The box-pleating on this slip-cover from Pottery Barn gives it a very customized look.

A good sofa is one of your best investments and while your frame is holding up, the fabric may be a little dull.  While you decide if you are going reupholster or purchase a new sofa, a ready-made slipcover may be just the solution you are looking for.  Don’t depend on them to make your sofa a showpiece in the room.  Instead, they help the sofa become a neat and updated backdrop.  Decorating is a balance of drawing attention toward the most interesting items and away from the less impressive ones.

My professional advice:

• Stick to a fabric that is solid or striped for large pieces - The floral patterns that most companies carry are not outstanding and are going to draw too much attention.  Patterns are good for smaller accent pieces like ottomans.
• Measure carefully - You will get a much better fit.
• Consider style - The styles that come with a separate seat cushion look less like a slipcover and the more form-fitting ones will have a more contemporary feel.
• Pillows! - Pillows are going to be the critical finishing touch.  Spend a bit more on them and get something really colorful or patterned.  That way the slipcover is just the backdrop.

This ottoman cover is a nice accent.

Pottery Barn sells slipcovers of two varieties.  First, you have the custom fit slipcovers that are purchased with the furniture and fit perfectly.  Then you have the loose-fit slipcovers, which is what we are talking about here.  Their loose-fit sofa covers have some stand-out details like box-pleating yet their prices are competitive with other manufacturers.

These stretch pique covers from Surefit complete an easy modern transformation.

SureFit also carries a wide selection of ready-made slipcovers.  They carry covers for sofas, chairs, recliners, dining chairs, ottomans and folding chairs and their Easy Fit Center has short videos and measuring guides.  They also have a swatch service (which I always recommend taking advantage of) to make sure you get the color selection right.  Right now you can enter the 12th Annual Ugly Couch Contest.  All you have to do is email them a photo of your ugly couch and you could win a $5,000 room makeover with Kim Myles from Myles of Style.  Give it a whirl!  What do you have to lose?

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Sherwin Williams Honeydew (SW6428) - To achieve an analogous color scheme I chose a pastel shade of green. It gives the room a light, airy feeling. This would be a nice look for a breakfast room or child’s room.

Painting is the #1 way to change a room quickly and economically.  The problem is that many people do not take their time in choosing a color and they paint themselves into a corner (I know, corny).  Above all, do not go the paint store until you have given your project some clear consideration.  Choosing colors from a paint chip is not a good idea and rarely results in the look you desire.  Plus, the guy with the orange smock will probably not be much help.

Benjamin Moore Blue Lagoon (2054-40) - This monochromatic look is relaxing but the darker tone adds drama.This combination would work well in a living room or home office.

Before you can start sampling paint on your walls you need to choose a clear direction for your project.  Designers have many methods of choosing paint colors but a great way to start is with your main fabric.  It can be a fantastic jumping off point to get you rolling.  Some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you want to play it safe with a neutral you can “live with” for a while or do you want to make a bolder choice that expresses your taste and personality?
2. If you change your fabric selections in a couple of years, are you comfortable with re-painting or will the color still work for you?
3. What is the overall feel you are aiming for?  Consider what drew you to that particular fabric.

Relaxed - Consider similar colors that are a shade lighter or darker then the main color in your fabric.

Light-hearted - Look for colors in pastel tones.

Dramatic - Darker colors with more pigment make a bold statement.

Taking your time to thoughtfully consider your desired look will significantly pare down the number of choices and start you on your way.

Sherwin Williams Anjou Pear (SW6381) - To give the room an uplifted feel I chose a yellow-orange color that contrasts well with the green and picks up the tones in the flowers. This is a comfortable combination for a guest room or family room.

To demonstrate I have featured the James Chair from Maine Cottage with Tweet Sweet Porch fabric and three distinct directions you can go with the paint.  As you can see, each color significantly changes the feel of the room.  So get your swatches out and start exploring the possibilities.

~Lorrie

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Has the fabric on your outdoor furniture cushions seen better days?  I bet most of you wind up looking at that worn-out floral pattern a little longer than you’d like; and it’s no surprise why.  Outdoor fabrics endure the elements and are indeed durable, but they can also be costly to replace.  Often you keep the same cushions until the day you replace the furniture, but that’s really not necessary.  Change it up with fabulous new fabrics from OutsideFabric.com.

I receive loads of emails each day introducing new companies that carry a multitude of products.  As I review them, I find some that not only cater to interior designers but also to the general public.  These are the “finds” that I share with you on My Design Secrets.  Today I found OutsideFabric.com, and now you too can have the luxury of choosing from a vast array of outdoor fabrics just like designers do.  These fabrics can be used for cushions, draperies, umbrellas, awnings, marine use or any other water or stain prone area of your home.  They carry the very popular and durable Sunbrella line as well as outdoor fabrics from Robert Allen (which usually only sells to designers).  So whether you are going for a Beach House, Modern or Mountain Retreat, with so many different styles selecting your favorite might be a challenge!

They stock over 300 fabrics that are mold and fade resistant and no matter the size of your order, shipping is only $8.00.  You can request a custom quote if you would like them to make the cushions.  Or if you would like to make your own, they even direct you to an article on About.com that gives you step-by-step instructions.  So whether you do it yourself, bring it to your local upholsterer or order cushions from the site, you will be sitting pretty (on your lovely outdoor cushions) in no time.

Visit OutsideFabric.com on My Design Secrets!

Searching for decadent designer fabric for your Pillows or Ottoman?  Sometimes it seems like Interior Designers are the only ones who have access to the goods.  But as a My Design Secrets Devotee, you know I will give you the scoop!

Whether you can sew like a pro or you hand the fabric over to the upholsterer, Mood Fabrics will surely get you in the….Mood.  The name might sound familiar from the show Project Runway.  This is the same amazing Mecca of fabric where the contestants race around looking for terrific textiles for their fabulous frocks.  Now you can do the same online and avoid dealing with those delicate wanna-be fashion designers.

Mood makes it easy by giving you the option of searching by fabric type, application or color.  They have a Design Assistant Section that helps you estimate yardage and find the appropriate fabrics for your project. They also carry marvelous trims and notions for finishing touches.  I can tell you from my professional experience that I recognize some of the patterns to be exclusive designer lines.  So you are getting the inside track!

Mood encourages you to order samples to ensure color accuracy, which all good designers should do.  Their shipping rates are reasonable and they try to ship your order to you in 24-48 hours.  You will be ensconced in velvet before you know it!

Visit Mood Fabrics on My Design Secrets!