An interior designer named Marie Kinnaman once said: “A well-worn sofa is wonderful. It means that people have been having a good time.” Well, maybe so, but when company is coming you don’t want your living room sofa to look like something the Salvation Army forgot to pick up the last time their trucks paid a visit to your neighborhood. Learn the art of gift-wrap and camouflage. Those that make the jungle their home have known of this art form for centuries even though they don’t sit on sofas. You would think they would have had the courtesy to pass some of their secrets on, but that’s life (in the jungle) isn’t it?
So listen up and prepare for an extreme makeover of, I think, the fourth kind.
We may need botox and other things to maintain our youth, but sofas need slipcovers. Although they used to be kind of cheesy, today ready-made slipcovers can be very chic and reasonably priced as well. Many of the styles render a looser fit, which gives the room a relaxed look. You can find them in linen shops, department stores and in all those home-furnishing catalogues that find their way to your mailbox even though you don’t usually order from them. Now is the time. Fool them. Keep them on their toes.
If you don’t want to go that route, consider a pretty quilt, shawl or piece of fabric to adorn a shoddy or threadbare couch. You can also go glamorous with animal prints or any other design that strikes your fancy. A neutral-colored throw will work well too, as guests don’t even notice as they spill drinks, step on toes and chew the fat around your living room.
Go more dramatic if you are so inclined, and consider throwing an attractive rug over the couch. (Do not utilize guests for this purpose. They may not like it.) Supposedly, Sigmund Freud draped his famous couch with oriental rugs. Add a few pillows and if the cushions are lacking oomph, beef them up with new foam or feathers. One can buy low priced pillows and transplant the feathers, but beware. Feathers have a way of making their presence more known than appreciated, and you would best do the resuscitation in a small bathroom or other enclosed space.
Whatever you do, happy sofa to all and to all a good…whatever.