Slip Cover Solutions

Hi Christine -
I came across your blog while searching for some decorating ideas early this morning and I have spent aaallllll day (literally- the entire day) reading your blog and soaking up your ideas and suggestions!! We'll be moving soon and I was looking for some ideas. I have realized I desperately need a new couch in order to make any design work well, but it isn't in the budget right away. The love seat we have is a hand-me-down, comfy & greatly appreciated, but it isn't the right colors and such, so I was wondering what your thought are about slip covers. To make it more complicated - I think - the love seat is a dual recliner. Do they even make slip covers for recliner love seats? I keep picturing the awful slipcovers from years ago that don't fit and "slip" off the furniture the instant you sit down. Any suggestions would be great. Brands to look for? Brands to stay away from?
Thanks in advance.--
Beth

Dear Beth,

Upfront- I want to say that I am bit of a snob. It actually helps me with my work.....

Anyway- I have yet to see pre-made slip covers that I like. They are sloppy and have too many gathers- and rarely really fit well. The two examples above are some that I found. The recliner slip cover fits in the picture- but do you really think it would fit your recliner like that? I doubt it.

I do, however, love a nice slip cover look- but they are custom looks- like the rest of the photos in the post. If you are a good seamstress- you might be able to make them yourself...

If you cannot sew (and your mom can't sew)- And new furniture is not in the budget- I would sooner look at yard sales and on Craig's list and consignment stores for inexpensive replacements before I purchased pre-made slip covers. If you happen to have just the right size and shape- the pre-made look might work for you. For all of you who have pre-made slip covers in your home, don't go get all offended. Especially if you are my friends... :)

XOXO

Christine

Photos from Country Living

Just Put Some Fabric on It

Have you ever considered slip covering your coffee table? Or have you thought about adding a canopy to a bed that already had a headboard? What about the Costco size TP? Have you thought of slip covering it? Fabric adds so much to a room- softness, pattern, texture, color ambiance. Consider adding some more to your interiors. The table in the top photo- does it have a large scratch? is is painted blue? Is it in perfect beautiful shape ? I love this idea of slip covering the table. I love that it is not a long Victorian slipcover- but rather a simple chic stylish look that adds another dimension to the room with more color and pattern. Sometimes finding the right wall decor for over a bed can be a challenge- but instead of wall decor- add some fabric. The softness and romance it adds goes a lot further to finishing off the room. I like how it is "unexpected." You would expect to find two coordinating pieces of art, or perhaps a mirror above the headboard. A stagecoach style canopy? Unexpected.

So- tell me this- what is that little green slipcover hiding in the corner of the bathroom? I just have no idea. Perhaps it is a box filled with Dora bath toys. I don't know what it is- but I love the fabric. It adds some color, it adds some softness to a room with a lot of hard surfaces. It adds style in a way that Dora bath toys could never do. :) What do you think it is? Look around your home- what can you slipcover? I'd like to slipcover two large Costco boxes of tide in my laundry room...

Today's pictures are from Southern Accents July and August 2009.