Help! Multi-Personality Decorator

[Zuzu's Garden]

I have a multi-personality when it comes to decorating. :o One minute I am in love with the serene, minimalist look of Nordic-country-white, and then in a blink of an eye, I'm loving color, vintage accessories, and more color! Yesterday, I stumbled onto Chez Fifi (http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/), and can't seem to see/read her blog fast enough.

At some point, I'll figure this out. I'm going for neutral colors with painted accents in bird's egg blue and soft cottagey green. I think this pallet will work with changing accents & colors, from spring pastels, to summer reds, to fall oranges, to winter whites.

I still haven't figured out how to make this all work out with Hubby's beloved brown leather couch sitting smack in the middle of it all. I've never seen pics of leather furniture in a cottage home. But, maybe that's OK. Quirky and unconventional is allowed.

How would you work this couch into a mostly white decor? He wouldn't like slipcovers. So, could I add brown accents in all the rooms? :confused: Anyone have any pictures of a cottage home with leather furniture?

Help!
Zu

[annielinz]

I have your same multi-personality:D

Right now I'm wanting all cream and tan with black accents for the clean look.

Heres a pic of one of my fav rooms. It has the brown leather chairs with the blueish walls using the brown and cream toile-like fabric. I think by adding softness to the couch with cottage fabric thru toss pillows you can tone down the leather beast.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Another support group starting here. ;)

Yes!!! Wasn't that CL's Heather Chadduck's 1st home? Very nice!

I thought about toss pillows, but our couch is a love seat and Hubby would instantly toss the pillows across the room to get them out of the way. :rolleyes: So, I don't think I can do much with the couch, but perhaps bring the same rusty-brown color into other parts of the house. Whatcha all think?

I found this pic this a.m. Pretty neutral tones, but you could also bump things up a notch with small touches of color...

http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/.a/6a00e0098cf3a1883301156e93d895970c-pi

Any more ideas? Anyone else want to join Annielinz's and my support group?

Zu

[CohenCottage]

I think if you can add some earthy type things to your decor (natural blinds, burlap, jute rugs, browns and neutrals in with your lighter/brighter patterns) it will help the couch feel more like it fits with everything else. Love Heather Chadduck's living room!! That seems like a great blend between vintage and airy and manly...

[vintage girl]

I have leather furniture, but it is light colored (cream), so that softens the look. Personally I love leather over any other material. It is cool in summer and warm in winter and very durable. You can soften it by draping a throw over the back or the arm of the sofa, and than bringing that throw color into the rest of the room with your other furnishings and accessories. Leather is timeless and blends well with both cottage and rustic accessories. It also pairs well with florals and toiles, and gives you a sophisticated eclectic look. I use large throw rugs that are braided or country florals and have natural woven pull down shades and than quilted valences on the windows. Here are some images of warm and comfortable living rooms with leather:

http://imageseu.holiday-rentals.co.uk/vd2/files/HR/400x300/9b/1005046/409948_9.jpg


http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/25/7a/d7/living-room-of-cottage.jpg

http://www.cottagerentalscultuslake.com/myfolder/images/19850a.jpg

http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/H9/livingroom15-de.gif



I vetoed leather for years and insisted on fabric furniture in neutrals or florals. Finally let hubs talk me into it and I will never go back:)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Thank you, ladies. We've had the leather set for years. When we moved to the Tiny House, we gave the sofa to my brother and his wife and kept the love seat. The set worked great with the Old World look I had going on at my last house, but now I want a lighter, more relaxed cottage look.

I will write an inspiration list, starting with CC's brown and neutral ideas:
natural blinds,
burlap,
jute rugs

More ideas:
painted iron w/ rust showing through
natural baskets

Can you think of more ideas?

EDITED: lots of boxes of chocolate wink-wink
Zu

[RoseMary]

I can be very wishy-washy on my decor ideas, too. I think the problem is that I like too many 'looks' and my small house really needs only one. But, since I live here, it will just have to go along with however many styles I decide to mix:p.

Zu, I agree that chocolate would work~with any decor` style:D!

[Gigi]

Zu- I'm thinking about birds- nest-eggs. I'm in love with a white lamp from JCPenny that is all white with a little bird at the top....

[CohenCottage]

These could be cool with the brown couch! http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-7797613204185856823&id=960026&parentid=NEW_HOME_LIV_FURNITURE&pushId=NEW_HOME_LIV_FURNITURE&prepushId=NEW_HOME_LIV_FURNITURE&popId=NEW_HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=32&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=014&colorName=NEUTRAL

If you need a good robins egg blue paint, 'palladian blue' by benjamin moore is the best. Not too baby-boy-blue.

