New Furniture

Even while I was settling in to the new routine of zookeeper during the late summer, I managed to make several trips to Botanica Home in Columbia, Md. to choose pieces of new furniture and undertake the time-consuming, angst-ridden selection of fabrics.

I should mention that I had a great shopping experience at Botanica Home, with Anne and Mark helping me at every turn.  When I wasn't happy with the pattern on one of the sofa cushions that wasn't matched up very well, the cushion cover was reordered, with corrections, at no cost to me, and I was able to keep the original cover, as well.  All with nary a niggle.  Superior service, in my book.

And the shop, itself, is something to behold.  Even if you're not in the market for furniture, you'll find it difficult to leave empty-handed, such are the temptations!

So, back to the furniture . . .

I wrote here about my desire to change-up the scratchy, berry-colored, heavily-upholstered, huge furniture in one or two of the living spaces.

We (really, just Tony) said goodbye to the old stuff and donated it to the local church thrift store.  And we (really, just me) anxiously awaited delivery of the new stuff.  So, here's what I settled on.

I love these brown velvet, club-style, swivel chairs.  So comfy.  And smaller.  And more modern, with clean lines.

I replaced the loveseat with these.  The color is a dark gold (like Gulden's Mustard), with a delicate, light gold, geometric pattern and small, brick-colored dots.  Very understated.  The exposed wood is burnished with an antique gold finish.  Kind of up in the air about the low arms--necessitates crossing arms across chest, folding hands demurely in lap, or letting arms hang down next to sides like ape.

And the berry-colored behemoth was replaced with a smaller, more formal and luxurious sofa.  (Pay no attention to the clashing, very scanty Christmas decorations.  Probably should have gone with my desire not to decorate at all, but Mom enjoyed the little tree while she was here for three days.)

It's hard to capture the details of the fabric patterns and colors--chocolate brown, gold, ivory, oxblood, brick, ecru and even a tiny bit of sage green--all very textured and rich-looking.  Click on the picture to enlarge for a closer look.

Very fond, too, of the visual interest the exterior wood sofa frame provides, especially along the back.

Honestly didn't see myself choosing a floral-patterned fabric, but the colors are pleasantly muted and I like the less-formal floral design--more like wildflowers and vines, with some fantastic, leaf/flower hybrids of some sort.

(Wow.  The flash really alters the true colors seen in natural light.  Here the sofa looks almost white.  I can assure you that it isn't.)

Overall, Tony declared the pieces more formal than he expected (and probably desired, but he's too wise to say as much), while I view them as an eclectic assortment of stuff which works for me.  I think he just needs to get on board with it, already.  Just sayin'.

Early in the summer, I purchased two small chests.  I like them both a lot, and I think they informed, to some degree, the furniture styles and fabrics I ended up choosing.  

Here's one . . .

And the other.

Neither is what you'd call fine furniture, but I think they're interesting to look at and functional, providing some storage and organizational possibilities.

So, there it is.

And, as always happens with these redecorating/updating projects, it suddenly occurs to me how a couple of area rugs would enhance things . . .

Comments

[Margaret]

You are an amazing decorator!! You need to fly west and help me!!

[Pam Jones]

Everything is so beautiful! Congratulations. I love the little scoop in the back of the sofa. And the chests are wonderful, especially the last one -- dark with branches and birds. Good show!

[Karenth49]

The last chest could bring tears to one's eyes. Bravo!

[Sunita Chaudhar]

Wow this is so beautiful!!!!! Fabulous! You really did a super job with the End Tables! I use to buy online wooden sofa sets i really like to read this blog.

http://www.pepperfry.com/furniture-sofas-sofa-sets.html