apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Big beige lambskin throws. At least two of them and a couple of pillows. If you don't want dead things on your sofa, you should get some not over stuffed larger square pillows and layer 2-3 on one or both sides. Also add a throw. You could use a faux fur throw in grayish mink color with some pillows.

You need some thickness and texture on that thing. Also, the white is a nice base color but is too stark all alone there.

The obvious answer might be more pillows but you could place a really bold throw over a the couch. I also noticed that you have a pretty shaggy rug so maybe you could add something with texture to the couch to help warm it up...like a velvet pillow or frilly/ruffle/shirred blanket (or maybe a crazy stuffed animal of sorts).

As for price, I couldn't even guess. I would definately keep it!
good luck!

I just got rid of my daybed that looked very similar(you seem to have thicker pillows) I bought mine for $300 but it was not comfortable to lay on(or sit on for extended periods of time) My fabric was also vinyl, again not comfortable. I meant to reupholster but never got around to it. I would suggest doing the same maybe in a nubby gray/griege color - it has great bones.

The easiest "cozy" accessory that I have is a patchwork throw blanket. Today there are a ton of patchwork quilts in all different colors/styles from traditional to more modern. Pick a color and toss it over the back.

Another option if you only want to cozy it up on occasion is to get a small wooden basket (same color wood) and keep the patchwork quilt in the basket underneath the daybed.

-- Macy's (online) has some Martha Stewart striped patchwork quilts.
-- Country Curtains (online) has a more traditional print
-- Vermont country store has a mod-esque one (Item #50543)
-- The Company Store (online) has a madras quilt if you want a bright pop of color

I love it! I would place a rug underneath it - maybe the shag one shown..that will soften the look of it in the room against the hardwoods. And add few more pillows and/or a throw.

Two words: Color and Texture.

I have a white leather sectional and to warm it up for winter I recently purchased a graphic Argentinian Alpaca rug off eBay to drape over the back and seat - and I have a variety of pillows in various sizes: Chocolate Brown ultrasuede, Faux Mink, Amy Butler teal and brown cotton damask print, teal & brown woven raw-silks...

I think the whole point of Nelson furniture is that it's the antidote to cozy. Too bad it's already done in vinyl (ick, personal aversion). A tweed cover would have been more appropriate.

the leanness is just from the spare and very clean lined look.

i think you need to add elements with interesting edges. such as throws with fringes and texture or pillows with a little extra edging, it will help balance with the clean straight lines. i don't know if i would go with animal skin but just something more homey and crafty would certainly cozy it up.

I would add a throw with a lot of texture, in a creamy-brownish shade... and a couple of pillows to add a punch of color. And keeping in the neighborhood of neutral, cream, beige, sand and brown... because it would get warmer and cozier without being shocking.

It is a beautiful design. something you could try is getting a kilim rug runner - you can actually find quite nice ones for not very expensive on ebay (pakobelrugs is a great ebay vendor). You could just run it over the seat cushion and let it hang a bit over the side (not all the way to the floor). This will make the actual seat more comfortable - and less sticky ;) Then I'd do what others suggested and throw some more pillows on there. Personally, I would keep it - when you have more time/$ you can reupholster it and it will be perfect!

Looking at the rest of the room, I'd suggest adding one pillow in a light blue like the one on the basket and also a throw, possibly in the chartruse on the existing pillows. Drape it so it covers about a third of the cushions. I like the piece but I agree that the white vinyl is probably not what I would have chosen. Since so much of your other furnishings are white, though, I guess I can see whay you chose it.

LOVE it! recover it in turqoise and keep all the other white and yellow accents.

Warm throw blanket or a small sheepskin throw.

It looks like you sew for a hobby, so why not make your own covers for this sofa? Fabric can be found cheap and you can find exactly the cover you want. Vinyl is gross and should be kept for records and patio furniture. I say recover these (take off the vinyl first if possible) and it will instantly work much better.

i was also going to recommend a quilt. you can find a variety of modern quilts on etsy. something with warm, deep colors would look good i think.

cover the cushions at the back with a nice cozy feeling warm fabric? slip covers are great! :D

I agree that you should make (or have made) some slipcovers for cushions...that would be so easy to do. I love the idea of turquoise or aqua, but you could do any color, in any fabric. Maybe a textured throw across one end and those pillows, which are fantastic. Position the rug so that its under the front legs and you are instantly warmed up.

I think it's perfect. But if you want some pouf... just have a slim but poufy bolster made for the lengthwise crease.

I think arm rests are essential for a cozy feeling. This piece is gorgeous, but it is more sleek than inherently cozy. As others have suggested, you could toss a sheepskin or throw on there for a more cozy feeling, but it sounds like this might not be the right fit for you. Selling price with new cushions? Maybe $500-700, give or take, considering wear and provenance.

hate to be a killjoy, but there's nothing cozy or warm about vinyl unless your a dom wearing it...that said, there's a market for everything and it appears well done, perhaps someone could use it on a covered balcony or porch. i like the idea of a sheep skin/faux fur or tartan throw. good luck

Gray Fabric Covers... Like Suit Material...

There is an almost identical couch for sale at urban outfitters for $550 (the pistachio one is for $480).

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=14535959&parentid=A_FURN_FURNITURE&sortProperties=&navCount=189&navAction=poppushpush&color=

It's fabric and new, so I don't think you could sell yours for too much. So why not experiment? I'd reupholster it myself with some nice thick fabric in a rich color (bright red, mustard, etc). It shouldn't be too hard. If you're not good at that sort of stuff, then perhaps try to reupholster the back cushions only and put a throw on the seat. Vinyl doesn't look or feel cozy! And maybe a bright rug under it...you can get some cheap ones at ikea.

