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Another question about matchy matchy fabric on sofa and chairs.

6 years ago

A comment on another thread makes mention of matchy matchy looking like it comes from a second tier big box store. My sofa and chairs DO come from a second tier big box store - can’t get bigger than IKEA! Lol! I have an Ektorp slipcovered sofa and two chairs. I have had matching floral slipcovers on them for 11 years, as it was just the easiest thing when I needed something and wasn’t living here full time. They need replacing as they are now faded. I like the furniture, and I actually love this floral in my space. I found the same pattern in a more saturated color run. But now I’m facing the matchy matchy question. I haven’t found a good choice for a chair cover that goes well with this floral, and I kind of feel like in my small space, the continuity of using a single fabric makes the room look bigger. And if I do try to change it up, do I change both chairs, or keep the chair next to the sofa the same and just change the chair that is across the room? At Christmas that chair moves next to the sofa as well to make room for the Christmas tree in the corner. Can I just do the easy thing and keep it as it is, all matchy matchy? Or take the opportunity to change it up? My condo is full of color, there is nothing neutral here. The old carpet will go after my kitchen renovation is done.

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Anglophilia

6 years ago

Some rooms look best if the furniture is treated as one would with summer slip covers. They are always all in the same fabric.

In my own library, I finally realized that this was I needed to do. And I think it works very well in your lovely room. I love your fabric and your yellow walls! This is NOT a matchy-matchy room.

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Comments (29)

Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
These are the fabric samples, which show that there is blue in the pattern as well. I was thinking to do a blue chair, but I don’t find anything in a blue that would work.
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katinparadise
6 years ago
Would you consider doing the white cover for the sofa and the floral on the two chairs? That would break it up some. Then you can coordinate other colors in the print for pillows. I love both stripes and checks with florals.
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Olychick
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I would do a solid on your sofa and the chairs in the floral. The blue looks as if it could be a little too light and I can't tell if the gold plaid would clash with your walls or not:

This site has covers that fit Ikea in a better color blue if you'd want to go that direction, or they have many other color choices, too.

They also have chair covers if you want to keep the floral on the sofa instead:

https://bemz.com/articles/models/sofa-covers/EKT1-NP/?fabric=DG2170
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chispa
6 years ago
A narrow striped pattern (with the right colors) would also work with the floral.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
I’m not visually offended by your understated floral fabric and think it looks ok on all 3 pieces. You have solid pillows that break the fabric continuity. Also I adore your yellow wall paint and hope you’re not planning on changing it.

The advice to do solid sofa or different from chairs is good. I just don’t think is bad at all to have that soft floral, in this particular case.
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years ago
Such a pretty room : ) .

I'm with bossyvossy, and yet I'm one of those people who thinks that a matching set of living room or bedroom furniture looks awful.

But I think because at least in part I'm genetically predisposed to like the English country look lol, especially color and prints, to me this looks more cozy and inviting than matchy-matchy.

That said, I think Ikea's yellow check or light blue slipcovers would work on the chairs if you want something less matching.
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chispa
6 years ago
I think that statement about not having all pieces matching is given more to those that are considering those large brown leather sofas and large brown matching chairs. Those pieces tend to be oversized and the brown just dominates and takes over a space.

I don't see that happening with your space, furniture size or pattern. I do think that a different fabric on the chairs could add a bit more interest to the overall design, but just sticking to the floral would be fine too.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks it’s okay. I’m happy with okay. This furniture gets used every day, so the solid white is out, I don’t want to wash it that often. The gold check I looked at but it is the wrong color with my walls. I have some samples from Bemz, but they are more expensive and I won’t have anything I can’t throw in the washer. I might look at their blues again, I was looking at grey before for some reason. I tried a stripe once, and thought it looked like pajama material. We have a wonderful garden (not my work) out back, and I feel like the floral brings in the garden and the yellow walls are my sunshine. This floral will complement my kitchen I think, which will be this Willow green. Thanks again, I feel better!
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beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years ago
I have to say I'm impressed to hear that the Ektorp seating has held up to everyday use for 11 years : ) .

