We've been helping a family member redecorate their living room and the first major purchase for the space was a new sofa—a new dark leather sofa. Our taste doesn't usually lean to leather so, initially, it threw us for a loop so far as picking furniture and finishes for the rest of the space.
Vote here then jump below to see what we've suggested pairing with this sofa...
Not to be stereotypical but dark leather sofas look a little masculine to us. This is the pairing from the catalogue where the sofa was purchased—surrounded by greens and tans—but we've started our own sample board, trying to create a softer, more sophisticated family space that reflects the man and the woman who live there.
Step One: Counteract the dark leather with a soft yet substantial color on the walls and other surfaces. We chose a rich blue gray to saturate the room and compliment the dark brown leather as well as the cream, wall-to-wall carpet. The blue gray will also be brought in on the new tiled fireplace.
Step Two: Choose other furniture that compliments the build of the sofa without matching it. We chose the Quinn Chair from Room & Board because it has a substantial mass but without looking too heavy or bulky. The dark feet relate to the sofa but a lighter fabric adds contrast.
Step Three: Try adding a small dose of leather in another corner of the space to give the sofa something to relate to. Also, play with complimentary textures. This space has a home office so we suggested a slim leather dining chair in a poppy accent color to relate to the leather sofa in the living area. Also, instead of a coffee table, we're suggesting these little storage cubes in a light, nubby fabric from West Elm.
Step Four: Have fun with light, colorful fabrics in a range of patterns. Because we chose a solid chair and ottoman, we're suggesting bold patterned pillows and throws to break up the solids in the space but really, it works both ways.
We think this room should shape up nicely (and not too manly at all). How would you decorate around a dark leather sofa?
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A zebra print rug and a pair of light, ebonized wood side chairs with cream upholstery and you'd be on your way.
view ChrisToronto's profile
I'm looking to buy a sofa a lot like that one. Most of my other furniture is old wood--a Mexican Rustic style TV armoire, heavy heavy carved wood pieces inherited from family, etc. I've lightened the stain on the wood pieces, and painted lots of bright colors on the walls (shades of orange and yellow) with purple and blue accents. My thought had been such a clean-lined sofa would add a touch of modern to counter-balance all the other rustic pieces.
Okay, that was rambling...
As an aside, what is that sofa pictured above?? It's close to what I'm looking for.
view Nevanna's profile
I can't say that I love dark leather sofas (I don't) - but they are perfectly easy to decorate around.
Here's a photo of the suite I was in on a recent cruise - I love the way that the designers used bold colors along with both light and dark neutrals with the dark leather sofa:
http://www.hollandamerica.com/images/staterooms/ED/img_deluxe_verandah_popup.jpg
view bepsf's profile
Well done!
I'm mystified by the backward books, though. Not the first time I've seen that done.
view whytephoenix's profile
Ah that looks almost just like my leather sofa and I love mine. I got it at Macy's Furniture store.
I decorate with white. I have a white shag throw rug, white linen throw pillows, etc.
I don't think my living room looks masculine in spite of the dark leather, since I decorated the room with the white contrast.
view designpirate's profile
disignpirate: we also have an almost identical Natuzzi couch from the Macy's Furniture store. The room has a light tan carpet, some white walls and a fabulous "Aged Mint" (Ralph Lauren) blue-ish with a hint of green wall. I think it works well. And we've never gotten the "too masculine" vibe.
view s and the r's profile
I love our chocolate brown leather sofas and don't see them as masculine since they are petite and have modern lines. With a husband and pets, it is the best furniture investment we've made - super easy to keep clean and nice looking!
view 2lastnames's profile
We furnished our ski cabin with black leather couches and are looking to do the same in our house. At one point during the ski season, we had three families staying with us with a total of 8 kids under 8 years. Leather is the only material that can survive that kind of use/abuse and still come out looking clean.
view gem's profile
I am getting ready to buy a dark brown leather sofa for our new apartment. I have always loved the way dark brown contrasts with turquoises and oceany blues, so I think it'll actually turn into a more girly room than DH is hoping for...lol....
view visualizestacy's profile
We have a chocolate brown leather sofa, took me a long time to pick it out. I have three walls in my lounge room with the same colour green as your picture. Leather is wonderful with children and pets. Easy to look after.
ps. Love your website, I've just joined.
view HereOrOverThere's profile
The couch in your photo is almost a dead ringer for mine, so you can have a look at the context that mine fits into here:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/inside-out-curtis-attention-to-detail-will-blow-you-away-016648
To answer the whole masculine question, yes, I guess so, although I think there are elements that aren't too relentlessly so.
view Curtis's profile
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