Why are Belgian style sofas so appealing?
I am at war with choosing a new sofa. We need one for our new home and currently do not have one. The sofa space between two side tables is sad looking and waiting to be filled. Even the lamps are in place. So that leaves the sofa project with a blank canvas and opportunity to put in something that needs not only to be beautiful, but functional and comfortable for many years. The functional part is it will have to be slipcovered. I refuse to be stuck with a fabric sofa that gets used daily and is not washable. Plus I like the idea of changing the slipcover with the seasons. That is, if we ever actually get a season change here in hot butt Texas.
During our long separation both hubby and I accumulated nice sofas. I had a gorgeous mid range custom 85 inch tight back, down/feather seat cushion, French/European styled slipcovered sofa called, the "Marseilles" from Norwalk Furniture. I sadly gave it away 4 years ago ONLY because it could not fit inside my last small apartment with all of the other stuff I dare not depart from. It was purchased in 2000 when I worked for a store that sells the brand. I had the company upgrade everything you could possibly think of to assure it would hold up through time. The style and size would be perfect for the space we have now, but it is no longer made. I wonder if Norwalk still has upgrade options on the construction of their sofas? I must inquire.
Hubby had a huge Scandinavian style, dark brown leather sectional that was 120 inches long "both directions" and sat real low, in his apartment. Ask me if the proportion fit??? I refuse to allow it to come with us because of its size (way too big) and that color was too manly dark. Plus, it could not fit upstairs in in his new mancave. The leather on that thing was top of the line scrumptious, but I have a soft spot for not desiring to indulge in leather furniture, at least for a sofa. Though I have not given up on feathers, I may need to work on that too. Our sons happily enjoy that big monster now in their bachelor pad/house and IT FITS there.
So now I am in a dilemma. Do I save to splurge on a high-end sofa that is made superbly? Or, choose mid range and pray it all works out again, with the one ordered being made properly and comfortable. When I had that last mid-range sofa it was only me sitting on it. Or should I continue to search like a crazy picky lady (which is what I have become...I need serious help) for a excellent used sofa that is iron clad and have it cleaned and a slipcover made to fit it?
The sofa I desire must have a tight back or somewhat of one with throw pillows. It can not be too short in height and in length be over 85 inches. It must have at least with a 25 inch arm height and it must be at least 39 inch deep minimum for comfort to curl up in and watch movies. No more sitting straight up properly. Those days are long gone for us, but we don't want to get swallowed in either by a 46 inch depth. And for goodness sakes we are not trying to crawl out of it, we are mid-age. So that darn seat can't be just 15-17 inches high. Every inch matters!
The reason for this problem is the sofa style I love is Belgian and is extremely difficult to find a budget friendly slipcovered version in the size I can use without indulging in Restoration Hardware. Even they aren't really inexpensive. There are a few other furniture makers slowing adding one or two simulated Belgian design styles to their sofa selection. It is even more difficult to find a good used sofa that comes close to Belgian style (after a few minor renovations and slipcover added) because no one seems to be getting rid of that. BUT, there sure are plenty of 1980s through the early 2000s, over sized body, arm and back cushion, big ugly sofas up for grabs in the used furniture seeking world. People are literally tossing them out! (I wonder why?) LOL
The beauty of a Belgian style sofa is its ability to blend in with almost any type of decor...past, present and probably the future. The shapes are elegant and can be easily used casually. The look is sophisticated and works well in a traditional, contemporary, or country setting. They are also very comfortable. They most certainly can come slipcovered to give you the availability to keep them clean, or change for a different look. Most important is they appear to be timeless so that you may keep it for many years, like the beauties pictured below.
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I just drool over a deep single seat cushion and a feminine curve of the arm. Throw pillows are a must.
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This comfy looking slipcovered beauty below was made in Belgian and listed on 1stdibs is priced at 7,500 dollars!
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One American source for Belgian style is Verellen. They will make it for you with one or two seat cushions, in various lengths and have a huge washable fabric selection. So far one configuration I picked is around 5,000...yeesh! What's that you say? Girl, keep looking!
