We’ve been searching for that perfect sofa for weeks and weeks, my client and I.  ”Perfect” in this case would be big, very soft and super comfy, but not too too large where you get that Alice in Wonderland feel.  More like The 3 Bears, where the sofa is juuuust right. This has been a tough assignment.  We’ve decided that the majority of sofas within a certain price range ALL seem to look alike:  neutral, plain and with very few distinguishing features other than a few studs here, piping, tufting or pleats there, or perhaps a different turn of the arm.  Of course, I’ve assured her that a neutral sofa will look wonderful once we add accessories like pillows, throws, rugs, art, books and plants.  Something like this:

What a HUGE difference!  These beige sofas go from blah to FAB with just a few colorful additions. (www.housebeautiful.com)

Of course, if money were no object, and we wanted to be wildly daring and fun, we could go with a real statement piece.  YES, yes… I know these are not for the faint of heart, and probably not perfect for many family rooms where “sprawling” is what needs to be done.  But, OH…  imagine one, just one, of these beauties in your living room, or foyer, or master bedroom or, or, or.  These sofas make me happy!

 Custom Made (www.custommade.com)

 Houzz ( www.houzz.com)

Ginny Avison (www.ginnyavison.co.uk)

The Designers Guild (www.designersguild.com)

 Roche Bobois ( www.roche-bobois.com)

 The Glam Lamb (www.theglamlamb.com)

                                              In “Stitched,” a store in the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas.

Last, but not least, Anthropologie does different very well.

                                                                               Anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com)

Do YOU dare?  Would one of these sofas make you feel HAPPY when you walk in the door at the end of the day?

I never get tired of looking at pictures of my children.  I bet you don’t either! But at some point, all of those pictures, showing the kids at every stage of growing up…. birthdays, school, sports, vacations, proms, graduations, weddings, grandchildren, pets and on and on and on….become, well, just a little TOO much!

Such was the case in my lovely client’s home.  Her grown up family is a large and extended one, and the pictures were everywhere.   Enough, she said!  Let’s edit a little, clean up this place and decorate.

Family room before

We decided to start with a family picture wall in her hall way.  Keeping a selection of favorite pictures on one large wall of a home just makes sense.  It’s fun when you can compare, notice similarities ( wow…Sally really does look like Julie did at that age….) and enjoy changes. Everything is in one place and can be updated as time goes on.

All the best

Now, to the family room.  Out went old pillows, rugs, art, lighting…all in bad condition and from another era.  The walls were painted, the carpet cleaned, and new window coverings ordered. (yet to arrive in this photo)

A blank slate

The furniture was pushed into a more inviting arrangement, conducive to both conversation and TV viewing.  In came art, lighting, pillows and throws, a rug, and a selection of fun new pieces to mix with some of her old things to create pretty vignettes around the room.

New lightning and accessories

She didn’t want fancy or even elegant…just warm, comfortable, colorful.

Color on the mantel

Something beautiful to look at, besides family photos.

Coffee table vignette

The final product!

Ready to enjoy!