As someone who's not always talented at seeing the potential in beat-up furniture, I'm envious of people who can — and Morgan is one such person. For her own home, which is filled with gorgeous things and DIY projects, she tries to spend $100 max on any item. Her thriftiness extends to her consulting work too. While few would see potential in an oversize, crushed velvet couch, she turned it into a statement piece for her client's living room.
The solid orange fabric brings out the lines of the couch and gives it a crisper silhouette, while the bright color dramatically updates it. As Morgan notes in her post on The Brick House, it's a cross between Ligne Roset's "Togo" sofa and a classic Chesterfield. While I'm not sure what her client's house looks like, it's the kind of piece that could work well in a variety of decorating schemes, from vintage-kitsch to more modern.
For additional pictures and more info: The Brick House
Image Credit: Morgan Satterfield for The Brick House.
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I wished I had the room to put this in. It would be wonderful to curl up on and watch old vampire movies on!
its togo, not "tonga" :)
nice!
She says that it cost "a few hundred" to get it recovered!! Where the heck is that magical place?? It's going to cost me ~$800-1000 to get my sofa recovered, and it's not even as complicated as that one!
Two estimates!
looks great
color me stunned. the before was so hideous i couldn't even see the potential for this. bravo.
"Tonga" is a Ligne Roset fabric; "Togo" is the sofa.
To me, it looks like a '70s riff on a chesterfield...
i love it!
Impressive!
The end result is not my personal taste, but I think it's a VAST improvement from the brown/gold velvet facade it had before! The "after" reminds me of the "Snick" couch from Nickelodeon. Anyone know what I'm talking about? =)
I think it's fabulous...
...but it's nothing like a Togo sofa.
Hmm ... not my fave sofa shape in either case, but I think the "before" velvety covering is more in tune with the couch's corpulence.
I think the original speaks a more statementy statement than the after, which really is just a big red couch.
@Susan54, probably.
I've found that the comment moderators have become extremely sensitive to critical comments.
In particular, there are house tours you'd go back and read and think "wow, everyone loved this", when actually, all the nay-sayers got the deleted.
I understand trying to protect the feelings of people who are putting themselves out there, but the fact is they did put themselves out there and have opened their work up to critique. If some of it is negative, that's life.
Maybe it would be good for AT to adopt the same system as Amazon; comments can be voted helpful or unhelpful, and those with so many unhelpful votes get collapsed.
As for this couch, I don't like the bold color at all, but could imagine liking it in a charcoal gray.
I don't like the before and I don't like the after. Does the 'after' couch look lopsided to anyone?
not my style but i think it looks great!! in the right space, it could make a room!
I for one am glad for a slight moderation towards positive comments. I used to read the comments on Apartment Therapy and wonder why everyone felt the need to post so much useless, repetitive vitriol. A comment of "I'm sorry, but no, just NO" isn't interesting or productive. Saying something like @akay's "I don't like the bold color at all, but could imagine liking it in a charcoal gray" is so much better. I've often wondered why the crowd of commenters on Apartment Therapy tends to be so much cattier than any of the other associated blogs. Regardless, the threads have been much more interesting to read of late. Kudos to the editors.
Wow, the "before" is so ugly that I can hardly bear to look at it without feeling slightly nauseous. Kudos to anyone who would give this couch a second glance and see the potential. Amazing!
@Pamlwell: I agree, I actually just am now hearing about the positive comment moderation. I am THRILLED! This site gets so ridiculously negative, I stopped coming. I clicked this post so cautiously - all these before/afters get so much "I hate it" and "Looked better before". It's simply mean.
@akay: At Amazon, they're supplying you with a product. Completely different situation than here, where normal people are sharing their decorating ideas in a community. If you just crap all over it, it's not providing anything valuable to the discussion. Just makes it so most of us are way too frightened to ever submit anything.
Awesome couch, by the way - way outside any DIY ideas I'd ever have :)
@Pamlwell,
There's a big difference between simply being negative and being critical. The latter can be quite negative, yet still contribute to the discussion in a positive way.
The thing that bothers me is that I see these kind of negative yet thoughtful comments (not infrequently my own) deleted from the discussion.
And just to play devil's advocate, is a comment of "yes! love!" any better than a comment of "no! hate"?
