I’m thrilled with our new living room sofa. It strikes the perfect balance between casual and elegant, and best of all, it’s completely dog-proof. The linen-look twill slipcover was exactly what we needed: it looks refined while wearing well, and the clean lines plus plush pillows deliver a comfortable yet stylish silhouette. Naturally, it makes the pricier sofa in our den (a recent Pottery Barn purchase) feel a bit overshadowed. Couches really are like the Olsen twins—everyone seems to have a favorite.
What surprises me most is that the new sofa cost about $400 less than the Pottery Barn version and, in my opinion, looks better. If you’re shopping for a sofa, I recommend visiting your nearest Rowe retailer—ours came from Sofa Design in Richmond—and buying direct when possible. You’ll often find more fabric options (the pale linen-look twill we chose wasn’t available at Pottery Barn), the chance to add complimentary throw pillows in coordinating fabrics (we selected two with a subtle leafy branch pattern), and overall better value. The result is a sofa that’s both beautiful and inviting.
On a related note, I added a festive and inexpensive touch to our lamp bases that I can’t wait to share. The lamps flanking the sofa have glass bases with openings at the bottom. I simply turned them upside down, filled the cavities with silver ornaments, covered the openings, and turned them back upright. The result is instant holiday glamour without any permanent change.
I’m already brainstorming other seasonal fills for those lamp bases—seashells for summer, black-and-white photos for a personal touch, wine corks for a cozy vibe, or matchboxes for a quirky, vintage look. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a simple way to refresh the room throughout the year.