The Eugenie Sofa - Verellen
The Camille Sofa - Verellen
My budget calls for something made at a lower price point that can give me the gorgeous simplicity and style of a Belgian sofa. I have thought of ordering one of these three below in muslin with no welt and having the slipcover made. The cost would still be much less than buying an actual Belgian style sofa because I already have the slipcover fabric. They come with down/feather blend seat cushions and have good dimensions for the space in our living area. The first sofa is from Baker and in reality it may come with a higher price tag too, especially if I have them make it with a single cushion. Note, I also like wing backs and camel backs.
The Juliette Tight Back sofa - Baker (from the Dapha collection)
The Catherine sofa - Century Furniture
The Brighton Sofa - Norwalk Furniture
During this sofa decision war, I have actually considered going against my previous bad talk and getting a Restoration Hardware sofa, because of their good looks and being available with a slipcover. Lesson here is to stop talking trash about something you may end up liking. But will it hold up? They are comfortable in the store and hubby likes them. Because of the classic depth on the two styles I like pictured below from RH, I would probably get the 6' sofa, though I prefer 7'. Plus the 6' would assure a bench seat cushion.
Hmmm, has any one had one for more than five years that you use DAILY and are you still pleased with it?
Ordered in muslin a slipcover can be made for this ~ Restoration Hardware Belgian Wingback sofa
a sofa with thicker arms ~ Restoration Hardware Camelback Slipcovered Sofa
Decisions and budgets can be hard. Often the decision is resulted by the budget. I could wait it out and save, save, save, knowing that the empty space will be there for a long time. But my DIY, Recycle, Refurbish, thrift loving side is at war with the decision process because it insist that I find some used lovely sofa that needs a good home and give it a makeover. I need to Readjust.
So back to the battle I go!
Till next time
~
I'm off the couch!
Feather Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
I am at war with choosing a new sofa. We need one for our new home and currently do not have one. The sofa space between two side tables is sad looking and waiting to be filled. Even the lamps are in place. So that leaves the sofa project with a blank canvas and opportunity to put in something that needs not only to be beautiful, but functional and comfortable for many years. The functional part is it will have to be slipcovered. I refuse to be stuck with a fabric sofa that gets used daily and is not washable. Plus I like the idea of changing the slipcover with the seasons. That is, if we ever actually get a season change here in hot butt Texas.
During our long separation both hubby and I accumulated nice sofas. I had a gorgeous mid range custom 85 inch tight back, down/feather seat cushion, French/European styled slipcovered sofa called, the "Marseilles" from Norwalk Furniture. I sadly gave it away 4 years ago ONLY because it could not fit inside my last small apartment with all of the other stuff I dare not depart from. It was purchased in 2000 when I worked for a store that sells the brand. I had the company upgrade everything you could possibly think of to assure it would hold up through time. The style and size would be perfect for the space we have now, but it is no longer made. I wonder if Norwalk still has upgrade options on the construction of their sofas? I must inquire.
Hubby had a huge Scandinavian style, dark brown leather sectional that was 120 inches long "both directions" and sat real low, in his apartment. Ask me if the proportion fit??? I refuse to allow it to come with us because of its size (way too big) and that color was too manly dark. Plus, it could not fit upstairs in in his new mancave. The leather on that thing was top of the line scrumptious, but I have a soft spot for not desiring to indulge in leather furniture, at least for a sofa. Though I have not given up on feathers, I may need to work on that too. Our sons happily enjoy that big monster now in their bachelor pad/house and IT FITS there.
So now I am in a dilemma. Do I save to splurge on a high-end sofa that is made superbly? Or, choose mid range and pray it all works out again, with the one ordered being made properly and comfortable. When I had that last mid-range sofa it was only me sitting on it. Or should I continue to search like a crazy picky lady (which is what I have become...I need serious help) for a excellent used sofa that is iron clad and have it cleaned and a slipcover made to fit it?