Please show us the kitchen once it's finished!
Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
And then again, there’s the beauty of slipcovers. I can have more than one choice and mix it up!
Molly
6 years ago
What about a buffalo plaid on either the couch or chairs? I guess I’m in the not matching camp since none of my fabrics are the same.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
I haven’t found a stripe or plaid that would work yet, but these are the two blues. I think sticking with the floral is better.
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katinparadise
6 years ago
What about the green in the above fabric? Or having it custom made? I paid $250 for my fitted slipcover and I supplied the fabric. It certainly would open up a world of choices for you.
Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
I thought about green, though I would have to find a local source for custom made to get the right green. I’ll have two green rooms, with the kitchen, and some green carpet, so feel like that’s enough green. I considered the blue because I have a lot of blue and white in my china cabinet and in art work.
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lisaam
6 years ago
I'd use blue on the couch and then get creative with pillows. The slightly faded look currently is easier on the eye than 3 pieces in a brighter print. At first I thought this was a sun porch, so I gave the matched set a pass, but with the dining room adjoining I'd break up the triplets.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Funny you say that about summer slip covers. This was where we came for the summer when we were still living overseas, so for me it totally felt like my summer cottage in the garden!
Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Similar question. I will probably just get the matching slipcovers, and can later mix it up with alternate slipcovers if I want. But I am also planning on getting my dining chairs redone. They were redone when we lived in Brazil, and while labor was cheap, so was the work. There is no support under the cushions so it’s like sitting in a wood framed hole. Very uncomfortable after a while. They are currently cream. Should I keep them a solid color, cream or other color? Or should I put a check or strip here that compliments the slipcovers? I don’t want it to look too busy. My first reaction would be to keep it plain.
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beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years ago
I think a stripe could be nice. And depending on the stripe, it could read like a solid from farther away.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Like a tone on tone?
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beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years ago
Tone on tone or similar color values, or very thin stripes.

Fabricut has some nice stripes. Here's some of the red selection,

https://www.fabric.com/home-decor-fabric-upholstery-fabric.aspx?brands-and-designers=fabricut&colorfamily=red&fabric-pattern=stripes

including these,

https://www.fabric.com/buy/0499692/fabricut-kibou-poppy

https://www.fabric.com/buy/0543734/fabricut-rathlin-ruby

But I think you can easily have an obviously striped fabric and it would look fabulous.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks @beckysharp, just seeing this now for some reason. I think this would be a great place to bring in a stripe.
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justcallmepool
6 years ago
I love it!

About 20 years ago I had a yellow and pink floral couch and love seat and man, I loved that thing. I have not liked a piece of furniture as much as that since. Now I have a brown leather couch I hate. That's what marriage can do to your decor people! haha

In all fairness, I also have not seen anything like it in the years since. Everything in stores is solid neutral colors. blah.

I also am impressed about the IKEA couch. I've been contemplating getting one for my family room. Curious about your new slipcovers. Are you having those custom made somewhere local? What would be the issue having green slipcovers made for the chairs? I actually don't think that would be too much green in the house. I think it could help tie all the rooms together.
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justcallmepool
6 years ago
I also meant to say that I love your coffee table. :)

and now I see that your new floral fabric is an actual IKEA store choice.
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The floral used to be an IKEA choice, but they haven’t had it in a few years. I found the same pattern from a business that sells through ebay. (From China). I haven’t found a pattern and color I like better!
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justcallmepool
6 years ago
I thought your new floral is from IKEA. Isn't this it or no?

IKEA floral Videslund Multi
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justcallmepool
6 years ago
I guess it's not. but it's close!
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Janet
Original Author
6 years ago
Not close enough! They do have a new one coming out that is similar, but on a black or navy background.
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justcallmepool
6 years ago
haha I hear you. :)
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