apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Blindfold those who come into your house? Sorry, but that is one ugly sofa. I understand your reasons for needing to use it as long as possible; you have my sympathy. Good luck; I hope someone comes up with some stellar design advice for you.

I'm sad for you Chloe...you clearly have a design sense as evidenced by the items in the background of the picture...although it is hard to see past that abomination...my best advice is comb Craig's List for an economical replacement...or hit your local thrift store and trade it in for a better model. ...Poor thing, hang in there...

Have you tried finding a bold fabric with green plus some other colors you really love? Make some pillows, table runner, etc. Once you add that color the sofa won't be as noticable. Good luck!!

Craigslist. For real. Sell that couch and look for another. You can get a fabulous couch for less than $200 if you look. Keep the green one until you find a better replacement and then you can sell the green one for $50 to offset the cost of the new(er) couch. People are moving and downsizing like crazy, so you should be able to find a good deal on a relatively new couch or entire living room set.

I LOVE the top photo. I know the colors are just distorted, but I really like the retro vibe you have going on, and love the way the colors play off of each other.

Now. The first thing to figure out is, what do you WANT your living room to look like? Ask questions like, What colors make you happy, what feeling do you want the room to evoke, etc. Are you a minimalist? Do you go for modern? Chic? Traditional? Bohemian? Once you know where you want to take your style, you can start searching for and collecting pieces that will slowly bring that style into your home.

Since you're on a budget, Ikea is always a really good source for great-looking furniture that won't cost a ton. Also, scour Craigslist for estate sales and their furniture listings. You might even find another good-quality couch that will look much better in your space!

I think put a bunch of pillows on the ground or even a mattress with a bunch of pillows. you can get a mattress for $100. Once it's gone - one thing less to move - then you can be open to get something new - or used from craigslist. If your husband has to have a couch, maybe get a big sheet but refuse to move that monstrosity with you or you'll be stuck with it for forever!

Cut off the pillows, slipcover it, and get some throw pillows. You can build up up the arms in the shape that you need with some foam and batting. Get some cheap bed pillows and glue them to the back, under the slipcover. Hot glue and adhesive spray should keep everything in place. I did something similar to my freebie couch with the thought of replacing it. Now I'm more than 3 years in and it is still holding up great.

I know the feeling. Ive got an albatross of a sofa for similar reasons. Im planning to move over the summer, so there is no point in buying something new now, but man, I HATE seeing that thing downstairs!

I try to keep mine looking semi-decent with one or two cool pillows, or a cool tapestry/ throw tossed over the back. My couch isnt leather though.

If its in good shape, could you list it on Craigslist and use the money towards something new? Id imagine a lot of people in LA might actually like something like that lol.

I feel your pain.

Simple. Sell it.

Please sell the couch.

As with above comments, I say sell it.

I've been there - though mine was an overstuffed brown suede abomination - it's better to dump it and prowl craigslist for a more appropriate option than have a giant eyesore in your home.

See what taking the red pillows off looks like. The red pillows takes the mind immediately to Christmas.

Place a faux-fur white or creme blanket over a portion of the sofa. If not faux-fur than something else with texture like a cable knit. It will help to soften not only the green but give the effect of a less masculine piece while adding a contrast between the textures of the leather and the throw.

What is the wall color in your new place? These walls in your old home look yellow (making the green pop), perhaps another color that will bring attention to the entire environment rather than highlighting the sofa would help. Also, the yellow of the walls blends with the carpet. A rich gray paint would look nice. Take the floors into consideration in the new living room too.

Move the clock to another wall. It too is like the yellow walls only bringing out the green more. Have it be an accent piece on another wall. Breaking these two pieces up allows for their shared shine and color story to flow throughout the room.

Hang a print 6 inches above the sofa, something large and not overwhelmed with color, something more muted. The coffee table is heavy both in color and size like the sofa. A darker gray than the walls would add a cohesiveness to the space while lightening the feel of the table and making the sofa more delicate.

Hope this helps.

Yeah, just sell. Why design around something that you hate? Buy some fun floor pillows and call it a day until you can afford another couch. You'll be happier without it, trust me.

If you hate it and it's not comfortable, why keep it? I'd sell it immediately and get a couch from a thrift store/Craig's List/Ikea.

If you ask for suggestions other than selling it, I'm not going to tell you to sell it. Work with it and get things you love that can balance it out. I want to see it with a big colorful rug under the front feet to anchor it and I also agree with the textured throw suggestion instead of pillows and replacing the little sun/clock thing with some bigger art. It looks out of scale for the room in these pictures and I think you could make it stand out less.

