Beach house + Leather Sofa...Good Idea?

12 years ago

I have moved into our beach house permanently and redecorating to make it a proper house.

Looking for living room sofa and considering leather. I now have a white slipcovered sofa that is constantly dirty, so hard to wash, I hate it.

I thought leather could work, was looking for a sand color but those aren't as durable as a harder leather, are they? And I want a modern look.

Biggest problem is people coming in from the beach with lotions on them and getting on sofas. How would leather stand up to this, and which kind of leather is best?

I've tried getting on Duane's forum but my login is never accepted. I want a very deep, modern sofa and most of H&Ms look traditional.

House is in northern california, Santa Cruz.

Hollie

Featured Answer

anyah

12 years ago

We have rules - but no one pays attention - and I have given up. I live in a house of men and I have learned to adapt.

I bought a cheap Dacor hard leather set from BJ's Wholesale for $1000 in 2005 for my beach house. We had just purchased the house and I couldn't afford more at the time. Considering I got a sofa, loveseat, and chair I figured it would not last too long but would give me time to save some money. It in no way matches the comfort or style of my 2 bradington young soft leather sofas at home (which 3 friends also bought after sitting on).

BUT - IT HAS ENDURED BEAUTIFULLY. Hard use? You bet. I never fussed over the stuff, my kids and friends sit sandy, wet and lotioned. I have 3 boys who are HARD on furniture and who love to bring their friends to the beach house (last weekend we had 19 boys there so both the sofa and love seat were slept on). Any way - it works. My sister's newer white slip covered sofa is trashed. When this set goes (and I think the frames will go before the leather) I will get BY but I don't know about the soft leather.

I would suggest you find the leather sofa you love - get some swatchs from the manufacturer, and rub them with water, sand and lotion to see how they hold up. Bradington Young sent me samples when I was shopping. Good Luck!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Dovetales
12 years ago
I lived in a beach house in New England for 14 years and even rented it out in the summers for 9 of those years and I had a leather sofa. I loved it and never had a problem. It was easy to keep clean and several wet bathing suits sat on it at various times but it always seemed to dry without any problem. Though mine was a chestnut colored sofa, the type that, as it ages, it takes on a nice vintage look. In fact, 14 years later, the only thing to finally ruin the sofa was the dog!
hollie_z9
Original Author
12 years ago
Dovetails, was your sofa the "hard" leather kind as opposed to a soft to the touch leather?

colinsmith...I've just had it with washing that slipcover and can't wrangle it back on anymore. I also have slipcovers in another room that are so tight they can't be taken off for washing (Pottery Barn).

When I've had slipcovers made they cost me as much as a new sofa would cost.

