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June 7, 2016 By Shirley

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em . . . Join ‘Em

If you can’t beat ’em . . . join ’em.

If you can’t fight it, go with it.

That has been my motto of late with the sofa.

A sofa that has been in my home from the first day we moved in 11 years ago.

Would I love to have a new sofa to change the color?

The answer is yes. However, it really is so very comfortable and in great shape.

But there is another However.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

That “however” is that we talk about downsizing.

I love the configuration of the sofa with the custom sofa table and ottomans.

But, would it fit in our downsized home in the future?

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

Do I wait to see that in my future downsized home if this sofa will fit?

Yes, that seems to be the decision.

I recently got an estimate on recovering it and it is quite an investment.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

When I was choosing the fabric for the sofa more than 11 years ago,

I originally wanted a white sofa, with fabric similar to the sofa I had in my previous home,

which currently resides in my sister’s formal living room.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

My hubby quickly reminded me that there soon will be a grandchild and granddoggies

visiting often and color and durability needs to come into play.

Oh the practical decision won out to the pretty one.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

So rather than work with colors to deter from the color of the sofa . . .

I am “going with it” . . . embracing it.

I spotted these pretty white and gold pillows while at Pottery Barn this past weekend

spending my Mother’s Day gift card from my son.

With 3 of the pillows that I already had on hand and adding the two new pillows,

I feel I achieved a great new look.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

As I placed the pillows on the sofa, I realized that these were the exact colors

that I had in my room as a teenager . . . navy and gold. Navy blue walls,

gold drapes and gold bedding. It brought back memories with a smile.

Summer decorating is in full swing around here.

Great Room - Housepitality Designs

And speaking of full swing …. this is another mode of full swing in our household!

Hubby taking batting practice before a game. Lots of ballfields will be seen this summer.

Oh the Boys of Summer.

Tom at Batting Practice - Housepitality Designs

So what are your summer plans looking like? Vacation or Staycation?

Mine definitely have a theme song involved . . . “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”  

Have a fabulous day!!!

I am joining:

Peeking Thru the Sunflowers for Share Your Style

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Blue and White, Gold and Blue, Great Room, Pillows. Sofa, Pottery Barn, Yellow and Blue 33 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam Richardson says

    June 7, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Shirley, I love your sofa and the pillows make it sing! It seems I am always wrestling with decisions that play into the future. Your home is always perfect. Your husband must enjoy playing ball, and I think that is so much fun! Have a lovely Tuesday!

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    June 7, 2016 at 7:17 am

    I love the new pillows. That is always the easy way to get a new temporary look. Yes, it is quite costly to have a sofa upholstered. That is why I chose to buy new instead.

    Reply
  3. Gail says

    June 7, 2016 at 8:20 am

    Sofa looks beautiful, very country French and inviting! The pillows are a perfect accent! You have such an eye for color and design! We downsized a year ago. It was a big adjustment, but with less to clean and less yard work to do, we are quite happy.

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    June 7, 2016 at 8:25 am

    I like the couch color ! Your house is very pretty. Enjoy the new grandchild that is coming and grand doggies. Nothing like them ! Have a great day !

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      June 7, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Thanks Linda….I was referencing the grand baby that was coming 11 years ago…:) thus the practical sofa fabric and color….Have a great day!

      Reply
  5. Denise says

    June 7, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Your home always looks fabulous! Love the new pillows! I really love upholstered sofas, but we have two huge dogs (German Shepard and a Lab)and we finally broke down and invested in a leather sofa/loveseat combo. It has been very nice not to worry about dog hair in the den. The living room has the upholstered sofa and they’re supposed to not go in there. Right. I find evidence they sneak in there when I’m not around. Guess I’ll still need the baby gate…LOL!

    Reply
  6. Linda says

    June 7, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Unsolicited advice…wait until you take the downsize plunge to invest in a new sofa. I really like the change to the gold and navy. Isn’t it amazing what a few pillows can do?

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      June 7, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Yes…that is what we will do…thanks Linda….downsizing still may be a couple of years down the road.

      Reply
  7. Debbie manno says

    June 7, 2016 at 9:18 am

    It really is a pretty sofa regardless. It does look comfy too! Choosing just the right sofa is always a dilemma. I have to work around two rough boys and a lazy sofa dog. They always wear down within a few years.

    Reply
  8. Penny at The Comforts of Home says

    June 7, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Those pillows make the sofa look totally new! I love your curved style sofa.

    Reply
  9. Donnamae says

    June 7, 2016 at 9:22 am

    With those pics…you gave us a new angle in which to view your lovely home! Your sofa looks great as is…the pillows were a great choice. Have fun at the ball fields…you must be feeling better! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  10. Jenna says

    June 7, 2016 at 9:25 am

    Pillows are always a great way to decorate, I think it looks fabulous Shirley! Every time you show your sofa and that sofa table I admire it. I love the way the table and sofa curve inward, so cozy. The gold and blue is a wonderful warm combo for summer, especially with your new blue and white lamps and ceramic pot. It looks lovely-

    Reply
  11. Becky in 'Bama says

    June 7, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Those pillows are quite perfect, as you and the rest of us can see. Lots of ‘older things’ look good with a little new jewelry (including those of us over age..~ahem~.. ๐Ÿ™‚

    I see one of your commenters talking about down-sizing, which my husband and I did a year ago this month. It was a bit painful to let go of some of my stuff, but I did get to keep my favorites (and added a little new stuff).

    Your husband looks quite fit in his uniform, and I enjoy seeing the boys of summer on the field. Have a great week.