The couch is absolutely hideous. I disagree with those who say sell it though. I generally think that it is a better idea to use what you have until you are in a position to buy exactly what you want than to keep buying cheap furniture that you don't really like. In the long run, you end up saving money. It sounds like that it where you and your partner are anyway.

It's hard to tell exactly what color the couch is. If it is the color that I think it is (and judging from your other stuff), I would get square light blue and white pillows (maybe these from Z Gallerie: http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-8803-7-labyrinth-pillow-french-blue-20.aspx). I would also get a nice throw blanket to keep folded on top, which will cover part of the ugly couch. I think this blanket would be a good option: http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-6787-9-lazo-throw-azure.aspx

Good luck!

If you can't get rid of it, put a big, graphic piece of art behind it. I mean, BIG. Be ironic, play up the '80s with a Nagel. Or something like the big blue painting from this blog: http://retrogradesf.blogspot.com/2009/01/well-take-our-hearts-outside-leave-our.html

Good luck!

i agree with painting the wall a different color so it doesn't stand out and hanging a large piece of art above it to draw attention away from it. I would use a slipcover in a neutral color then use two flat throw pillows so they dont' get in the way.

Your partner insists you keep that monstrosity?
Sounds like a pretty valid reason for a breakup to me!

If you really want/need to keep it, design with it, not against it. Finding inspiration photos might help, such as this one: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V_5Nm_wHVnE/SRdaIyW8ZqI/AAAAAAAAV28/bbZrGIvL1UQ/s320/domino_green_couch.jpg
Or this one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/jesdmill/more/DirectGreen6924sherwin.jpg

Use complementary colors, such as black & white, blues, creams, or other bright accent colors.

Leather or not...i would slip cover that thing or try and sell it on craigslist...We bought our sofa on craigslist because we couldn't afford something at a regular store and it ended up being so great.

Unfortunately, I think I see the problem. You've got some other vintage items. And all together, stuff from the 50s, 60s, and 80s... it will look like a thrift store.

So it's not really the couch to blame on its own, it's the combination of old with older.

Ha! I have a similar green monstrosity with those enormous arms. I'm actually slightly jealous of yours; mine is an even less appealing shade of green (early 90's teal, like my big sister's prom dress), in awful shape, and it's chenille-like, not leather. In these long (unemployed) winter days, I have been contemplating taking a box knife to mine and attempting radical reconstructive reupholstery.

I think you have done a good job of working with your couch; I really like the way it works with your wall color and throw pillows, and the pillows look right-sized on it to me (can you have pillows too big on a couch the size of the Marshmallow Man?). It is making the room a little bottom-heavy, so you might want to try hanging something more substantial over it than the clock.

I'll let you know how my box-knife attack works out if I get that deperate. :)

Have you thought about painting it?

I know it's possible to buy leather paints and it might be cheaper than buying a new couch.

I've seen some really good results using leather paint. It can make an old couch look brand new.

Maybe you can remove some of the stuffing from the arms and take them in on the inside-facing section of each one. And also add fabric covered buttons onto the cushions, if you are able to?

Or sell it on Craigslist if you can.

Okay, look at your sofa as a big funky piece that makes all the super sleek modern stuff look interesting and eclectic. Stop thinking of it as HIDEOUS and HORRIBLE, if you can.

Now, I think the clock has to go. Clock couch = old-timey.
And I think the greeny-yellow paint and the couch = green old-timey.

What about wallpaper with a big ol' funky, attention getting print?
http://www.namarococo.com/collection.html

http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=beige&name=Beige&paperID=594

http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=green&name=Green&paperID=786

If you can't do the whole wall (I don't blame you, wallpaper scares me a little, too) why not frame a sheet or three behind the couch? Go super sleek and modern with the frame.

Paint the wall a non-greenish color, I think. No yellow either. Too Sprite. No red either. Too Christmas.

The two red pillows do equal Christmas. Match the wallpaper/art behind the couch with the pillows.

Can you get a similar side table and put two sleek (white?) lamps there. Cheap at IKEA or thrift. The problem with the paper lamp you have, while adorable on it's own, is that it picks up the totally '80s nature of the couch. I think that's what you are trying to fight.

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Vanilla-White-Double-Gourd-Ceramic-Table-Lamp__39703.html

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Walnut-Cutout-Contemporary-Table-Lamp__76883.html

SPLURGE!
http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?productid=17190&cat=385&page=1&initial=4353

No rustic frame. Clean white, thick frames. Bolder flowers in a BOLD clean designed vase.