[yarborough house]

Zu - I echo the blinds and burlap..that will bring in lots of brown texture.
Maybe a sisal rug with a brown band around the outside would help tie in the brown loveseat.
And if you need the PERFECT robins egg blue go to Tracey's blog and she has her specially tinted to her specifications of robins egg blue. I got some last week done at the home depot.

You do a lot with nests so put some of those around to carry the brown texture..in the fall you could always put brown pinecones around with some that are painted cream with a bit of glitter on them to soften it all.

I have two leather couches in our family room and it has the red walls- I hate it and have told hubby the walls are going neutral..but you really can't beat leather on endurance. Especially with kids :) (and that includeds husbands- the biggest kids of the bunch)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Wow! Great ideas!

RoseMary - you just described my current look. Wishy-washy! :p If I'm smart (ha-haaa), I'll stick with my original plan to go light. I hope to paint the black baker's rack cream in the next few days and then get going with finishing up the kitchen. Next, I'll try painting accents in pastel colors - the open shelving in the kitchen, coat rack, ornate mirror, small stool, mirror in bathroom, and so on.

Gigi - I love the bird items too! I've been collecting bird decor without thinking about it. The birdbath table, the two little iron birds, the grass nest w/ blue eggs I made a month or so ago, my miniature bird egg cross-stitch on the kitchen shelf, and I've been drooling over this this photograph by Melissa Nucera over at Etsy...

Sparrow II (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26818939)

CC - those trunks are awesome! But, I'm trying not to purchase anything new - just work with what I have which puts an additional challenge on decorating! ;) When I got to looking around, I noticed there is a lot more brown in the house than I realized.
3 natural wood baskets
the brown shelving on the baker's rack
the brown tabletop on the farm table
the brown in the clock on the baker's rack
the browns in the stained glass lamp
the brown armoire
browns in pictures

so maybe, with the exception of more chocolate, there is enough brown in the house to blend the brown sofa in?

Also, this is a funny coincidence - I was reading a 2006 House Beautiful mag yesterday, and a decorator said his fav color was palladian blue by benjamin moore!!! I'll check it out. Thanks!

Tammy - I'll also check out Tracey's blog. That girl can decorate! Definitely will do pine cones during the winter months (got plenty laying around). Have you ever heard of bleaching them? Think I'll give that a go. Definite on the glitter too!

Thanks everyone. You always have such great ideas! If you all think of some more, I'd love to hear them!!!

Zu

[Heather]

Hi Zuzu, I saw this pic and couldn't remember where it was but now that I've found it, here it is:

http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Living-Rooms/My-Coastal-Family-Room-with-tw/detail.esi?oid=537223

It's got the chocolate brown leather couches with the blue/grey and lot's of white - it looks so fresh!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Bingo! That works! And get this - her paint color is called Pike's Peak Grey - Pike's Peak is literally in my "backyard". Do-do-do-dooooo...

So, her mix is about 75% white/lights and 12.5% blues, 12.5% browns. I'm bookmarking these pics.

Thanks, Heather!
Zu

[Heather]

You're welcome! I say embrace the leather!!!
When I red your first post I was thinking of how Frasier Crane decorated around his Dad's chair.... your couch isn't THAT bad, is it?

[Zuzu's Garden]

Ha-haaaa. Forgot about Fraiser's Dad's chair. Now, that would take some serious decorating panache!

No, the couch isn't that bad. It doesn't look brand new like the pics you posted. More rusty in color and gaining more and more "character" with time, which is fine with me. ;)

Zu

[annielinz]

Heather, I love that room. Funny thing how I'm being drawn to blues again. I love how they did the walls with the white wood. I'm going to be painting the small master bath and thinking of going in a blue grey direction.

[Heather]

Funny when you buy couches and you HAVE to use that colour and can't change your mind - other than slipcovers. Before child I had creamy white camel backs which I LOVED and could change the room to whatever. Now I have green - what was I thinking! I wish I had brown now....

Back to your brown leather - isn't there stuff sorta like shoe polish that you could apply to brown it up, if you want to?

[Zuzu's Garden]

I've cleaned it w/ saddle soap, so I've always wondered what would happen if I used a darker brown shoe polish.

Anyone here know?

