Living room furniture

TTF, there's a woman down the street from us who has four children under the age of 10 and her house is gorgeous AND she has white sofas and chairs. They're all slip-covered. She has a contract with a local drycleaner (or maybe it's the local carpet-furniture cleaner?) to come in and professionally clean the coverings and she told me her furniture looks great all the time. That made me a real believer in slipcovers right then and there, because I have half as many children and my furniture looks like I had a dozen!

TTF, there's a woman down the street from us who has four children under the age of 10 and her house is gorgeous AND she has white sofas and chairs. They're all slip-covered. She has a contract with a local drycleaner (or maybe it's the local carpet-furniture cleaner?) to come in and professionally clean the coverings and she told me her furniture looks great all the time. That made me a real believer in slipcovers right then and there, because I have half as many children and my furniture looks like I had a dozen!

It's not that crazy. If we had a beach house that we didn't rent, I think white slipcovers would be both lovely and practical. However it would not be friendly to post signs limiting the types of beverages that could be imbibed, and during the busy season the housekeepers would not have the time to wash the covers in time for the next renters. That said I really like the medium blue denim slipcover idea, since it still hides some grime yet when it fades after washings it looks good. But I would not want to discount the new microfibers if they are truly better performing. I want something that looks nice yet we can get some use out of. Thanks for the input. What did you use for Mermaid's Cove?

We got a Rowe sofa for Mermaid Cove, from Sandcastle Design over in Panama City Beach on Rte 98. It's a denim-royal blue color, upholstery fabric, not microfiber. I like the feel of microfiber but it's so smooth I'd be afraid the least little bit of dirt would show. But seeing that I know nothing of its durability, I might be all wrong! I suppose you could google microfiber furniture to gather more info on how it holds up. It's the latest thing in all the furniture stores so there have to be some good reports on it.

Never mind, I was curious myself so I googled it.
http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/microfiber-sofa.html

We got a Rowe sofa for Mermaid Cove, from Sandcastle Design over in Panama City Beach on Rte 98. It's a denim-royal blue color, upholstery fabric, not microfiber. I like the feel of microfiber but it's so smooth I'd be afraid the least little bit of dirt would show. But seeing that I know nothing of its durability, I might be all wrong! I suppose you could google microfiber furniture to gather more info on how it holds up. It's the latest thing in all the furniture stores so there have to be some good reports on it.

Never mind, I was curious myself so I googled it.
http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/microfiber-sofa.html

Thanks Mermaid. Now I am even more confused. :idontno: I prefer the slipcover look for beach house decor but maybe microfiber is the way to go ...

Did you feel like you got a good value and good service from Sandcastle, and do you think Rowe is nice quality? The sofas I have looked at were Rowe from Sandcastle.

Anyone else with advice? If what you have still looks good after a few years of renters, could you tell me about it?

Hey TFT! I had the same decision to make when furnishing Bridge Lane. I love the white slipcovered look, but thought it wouldn't always be its best when having rental guests.

I decided to go with khaki slips in a heavy cotton fabric on the sofa and khaki/white small stripes in a lighter cotton fabric on the two larger chairs. Just used inexpensive white cotton slipcovers on the two smaller (so they'd be easier to wash) chairs. Much like the denim you are considering in terms of wearability, but a little more beachy and updated. Also blends well with most any accent colors.

Pictures of the khaki look are on www.watersoundbeach.net if you'd like to see them.

After 2+ years, the sofa and chairs look great and haven't needed washing yet.

You may want to stay with a cotton fabric in whatever color you choose. Microfiber doesn't say 'beachy' as well as cotton does.

Hey TFT! I had the same decision to make when furnishing Bridge Lane. I love the white slipcovered look, but thought it wouldn't always be its best when having rental guests.

I decided to go with khaki slips in a heavy cotton fabric on the sofa and khaki/white small stripes in a lighter cotton fabric on the two larger chairs. Just used inexpensive white cotton slipcovers on the two smaller (so they'd be easier to wash) chairs. Much like the denim you are considering in terms of wearability, but a little more beachy and updated. Also blends well with most any accent colors.

Pictures of the khaki look are on www.watersoundbeach.net if you'd like to see them.

After 2+ years, the sofa and chairs look great and haven't needed washing yet.

You may want to stay with a cotton fabric in whatever color you choose. Microfiber doesn't say 'beachy' as well as cotton does.

