mid-Century chairs that my client already owned. You’ll notice it has the same lines as the Louie sofa and a bit of industrial influence in the metal legs.
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Which couch is your favorite? My clients chose Younger Furniture’s Louie couch. It’s currently in production, but I’ll post pictures soon.
And don’t worry – my green vintage couch moved to the back office where it receives a little less wear and tear but a lot of love.
Hunt & Gather Home 