This sofa is amazing. The pattern is glorious, I love the solid seat and the patterned back, the shade of green, it’s the perfect combination of simplicity and whimsy. Maybe I could commit to a patterned sofa, I’m wondering if I really could. Although I think I would snap this up in a second if I had a few thousand dollars hanging around because it’s lovely. And it’s very comfortable, I sunk into it at our local Anthro and was shocked at how comfy it really was, it doesn’t look like it would be a sink-yourself-in type of sofa. I love everything in this room, don’t you? It looks so laid back. And the colors are so soothing.
For me, when it comes to big purchases that I plan to keep for many years, I’m more interested in placing pattern in cushions, curtains, art, and rugs – things that aren’t in the $1,000 + range so I can freely swap things as I grow tired of them.
So to the reader who commented earlier that I’m boring because I don’t like pattern (nice thing to say, thanks!), well you must not read this blog regularly because everyone knows I love color and pattern. But I do shy away from patterned sofas because I have design ADD and tend to tire of looking at the same pattern for years and years. But oh, this Ditte sofa is calling… And so are these chairs. Chairs I can deal with, they can be moved from room to room, reupholstered for less than a sofa, and the initial investment is usually much less than buying a sofa.
(images from anthropologie)
September 5th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
You tell them Holly and I’m with you on this couch. It really makes me salivate.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
How about a patterned slipcover? Then you can change it when you get tired of it.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Oh yes slipcovers are the best solution to commitment phobes. Unfortunately, my husband dislikes the slipcovered look. :( If he had his way, our entire home would be from natuzzi or cassina as he LOVES Italian design – sleek, streamlined, solid colors, mostly gray, chrome, and navy.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
You go girl. That sofa is gorgeous, and I’ve never been able to commit to really decorating my apartment for the same reasons – it would cost a fortune to keep up with my boredom!
September 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I completely agree with you, Holly. Keep the big ticket items neutral, and add your patterns and splashes of color through paint, pillows, rugs, etc. Trendy, wild patterns like these will look dated really quickly.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Sofa is lovely…
Just fyi – on the DC links. hollis & knight declared bankruptcy and closed last year (or maybe longer ago than that). I sorely miss the store but did score two nice lamps from the liquidation sale.
I think Storehouse went out of business last year too. I know they filed for Chapter 11.
Gives one pause when ordering furniture, yes?
On a happier note, Rckndy is a nice new addition to U St (sort of near Home Rule). They have some THomas Paul pillows and beautiful Bev Hisey (sp?) rugs.
http://www.rckndy.com/
September 5th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Holly, you are the least boring person I “know.” I use the quotes because of course I don’t know you but I read your words daily and feel like I do. Keep up the good work!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Holly –
Your comments really resonated with me. About a year ago, I lost my mind and custom-ordered a sofa in a kind of crazy print that just doesn’t want to work with anything else. I was rebelling against all the neutral choices I’d made in my decorating life … Ha! But as you say, there’s always reupholstery! Thanks for the inspiration.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I can’t believe no one has noticed the quirky ottoman in the middle of the room.
Seriously, if I had a few thousand hanging around the amount of patterns and color would be frightening.
I just love Anthro. Why oh why does it have to cost so much?
September 5th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
oh claire I noticed it. it is something else, isn’t it?? I love quirky ottomans. :)
anon #1 – thanks for those link updates, I’ll make them soon.
anon #2 – thanks, you’re very sweet. :)
joyce – oh no! do you have any pics of it, i’d like to see it. yes, there’s always reupholstery to the rescue or a slip cover as someone mentioned earlier.
rachel – your opinion means a lot as you are such a pro when it comes to color and how much is enough.
rose red – I can commit to things like paint, wallpaper (if it’s one focal point wall), art, chairs in funky patterns, ottomans in funky patterns, throw rugs, china, etc. but when it comes to sofas I seem to blank out and go with neutrals every single time. I fear dropping a few grand on something that limits me from totally changing my color scheme.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
you “hue guru chick” being a “color guru” should know of the many patterns that exist. There are classic and trendy ones just to name a few. So, purchasing a piece with a pattern doesn’t necessarily mean that the pattern would look dated…..and for the design consultant whatever that is, you must not have skills to work with a piece of furniture that has certain type of pattern. A variety of ideas can work! You are a bit too sensitive to actually come up with a post about pattern after the boring comment, it’s an individuals opinion and you asked for the many opinions when you decided to put yourself out there for all to see.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:02 am
To hmmm – Obviously you have a patterned sofa and we’ve offended you here, but please do not be sensitive to my opinion, okay?
To restate, a patterned sofa would NOT work for ME in that price range. Whether something is classic or trendy makes zero difference to me, it’s just that *I* as in *ME* personally would not buy one since I like a very flexible space in MY home. A client may not have design ADD like I do, they may want a patterned sofa and plan to keep it for 10 years without thinking twice. And they may end up keeping it for 20 years because they adore it so much. I’m just a little different in this respect. I don’t want to feel confined to a style, pattern, or color and it’s not like a sofa is a little piece of furniture that one can hide away. It’s bold and takes center stage.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:26 am
holly, I think your site is FAR from boring. there is so much color, PATTERN, and diversity! and I’m with ya on the patterned couch. I’d rather have a solid couch, that I can play up with pretty pillows or a fun rug!
{I too am a sucker for that upholstery from Anthropologie.}
September 6th, 2007 at 1:35 am
holly – I totally agree with you on the patterned couch, and seriously what was the commentor thinking,I read your blog all the time, lots of color, lots of pattern! -kb
September 6th, 2007 at 1:35 am
wow….
I am constantly amazed when someone feels compelled to leave a negative comment on someone’s blog. Especially Holly’s, as I feel Holly makes such an effort to be kind and generous.Isn’t there enough negativity out there all ready? As someone who reads your blog every day Holly and derives a tremendous amount of inspiration from it I say “thank you” and you are truly appreciated. I am so impressed with the grace and classiness you demonstrate here. All the best,
Melissa
ps I love that couch too!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:38 am
The reader who finds genius and pracicality “boring” must have more money to burn than brains. Good design ideas stem from a stable foundation. Core pieces like sofas, love seats, etc…should be high quality, and capable of withstanding trends.
xo
Blue!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Did you know that Anthropologie is having a sale on all their upholstered furniture? 25% off!!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Yeah I work at the anthro in NY and I wanted to tell you…now until september 30th you get 25th off! So maybe not that ditte sofa but the astrid chair?
September 6th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Holly,
Just wanted to drop a quick note letting you know that your posts are always fab– you do have your finger on the pulse of all things wonderful for the home, be it art, furniture, or ideas for entertaining. And you are always so POSITIVE– that really resonates with people these days (well, this person at least :)). I hope you keep up the great work you do! Thanks so much for sharing your perspective!
Kelly
September 6th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
holly,
i totally agree. it makes more sense to keep the sofa in a solid color unless you are buying the klippan sofa at ikea where you can change the cover regularly. the 25% off tip is fantastic. i love the astrid chair.
September 7th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
The style of the sofa is great, but the pattern is too much for me. I do like the room, but unless the owners are packing up their summer house for the winter, draping the paintings like that looks affected, even odd.
btw – not sure how many male readers you get, but I love this blog. Thank you.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I so love that chair. I don’t have anything like it but I just think it is so fun and adorable. (Reminder to self, Maryam, think outside the box)