Josebby your condo is the ultimate ... thanks so much for the input. I did not need to see the photos again, I remember it well enough from Coastal Living!!

I agree with you that cotton feels beachier. Maybe a lighter blue denim (with some blue and white or cream striped pillows) is a way to go. I love the khaki slips look too, but our entire first floor plus stairway is in a cool grayish off-white color that the blue would look so nice with. Unless it was a very taupey stone khaki, it may not look so good.

Our rental also is a kid magnet, unlike yours, so a touch darker with the slips may be the way to go.

Here, take a look at this, from Sandcastle Designs:

http://www.sandcastledesigns.com/slipcover.htm

We've been very happy with the Rowe sofa we bought from them, so I can imagine that this line of sofas would be equally nice. It looks like you can choose slipcovers from whatever fabric you want, so this might be worth investigating!

Just took a look at your condo pictures. It's adorable!

If you'd like, I'll take a look thru my treasure trove of beach decorating magazines to find rooms with paint your color. Should be able to come up with a couple color schemes for you in addition to the blue theme.

Playing off the colors of the Gulf that way is a great way to go. Just be careful not to make the room too 'cool' so that it loses that cozy, comfy feel people love to see in web site photos.

I'm guessing you looked at the artwork above the sofa for color inspiration. Any good color combos there?

Any other furniture changes you're considering?

Can you tell I'm a designer wanna be ?? 😀

Just took a look at your condo pictures. It's adorable!

If you'd like, I'll take a look thru my treasure trove of beach decorating magazines to find rooms with paint your color. Should be able to come up with a couple color schemes for you in addition to the blue theme.

Playing off the colors of the Gulf that way is a great way to go. Just be careful not to make the room too 'cool' so that it loses that cozy, comfy feel people love to see in web site photos.

I'm guessing you looked at the artwork above the sofa for color inspiration. Any good color combos there?

Any other furniture changes you're considering?

Can you tell I'm a designer wanna be ?? 😀

Hey, me too, but I have a long way to go before I get my home in a shelter mag. :bow: So any advice is appreciated ... as is words of wisdom from Mermaid, who did such a wonderful job on Mermaid's Cove and I know is as obsessed with these things as I am!

It would be so much better with a blank slate, but the cooler wall color scheme, which we inherited along with most of the furniture when we bought two years ago, really has to stay. We're trying to work new stuff in with the best of the stuff we got. That art piece in the LR is probably a designer no-no -- it was bought purely "to match the couch" or to balance out some of the riotous colors and somewhat mask the fact that we don't have symmetry on that side of the room. The couch is not at all centered between the windows. A big mirror might suffice as well though, so the art can go elsewhere. There are other places for it and I like it well enough.

Sandcastle has a very large selection of slipcover fabrics, but I am as picky as Mermaid. I snapped photos of what I liked, and here are the best ones. Though this was in October and maybe there are some new selections.





I realize now that the denim in the first pic is probably too dark, but I do like both stripes and the lighter chambray denim quite a bit. I'm actually quite partial to the lighter denim combined with that first stripe. We'd probably add a more streamlined coffee table and end table set and move the current coffee table to the tower room. I bought the lamps this year and love them.

We go back and forth on the DR furniture. It isn't the most updated but it is sized so nicely, the oval shape really fits perfectly, it is comfortable and the tones of it work well with what is already there. I think we can hang onto it if we recover the seats with something fresh.

In the bunk room, I'd love to get rid of those metal bunk sets and add one twin-over-twin white painted bunk set with a full or queen sized bed with cottagey white headboard. Some more accessories and we would be set and the room would be much more flexible and comfortable.

This is not wholly my decision by any means ... we own the house with another couple and they will have their own ideas about where to spend money and what it should look like. I really wanted to choose the best fabric style first and then pick the design. But I could go on and on all day about this stuff! Thanks for being interested!

I like the second choice better (the orange).

TFT, I don't understand why the Queen of Paint is so married to the cool wall colors. Is the other people who own the house with you who want to keep those colors?

I love slipcovers too. I have a Mitchelle Gold sofa and chaise that is over 10yrs old at our primary home with almost white slipcovers.It has been washed 100 times(cats and dogs on it) and still looks great!

I have a Rowe slipcovered sofa at the beach house in a chocolate brown (very soft texture). Purchased at Sandcastle's. It never shows dirt. I would want a slipcover I could throw in the washer. I hate the smell of dry cleaning fluids.
I love the blue. I have always dreamed of an ALL blue and white cottage.