Oh, and the couch is alright, but I agree with mms09. It looks lopsided. It looks like the poofs of fabric along the top are uneven.
It's interesting how the mod(s) will delete negative comments but ignore spam. I guess that shows where their priorities are.
@criv227, while that's true about Amazon, there are many sites where comments can be voted as good or bad where no product is being sold.
On news sites like CNN or MSNBC, comments can be voted up or reported for violations. Sites like Huffington Post or Gawker let you vote for your favorite commenters, and those who are most followed get precedence over other commenters.
Just because a comment is negative doesn't mean that it's, as you say, "crapping all over it." Read defaultname's above post. 100% agree.
wow. Love it! not for everybody, but what a cool piece! great job!
Wow, even being a designer, I couldn't see potential in the before. The after is amazing, bravo!
As for the negative comments, whether it induces conversation or not, it kinda makes me sick. But, I feel the same way about when people complain on Facebook, etc. I prefer sounding out positive energy. I find apartmenttherapy so inspiring whether I agree with people's design choices.
I wonder what was in the comment that got it deleted. I had one of mine zapped for the first time not too long ago. It was when I called another DIY project "self-indulgent," which, I guess, AT interpreted as directed to the DIYer. One of AT's comment policies is that there be no "ad hominem attacks" and I guess if your comment is more on the person than the design, AT is not about to tolerate it. That said, akay makes a fair observation that all this deletion could lead to the reviews being skewed only toward the positive.
Perhaps AT could add a feature where readers can vote with a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
I love the orange version.
I also don't love the orange but it looks great!
Well... Guess it's not better....
I don't think it is negative to say that it was ugly before and while different, I still find it ugly after. Obviously some like it- it is matter of personal preference.
While the person whose project it is will obviously not feel great to hear that, they must have not the thinnest skin, or they wouldn't post it at all.
But I figure that these comments serve all readers, not just the original poster, and it is useful for others to read what others think about how a project turned out. When I read a list if comments somewhere that are all "great," it doesn't add to my knowledge about design.
Some of the comments on AT could get downright nasty. I don't mind moderation of comments that are just plain insulting. I hope comments that simply disagree are left in place.
I was aghast at the improvement!
[And THANK YOU AT for culling nastiness. Thank you.]
Well, I don't know if this will be perceived as negative, but I simply don't believe that the upholstery job was "a few hundred dollars". With fabric and labor I would estimate it to be upwards of 2k.
The issue I have with editing comments is the same as the "trophies for everyone" philosophy. If everyone gets ONLY positive comments, then they have really been rendered meaningless. Reading a trail of similarly flattering comments is not only boring, it also demeans the work being presented by not trusting that it can stand up to simple discussion.
I guess that orange sofa would look really nice in one of those large open ultra modern loft.
Not my personal taste, but the after is very cool :)
As for negative comments getting deleted, I think it kind of defeats the purpose of a comments section, as obleak1 pointed out. A comment thread full of "I love it!" would be incredibly boring and pointless.
I think negative comments are great, so long as they're not cruel. When I see something I like or dislike, it's always fun to see who agrees/disagrees with me :)
I would love to meet the person who saw fit to buy the original!
Or the person who designed that upholstery fabric...
I am not a fan of Togo at all, but this I really like. All that crushed velvet before was hiding these really interesting morphed-Chesterfield details. AND it looks super comfy to boot!
And as to comment moderation, I myself once accidentally set off a huge chain of upset comments in a thread. I stated something that was true and pertinent, but made the mistake of using slang instead of proper English to make my point. Intonation is always lost in this medium, and a lesson learned. Even my god's-honest apology was taken to be a snarky retort. Which is not to say that some people do indeed say some ridiculously unwarranted things.
Well, I see comments now that were more negative than mine was and they aren't deleted. Guess they gave up on the deleting? Seems pretty childish to me. I think we are all adult enough to take the good and bad comments.
I love a brightly colored statement of a couch, so this works for me.
As far as negative comments go, I'm all for the new moderation. While I've learned a few things from comments (I could never figure out why some of my art looked off - too high, too high!) constantly reading comments about hating the "Keep Calm and Carry On" prints gets old really fast.
Comments don't need to be free from critique, but the object should be to help improve someone's design constructively, rather than just piling on and hating.