The sofa I desire must have a tight back or somewhat of one with throw pillows. It can not be too short in height and in length be over 85 inches. It must have at least with a 25 inch arm height and it must be at least 39 inch deep minimum for comfort to curl up in and watch movies. No more sitting straight up properly. Those days are long gone for us, but we don't want to get swallowed in either by a 46 inch depth. And for goodness sakes we are not trying to crawl out of it, we are mid-age. So that darn seat can't be just 15-17 inches high. Every inch matters!
The reason for this problem is the sofa style I love is Belgian and is extremely difficult to find a budget friendly slipcovered version in the size I can use without indulging in Restoration Hardware. Even they aren't really inexpensive. There are a few other furniture makers slowing adding one or two simulated Belgian design styles to their sofa selection. It is even more difficult to find a good used sofa that comes close to Belgian style (after a few minor renovations and slipcover added) because no one seems to be getting rid of that. BUT, there sure are plenty of 1980s through the early 2000s, over sized body, arm and back cushion, big ugly sofas up for grabs in the used furniture seeking world. People are literally tossing them out! (I wonder why?) LOL
The beauty of a Belgian style sofa is its ability to blend in with almost any type of decor...past, present and probably the future. The shapes are elegant and can be easily used casually. The look is sophisticated and works well in a traditional, contemporary, or country setting. They are also very comfortable. They most certainly can come slipcovered to give you the availability to keep them clean, or change for a different look. Most important is they appear to be timeless so that you may keep it for many years, like the beauties pictured below.
I just drool over a deep single seat cushion and a feminine curve of the arm. Throw pillows are a must.
This comfy looking slipcovered beauty below was made in Belgian and listed on 1stdibs is priced at 7,500 dollars!
One American source for Belgian style is Verellen. They will make it for you with one or two seat cushions, in various lengths and have a huge washable fabric selection. So far one configuration I picked is around 5,000...yeesh! What's that you say? Girl, keep looking!
The Eugenie Sofa - Verellen
The Camille Sofa - Verellen
I forgot who makes this one - it may be Verellen
My budget calls for something made at a lower price point that can give me the gorgeous simplicity and style of a Belgian sofa. I have thought of ordering one of these three below in muslin with no welt and having the slipcover made. The cost would still be much less than buying an actual Belgian style sofa because I already have the slipcover fabric. They come with down/feather blend seat cushions and have good dimensions for the space in our living area. The first sofa is from Baker and in reality it may come with a higher price tag too, especially if I have them make it with a single cushion. Note, I also like wing backs and camel backs.
The Juliette Tight Back sofa - Baker (from the Dapha collection)
The Catherine sofa - Century Furniture
The Brighton Sofa - Norwalk Furniture
I really like this 2252 Sherrill sofa but 94 inches is too long for our space. - Sherrill Furniture
During this sofa decision war, I have actually considered going against my previous bad talk and getting a Restoration Hardware sofa, because of their good looks and being available with a slipcover. Lesson here is to stop talking trash about something you may end up liking. But will it hold up? They are comfortable in the store and hubby likes them. Because of the classic depth on the two styles I like pictured below from RH, I would probably get the 6' sofa, though I prefer 7'. Plus the 6' would assure a bench seat cushion.
Hmmm, has any one had one for more than five years that you use DAILY and are you still pleased with it?
Ordered in muslin a slipcover can be made for this ~ Restoration Hardware Belgian Wingback sofa
a sofa with thicker arms ~ Restoration Hardware Camelback Slipcovered Sofa
Decisions and budgets can be hard. Often the decision is resulted by the budget. I could wait it out and save, save, save, knowing that the empty space will be there for a long time. But my DIY, Recycle, Refurbish, thrift loving side is at war with the decision process because it insist that I find some used lovely sofa that needs a good home and give it a makeover. I need to Readjust.
So back to the battle I go!
Till next time
~
I'm off the couch!
Feather Nest Friday
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