TFT, I don't understand why the Queen of Paint is so married to the cool wall colors. Is the other people who own the house with you who want to keep those colors?

Oh, I am not married to the paint colors, though I do like the blue in the bunk room and the sunny yellow in the queen bedroom very much. I however am married to my cash flow (since I have to stare at the balance all the time) and can't imagine paying someone to paint the main portion of the interior, because it will cost a fortune in the SoWal market. I sure as heck can do it myself and can do a better job than 90 percent of pro and so-called-pro painters, but at nearly 7 months pregnant, I can't see any time that I can reasonably do it, especially since the color goes up the stairwell. But I can't stand to pay anyone to do it either. I mean really -- the idea of paying someone to do it makes me absolutely nuts.

Also, we will have to get the exterior painted soon, because the construction behind us (going on 2 years now) has really ruined the finish. And you know that means big $$$. So, an interior paint job is not in the budget. Cool pale greenish grey is going to have to stay, and it really does look better in person than in the photos. You can come over the week of NYE and see. We should be there! :clap_1:

I love slipcovers too. I have a Mitchelle Gold sofa and chaise that is over 10yrs old at our primary home with almost white slipcovers.It has been washed 100 times(cats and dogs on it) and still looks great!

I have a Rowe slipcovered sofa at the beach house in a chocolate brown (very soft texture). Purchased at Sandcastle's. It never shows dirt. I would want a slipcover I could throw in the washer. I hate the smell of dry cleaning fluids.
I love the blue. I have always dreamed of an ALL blue and white cottage.

Thanks for the input andipandi. White slipcovers in a beach house are soooo dreamy, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it for a rental. I would be wayyyyy too nervous. But I am really intrigued by the slipcover idea. What I need to do is go shopping with Mermaid!! Hey ... now that is an idea ... :scratch:

What holds up best at the beach?

Believe it or not, leather holds up very well at the beach: kids, pets, whatever you throw at it, it's almost indestructible compared to ordinary fabric. Leather cleans up easily and wears like iron and it pays for itself over-and-over again in the cost savings you receive by not having to dry clean or wash slip covers.

We have discovered through trial and error over the years that leather is the ultimate low-maintenance material for our rentals and looks much nicer IMO.

Food for thought...

I purchased some microfiber sofas last year and after this rental season, I can say they did very well. Actually, a cotton pattern sofa and a denim sofa both received tears in them this summer. Its not just stains you have to look out for. If someone sits on the sofa with keys in their pants or if they are just rough, it can cause a tear.

Anyway, I have had good results with my microfibers and plan to buy more when needed to replace my other torn sofas. Only negative, is your choices are limited and usually most microfibers are solid colors.

I love slipcovers too. I have a Mitchelle Gold sofa and chaise that is over 10yrs old at our primary home with almost white slipcovers.It has been washed 100 times(cats and dogs on it) and still looks great!

I have a Rowe slipcovered sofa at the beach house in a chocolate brown (very soft texture). Purchased at Sandcastle's. It never shows dirt. I would want a slipcover I could throw in the washer. I hate the smell of dry cleaning fluids.
I love the blue. I have always dreamed of an ALL blue and white cottage.

I have two Mitchellle Gold sofas at our beach house and they have done incredible. All the covers, cushion, back, sides, everything, I can put in the washing machine and they look like new. Everytime I go down there that is one thing I do because I know the housekeepers don't have time during the busy season. Also, I have a glider rocker that is also a Mitchelle Gold and I put a slip cover over it because it is easier. Anything I can slipcover I do because it is a lot cheaper replacing a slip cover than the furniture. The one thing I do also, which helps out my housekeeper, is I buy two of everything and leave the extra one in the owner closet so once a month they can change out everything and that cuts down on the wear of the slip covers and everything always seems clean.

Glad to hear this Rocco - We just purchased some microfiber sleeper-sofa and chair for our one unit in May and I am waiting to see how it survived the summer season when we get back down there in October.

I also agree with leather - we have a leather chair in another of our units and after six years it still looks great - except for the pen mark on the one side of the ottoman- how do you get that out?

Wastin Away....I have the same set up. And, I have an OFF WHITE twill on my sofa! I had always wanted that look, and I was going to be damned to let renters stop me! So, we have two slipcovers for every piece of furniture, sofa and three chairs. The chairs have two different patterns, while the sofa is the same.