A modern pouf could soften the room and add a little modern.

http://www.westelm.com/products/f891/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C6%7Cpouf%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH

I think you have to surround it with modern and clean. When you go retro or rustic, the couch looks too RIGHT AT HOME with that style. As in, it doesn't look retro - it looks authentically like the 80s. I had to learn this the hard way at my house, :).

If it makes you feel better, I like the couch and I think you can totally make it a part of the kind of room you want.

Hope that helps.

For me, one of the most objectionable aspects of that sofa is the billowing rolls on the back...so maybe you could get a throw blanket that you like alot and use it to cover the back of the sofa? And perhaps a rug to draw attention away from the sofa.

Ooh! Three more things!

I like your coffee table! But it kinda clashes with the side table. Can you paint your side tables to match the table a little more? Or get some side tables that have the same shape?

http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/02/how-to-paint-furniture/

And a nice high window treatment could put a bow on things! WAIT! I hate window treatments too! But these, I can get with. I'd replace the natural shades with cloth romans for a cleaner look, though.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/email-answer-its-curtains-for-you/

Green can be awesome in the right surroundings. The Viceroy Santa Monica is an example...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.viceroyhotelgroup.com/images/photos/index_conta_c3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.viceroyhotelgroup.com/contact.php&usg=___VEPw3ia-cidKrGiF3Uf2_LYMrE=&h=533&w=402&sz=47&hl=en&start=65&sig2=spY6VQ17jrnc-8cZxEhKyw&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=citU2t0tgjZ46M:&tbnh=132&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bviceroy%2Bhotel%2Bsanta%2Bmonica%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D63%26um%3D1&ei=VOhsS9ZTja-2B8eDtYwG

Sorry that link is so long...

Would you consider putting legs on the sofa?

http://www.bingltd.com/catalog.asp?p=G&filteryr=&genre=10&nav=1&alpha=&page=4&source=&searchstr=&pid=1206&pname=Bun Feet P844%2DSF %28Cherry in pic%29

In a wood finish to match your side table, these would add height and space under the couch, which would make it seem much less heavy... take away that solid mass it is now.

the green leather really looks kind of neat with the wall clock and retro tables.

You can afford to replace it with similar quality...if you look on craigslist. Find a leather couch so your partner will like it...but in color that coordinates better with the yellow. I see brown and white leather couches like this all the time. Or drape washable blankets or a slipcover over it. Try off white.

Take a seat cushion to the paint store and have a couple of gallons of paint color matched. Then paint the wall behind the sofa and pray it disappears.

Mami, you gots to sell it. Please girl.

Problem is - you hate the sofa so much that you're making it stand out more by ignoring it.

To make your room feel more cohesive, I'd paint the walls of your living room the same color as the sofa - either a shade lighter or a shade darker - so that it will blend into your space rather than stand out like a sore thumb.

I'd also get a large-scale chair or two that you like in a nice fabric that will work with the green but also be something that you can work into your future decorating scheme.

Also - Move that nightstand out of the corner and place it next to the sofa where it can be reached and used as an end table - and get yourself a pair of over-scaled vintage table lamps with huge drum shades for either side of the sofa - and a large piece of artwork or collection of smaller art pieces for above the sofa to draw your eye towards something more interesting and inspiring for you than the big sofa.

I'm with susancor - put legs on it. It does fit in nicely with the other pieces and that would give it some edge. I have a green sofa as well - but it is a 60's airport style love seat with metal straight wings for legs - I have a leopard throw I put over the back - it helps a lot. I would get rid of those accent pillows and go for the throw to tie other elements in.

Just go dumpster diving for a brass-n-glass coffee table, tubular metal side chairs and a Nagel print. It will be great.

Seriously though, sorry you have this couch. We had a big teal with diagonal-stitching and puffy arms monstrosity given to us by the mother-in-law. I made a slipcover out of a canvas dropcloth and chucked some pillows covered with "accidentally felted" old sweaters as cases. It worked well for a surprisingly long time. and cost like nine bucks for the dropcloth and time on a friend's sewing machine.

I just draped the cloth over the couch and cut and safety-pinned until it fit pretty well. Then I sewed where the pins were. I used some free paint stirrers shoved down the back of the cushions to hold the slipcover in place.

P.P.

