When it comes to interiors, I would describe my taste as modern mid-century crossed with a bit of teenage girl chic and pops of bright colour added to the mix. Eclectic, I think you’ll agree. We moved into our house seven years ago and panic-bought furniture and accessories that I very quickly grew tired of, so in the last 18 months, we’ve been on a slow mission to gradually update our living room. A year ago, our living room looked like this but the main thing I’ve been keen to change is our sofa and chair – our black velvet sofa had served us well, but it was too dark and bulky in our living room, which doesn’t get loads of natural light and needs all the help it can get to look light and bright.
Last year, I spied my dream sofa in a friend’s house – she had it in grey in her play room, but after looking it up online on the DFS website and seeing it came in teal, I knew that was the colour for us. As is the case for most of us, we haven’t had a spare £879 for a new sofa all year, so it remained on my ‘Dream home’ shopping list and every time I went over to my friend’s house, I’d admire her sofas and think how nice one would look in our house.
So I consider it fate that DFS got in touch with me and asked me to take part in a challenge! Using the sofa of my choice (Me: “I know which one to choose! I know which one to choose!”) they wanted me to style it up, using some accessories of my choice from Dwell, and then ask the six-year-old to do the same. Who would make the sofa look better: me or the six-year-old? Here’s how we got on…
How The Six-Year-Old Thinks The Sofa Should Look
The six-year-old chose these decorative WOW letters in primary colours (“If you turn them upside down, they say MOM” she said, and I realised she watches too many American shows on Netflix. True story: she said “My bad!” the other day…). She also chose this fab throw which has red, blue, purple, green – basically every colour you can think of – through it. Lastly, she popped a red postcard that says “Totes Amazeballs” on the shelf and moved the cushions around until she was happy with a mustard colour, our ampersand cushion and a turquoise one.
How do you think she got on? I was impressed by her use of colour! And the throw is super snuggly for watching TV on the sofa.
How I Think The Sofa Should Look
OK, so it’s my turn and I chose a mustard rug – which I think contrasts nicely with the teal sofa and brightens the room a little bit. I also went for a gold magazine rack. My job means I have endless magazines coming into the house, so being able to organise the ones I’m currently reading appealed to me.
I moved our gold pineapple candle onto the coffee table to compliment the magazine rack and placed one of the cushions that comes with the French Connection Zinc 3-seater sofa onto my new chair, which sits by the window.
I actually love both looks, and could happily live with either. But what do you think? Whose look do you prefer?
Big thanks to DFS for asking me to work with them on this post and for providing the sofa. All views are my own and please see my Work With Me page for details on how I work with brands.
Oh that sofa! Both looks are amazing but I like the mustard rug best I think, really complements the rest of the room. And is that the Ikea chair I spy? On my list!!!! xx
Please still be my friend, but I think I like the six year old look best! (Although this probably says more about my taste than yours!) It’s that throw – I LOVE it! Although I do really like the magazine rack in your version.
Ooh it’s a tough one! I love G’s use of colour too – very impressed with her styling! It’s a gorgeous sofa and the rug is just LUSH (as we say here in the West Country!).
‘Teenage girl chic’ – I love it! And have to say I am mega impressed with G’s styling… giving her mum a run for her money 😉
Blue sofas are having a bit of a moment at the moment aren’t they? I’m a fan!
I think she did an ace job with the styling. I love that throw. I love the French connection DFS sofa range. Have also been eying those up for a while.
Gosh, this is so gorgeous! My brother actually has this sofa and I get major sofa envy every time I see it. Your styling looks perfect!
Catherine | http://www.heymamablog.com
Love love this sofa and the throw! Both styles look great and it’s so nice that you worked together on the idea too! x
oooh! tough choice… I love both – G’s styling is spot on!
I think Grace did an excellent job but I prefer Mummy’s look, sorry! DFS do great sofas (our current sofa and chair are from there), and I’d happily buy from there again. Love that pinky grey cushion too, you’ll have to spill where from! x
Oh I adore the sofa! We are desperately wanting to update ours, but it is one of those things that has been put right down the list unfortunately. And the room is looking gorgeous- so full of colour. I love the rug. xx
Love that sofa! And I have to say I love the way you’ve BOTH styled it up, but I think your effort is my favourite look just. 😉 That mustard rug is gorgeous and I love that magazine rack too! I’m desperate to replace our big brown leather sofa that we’ve had for years but with the baby coming, it’s just not doable right now. Isn’t it amazing how we’re all more drawn to colour these days when it comes to furniture?! Your room looks WONDERFUL. x
Gorgeous! I can’t decide 🙂 Love that sofa so much, really impressed with the style and had no idea DFS made such lovely modern pieces. Off for a look now…
Gorgeous! I can’t decide 🙂 Love that sofa so much, really impressed with the style and had no idea DFS made such lovely modern pieces. Off for a look now…
I prefer yours I think. I love the Rug! I also love the bright colours of the sofa, cushions and letters against the white walls. Dream interiors.
Just bought this sofa! Love it. Thinking about the rug.. have you kept it? How is it with mucky kiddies as it’s quite a light colour?