@edmarch
I think you made the self indulgent comment about my dining room: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/before-after/before-after-amanda-bens-dining-room-redesign-139962 Am I right?
I'm really glad (as someone who has asked for this in comments) that the comments are being more moderated now. I do hope that the moderation does not remove all disagreement and that constructive criticism that leads to discussion is still allowed, if it is politely and respectfully expressed.
That being said, I'd rather see them err on the side of the positive because some of the comments on AT posts were getting to be horrendously cruel and disrespectful of individuals.
I think the couch is interesting. The color is fun and it looks comfortable.
As for censoring comments, I don't think it's the end of the world. I've had a few of our home renovations posted here and I'm thrilled the AT writers like our home. But, the negative comments do hurt and I think commenters often forget that so much hard work and effort goes into the items that are posted. I think it's great to say, "I don't like this, but this could help." (Though, I'm not going to change my home because one commenter suggested it. I think it's down right rude to simply comment with, "I hate this. Why would you share something like this. It's ugly, etc." If you don't like it, why are you taking the time to say so? You're only wasting more of your day by commenting. Just my opinion...
Comments are helpful in the Reader Questions, or for sourcing purposes, but in general I don't find them interesting whether positive or negative. They do however make it a pain when trying to sift through to get to the helpful comments. Maybe the editors could ad that "Hot or Not Vote" to posts for those who feel they MUST share their judgement.
Some people want (demand) to live in a sugar coated world where everyone says nice things about orange sofas.
Design is partly about eliciting a response. Personally, I think it's interesting to hear that response, whether it be good or bad. And I find the snark interesting as an observation of human nature.
I've had my own work shown on AT more than once, and I would NEVER not want to hear/read any of the comments, love, hate or snark. Because that's reality.
No negs provides a skewed perspective, and it's why I read the comments less. If everything is great, then nothing is great.
Though one thing I could do with less of is the painted-wood haters.
Wow, nice job on seeing some potential in the original couch! I'm not in love with the orange, but the finished product is super.
RE negative comments: I often wonder why people leave them. Some of the comments I've read here are downright snarky. Would you say things like that if you visited these homes, and had to say them face to face with the proud owners? Probably not.
I can't believe the before was made. It really does make me feel a little ill and I think anyone who saw potential in it, has way more optimism and talent than I could ever imagine to have. The after looks fantastic AND expensive to me!
Dig it!
@islek- yes!!!
she does the give the FULL price on her blog. broken down by couch, fabric, and labor to do it.
total was $1800
The after is very groovy, 2001 Space Odyssey. Nice save.
Seeing the potential for beauty in something like this couch is a gift. The "after" looks like the (successful) execution of a concept (which appears to be "go big or go home"!)
There is a distinction between critique and criticism; enough comments have crossed the line to make me reluctant to read them at all. Some are breathtakingly rude. The simple truth is... contribution of even contrary *design concepts* advances the conversation. Approbation is welcome for the risk people take by putting photos of their personal spaces in the public domain (that's brave). The expression of "likes" or "dislikes" merely reveals egocentric inarticulacy.
Well said, Pamlwell. A bulletin board gets the moderation it deserves. Constructive criticism is good, always welcome. But getting personal is not.
Funny that you mentioned 2001: A Space Odyssey, missbrown2you -- I thought Clockwork Orange the second I saw the "after" :)
It Rocks. I might have covered it in red mohair, but the orange radiates with a great 60s vibe.
There's no way in the world I would've seen the potential in the "before". Job well done!
I love it! The before was a nightmare and she mad it SO modern! And I think all the people who want to post their private homes and projects on a public blog and can't handle negative comments need to go home to mommy. I will continue to leave my honest opinions, unsugar-coated.
Woooow, I like it very much!
Comments of "I love it", "Dreamy", "Fabulous", etc. aren't interesting or productive, either, when you actually think about it...
The color is perfect I love this
I love the color, but not a fan of the couch overall. That said, that fabric before was the most hideous thing ever and she saw past it.
The couch certainly pops more in this colour.
But as to the colour of comments here, I've noticed a serious decline in quality - both positive and negative. Compared to several years ago when posters were more design oriented (and I suspect there were more design professionals on here), I now feel like AT is a victim of its own rise in popularity with every Tom, Dick and Harry believing their 2 cents is worth contributing.