If you have some money that you're willing to spend, look on Craiglist and try to find a good replacement. Lots of really nice stuff ends up there, and you should be able to find something you love if you keep looking consistently. I would avoid getting a couch at Ikea because the quality is so poor, plus I am a fan of recycling furniture and think you can get more for your money on a used item than a cheap new one. And I agree that you should wait it out until you find something you love - there's no point getting something only marginally better that you have to replace in a couple years.

If you don't want to sell & get something new on CL or at a thrift store, then I agree with princesspea - just get a piece of fabric and drape it over. That is cheaper than buying an actual slipcover. Avoid spending money accessorizing something you only hope to replace. Just buy a piece of fabric in a neutral or a nice print & safety pin it to the couch or tuck it under, and put pillows on top of that and fold a blanket over the top. You could even throw the piece of fabric over to cover the whole thing and then put a nice quilt/suzani/knit blanket, etc. over most of it for a nicer feel. Buying an inexpensive king sized flat sheet should do the trick - you could probably find one of those for around $10 at a discount store like Ross. If you spill on it, just throw the cloth in the wash.

Good luck!

My mom got tired of our sofa (in the late 90s) oh, 15 years after she bought the damn thing. So what did she do? What all moms do. She covered it with a pretty blanket. And when I moved to my first crappy apartment and got a hideous couch for free what did I do? I covered it with a pretty blanket. So I recommend this. Find yourself (from your closet, from your crazy knitting aunt's steamer trunk, from a thrift store) a crocheted/knitted blanket. A huge one, in weird colors. Play up the granny chic of the room, and make it look comfortable. A comfortable space doesn't have to be the one with the best furniture, just one you enjoy sitting in. Good luck!

Start going to a couple thrift stores a few times a week and look for couches. I scored a 1970s 8' long, down filled damask print Henredon sofa in perfect condition for FORTY dollars. It's possible to get good quality for cheap.

If you don't want to do that maybe you could.... cut off those terrible flaps on the arm rests and also those flaps on the back. Buy a slip cover (similar to this http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=117663 the ones that have seperate slip for the seat cushions) in a neutral color that fits your decor. Now you'd have room to maybe put some bolster pillows by each arm and find some big back cushions/pillows for the back & some throw pillows. ? I think you could make it work.

Clearly you need more cats.

Chloe, please sell the couch and go to the Salvation Army in Canoga Park. I was there today and they had a mid century curved couch with wood legs for $75! It needed a good cleaning but was in very good shape and I swear if I needed a couch I would have bought it on the spot!
I just got rid of an inherited dining room set, that I hated and tried to work around for many years. Finally sold the damn thing and had nothing in my dining room for 6 months except boxes and assorted orphaned furniture. Anything was better than that stupid Wickes monstrosity! Anyway, my 2 1/2 cents worth.

It can't be made to work, it shouldn't be made to work, it's too old and it wants to die and you just won't let it. No, no, no. Do not do any of the crazy things people have suggested. Your room is lovely, you have lovely taste...your dilemma is precisely the reason Craigslist was invented. If your partner likes leather, use it elswhere if it will save the relationship.
http://modernhaus.blogspot.com/2010/02/gifted-hipster-edition.html

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/1588295799.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/1587741270.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/fuo/1580835278.html

Come to STL and get an inexpensive sofa. BTW, a couch exactly like yours is posted for sale for $100. I don't know that they will get $100, but you can't blame someone for trying!

If you have to keep it for a bit longer, do get some cool fabric to drape over it and add some color and variation to the room:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00130803
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30140179

here are some craigslist listing you might be interested in...
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1588351261.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/gms/1588308160.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/1588262191.html

sorry they are all beige. I hope you find a way out of your design rut.

Since you want suggestions other than 'sell it,' I've got one:

Burn it. :)

In all honesty, getting rid of the puffy arm rests would make a world of difference.

bj

Even though you're moving into a new space, and people are saying don't buy anything until you buy the permanent thing/the thing you LOVE, I disagree.

The green couch is an eyesore, and it is reasonable that it offends your aesthetics. Sell it and buy something that you can live with until your three year old is six or seven.

You won't be able to rest easy with the thing you love being dirtied by the one you love, so spend just a little bit (have a moving sale/yard sale to make up the rest of the proceeds in addition to selling the green monster).

I rather like these for under $80:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1588050182.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1587901441.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/fuo/1586682375.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1585023293.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1584918693.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/1583978294.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/fuo/1583642395.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/1583033454.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1582886105.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/1578153584.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/1587706524.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/fuo/1585595900.html

Good luck!

