I'm going to be the negative one here. My Dh and I bought the Ektorp sofa and matching chair when we first got married. We needed something inexpensive and stylish and thought the price was right. IKEA's delivery service was horrible. We took a day off from work the day the delivery was supposed to come and they never showed up. On Day 2, my FIL spent an entire day at our house and again, they didn't show up. On Day 3, my FIL was at our house again and at 5:00, when they still didn't show, we called up screaming. If we hadn't called they wouldn't have shown up. It left a bad taste in our mouth but at least we got our furniture. However, the chair was in our house with limited use for 1 month and the leg sank in. The sofa pilows were a crumpled mess. The slipcover was dragging on the floor, not sure if it just didn't fit or if the cushions sank. I wasn't expecting much but it wasn't even worth the little amount that I paid. The frame was like cardboard and the cushions were the cheapest foam imaginable. Slipcovers faded after washing. After 1.5 years, the sofa looked beat up and we had to get a new one. My advice is to invest in the Mitchell Gold, unless you're planning to switch out your sofa in 2 years. Its a good sofa for a kids playroom (which is where my sofa ended up while the chair went to the trash) because then you don't have to worry about it but I wouldn't recommend it for a living space. The price point isn't so appealing once you notice that its not even worth $100. I think that's why there are so many of them on CL. People buy them and then realize they need to get something better. Others may have had a better experience but I learned my lesson. If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't have spent my hard earned $$ on cheap junk. It's almost better to live with hand me downs until you can save $$ to purchase quality pieces that will last over 5 years. Just my $.02. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Firsthouse mp-My living room is such that the zippper won't really be a problem. My sectional is a little pricier because I am getting an additional armless chair to add to the sectional (one side will be a seat longer than polly's). I think her configuration is a couple hundred dollars less. And wait for Penney's sales! Right now (till Sunday they told me-today) it is 15% off and I'd ask about the additional 10% opening a Penney's card. The site is not showing the additional 15% off. Macy's has a very similar looking new sectional called "lucie". It is even less expensive, but at this time does not have extra slipcovers for purchase. I can't immagine they wouldn't down the road but I didn't want to take a chance. Thanks for the guide with color. I love edgecomb gray. This is the color I would have done with the natural colored slipcover, but unfortunately it doesn't look great held up to khaki-or maby it does and I'm being too matchy matchy. Although I know things can blend if the right colors are incorporated. I have a color called Camoflouge up and I didn't think I'd like it being that it has a green tone but it looks great with the hardwoods and the khaki. Hhhmm. I ordered it on Wed (was that the 16th?) and it is coming the following week on Thurs. So about one week. Thanks again for the suggestions!

First of all congratulations on the completion of your build. I agree with the PP, take your time. I completely remember the excitement and wanting to do everything right away. We moved into our custom built home 3 years ago. We are just now getting to the point where the key homes feel complete: family room, library, kitchen, dining, master suite. I haven't even touched the basement or secondary bedrooms yet. The few items I rushed to purchase in the first 6 months are the only ones that I regret. The idea of an interior designer is a good one. Most will give you an overall plan and you can purchase pieces over time. Here are my ideas: Do not touch the formal dining right now. Iwould focus on the family room. I'm not sure a sectional will work bc you have traffic coming into the family room for all sides. I would probably do a sofa facing the fireplace and chaise along the window wall. Do you really want a rug under you kitchen table? For your family room, start with the rug and then pull your colors from there. I think 9x12 would be a good size. Your home is quite traditional but it seems like you lean towards a transitional style. I second some of the vendors suggested so far: crate and barrel room and board west elm Mitchell Gold Lee industries Oly studio Ethan Allen Ballard design Also, look at vintage/antique pieces. Especially for case goods like end tables, sideboards. 20K is a good budget. Personally, I tend to mix high and low. If you have a few key splurge pieces, it will raise the whole room to higher level. Good luck and enjoy the process!

I agree, the table doesn't go with the cool tones in the living room, and also lacks any warmth or feeling of comfort that should be associated with a place where you share meals with family and friends. When you talk about wall plaques or matching art sets it gives me a very impersonal feeling, as though the objects in your home are chosen more for looks rather than because they're something you love. For your home to reflect you, items used for decoration should speak to you and give the room warmth and personality. It's not a show room, although it should be beautiful, which your space easily could be with what you've done so far. You might consider a floor lamp behind your couch which reaches over far enough so that you'll have enough light to read, use a laptop, etc. Are you planning on drapery panels in your living room or will you leave the windows bare? In that case, colorful pillows in warm tones will be needed. A room with only cool tones or only warm tones lacks depth and interest. You can also keep that in mind when you're choosing art for the living and dining areas.