Tag Archives: Tips

The hunt for the affordable buttoned sofa


We are in dire need of a new sofa. Our Ektorp is now almost 7 years old, and is showing signs of unrepairable fatigue. I changed the covers a few times, even dyed white covers in the denim-esque grey they are now. But the time is here to say our farewells. Each time one of us sits down, tiny feathers fly through the air. And with a tie for the sloppiest user between our dog and my significant other, there are stains that are not going anywhere anymore either.

Our sitting room. I have since added an antique chair and a dark green/black glass designer's coffee table where the ottoman is in the picture.

Our sitting room. I have since added an antique chair and a dark green/black glass designer’s coffee table where the ottoman is in the picture. Also, the rug has been replaced with a checkered white/black/grey/beige one. I prefer the one in the picture I think…..

I always like to see what we can find for as little money as possible. The entire sitting area of our living room is now decorated with hand-me-downs, Ikea, thrift store finds and family heirlooms. The combined worth probably exceeds the $1000 max spent on it, even if it might be just in emotional value. But in my humble opinion it also looks as if we spent more than that.  For our new sofa we are looking for something a bit more sophisticated and a bit more mature. But we do like a classic look, so are considering a buttoned design. And as we like the Hollywood Regency style, as well as Palm Springs inspired interiors, we are looking for something a bit retro. Here are a few pictures I collected to inspire us in our hunt.

cool sofa classic tip cheap affordable

Jonathan Adler Lampert Sofa

sofa design tips affordable decorating

Calligaris Manhattan Grace sofa by S. Cavazzana

Chesterfield affordable sofa thrift store

A Chesterfield Inspired sofa. I don’t like the yellow leather (is it leather?) but love the style and how it fits in with, in this case, a thrift store setting. It would look good in our house.

A classic Chesterfield sofa in distressed leather. Love it, but it’s a bit too obvious somehow. I do love how it fits almost every style. And I wouldn’t have to worry about my sloppy house mates.

retro sofa design decorating tips amsterdam

To the one who designed this: For shame! Photographing this lovely sofa in such a dull setting with fake birch laminate floors. Birch laminate… really? This needs to be on a glossy painted black wooded floor, a herringbone parquet floor or a plush carpet. Not on birch laminate!

I guess it’s clear what sort of style we are going for. Classic, but with a retro twist maybe. Buttoned if possible. So let’s say we are again limiting ourselves to $1000 for a new sofa. If we were to buy a Chesterfield it would be through an online auction site like eBay or Marktplaats, so let’s focus on something else for now. I checked Ikea but didn’t find any that I liked. A google search led me to a conspicuous looking and website with the equally conspicuous name fashionforhome.nl.  And guess what? They have tons of sofa’s in a variety of styles suitable to our self-inflicted limited budget! Check out these for instance:

Three seat sofa Chelsea, € 899,00

Three seater Buckingham, € 799,00

 

Three seater Kenley II, € 779,00

I Think the first one is my favourite. Dave likes the second one… Which one do you think we should pick?

 

Masculine Pinks? Valentine inspired interiors


I was going to call this post just ‘masculine pinks’. But I must admit that it is pretty hard if not impossible to find pink interiors that are not feminine. Alas, it’s Valentine’s Day and I must be able to ride the waves of commercialism too so here we go; 5 Valentine inspired interiors. Happy inspirations!

 

 

 

 

Red headboards


We recently had the walls on the second floor of our condo painted. It’s a powder blue/lavender type colour and we love it. It matches really well with some of the reds in our accessories, so I was thinking of adding even a bit more red. We always wanted a headboard, and I am thinking of making one myself.  Here are some great images of red headboard in the style I am going for.

This red headboard is maybe a bit over the top, but I really like the way it looks with the blacks and whites.

This red headboard is a bit more modest. It would look great with some of the art in our room too.

This red headboard might be my favourite. I really like the faded antique red, which would match our faded curtains. Also, the yellow/white trimming will work great with the tassels on our curtains.

This is our bed room now. It needs a bit a pizzazz

This is our bedroom now. As you can see it needs a bit of pizzazz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think we should go for?

Nate Berkus collection for Calico


By now you all should know I have a bit of a crush on Nate Berkus. I love his work, and he is very easy on the eye. So is his collection for American fabric company Calico

Nate Berkus Fabric Collection for Calico

Nate Berkus Fabric Collection for Calico

The Nate Berkus Fabric Collection is inspired by Nate’s many travels and his own life.

“Your home should tell your story. Memories framed on a wall. What you love within easy reach. Fabric is one of the best ways I know to layer your rooms with the color and patterns you love most. Wether one yard for a pillow or ten for a chair, let the pattern you love be what you live with” – Nate

Calico is organising a contest on facebook where you can win his book The Things That Matter. I suggest you join, but if you don’t win, you can always buy the book in the Homevoyeurs Webshop!

Nate Berkus - The Things That Matter

Nate Berkus – The Things That Matter