I look at the sofa, and I think David Lynch -- but not in a bad way. Problem is, with that kind of aesthetic there are no half-measures. It would look really good centered on a blood-red wall....

At the very least, the cat needs a red collar; the teal looks awful.

Make the couch disappear by painting the walls or bottom part of the walls a dark color - I cannot say because your lighting conditions and exposure will determine that. Go with the masculine flow and make some plaid pillows -with the green of the sofa and wall color in it - Black Watch maybe. You can order fabric online from Scottish tartan suppliers and glue these together with Fabri-Tac if you cannot sew. Alternatively, a dark or tartan wallpaper (Ralph Lauren, maybe) on the lower part of the walls will help the sofa disappear but keep the windows a crisp white. Aim for a monotone in paint, fabric and couch. (The couch looks comfy but don't you slip off of it when you lie down?)

I'd just like to add that my best friend has that exact couch (her green is a touch more turquoise though)...

About the cat collar -- black goes with everything; I think the turquoise collar is lovely.

Dark color painted on the bottom of the wall - just the wall behind the couch if your space accepts that; then some pillows made from the ikea fabric mentioned above....I bet you'd be in love all over again.

The couch has character, if you put the right colors with it. Gray, cream, white, and variations on the green. I love the inspiration of the Viceroy Hotel link. I'm sure this style will come back, as well. It's only a matter of time before everyone will want overstuffed 80's leather couches! :)

The lines of the sofa underneath the marshmallow pillows actually looks nice. I would try cutting off the arm pillows as a first step. If it's "messy" underneath, you could use the leather from the cut off pillow part and use leather glue to cover over the arms to make them smoother (without having to get into fancy upholstery sewing.) Then, I would try a couple flat (i.e. not round) lumbar pillows across the back in a fabric that incorporates the green a little bit. I have no idea how the back pillows attach, but you might be able to cut those off too and replace them with big soft throw pillows instead.

A hatchet. Then fire, followed by stomping. Bury what's left.

Don't be silly! Of course you can keep this couch. I have the exact same one (even the color!), but have reconfigured it. Remove the cushions from the back and the arms, get new back cushions (Foam covered in fabric) & add slip covers to the arms. This couch is well made, and will never die. We went as far as to tear off all the upholstery, cut the arm width down by 3 inches and re upholster the whole thing with discounted grey courderoy. You'd never know it was the same couch.

OR... you might be able to do the sofa equivalent of liposuction and make an incision in the fluffy pillows (without removing them) and deflate them some by removing the innards. With leather glue and minimal sewing, you might be able to achieve a less inflated look by flattening out the leather - and then you would have the room to have some throw pillows too.

Don't forget Freecycle (www.freecycle.org). Unload unwanted items quickly and posted "wanted" items there as well. Sign up for the Freecycle groups nearest your home. As you check out people's posts, you'll see other, similar groups (i.e., LAReUseIt here in Los Angeles) you can join.

Also -- this sofa looks like something frat boys would like. Maybe post some ads (w/photo) at local college campuses.

Life's too short for bad furniture!

How about putting a large rectangular pillow on it?
The Canna pillow from anthropologie has a certain vintage aesthetic that would go well with the rest of your furnishings.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=983316&navAction=jump&navCount=

You could even play up more of the retro vintage vibe by having some fun 50's print style curtains in the same shade maybe made out of bark cloth.

Or you could go more modern with a graphic print pillow but the same size.

Good luck.

hmmm...
Option 1: de-puff the arms - those are the most offensive in the design - your bottom cushions are fine, the back ones - can they be un "tacked" - get rid of the dividing seam? If so, do that and redistribute the puff

Option 2: Because you're resisting the ugly color, you have no other ugly green in the space to off set it's boldness. Get something in that room with the same color - something you like, preferably (big vase, DIY art project, etc)

Option 3: I agree - with some above - it's out of SCALE and just floating alone. Ground it with a big ole rug, flank with lamps, two of those good bolster pillows, and you're on your way.

How about having the leather repainted in a colour of your choice?

If this is too expensive you could try to make it work by 'ton-sur-ton': painting your wall a lighter of darker shade green (like bepsf suggested).

I agree with bepsf. Don't ignore it!

If you can't paint the wall, try starching some fabric and putting it up instead. You could just do up to the picture molding.