I usually love the lines of armless sofas, but they're actually pretty uncomfortable to sit on...perhaps put it in a corner, so that there's one corner to lean into?

I agree with the comments about the sheepskin - it's a great daybed - you should definitely keep it!

Sell it. You're obviously not comfortable with its look or its feel, so why try to disguise it?

In it's current environs, it does seem to need some "warming" up. But I think that would be accomplished best by purchasing another sofa that has more of a cozy factor (which you would have to purchase if you sold this?).

I can see this piece working well facing a more traditional upholstered piece in the living area that is anchored by a large enough rug to pull the seating space together.

Or you could repurpose it as an "entry" bench and landing strip.

i had the exact same thing-- a vintage piece. except that it had an attached table that flipped over, elongating the bed. and there was storage space under the seat. quite ingenious and smart looking, but i wanted something cozier to lay on while i vegged watching TV. I sold it for $650 on craigslist.

I like it, but the vinyl surface is a definite problem.

In terms of accommodating guests, are you going to put sheets on it over the vinyl? I can't imagine a sleeping experience that would be more unpleasant -- except for camping (I hate camping!). I guess you could make it more comfortable for guests if you bought one of those thick down mattress pads.

I don't think a lot can be done to rehab vinyl furniture, because everything slips around on it and slides off eventually.


As a sewer, I doubt that it could be effectively slip covered. The problem is you're going to have the unyielding vinyl texture under the slip cover, unless of course you want to buy two down mattress covers and cut them down to size to be an underlayer for the slip cover.

Does the vinyl covering zip off? If it does, take it off, take it apart, and use it as a pattern for cutting out a new covering out of a nice strong fabric. The thing isn't so big or complicated that it would be that hard to do. I don't think it's really a question of money, because if you shop around enough, you can find the right fabric on sale.

It may be a question of time. If you don't think you'd ever get it done, I'd sell it and put the money towards something stylish with a fabric covering. Too bad. Visually, it's really nifty.

Pillow that co-ordinate with the colors in your home would be a nice touch on these benches. Just wondering where did you purchase the vinyl does it off-gas much and is it comfy?

I think it is perfectly bitchin' the way it is in the photo.

In fact, why not sand the frame and put a couple coats of oil on the frame to make it weather resistant? It would look gorgeous on a deck and the marine grade vinyl would certainly stand up to the elements.

Hell, if I lived close by, I would buy it from you and put it on my patio.

It appears that the white vinyl cushion covers zip off, so why not just make yourself a new set rather than fighting these? A nubby apple green tweed would look smart in your white white white room. And while you're about it, why not whip out some steel wool and tung oil and give the scuffed up legs and frame some lovin?

Thank you for all of your great ideas! The covers do zip off. I love the apple green tweed idea!
Thank you.

I would cover it with a really ornate fabric. I am thinking something vintage and elaborate, like some of the vintage wallpapers we've been seeing. Something reminiscent of a fabulous oriental rug with blue peacocks, or something art deco.

It is so spare, I would just skip cushions altogether.

I love it the way it looks right now, but I think the big sheepskins throws are a great idea.
For me, it also looks a litte bit lost when freestanding. I would try to bring it into your room and add a rug and a side table, mabe a Saarinen you top with candles and some teak nick nacks and a small flower vase,

I love your daybed, I am covering my own teak daybed as we speak...with a mushroom ultrasuede. love the way yours looks, but it would rock in chartreuse wool.

Or leave it as is and get 2 of these throws
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=426&f=3641
or orange???

I would include one of those round bolster pillows - just to throw a mix of sizes and shapes into the pillow mix.

I have an identical daybed for which I need to get cushions made. Could you tell me where you got your cushions?

re-cover....


the people who did it the last time may do it again cheaper if they still have the pattern (well... maybe they do)

Hello, I had the cushions made at a local upholstery store. Any upholstery shop would cary the bed cushion and the wedge cushions. they are fairly standard sizes.

I must also agree with the sheepskin idea-very much in keeping with the whole vibe of the room. And also it seems like the "stark" effect is emphasized by the white sofa against the off-white wall. A warm, rich wall color would go along way to making the entire room cozier-if landlords allow, of course!

It's easy to try covering it with throws, see how you like it before deciding. If slipping is a problem, try one of those nonslip rug pads underneath the throw. If you don't like it, take them all back. I really like the idea of having this facing a more traditional sofa, or using this as a bench. If the height is right, it would also be nice next to a long dining table. Or lower the table height to match the height of the daybed. There the fabric would be more helpful, but it could still be covered with something washable.

Well, the point is that it's supposed to be really spare. If you start covering it up with fringes and elaborate fabrics, it's neither fish nor fowl.

I think it would be better in an entry, or someplace where it could serve as occasional seating rather than being your main sofa.

I would love to see fuzzy sixties pillows -- the ones that look like poodles (but are fabric) in bright colors (I know Crate and Barrel had some - maybe West Elm? unless you're a sewer and can whip some up yourself) and a bright patterned geometric throw (also sixites' Pucci-ish). We had that sofa (actually 2 of them) back in the sixties at my parents' beach house. Very grooooovey!

Thats a really ugly daybed. I think you should sell it.....to me.

I know this post is from last fall...
but would the owner of this daybed please tell me where they purchased this Nelson-style daybed frame? i love it.