    Reply
  12. Des says

    June 7, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I love your new pillows, they look great with your sofa!!!!
    Have fun at the ballgame…..
    ~Des

    Reply
  13. Sherry myers says

    June 7, 2016 at 10:54 am

    I personally think your sofa, new pillows, and the entire room is beautiful. With all the white, creams, and beiges (which are pretty) in blog land, your colors are quite refreshing. I have always loved gold/yellow and blue. An upscale restaurant in our town remodeled a couple of years ago. The colors chosen in the update were butter gold and sapphire blue. The first time I saw it, I could hardly eat for feasting on the eye candy of such well coordinated colors. I love the beauty of your room/home. Thank you for sharing your new finds with us. Your posts are always delightful and add such beauty to my day! BTW, don’t eat too many peanuts and crackerjacks this summer! ?

    Reply
  14. Pinky at designs by pinky says

    June 7, 2016 at 11:30 am

    I love your sofa and the new pillows are SO pretty on there! I am SO fortunate in thst we bought our sofa for the last house to fit that room. Now it works perfectly here too! However, it is over 30 years old and I am tired of it for sure. I would love to get another one but can’t find the same shaped one. Your home is ALWAYS just beautiful no matter what you do. When you downsize, will you stay in the same area? Just curious. Have a beautiful day. Now, “play ball”!!!!!

    Reply
  15. Teresa says

    June 7, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Shirley,
    Your new pillows coordinate beautiful with your sofa. I love how the blue leopard pillow pairs with the gold pillows. Its funny how new pillows can bring new life into a older sofa. However, your sofa has a timeless style to it and I love the gentle curve of it.

    Yes, reupholstering can be almost as much as buying new. I think waiting until you make the big downsizing move is the practical thing to do. Friends of my Moms just downsized into a condo and had to sell most of their furniture and buy more scaled down pieces to fit into their smaller spaces.

    Have a great summer!

    Reply
  16. Betty brown says

    June 7, 2016 at 11:42 am

    One way to look at it by keeping this sofa your home is ready to show when you get ready to downsize and sell this home.Love the new pillows with the blue.

    Reply
  17. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says

    June 7, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Shirley I loved that sofa and glad you decided to keep it. Comfy can never be replaced. Maybe you could do a white slipcover for this piece. I have the girls name I used. She does wonderful work and is so reasonable. She has lots of fabrics to chose from too. I chose a white heavy ounce denim in white. It is so softy and washes beautifully. That is the plus with slipcovers you can wash them. I have the grandchild and dogs that get on my white sofa and it is so great to be able to wash it. Ahhhh to see Tom back in action on the ball field. Enjoy.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    Reply
  18. Joann says

    June 7, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    I am so happy that you are keeping the sofa! I love the curved style and it looks so great with the custom sofa table! Downsizing could take awhile and you never know what kind of sofa your new home may require. Meanwhile, it all looks beautiful!

    Reply
  19. Nancy cox says

    June 7, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    I love white sofas but I don’t understand why most people want a white sofa. I am definitely with you on the practicality of having some color. Your sofa is beautiful. Stick with it girl.

    Reply
  20. Mary Alice Patterson says

    June 7, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    You’re so wise to wait a bit before taking the plunge of a new sofa. Your present sofa looks perfect and lovely in your living room, but I understand wanting a change. Your home will always be beautiful, Shirley!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  21. Liz @ Infuse With Liz says

    June 7, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Going with the flow sounds like the best idea! I had a sofa priced out once to recover and I realized I could buy a new one for that kind of money so I would definitely wait. The pillows work perfect- great choice!

    Reply
  22. Rhonda says

    June 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Your sofa sure looks good in the photos, beautiful! And I am loving those pretty pillows! Have fun at the ballfield! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Rhonda

    Reply
  23. Cecilia says

    June 8, 2016 at 8:40 am

    Pretty pillows, Shirley! Gold and navy is such a beautiful combination too. I think you’re wise to wait and keep what you have. If it fits in the downsized house, then spend the money to recover! As for our summer, we are traveling to Boston and area and working on projects as always. Love summertime and the more relaxed feel. Have fun at your hubby’s games. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  24. eILILS@MYHEARTLIVESHERE says

    June 8, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Your new pillows are great with your blue ones and your wall color. I think it is smart to wait until you move to get a new sofa (if need be).

    Reply
  25. Pat @ Life At Lydias House says

    June 8, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    I love that beautiful sofa with the unique shape and the pillows just finish it off for a great look! I think you made the right decision!

    Reply
  26. Mary says

    June 11, 2016 at 6:16 am

    Pretty pillows Shirley, they add a cheery punch of color and pattern! We had some furniture reupholstered about 10 years ago and I was in sticker shock! Enjoy your ballpark time ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  27. Lorb says

    June 12, 2016 at 10:32 am

    I do love the sofa and adding colorful cushions adds a nice touch… I usually change the cushions to change the color…

    Reply
  28. cindy says

    June 13, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    Love the new pillows, Shirley…especially the leopard one:D I have a thing for that pattern- and so did Audrey! LOL! Isn’t that funny? The pillows look fabulous with the couch:)

    Reply
  29. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    Your sofa looks beautiful and I love the colors in there! Great pillows!
    Shelley

    Reply
  30. Debrashoppeno5 says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    I love the new pillows. I love how changing out pillows can update a space. It is a nice low cost, easy way for a new look.

    Reply
  31. Cheryl says

    June 14, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    I love your sofa!! Instead of getting a new one if you move, I would take it with you and recover it or slipcover it to make it look like a new one!. I love the color the way it is though and love the pillows.

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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