apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I say put it in the basement or the garage if you can, and if not, the Salvation Army. It looks worn and possibly gross and designing a room around it- well, I'm afraid to think what the results there could mean.

That is, if you can afford a new couch and everything that comes next. It's a tough time right now to find the money to redo a whole room. On the other hand, you could lay out your room with new stuff regardless of the couch- design your space without that brown thing in mind and get rid of the couch last.

I think if you put a sheepskin over the lower cushions, it would look chic in a modern room.

If you love it, I think you can work with it. The lower cushions seem to be the problem. I liked the sheepskin idea. I also like the idea of covering them in a velvet. I could see it working with some deep wall color and doing something library/lounge-y.

If you have an extra room, like a man room, try to keep it.

If not, get a new one - well loved furniture is nice but this one looks a little over-loved.

It seems to be the cushions that are the worse for wear, maybe you could get them reupholstered in a complementary fabric of some sort. Did you ever watch 'Mad About You?' There was an episode about them choosing a couch, and it was, I believe part leather and part fabric, and really was pretty cool. I think you could make it work.

For a temporary fix you could slipcover the bottom cushions plus add a couple of throw pillows to disguise the arms. But don't decorate around an item that you're ambivalent about.

Leather is forever! This doesn't look gross, it looks dry. Get a product called Leather CPR, and condition that thing. It's cheap and will help the appearance a lot! Also, flip the cushions if you can (assuming the other side is better).

For color inspiration, check out this livingroom with a somewhat similar couch. It's beautiful: http://www.prattandlambert.com/color/personality-quiz/interior/mosaic/

I have a leather couch in this color, and I am considering this palette. Hip pillows, a throw (like Lisa's sheepskin idea) and some contemporary art will give it the modern vibe you crave.

Hmmm, I wonder if there is a way to add extra wear to the *rest* of the sofa, so it matches the wear of the cushions? If the couch was more evenly shabby, it might be workable. Maybe my aunt would let you borrow her dog. That dog does amazing work when it comes to ruining leather furniture.

I could potentially envision it in a relatively luxe room with lots of throw cushions in various patterns and sizes, maybe positioned in front of a wall in a rich paint colour with a large piece of art hannging above. I'm also picturing 13' ceilings and French windows, so... maybe my vision is a little too ambitious. :)

I don't know that you'd need to go as far as replacing/recovering the cushions, they might just need some leather conditioner or something. Hard to say from the photos... I like the library/lounge idea, but I think you could also make it work as a contrasting point in a modern space. If it's comfortable and you like the style and the frame is solid, I say work with it.

As far as colours, I'm thinking creams/ivories, warm but bright. Warm looking natural materials (ie wood/stone) in clean lines will jive with the leather, and you can up the mod factor with a hit of bright colour and a flash of metal here and there.

I am with Clopes give it away; salvation army is a great idea. I would not build a room around it, it might end up looking like "welcome to the Johnson" a great bar in the LES, but not one that i would model my living room after.
you can find really nice couches for cheap on craislist, i love the craiglist find sections on AT.

i don't like the idea about covering the cushions; i think the problem isn't really with the worn look, rather the actual style of the couch itself.

I'd say that if you were planning on redecorating in a more modern style (clean lines, bright colors, glossy surfaces, that sort of thing), then the couch will really stick out and look worse in comparison.

If you can't afford to replace the couch right now (or see no reason to do so), I'd recommend decorating around it in a more shabby bohemian-librarian way: bold, jewel color (peacock, emerald, ruby, violet) on the walls, velvet drapes, oriental rug, vintage lamps, picture frames and chairs, cascading ivy, lots of books. A sheepskin thrown over the whole thing plus some interesting pillows in vivid colors would also help the couch blend in a little more.

There's nothing modern about this couch and decorating around it could be disastrous. Donate or banish to the basement.

I totally agree with Lisa. I think the sofa would look great in a room with a mix of modern and rustic peices. Some people search high and low, combing second-hand shops for well-loved peices like the one you own. :)

As for colors...the caramel/rust leather would go nicely with: a warm green (more of an acidy, yellow green), khaki and very light grayish blue.

