Good Questions: Girly Covering for Black Sofa?

Hello AT,

I will be subletting an apartment, not sure for exactly how long and I was looking for help with one thing in particular. The apt. currently has a worn in but comfy black leather sofa, almost exactly like this one. I'm not sure its worth the expense of a slipcover, since I don't know how long I will be staying there. Do you have any ideas on how to make it softer/warm it up/make it more girly?

Thanks! MP

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Dear MP, That's a tough one! That sofa just wants to be its big, bad self (and leather is famously hard to cover as it is so slippery with fabric).

We'd say that the simplest thing to do is to get a nice throw blanket and hang it down the backrest of the sofa and then get two throw pillows to soften the front.

And remember, black is basically a warm color, so it will mix well with all other warm color: those being colors with red in them, from warm greens to cool lavenders. Patterns will also add a girly element and distract from the solid black of the sofa as well.

It won't be perfect, but it should be good enough to get you through your sublet.

Anyone else?

Comments (14)

I also have a black love seat that's leather. Unfortnately, it's in front of a full height mirror on a short mirrored wall, so it looks a little too "hard". I've taken a very soft gold colored chenile throw and thrown it over the sofa, from the back center to the front, covering 2/3 of the black (the back as well as the seat area) and put two pillows, with the gold color, in each corner. Sometimes I throw the throw in different ways. That works well.

posted by susan on 2007-03-05 15:58:03

Big girly black and white floral pillows and throw could help a lot.

posted by pyewacket on 2007-03-05 15:52:50

A white sheepskin is warm, fuzzy and classic. If you have any pets though you will have to fight for it! ;)

posted by RlJ on 2007-03-05 15:56:58

this could have, potentially, been a scene that got tossed while filming "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days"

posted by miss on 2007-03-05 16:24:51

pyewacket's suggestion sounds great a collection of black and white floral pillows and maybe a white cashmere or mohair throw. and you can take it with you after this sublet ends.

posted by patrick on 2007-03-05 17:31:33

These are all excellent suggestions! I love the idea of warm colored throw pillows and cute patterns instead of stark solid pillows with another solid throw. Thanks everyone!

posted by MP on 2007-03-05 18:57:37

This is a pic from Ikea that makes nice use of reds to tone down a black sofa.

posted by Nicole on 2007-03-05 19:00:11

from Nicole's link, in the same set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elevenhounds/385748980/in/photostream/

Another black couch with huge pillows to soften it!

posted by olya on 2007-03-05 21:08:07

not as feminine, but here's another black couch with a soft throw and off white pillows:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=19979101&size=l

it seems that beige doesn't work enough to soften it, though. and the surroundings too.

posted by olya on 2007-03-05 21:14:01

Maybe you could cast a throw over the sofa, preferably one in a softer tone. And yes, pillows in bright hues would also work. Best of luck to you.

posted by Roberta on 2007-03-06 04:00:44

Two big, bright fuschia pink cushions in sumptuous fabrics - cheap - take with you when you go - and will make it look wonderfully 1950s girly with the black

posted by Violetsrose on 2007-03-06 07:55:23

i agree with what everyone is saying. some bold graphic pillows and a delicate/cozy throw.

posted by Dulci on 2007-03-06 11:29:32

You could go for a very French and feminine look by combining black, white, gray and pink in your accessories.

posted by Lisa on 2007-03-06 11:49:06

Delicious! I love the photos, excellent ideas!

posted by MP on 2007-03-06 12:05:37