To distract myself from the monstrous horrid weather we and most of the country are suffering under, unfortunately, and because I have not done one single jot of work on any of my revamp/redo projects around here, I am undertaking a new LOOK FOR LESS! Yes, I know. Totally illogical...
My choice is this mouth-wateringly beautiful vignette from the recently-launched Trad Home online from the article Sophisticated Redesign:
Interior decorators on this whole-house project were Roger Higgins and Ann Shipp, R. Higgins Interiors, 2000 Blair Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212; 615/297-9632, rhigginsinteriors.com.
Photographs by Reid Rolls
Text by Jenny Bradley
Text by Jenny Bradley
The items mentioned in this vignette were:
Sources:
Sofa ("Evanston" #SH306); sofa fabric ("Caprissa Moire"/Greige #93273): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fschumacher.com.
Fabric on green sofa pillow: Beacon Hill, 800/333-3777, beaconhilldesign.com.
Fabric on silver sofa pillow (discontinued): Libas Silk, 800/635-4227, libassilk.com.
Animal-print pillow: vintage.
Screen behind sofa (antique embossed leather screen, purchased at auction);
gold side table (antique, esate-sale find); coffee table (estate-sale find): owner's collection.
Candlesticks on coffee table (antique): Scott Antique Market, scottantiquemarket.com.
Not mentioned were the lamp, wood (or perhaps it is paper mache) chest on the coffee table, the bust on the side table, or the fabulous rug!
Sofa
Just looking at that sofa makes me go aaaaaaahhhhhhhh. Looks like you'd sink half-way to China on it. The cushions are so plumped up they must either be totally down filled or, at the very least, filled with a mix of feathers and down and then down-wrapped. Cha ching!
Come to think of it, I really do not like sinking half-way to China when trying to stretch out to take a nap on a lazy weekend afternoon. But I am about comfort. I still love the sofa and loveseat in my living room (a matching suite - gasp!) because they are firm enough to support my somewhat generous frame without any noticeable sagging over the past 10 years and yet comfortable enough to burrow into (the sofa and love seat - not moi!) for a nap or snuggling up with Mr. Don.
The sofa in the inspiration photo reminded me of Ikea and the modestly-priced sofas I have seen at Ikea's online store -- minus the foot-long fringe skirt:
It's hard to beat the price and quality of the Ektorp three seater sofa.
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| Ikea Ektorp three seater sofa |
It's not "greige" and it's not a "moire" fabric, but the cover is removable and machine washable or dry-cleanable (always a plus), it's skirted, it's got rolled arms, and it has three seat and back cushions. In form, if not in substance, it is remarkably like the inspiration sofa. I have read that the Ektorp is very comfortable and sturdy. And at $399.00 - what's not to love??? For more plush, you might buy some goose down and do some surgery on the cushions by adding extra down. Or be lazy (like moi) and wrap the cushions in super-soft batting.
If you want to go the extra mile to get the look for less, you could add some 10 to 12" length fringe to the cover. I figure attaching it with Velcro to the Ektorp sofa cover so that it hangs like a hula skirt all around would work. I would want to be able to remove the fringe with minimum hassle to wash the sofa cover as needed.
Side Table
I wasn't even looking for it at Ikea, but I happened across the Klingsbo side table and went - LOOK - that's it! The metal is black but spray paint will fix that. The Kligsbo is a mere $39.99 and I do not think the price can be beat for a brand new look-alike glass-topped side table unless you hunt one down at a resale or thrift shop. The size looks good: 19 and 1/4 " diameter (top glass) and about 23" tall. For a look more closely echoing the side table in the inspiration photo, you could have a piece of glass cut to fit the bottom metal shelf:
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| Ikea Klingsbo side table |
Coffee Table
You might have best luck shopping resale shops or e-bay for something like the vintage coffee table. I looked for a glass with acrylic or acrylic coffee table that a glass top might be added to. I found this one at Wayfair:
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| Wholesale Interiors Gremio Acrylic Functional Coffee Table |
This table is 15.5" H x 39" W x 17" D, big enough for a glass top to be added if desired. However, at $335, this table costs nearly as much as the sofa! New acrylic isn't inexpensive! A rounded-edge piece of safety glass for a top might be pretty pricey, too.
I also found this intriguing possibility that might work - it already has a glass top:
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| Lite Source Coffee Table in Aluminum and Frost Tempered Glass |
I think a reasonable facsimile of the inspiration table might also be put together by an enterprising crafter using a glass top and something to create a suitable base.
The Four-Panel Screen
I thought this screen would be a good choice, given the neutral colors and price at $230.00, found at Wayfair:
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| UMA Enterprises Toscana Wood and Faux Leather 4-Panel Screen - 81696 |
A brave person could add some color to it that would emulate the spirit of the inspiration screen. Or they could be like me and just let it be :) This screen measures 71.65" H x 16.93" W x 4.72". The 16.93" wide panels make this just about as wide as it is tall. Not very wide overall, but it would fit nicely behind the Ektorp sofa.
I also saw this lovely screen at Wayfair. There is no faux-leather, but it is a very good size and a very good price:
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| UMA Enterprises Metro Wood 4-Panel Screen - 14276 |
It costs $288.70 and it's dimensions are 74.8" H x 22.05" W x 5.12" -- so, somewhat taller and many inches wider than the UMA Enterprises Toscana wood and faux leather four-screen panel, above. What I'm thinking is a paper "backing" might be added to each panel and you could paint colors you like for a custom look. IMHO, this screen would make a spectacular statement with or without a backing. The lacy look of the cut floral design is evocative of the spirit of the inspiration screen.
Well, I haven't talked at all about the pillows or the candlesticks, but it's after 11 p.m. and I'm tired, darlings. So I'll carry on tomorrow!
I do hope what I've shown above thus far may provide some "look for less" inspiration of your own.
Hi Jan, hope you are having a great weekend. I know how big a pain it is to drag the sprinkler around the yard. It's one of those things you have to do but hate doing, like cooking! Anyway, just want to say this is a great series you are doing (wish I had thought of it first :)). The Ektrop sofa is a good deal. I have one in my living room. I have been very happy with it. I especially like the fact that you can change the look by switching out the slipcover.
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