Zu

[vintage girl]

I found some differing opinions about using shoe polish on leather furniture. Here is the link:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51783066.tip.html

I would probably test it out in an out of the way spot on the chair first to be sure. I have leather furniture and I use a leather conditioner every other month and in between just keep it clean with a damp cloth. If you want to deepen the color there are leather dying kits used especially for this, or you can take it to be dyed by a leather furniture repair expert. Not sure how much that would cost. Personally I love it when leather furniture ages, as it gets a wonderful patina and just adds to the personality, especially when you are decorating with a cottage theme. My leather is creme colored, so I do not get that look, but with the darker leather it is beautiful:)

[cheapdiva]

Oh Zu,
you are sooooo not alone! I want half a dozen homes to decorate in all the styles I love. I haven't gone to the fifi website yet because I'm AFRAID!!! I have so many great blogs/webpages bookmarked and if I'm lucky I find a couple of hours one evening a week to check them all out.

At lunch today we were talking about "ideal" homes and I have one main one that I want - 1,200 sf cottage (think Irish cottage) on 5 acres with a couple of horses, several dogs, a twig fence (woven together from twigs on my property), cozy rooms with nubby textured overstuffed chairs from the 40's. Lots of patterns on the fabrics used for window treatments, pillows, bedding. Two very large bedrooms (the guest room holds 2 queen beds!) upstairs and a den on the first floor with a sleeper sofa. then you all can come visit!!

[memmey]

My computer is back!!!!!!!
Zu since I changed the color in the sofa area of my room it drives me crazy. I like the light. The sofa is VERY comfortable and the price was better than good but it's not white. I cannot seem to settle on a style either. I have been collecting vintage for a long time and the search has to be rigid to stay in the colors I love.
In Country living this month there is a home in New Orleans and it is so beautiful. It's white with white linen. It looks so cool and fresh. The owner says she doesn't put too many things out . She keeps it at a minimum and it looks great. I wish I had that much self control and the ability to let go of some things.
I have to say that in Architectual Digest the rooms are not matchy matchy. If that sofa is aging well and the patina is good then I think you can use it no matter what colors you decide on. I could see white and creamy linen and a rich brown sofa with maybe just a few touches of the pretty robin's egg blue.

This much I know for sure....when Wally world has your home decor colors on their shelves it is time to update.
If I had some $$green$$ I would have a slipcovered WHITE sofa.:rolleyes:

[Lynzee]

I am the same way, Zu. I love my white, but sometimes I see pictures of rooms with a lot of color and think I'd love that, too.

The biggest problem I seem to have is just trying to decide which "cottage style" I really want. :eek:

[Zuzu's Garden]

Ahhhhh, you all make me feel so much better.

GROUP HUG!

Vintage Girl - Thanks for the info. I like the character this ol' leather sofa is starting to show, so I'm determined to find a way to make it work. When it comes time to reupholster, it has that perfect 1940s overstuffed shape thing going on. ;)

CD - my maiden name is Patrick. Lovin' the Irish home you described!!!

Mem - I've decided to stay the coarse - paint things with a light pallet. Love white sofas, but Hubby would leave it looking a little less than white. :rolleyes: I'll be posting pics as things progress. Promise! I've been feeling under the weather for the last two months. Decided the heck with it, no matter how crummy I'm feeling, I'm going to start painting!!! :D

Lynz - I'm really confused. I love cottage style (all of them), but I've been visiting blogs with a more hip, clean look and like that too. And scroll-y French things. And...

I've definitely got DDD. Decorator Disorder Disorder.

Zu

[Zuzu's Garden]

Oh, and CD, you CAN'T skip visiting Chez Fifi (http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com)...

otherwise, you'd be missing out on inspiration like this:

Pretty, Pretty, Pretty!!! (http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/.a/6a00e0098cf3a188330115703d91a7970c-pi)

[Lynzee]

Lynz - I'm really confused. I love cottage style (all of them), but I've been visiting blogs with a more hip, clean look and like that too. And scroll-y French things. And...

I hear ya, Zu. It's the "ands" that get me, too. ;) :D

[cheapdiva]

Zu -
I love that photo!! I did go there but I am suffering from "blog hangover", too many in a row!!!!

My baby is Patrick (with a Thomas - named after his Irish granddad, my dad, and a Ryan) ended up with a Stacy because her dad didn't think anyone would be able to pronounce Siobahn (che - von)!!!

[Zuzu's Garden]

I have a Jeanine, a Brian and a Stacey! Jeanine just got married and is moving to Norway next week. Brian and his beautiful wife live in Japan. Stacey, her Hubby and sweet baby girl live in L.A. I guess all three kids grew up with a pair of wings a need for adventure.

So, today... I'm taking decorating baby steps. Sanding and putting the finishing coat of paint on the bathroom door, and then if the weather permits, I'll take the baker's rack outside and hit it w/ spray paint.