Oh - and I would second the call for being able to 'like' comments.
Er, I think that the "comments" section IS for every "Tom, Dick and Harry". It's the posts you want to focus on if you only want to hear from the pro's.
@Missbrown2you - my point was that several years ago, the Tom, Dick and Harrys on here knew a fair amount more about design than they appear to now judging from the comments.
I love the sofa! I only wish I knew how to upholster.
Re the comments: I am of two minds. On one hand I think everyone should have the right to comment freely- even a**holes . On the other hand, I remember one particular House Tour last year in which the home got absolutely shredded, and seeing the comments pile up was like watching a particularly gory car crash. Eventually comments were completely removed altogether. I felt SO badly for the poor woman whose home was featured. I was humiliated for her. That House Tour was bullying at its worst. *shivers*
Also, I think that ultimately the comments should not be edited, however, AT editors should really know their audience by now. Even I can usually predict what the comments are going to look like after I see the first picture. I think it was AT's job to save that poor woman by not featuring her home in the first place.
I think Morgan did a great job on the sofa. The new fabric is very striking, and I'm really interested to see what she does with the rest of the room.
As for the comments issue that has developed on this post, I have struggled with the same issue as an editor on Alice in Designland. For now I have decided to accept almost all comments whether negative or positive. As someone else pointed out those who contribute to the site have put themselves out there and should understand that not everyone will like their project and that's OK. I do believe however there are limits, and any comment that has a mean spirited tone should be deleted. At the end of the day interior design is art, and by definition has no right or wrong, and I appreciate hearing different reactions to the same rooms to remind me of this fact.
Wow, this is such an interesting thread about comment moderation. I'm glad that there will be some moderation going forward - there is dark seam of real nastiness in some comments on AT.
Constructive comments - whether positive or critical - are always useful. It can be helpful when someone says 'I'd like it better if...' because that can be a learning opportunity for everyone.
But haters and personal attacks - they add nothing to the discussion.
Amazing sofa transformation, btw. I love dramatic befores and afters like this.
Snick at night!! LOL yes it does evoke that memory.
I adore orange so the color is great, it's such a big sofa I could never make it work, i think in the right place it could though.
Bottom line is it's not mine and I don't have to live with it or look at it every day.
As far as the comments, I haven't posted too much but i enjoy reading them, (takes up so much of my time!!!)
I agree that we should be allowed to express how we feel and we are all going to feel differently but as one poster said sometimes the comments are so mean and rude I would hesitate to actually enter anything.
I don't expect everyone to love my style and honest feed back is always the best however there is a civilized way to put things which IMO some posters are using the hidden identity of the internet to say things they would never say to someones face. If you wouldn't say it to someone then don't say it at all. You can express your opinion without being a complete jerk. There has been an awful lot of jerks lately. Not people not sugar coating things just being flat out mean.
We are adults, so we should act like them.
I do like hearing other ideas on how someone would have handled a design aspect, i've gotten some great ideas from the comments section.
Question! I do really dig the transformation..however is the time spent finding the perfect shaped DIY couch hauling it around sourcing fabrics and the total cost worth it? For 1800 you might as well have walked into some showroom somewhere paid cash and had it delivered right to the house. If however you really weren't seeing any "new designs" name brands or designer pieces you liked I could see this as a viable alternative. But for me average joe schmoe DIY-er I do things myself to have originality and save some greenbacks! More practical DIY projects please!!!
It's an ugly sofa no matter what it's covered with.
...though bravo for tackling such a project
Love this makeover. A lot of people are afraid of bright color in their home, but if you keep it pared down to a statement piece, it's stunning. Well done.
That is an "after" that really represents a transformation .... from the hideous to something that, depending on one's decorating sensibilities, could be a dramatic addition to one's decor.
The re-do on the velvet couch was very neat and professionally executed, it looks very comfortable for tv watching. As for negetive comments, there's nothing wrong with voicing one's honest opinion on design, but I wholeheartily agree that decency and tact is in order. I've seen some comments that made me cringe and gave me pause for putting pictures of my house on AT. There's nothing to be gained by someone saying "why is this on AT?" Obviously someone thought enough of a design or living space to post. IMHO, blunt, rude comments are uncalled for, and are not helpful or educational.