Otherwise, just buy some of the leather paint and paint it. You could even paint it using some retro stencils like these (although prob. less busy) or make your own.
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/the-stencil-collection-retro-and-modern-themed-stencil-kit_p-4386244_xp.aspx
http://www.interweavestore.com/Quilting/Merchandise/Retro-Squares-12-Stencil.html

Good luck!

After thinking about it for awhile, I'd do more research on the web. There are tons of those sofas out there. Someone must have hacked one!

why are people suggesting z gallerie throws and anthropologie pillows?? this girl is broke!

I've been down this road and you need to just stop now. Trying to redecorate around something you hate is a huge time & money suck. You'll be left with placeholder stuff you don't really love in a room you'll never be happy with.

Take the money you're planning to spend on paint, pillows, throws, whatever and use that as your craigslist couch budget. Once you've got something you can live with, sell the ugly couch and use that $ to decorate.

Your idea of getting a daybed is a great one.

-It can break down into components and move easily.
-Changing the covers and pillows on a daybed can change the look of the room.
-If the baby slobbers on the covers you can easily wash them.
-Get a bedskirt and store bins of toys underneath.
-Comfortable to sit around and watch TV on.
-Guests can sleep there.
-Hubby can sleep there when he's in the doghouse for being inflexible about the decor.

Oops, sorry I read that quickly. Substiute kid for baby, partner for hubby. Store Logos underneath.

I like your sofa. You could paint the walls HC 63, a Benjamin Moore soft rose, and go full 1980s.

Or, have you considered getting it stained? I just had lunch with a friend who had a white Coach leather purse stained dark brown by a shoe repair shop. It was a great job. Never in the world would I have ever known unless she told me.

I don't know if you can dye it, but I don't see why not. You would have to go darker of course, but a mahogany would be beautiful. Remember, some people just don't like hunter green or leather sofas. I personally like my hunter green in velvet, and leather seats in my car, but to each her/his own. Good luck.

While I would never select anything resembling that couch out of a showroom, I don't find it as irredeemably horrible as some others here do.

I appears to be well made, since it survived since 80s in reasonably good shape. Maybe it deserves some respect. I definitely would not replace it with a $300 sofa from ikea (which probably would be destined for the landfill in a much shorter time frame). If I inherited a sofa like that I would work with the it until I had the opportunity to upgrade to exactly what I wanted. Then I would find it a good home.

I admit the huge puffy bits on the sofa do not really appeal to me. But I would not try to hide it under a throw or a pile of pillows. It is what it is. I would try to understand the aesthetic of the period that produced objects like this and acknowledge some aspect of that. It looks like the idea is supposed to be something like "lush and comfy". Since it comes from the 80s, it's probably also trying to say "money". I would update concept by replacing the "money" part with an ecological orientation, both because it is literally green and because you are recycling it.

That dusky green color is not bad in itself (British racing car green?), it just does not work well with the red pillows, yellow walls, and beige carpeting. I wouldn't use primary colors around it at all- I would try black and white, grey, taupe, maybe cream and cool brown (for example right on this page:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/inspiration/clever-color-camouflage-for-your-tvstyle-at-home-108079 ).

I would let the sofa be the brightest expanse of color in the room. Maybe cover the walls either with black and white patterned paper or paint them a cool shade of taupe or off white. I would play up the green a bit by getting some potted plants, maybe a large palm (you can get one at a store like home depot for about $10), a medium sized plant with dark and pale greens it the leaves, and an orchid with either fushia or white flowers. Get as many plants as you could be bothered to water. I am thinking of an image like this (maybe more of a minimalist version, if that's possible):

http://www.drericbell.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/rousseau_dream.jpg

I would take away the red pillows, but most of the other things in your picture would work with this scheme (even the clock, I think). I would totally avoid primary red. Mixed reds like fushia, salmon, or aubergine could be all right in very small amounts). Natural wood colors are good. I love the side table you have with the crescent handles. If possible, I would try to have wood floors rather than wall-to-wall carpeting, and then get a rug (maybe a wool rug with a zebra stripe pattern in dark brown and pale tan, or a solid grey or taupe wool or even a sisal rug). The reclining cat is a nice touch.

It's not easy being green. It's probably comfy, though, right? I'm with the "cover it with a pretty blanket" girl. I had a hideous hand-me-down sofa and it was even worse when I slip covered it (not even velcro kept that thing on once my toddler figured out she could undress the couch).

wow, i'm surprised at the 'burn it!' & 'craigslist!' posts. i love this couch! paint the walls blue-gray & get rid of the red pillows. move the starburst clock to an entryway or kitchen or someplace, it doesn't belong over a couch. get a big old mirror, like the kind that used to be attached to those oversized mid-century dressers, and hang that. maybe a nice painting, or even one of those 60s-ish paris hotel prints or a paul detlefsen, something fun like that. put your nifty little chest of drawers closer to couch as a side table. get an area rug with greens & blues. ditch the tall paper standing lamp. or you know what? give the couch to me! i bet it's incredibly comfy. i could totally work with it.