Hollie
Related Discussions
Beachy style + leather sofa = Doable?
Q
Comments (28)
We have a beach house in New England, so I'm guessing we'd have different decor styles, but my two cents -- we had a big brown leather chair that DH insisted on relocating from our full-time house to our beach house, and it just bugged me for so long... it just didn't feel right. Finally when we remodeled the house, we got rid of the chair. As an alternative to leather, you might check out Ultrasuede. We have an ultrasuede sectional from American Leather, and so far it's been indestructible! It was expensive, but after about 5 years it still looks practically brand new. And the color is a fairly light gray -- I was nervous to get such a light color, but it has been great. We also have a Bayside slipcovered sofa from Crate and Barrel, which is the most comfortable sofa I have ever owned! The slipcover has held up well -- I have washed the seat cushions just once because the dogs kept sneaking up there. It, too, is a light color (blue and white print) but it still looks pretty good. Here's our gray sectional and our Bayside sofa
...See More
Is coral decor only appropriate for beach homes/coastal regions?
Q
Comments (18)
Able to check this for the first time today...yes, lamps are shaped like actual coral. Not just coral colored. They are red in color, and the overall lamp height is fairly tall. They would have some presence, that's for sure. marg/birdlover/ttodd- Yes, definitely like the coral stuff and have for awhile. If they weren't so pricey, I would buy them in a heartbeat and just store them if I got sick of them. julie- thanks for your honest opinion:) rmkitchen- I know it sounds somewhat wacky with the printed chairs and all that jazz. I like your theory, maybe it is my conscience trying to tell me they would look funky with my other decor, LOL. I will try and post pics of my bedroom. Once I dust and pick up (kid's toys, clothes, extra pillows, extra blanket, suitcase that is still sitting there unpacked from our last trip, etc.) finz2left- I love that you grew tropicals! I have always wanted a potted lemon or lime tree to keep in the house. I think you just gave me the courage to finally do it:) celticmoon- Yes, coral with white and blues definitely seems beachy. My bedding has oatmeal, red, and lots of blue. Not exactly a beachy pattern, but I do have blue curtains. You are right though- lots of black to ground it. It would probably be more of an issue if I had white painted furniture or rattan, LOL. auntjen- thanks for the words of encouragement. And yes, you are correct. lamps are coral shaped and bright red. And on another note: those darn opossum just love cat food! We used to see them all the time on the back deck, munching away.
...See More
How to build a pool on a windy sandy beach?
Q
Comments (12)
Covers In Play, or an automatic/retractable would seem to be the only reliable/practical options. Or skip it. Blowing sand isn't beach lounging or poolside friendly to my mind unless IN the water. I'd want shelter from it, or I'd be toughing it out in the ocean. I'd also want a salt water pool, much kinder to skin and loaaded with good old "Mortons" and a filter running 24/7. Fabulous. At 1000 bucks a night, I expect a housekeeper, and pool boy to take care of ANY maintenance issue, or jack it to 1500 per nite if need be. Unless YOU want the calls.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBR4dP6OcE4
...See More
I need help with white leather sofa and love seat for living room
Q
Comments (8)
I think you have some very pretty spaces here and have already done a more than respectable job with the decor. For the living room in particular, it only needs tweaks, such as raise up the art higher (and pull that sofa a bit from the wall, so that no one feels nervous about hitting their head on the art); take everything off the media unit that has height and make the decorations low bowls or trays. Plants look wonderful in that room, so bring in as many as you can handle. Are you completely averse to a light toned shag-type rug for your living space? if that doesn’t work for you, a sisal is fine. That rocking chair in the corner of the dining room isn’t going to get used, so I’d replace it with a plant. In the other corner, instead of sticks, get a free standing or wall mounted wine rack. For the dining chairs, I would go for ones in colourful or transparent plastic (these come in different colors) or if you prefer the comfort of upholstered go for bright colors, florals or graphics, or solids. Coral, aqua, — whatever you like. You could have a livelier linear light fixture, either something curvy or feathery or with shine. What you have is fine with your chairs, but after you switch out the chairs, maybe you’ll want a new fixture. I love your glam Monroe headshots in the kitchen. A more fun and flashy kitchen clock would be nice, as would pop-style utensil holders, fruit bows, dishtowels, fab dishwashing gloves and a great cooking apron or 2 I would make bar stools the last purchase. My problem with macrame is that it collects dust. If you like fabric arts (and they can be inexpensive and easy to hang) look at batik wall hangings and Japanese noren curtains — that kind of folk art, which can have bright colors or subtle designs.
...See More
coastal_modern_love
12 years ago
There is a current thread on the Home Decorating forum here that is being posted to about this same topic. The link is below and will give you some people's thoughts there!

Here is a link that might be useful: topic on beachy style and leather sofa
novanaka_yahoo_com
12 years ago
I live right on the beach.Considering getting a leather sofa,but there is so much salt and humidity in my house that destroys everything. I wonder if leather is a good idea?
help!
PRO
iCustomSofa
12 years ago
When you live close to the beach, everything that can rust will rust and every material that absorbs moisture will mold.

So, purchase your upholstery accordingly, no springs, elastic webbing only, any exposed nails or staples will rust, use foam cores design for quick dry, usually referred to as dry-fast foams, leather is usually unaffected by the salt or moisture, except leather doesnt breath well so moisture will build up in the furniture more so than fabric.
dianne47
12 years ago
Wow, since when is it OK to flop down on furniture in a wet swimsuit - beach locale, leather, or not? As long as there are reasonable "rules" for sitting down on the sofa, why not get leather?
KVictory
12 years ago
DO NOT BUY LazyBoy furniture.
I thought I was buying a quality brand.
I paid twice as much for the LazyBoy
Furniture than anything in Raymour
Flanigans or JC Penney, Macys etc..
They promised me quality and service.
They lied. Since the day I received the
Furniture almost a $3000 purchase,
I have had problems. I have made numerous
Phone calls and emails and I donÃ¯Â¿Â½t even get a
Call back. This company does not stand
Behind their products even within the first
Minute it arrives. They completely ignore
You. I would have never dreamed a company
Like this would have such a bad attitude.
PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING. I WISH SOMEONE
WARNED ME. SHAME ON LAZYBOY.
BradleyS
12 years ago
There are leather sofas that are easy to clean like those made in domestic leathers, which boast a unique protective finish that can repel any type of spills.
mamades
12 years ago
Similar subject with house near beach but thinking of Denim vs. microfiber- just because Denim looks more casual , etc. Whicjh do you think with sand and in my house- snacks vs. wet suits. Thanx

Beach house + Leather Sofa...Good Idea?

anyah

Comments (10)

Dovetales

hollie_z9
Original Author

Related Discussions

coastal_modern_love

novanaka_yahoo_com

iCustomSofa

dianne47

KVictory

BradleyS

mamades

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Beach house + Leather Sofa...Good Idea?

Comments (10)

hollie_z9Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

hollie_z9
Original Author