Help me pick sofas

Mrs.Ashley

I also posted on the Decorating board, but I'd like to get your advice.  We've been shopping for new sofas (a sofa + loveseat).  I'm still discovering what my style is, but I like the clean, simple look of modern with the warmth of traditional.  As far as sofas, beyond high quality, we want something that is comfortable but looks semi-tailored & put together, if you KWIM. 

We've shopped at Pottery Barn, Arhaus, Macy's, Thomasville & Ethan Allen so far.  We loved 2 couches at Ethan Allen (below), the Hampton & the Hudson.  I really like the lines of the Hampton & it's a little more comfortable (both are ridiculously comfortable).  I like the length and low/substantial arms of the Hudson.  Michael likes it because it's better for naps (low arms).   However, I think it may be too modern (it may not be the "timeless" piece of furniture we're looking for). 

Michael had an interesting idea ... why not get the sofa in one style & the loveseat in another? My instinct says 'no way', but sometimes I am afraid to take decorating 'risks' if you know what I mean, and I feel that limits my decorating ability.

What do you think?

 Here are the sofas - First the Hampton & then the Hudson.  Both would be in solid (no pattern) upholstered fabric, most likely a microfiber.  Both are much deeper than they look.

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holdn5

I like the idea of 2 different pieces and if I were going to do this, I'd do one print and one solid, but again it is how I would do it. I like the style of the couches as well.  I dont't think they would look bad if they were solids, but I'm a total matchy person. Does that make any sense? Do what you want though, it is your home!

Mrs.Ashley

Thanks for your opinion Stephanie.  I just want to make sure I understand what you're saying -- Would you use the 2 different styles of couches & do one in print & one in solid?

I feel like if I were to do 2 different styles, I'd need to keep them in the same fabrics to keep some cohesiveness. 

triumphantreturnofplanningbug

Honestly, the first thing I think when I see the second

is "my grandparents have THAT couch."

So I prefer the second.

Obviously, though, it'll be all about what you do with

it, and the second doesn't have to look fresh from

the 70s

IndyGirl02

I tend to agree -- if you're going to do two different pieces, I think they should be different ENOUGH that they don't look like an accident, kwim?  Like a print and a solid.  Two different pieces in the same fabric might just look like they delivered the wrong thing and you never noticed.

 

It's like with clothes -- you can wear two shades of the same color, but they need to be different enough that it doesn't look like a matching accident.

 

I do like the style of both pieces though!  It would be hard to pick one or the other.

Mrs.Ashley

Yeah, and that's why I'm leaning toward the Hampton (the 1st one) -- Like I said, I'm going for timeless.

However, it does depend on what else you do with the room. If I would go with something considered traditional, I would use other elements in the room to make the feel more modern & vice versa.

holdn5

Mrs.Ashley:

Thanks for your opinion Stephanie.  I just want to make sure I understand what you're saying -- Would you use the 2 different styles of couches & do one in print & one in solid?

I feel like if I were to do 2 different styles, I'd need to keep them in the same fabrics to keep some cohesiveness. 

 

Yes, I would do either two different style couches and do one print and one solid. Or you could do what Amy suggested and do the same couch, but different fabrics (one print one solid). I also like her comment about them delivering the wrong piece if you went with 2 different style couches with the same fabric

Mrs.Ashley

I don't think I would like to have 2 different style couches in 2 different fabrics -- I guess I am more traditional than I thought!  I could definitely do one style couch in two different fabrics -- I think that would give a lot of texture to the room.  (And don't even ask me about fabrics ... they have almost 1000 ... I have no idea how I'll pick!  I haven't even decided on colors yet ... that will be a separate post in a couple of days I'm sure.)

fruitcakes

I would do the same style in 2 different fabrics or two TOTALLY different couches (like a leather and a cloth) in similar styles. 

What about getting a couch and two chairs instead of a loveseat?  We have a couch and a huge oversized chair with ottoman and everyone that comes over loves the chair.  Two people cuddle in it quite nicely

Mrs.Ashley

I would like to do that, but we just don't have the room for 2 chairs instead of 2 loveseats right now.  I'm trying to maximize seating for the room we have.  We have room for 1 loveseat instead of 2 chairs & I'd rather have a loveseat instead of 1 chair so we have more room.

I really like oversized chairs & we want to get one, but only when we move into a house in a few years. 

Does that make sense?

 

lemen99

I agree with other pp - I think it would be fine to mix & match as long as they are different enough in pattern or style to look like it wasnt' an accident.

That being said, I'm not sure if I like the pattern in the 1st couch! 

 I know what you mean about overstuffed chairs - I love them, but we ended up with a loveseat instead to maximize seating!

CiaoBella07

Ashley, personally I am drawn to the first choice.  I really like having the dark wood "feet" of the sofa showing, and I think it's a little more classic.  The second choice reminds me of a more modern, contemporary look.  That's just my personal taste, but if they are both comfy, then either one will serve the correct purpose!

Since you mentioned wanting these to be around for a while but also eventually expanding your living room furniture once you have more space, maybe think about ordering the two sofas in the same microfiber with a plan to get overstuffed chairs when you have more space in a coordinating, complementary print. 

FWIW, our sofas are similar to the first one in structure (our cushions are different) and we have the C&B galleria coffee and end table.  I think that the room has a classic-ish and contemporary-ish feel but is not too modern.  There are pics in my bio of them, if you're interested.  Sorry that response was so long!

Mrs.Ashley

I don't like the pattern in the pictures as well; however it was the only pick of the non-slipcovered version of the Hampton on EthanAllen.com.

I would most likely to a solid on one piece, and then a pattern on the other piece with 2-3 colors, incorporating the color from the first piece.  I'm not a big fan of big patterns -- I'm thinking something small, or just a fabric with texture that has threads of 2-3 different colors (not necessarily a pattern). 

lemen99

oh!  I like the style of the 1st one better (I agree w/ Jocelyn)

Mrs.Ashley

Jocelyn, I agree, I like the wood feet showing -- They show on both, they are just taller on the first one.

To be honest, I'm considering the second one because that was Michael's favorite; the first one is my favorite.  I want to come to a compromise, but I know he would totally be fine with either.

I do like the style of the C&B occassional tables you have Jocelyn (and Lauren too), but I would like rectangular/square coffee table for some reason.

I haven't looked at many yet, but I really like these (very versitile):

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CiaoBella07

Ashley, I like those tables too!  Based on your post above, if you feel more drawn to solids, go with those and do prints for accent pillows or something small.  Also, if you decide to go with the couch that Michael likes as a compromise, I'm sure you can add traditional and classic accents that will make the room come together in a way you both can agree on.

GL with the decision!