: ) My boyfriend's fraternity house has a couch exactly like that, and it's kind of awesome because it's soooooo comfortable and practically indestructible. What about covering it with an appealing tapestry? That way, when you do donate the sofa or sell it on Ebay you can easily repurpose the tapestry for a bed covering or wall hanging. Another idea might be to put a twin-sized duvet cover over the two seat cushions in one print, and then a complimentary tapestry over the back and arms. Cut a piece of the tapestry and adhere it to the front lower part of the sofa.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&navAction=jump&id=17690777&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH RESULTS&color=018
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&navAction=jump&id=16859027&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH RESULTS&color=00

I'm 17 and totally not a decorator, so I don't know if this will be helpful at all, but for what it's worth, I do know that that sofa makes up a little in comfort for what it lacks in style. And it's not THAT hideous.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with those who suggest painting or staining it. Since you're moving anyway, maybe you could bring it to an auto repair shop that refurbishes leather car upholstery. This sofa in black or really dark brown wouldn't be so bad.....
I also like the idea of adding legs. Good luck!

just sell it and buy a sofa from a flea market.

Hi everyone, Original Poster here!

Thanks so much for all the great comments! I'm still unsure of whether I should spend the time and money trying to make it work, or cut my losses!

Stellamystar- I actually do have something in the room of the same colour that I like. I got a 50s teak arm chair in the same green leather that matches perfectly. While it did help make it look more intentional, it just didn't do it for me.

Many of you have suggested things that aren't possible, given the fact that I'm moving and that I rent. For example I can't rip up the carpet, but thats irrelevant anyway because I'm moving into a place with hardwood floors.

Also, many of you have mentioned the fact that I have other vintage pieces that don't work with the couch. That's part of the problem. I've spent many years collecting pieces I love, with the fact in mind that eventually I'd replace the ugly couch with something I love.

I don't want to get rid of all that stuff, and replace them with lots of things I don't love, just to make a sofa I don't like work. KWIM? Anything I do will have to be temporary solution that doesn't cost a lot. If I was going to spend a lot of money to improve my space, I'd replace the couch haha.

Thanks for all the links to replacement couches in Los Angeles, however- I live in Canada!

once again, folks aren't listening. she wants to make the sofa work for the time being. i'm pretty sure that if she thought she should sell it, it would be gone.

my suggestion is to drape a sheepskin throw, or some type of faux fur, to break up the green. West Elm have some fairly affordable options...

http://www.westelm.com/products/b486/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C6%7Csheepskin%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH

OR

http://www.westelm.com/products/r486/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C6%7Csheepskin%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH

If I were you, I'd go crazy with some Wary Meyers type layering. Embrace that elephant in the room!

If you are going to paint to help this, then paint your walls a light sage green, which might help dilute the effect of it. A rose color will only intensify it.

But it's in decent enough shape that someone who could like it should have the chance to buy it, and you should have the chance to use that money toward something you like. It's very lose/lose to keep it if you hate it that bad.

Meanwhile, I'm not crazy about it for you, either. My paint suggestion is based on what sounded like your determination to keep it.

Are the armrests and back cushions removable? I would say take them out, put a throw over the back and add more pillows. Then you'll be rid of the awful puffiness and still have the indestructibility of leather seat cushions.

Chaney - after reading your update, I am beginning to suspect that we are going to have to stage an AT intervention here. GET RID OF THE UGLY SOFA!

It is hideous, out-of-date, green, uncomfortable, mismatched, ill-conceived, bulky, unsightly, a blight on the very concept of design. NOTHING you can do to it is going to help. There is no wall color that will make a fugly couch less fugly. There is no artwork, clock, mirror, carpet, lamp, pillow, cat collar, or leather dye that will make that couch more palatable.

You've admitted you have a problem sofa. Now you have to accept that there is no magic design-wand that can fix it. It needs to go. If you can't afford to replace it, even with a second-hand or floor sample bargain, you have to live with it, deal with its permanent fugliness, and get over it until you can afford something less offensive.

