don't know about the non-fabric issue...our LR has a sofa, matching love seat, and chair (not same pattern, but a solid color that we pulled from the pattern on the other 2 pieces).

The sofa and love seat are floral in jewel toned colors. The chair is a dark green.

We have a suede armchair and two side chairs to accompany our ultra suede loveseat. Our LR is fairly small and I chose not to have wing chairs because I was afraid they might look to bulky.

I'm not a matchy / matchy person but do like things to coordinate. I think your designer has a good point about having different types of seating.

{{!gwi}}

janine, are the two fabrics patterened or a pattern and a solid? I think she was trying to mix things up for interest.

I got the same advice from a designer and my husband isn't a leather fan either. I'm ok with it so I did one club chair in leather and the rest of the room, a sofa and 2 chairs, in fabric. If you totally didn't like leather though I don't see why it can't work just as well with another fabric. Maybe just bring in a different texture.

My living room has a sofa and love seat that match and two chairs that match, and all of them are fabric and in my humble opinion it looks rather nice. A glass coffee table introduces a different element, as does an round wood table between the two chairs. I've never heard of the rule your decorator talked about and have seen scads of living rooms in books and magazines that don't follow that room and look fabulous. In the final analysis, it's really much less about rules and more about what you love and want to live with.

Ingridyour drapes & rug coordinate beautifully--lovel room. I LOVE the sofa--what brand is it?
janinie--agree with Ingrid! look at her room!

ingrid, your room is so pretty and tastefully done

thanks everyone-unfortuantely cannot see photos on this computer so will have to wait till tonight.

The designer was saying 3 chairs in fabric, even if of different texture designs, was too much. I kind of disagree, but am very new to decorating, so thought maybe I should listen. Right now I am thinking sofa in stripe (pale yellow), chair in smaller stripes but multiple colors (greens, blues, yellows) and wing chair in red pattern with touch of yellow (non stripes). Sounds crazy but I think it might work, although need to figure out paint and drapery.

I don't think there is any rule that you have to use leather if you don't like it. I also opted not to use leather in my formal LR and think it would look out of place and just have a leather ottoman in my FR. When choosing fabrics you need to consider very carefully all of the textiles and patterns you plan to use. The most often used rule of thumb I've heard is to start with the rug and build a room around that. Whether you choose a sisal, oriental rug or none at all will have a huge impact since it takes more area than anything except the walls. I learned the hard way and did it the opposite and it became very challenging to find a rug to pull together all of my textiles. You need to also consider any WTs you may want. If you choose something like shutters or woven wood that will add another textured non-fabric element to your palate. Another consideration is using decorative pillows. I prefer sofas to be in more of a solid/neutral so that I can create different looks through the use of pillows and/or thows. That way you can work in some more expensive designer fabrics into your room without breaking the bank and since a sofa is a more significant, long term investment, you do not lock yourself into one decorating option. My sofa has a subtle herringbone pattern to it in a shade of creme. My sectional in my FR is a moss microshade.

{{!gwi}}

Valinsv - love, love, love your home. If you don't mind sharing, where did you get your sectional? It looks so comfy.

valinsv: great suggestions. Problem is i'm dealing with a blank slate (no rug or furniture, can paint walls any color). So it's overwhelming to think I should start with the rug, but i do see what you're saying.

I do have a question--do you think a pale yellow sofa is a safe investment? meaning can is it neutral enough to stand the test of time.

again, can't wait to see your photos once i'm on my home computer! it sounds lovely!