Zu

[RoseMary]

Ahhhhh, you all make me feel so much better.

GROUP HUG!

Vintage Girl - Thanks for the info. I like the character this ol' leather sofa is starting to show, so I'm determined to find a way to make it work. When it comes time to reupholster, it has that perfect 1940s overstuffed shape thing going on.

CD - my maiden name is Patrick. Lovin' the Irish home you described!!!

Mem - I've decided to stay the coarse - paint things with a light pallet. Love white sofas, but Hubby would leave it looking a little less than white. I'll be posting pics as things progress. Promise! I've been feeling under the weather for the last two months. Decided the heck with it, no matter how crummy I'm feeling, I'm going to start painting!!! :D

Lynz - I'm really confused. I love cottage style (all of them), but I've been visiting blogs with a more hip, clean look and like that too. And scroll-y French things. And...

I've definitely got DDD. Decorator Disorder Disorder.

Zu

DDD~now we know what it's called:p. But is there a cure:confused::D??

[cheapdiva]

RM -
Would you want a cure??!!!:rolleyes:
There are far worse things we could all be "addicted" to!

[Zuzu's Garden]

I found a white interior w/ brown leather furniture pic. Rustic, vintage, garden-inspired yum!

via Atlanta Bartlett (http://www.atlantabartlett.com/media/uploads/aDN2F0.jpg)

[cheapdiva]

What a beautiful room - serene, bright, inviting. Love it!

[Heather]

Oh I LOVE that room! Thanks Zuzu, saved to my little file o' things-I-want-to-do-someday.

[annielinz]

Zuzu I have that room saved in my files too.

[yarborough house]

Zuzu- any room Atlanta Bartlett does is awesome. She has some real talent and brings it to beauty..

[Lynzee]

WOW! What an incredible room! I'm definitely saving this one to my wish list!

[RoseMary]

RM -
Would you want a cure??!!!:rolleyes:
There are far worse things we could all be "addicted" to!

CD, I really wouldn't mind being cured of it~but I'm sure it's pretty hopeless~more ideas just pop into my head all the time--I keep a running list:p

Wow, Zu, that is a great room. I love the walls.

[Heather]

Oh another white room/leather chair pic for ya, Zuzu!
Nice, eh?

[Zuzu's Garden]

Gee, I'm right in style and didn't know it. He-heeee. Thanks, Heather!
:D
Zu

[Heather]

Hey Zuzu, whenever I come across a leather couch pic I think of you!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Awww, that's sweet of you, Heather! Thanks! :)

[Heather]

Is this the same room by Atlanta Bartlett?

[Zuzu's Garden]

The one on the left is Atlanta Bartlett. Where did you find the one on the right? It looks like the same chair & room.
Zu

[Heather]

Zuzu - here's a bunch more leather chair pics!

http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/2009/12/leather-bound.html

[Zuzu's Garden]

Hi Heather,

Isn't her blog wonderful? I've been following it for a while. Our leather couch sits smack dab in the middle of our house, so it demands attention like a two-year-old. I haven't put a lot of time into decorating the inside of the house yet. I painted the baker's rack and kitchen this summer & quit. We still have some more upper cabinets to make, but we're exhausted and just living each day and catching up on some rest seems like a good plan for now. :)

I'm still collecting pics of cottage interiors and have decided that I really like creamy whites, browns, robin's egg blue, minty green & a smidgen of red together. Winter is a great time to dream up some more summer projects don't you think?

:D
Zu

[Heather]

Zuzu - those are all really nice colours and go together, don't they?

[cheapdiva]

Hey, Zu - we WANT photos!!

[Heather]

Zuzu.......oh Zuzu......

[Zuzu's Garden]

Sorry. Hubs doesn't want me posting pics of the inside of our tiny house here or on my blog - he thinks that's getting too personal. So I snap pics w/ a little background included. I guess if you want to see it all, you'd have to cut/paste all the pics together. Pathetic, eh?
:rolleyes:
Zu

[Heather]

Oh I just came across another gorgeous pic of leather couches and thought of you... no worries, girl!

[yarborough house]

Okay Zu- so next time you are out and about hand the camera off to one of the wildlife friends you must have on the mountain and tell them to snap a few looking through the windows..

I wish hubby would reconsider as I'd love to see how you decorate..and how the little house looks inside.
But I understand.

[Zuzu's Garden]

:) Thanks. I would love to share it all with you, but at the same time, I respect Hubby's wishes. He's a private kinda guy.
Zu