Did you see the more recent post about hiding electronics in plain view (in which they show a black tv against black wallpaper.) Maybe you can paint the wall behind the couch the same color as the couch. Then, of course, you'll have to paint the other walls a complimentary color that not only goes with that difficult color but "sways" the whole feel of that color, from awful to good. I think it can be done. Not sure repainting your entire room was on your agenda but that's my two cents :)

I like hellowest's advice the best. I say put a very bold wallpaper on the wall behind the couch. This will get people to look at the wall rather than the couch. I think the color is just fine, it's just the shape that is less than desirable. I think a big, bold, bright wallpaper that you LOVE and that works well with the couch's color will provide a distraction from the couch. Maybe something with the same green as the couch in it, so that the couch can blend in a bit, but that also introduces other colors. Then choose the rest of your decor to go with the wallpaper, and pick a consistent, non-80's style.

Best of luck!

Here are some ideas:
http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=green&name=Green&paperID=233
http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=green&name=Green&paperID=66
http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=red&name=Red&paperID=1202
http://www.grahambrown.com/us/product/16263/Mysterious#61?show=
http://www.grahambrown.com/us/product/17865/Isabelle%20:%20Red%20Wallpaper#4?show=
http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=green&name=Green&paperID=1225
http://walnutwallpaper.com/wallpapers.php?filter=color&type=green&name=Green&paperID=217
http://storesense1.mysuperpageshosting.com/tempaperdesignscom_mysuper0736/Detail.bok?no=4

Sorry, just read your comment and realized you're a renter. You could look into temporary wallpaper options (tempaperdesigns.com and Sherwin Williams).

I would try buying a stretchy slipcover in a neutral color so it can update that couch & also adding sofa legs to make it look less bulky (if the couch is not too tall already). Maybe something like:

http://www.brylanehome.com/decor/Spencer-Stretch-Slipcovers.aspx?PfId=15480&DeptId=15260&ProductTypeId=2&PurchaseType=0

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/179-0647255-5557054?asin=B001AFC29Q&ci_src=15781033&ci_sku=B001AFC29Q&AFID=Performics_Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads&LNM=Primary&ref=tgt_adv_XASD0001

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6005329&findingMethod=rr

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=58263&CatID=58263&Grptyp=PRD&ItemId=18415f7&cmRef=http://www.jcpenney.com/products/C34734.jsp

& this 1 will make it look more streamlined & modern, especially if adding sofa legs:

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=58263&CatID=58263&Grptyp=PRD&ItemId=1660fe9&cmRef=http://www.jcpenney.com/products/C34734.jsp

I think making all these "small" changes that have been suggested such as painting, wallpapering, adding a rug, making pillows could add up to almost as much money (or more) as buying a new couch... but you'll be stuck with the same couch that you don't like and a room full of design choices that will revolve around it.

I'm going to mimic the other readers and suggest a thorough craigslist search!

Tell your partner, it's you or the couch.

Cover it with lots of pretty pillows and quilts.

Honestly... I would just live with it till you can replace it. And replace it as soon as you can - having an unattractive couch can make you more miserable than you are aware (till it is suddenly gone and you feel so much better). Sell it before you move (less to move, some extra $$ to help with the new place, and you never ever have to get used to seeing the beast in your new place).

You could consider the Sater couch from Ikea (I have one because I was in the same boat as you... ugly couch but not enough money to actually get once I really liked.) It is leather and only $399. It could keep you happy enough until you have the ability to afford one you really like...

okay, if it were me and i absolutely couldn't sell it/give it away/ throw it to the curb... I would probably do some sofa surgery. I would cut the cushions open and pull as much padding out as i can. (cut along the edges not just hacking open the middle of the cushion)... i might cut the leather off completely and pull off all the extra padding i can. Wrap it with a bit of thin foam padding (or an pieces from an old memory foam bed topper) and then cover the whole thing with a heavy weight canvas. Canvas will take a lot of beating. You can then make some kind of simple cover out of a nicer fabric.

It's scary but hacking it up might make you feel better.

Fact of the matter is, though, that altering it in anyway way will make it less saleable. You're most likely better off selling it off and looking for something of reasonable quality on Craigslist or at a local garage sale. I know a lot of people are having to downsize due to Economy (read: they lose their house and have too much furniture). you may be able to get a great deal and put some cash into the pocket of someone who probably really needs it.

I think the idea of selling to a frat house is great, and then buying something you both really love from Craigslist or a thrift store. You get rid of an eyesore, yet stay within your budget. Good luck - that is one ugly couch!