For inspiration, I always love looking at this interior designer's website http://www.robertstilin.com. He mixes peices like your sofa with mid-century and more modern things. If you like the look, for more inspiration you can see if your local library has "The New Classics" by Suzanne Trocme. Emily Chalmers' "Contemporary Country" (don't let the "country" in the title scare you off) has great photos, too. Good luck!

To clarify my ideas: this dorm room featured on AT. I think that shade of green would look nice with your couch.

This couch creeps me out. I just got a wonderful brand-spanking-new Italian leather couch on craigslist for $195. (Woo-hoo!) I'd say replace it!

"i before e except after c." I could really use spell check for posting and texting. Anyway...this is the shade of green I was thinking about http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3407594237/

Ugh. I'm not usually this judgmental about other people's furniture, but you can DEFINITELY do better with a Craigslist find. This sofa as a bad case of "icky" and the only cure is banishment to the Salvation Army or, failing that, a back alley.

Slipcover? http://www.surefit.com/?

This sofa is beautiful, all it needs is some TLC. The leather can be reconditioned by a good leather expert fairly cheaply, and with some minor re-stuffing of the cushions, tightening of tufts, this would be a sofa some might drool over in an eclectic high end showroom with the right accessories. I cannot see the feet on this piece, but those can easily be replaced as well depending on what your evolving tastes require. A fabulous sofa like this, surrounded by your new modern pieces will fit right in and prevent that "catalog" look. You will kick yourself if you get rid of it, trust me.

Please dont listen to the people who say trash this. If you decide its not for you then sell it on Craigslist or donate to Boomerangs.This is a great sofa. Recondition the seat cushions or get an estimate from someone who can. While you get estimates get detailed explanations on what they will be doing to it- that way if you decide the work is too expensive you will get tips on how to DIY.

And I second all the folks who said its possible to do a modern room with a sofa like this. People who think the only way to do modern is with a DWR sofa or MCM sofa lack imagination.

Hi Maggie,

I have a sofa set in a similar color. My husband found it, the matching chair, and a big mamouth ottoman at a garage sale for $150, and there was no stopping him -- he had to have the man couch.....in our living room.

Because I like a harmonious marriage, I've embraced the sofa, found a paint color I liked with it, and used some witty art to make it seem less serious and give it less of a traditional feel. I used Silhouette from Benjamin Moore -- not the best picture (we'd just finished hanging photos), but here is an example. The rich cognac color really pops against the dark walls.

http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh43/jimsjer/?action=view&current=photo.jpg

Woops -- that should read mammoth and not mamouth....too much urban dictionary!

My father too has an appreciation for that type of leather furniture. I call it "CATCHER'S MIT COMFY", and its kind of awful.

Here is some inspiration for you
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/05/sneak-peek-amanda-orcutt-of-amandromeda.html

No way, I say keep it. It's definitely a weighty piece, though, so you'll have to pull a balancing act by going minimal with the rest of the room (wall color), a la Thomas O'Brien:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/decor8/335724464/

Then break up the large "pigskin" expanse with some textured white throws and some of these football-type things:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/klitt/240482197/

Add a red wire chair for some lighter lines, and I think you'll have an eclectic (if not a bit mannish) room.

Seriously, there is a time to replace every sofa. Replace it if you can afford it. Since you find it comfortable, before donating, take the measurements of the seat cushion depth and height (from the floor). I didn't realize there was such a variety until I started searching myself last year. Without knowing it, I was drawn to a particular seat depth and height that fit my body frame and lounging preferences.

Maggie,
Are you in Boston? if so email me... I'll come pick it up tomorrow!

I totally understand your dilemma. I have a loveseat, which was a hand me down from my sis and BIL, and it is seriously comfortable! I'm laying on it right now, watching "Age of Innocence" while I nurse my tonsil infection :-/ Heaven. Or as close as you can get with swollen nodes.

But, alas, the LS is OOGLAY!! It's forest green and I think it's corderoy(sp) :-p I threw a slip cover on it and all was saved!

I like the idea of a leather back and fabric cushions. Can't hurt to try before you give it up. It's really hard to find a comfortable couch (cheap).

Also, take a page from Jerith's book. That living room was awesome!