Sunday, August 29, 2010

Wash Day


Hi everyone! I had to wash my couch slipcover the other day because this cute guy
Maxie
likes to not only  sleep up against it, but he likes to play a funny game he invented where he takes his dirty red ball and tries to get it under the couch thereby making the skirt filthy and making Mommy scream and act crazy. So fun!

slipcover
I get lots of questions about my couch.  The most common one is where did I get it. It’s from IKEA and we’ve had it for a couple of years now. We’re very happy with it and the slipcover! My husband takes naps on it all the time so it’s a very comfy couch.

Sideview 
The care instructions say not to use bleach but I use Tide that has bleach in it. Then I put it in my dryer until it’s just damp and then put it back on.

Frontview
It’s held up beautifully, it’s not a struggle to get the slip back on after washing , and it’s the most inexpensive sofa I’ve ever owned! I know people always say invest in a “good” sofa and that’s what I did with the first one we bought. Which I hated after two years but it was too expensive to get rid of! I lived with it for 6 years – hating it and finally was able to give it to a family member.

ToileThrow

If I get tired of this one (which I doubt because you can buy all kinds of cute slips for it inexpensively)….but if I did get tired of it, I wouldn’t feel bad about changing it for different one. Just something to consider!

Parisbucket

Next I need to tackle those bookcases. I like to take the books off once a year and give them a good dusting and see which ones I want to keep and which I want to sell/donate. I think I’m getting ready for some fall nesting!

Last

Today is the last day to enter the E-Mealz give away. So if you’re interested in having a dinner menu planning service be sure to enter for a three month free subscription. Go to the post below to enter and the winner will be announced tomorrow.

Thanks for dropping by today!

57 comments:

Rose H (UK) said...

Love your room Manuela. The couch looks really comfy :o) Sadly my husband like to spend a lot of time tinkering with engines - so a white/cream anything in our home is a no-no!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Manuela! Boy, do I understand about fur babies causing work! lol I have been hearing good things about that couch and will probably go with that one when I replace mine. I love having a peek at your wonderful red toile and transferware plates...so pretty! Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie

A Southern Rose said...

Hi Manuela, This is one of the prettiest rooms...and I love your couch. I've never been to an IKEA store but I would love to visit one. I don't even know if we have any down here in Mississippi. I will be checking it out though. It looks so easy just to take the slip cover off and wash it. I would love that!

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I see these sofas all over blogland and everyone seems so happy with them. It's wonderful to be able to change the slip covers too. Your home is lovely and the sofa is perfect there. Hugs, Marty

Screaming Meme said...

You always have such a warm and cozy home! I can smell the freshly washed slip cover now...:) I hope your weekend is going good! Stop in sometime to say Hi! Hugs, Meme

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Manuela:
What a lovely, comfortable room you have. It looks like the perfect place to spend your time. I really like your sofa, too!
xoxo
Donna

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Manuela, This post couldn't have come at a better time! I have been looking at this same Ikea sofa. I love the sofa but I was concerned about washing the slip cover and would it be hard to get back on. Thanks for the info...now I can go shopping. I always love to see photos of your gorgeous home.
Hugs, Sherry

Anonymous said...

The entire room looks so cozy and relaxing. I could just lie down and nap there. Isn't it funny how we cater to our loved pets?

Leo said...

The sofa is lovely! And your dog - that is so sweet. I have a golden retriever that sleeps in the same exact position - snuggled up to the couch. Which is why I have slipcovers too! And he rests his paw the same way....very funny.

I am going to check that couch out at IKEA.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Lovely room, Manuela! The couch does look like a soft place to nap...

Claudia said...

That sofa is on my wish list. I agree with you, Manuela, our sofa was expensive and I got tired of it very quickly. Now I have to resort to unfitted slipcovers to disguise it. I think the Ektorp sofa is the perfect solution.

xo
Claudia

Rose of Sharon said...

I love your room and your pretty couch. I would like to know where you got the toil pillows and throw. They are so beautiful and I cannot find them anywhere! I did find a black toil chair cushion yesterday at Goodwill and normally I would not buy it because I am a "red" girl, but your blog has inspired me to mix my toil colors!!!

Hope you have a great day!

Sharon

The Style Sisters said...

I love Ikea! I have a chair and the Ektorp sectional and I love it too! I have a red slip and a soft green one...but I would love a white one..but my dog is brown and her hair gets everywhere! So I am sticking with the red for now. I love all the things you do on your blog.

Karin

Anonymous said...

What a lovely room. I love the red toile, and your white slips...Kathy

The Tattered Cottage said...

Hi Manuela -
I love your couch and I had looked at the same one at Ikea...and fell in love with it....but decided to live with my higher priced couch for a while longer. Just trying to get my money out of it :) Your home is so lovely and inspirational.
Toni

Kristi said...

I love your sofa and I think I'm going to go for it when the house is finished! I Love that you can just spot clean, wash it and put it back on! Can't do that with upholstery! :)
Kristi

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I love your sofa and how you have the room decorated...so pretty!

Rondell

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love your couch Manuela! I saw some grey pin striped chairs at Ikea that I loved. I would love one for my master bedroom.
Hugs,
Penny

Rhonda said...

our dog also likes to put his tennis balls under the sofas and then he pushes them in so far that he can't reach them.
then he lays in front of them and wags his tail and looks at us until we get down on the floor and reach deep to pull them out.
what a game!

your room looks so pretty and cozy

Lemon Lane Studio said...

That Ikea couch is so versatile. It will be my next sofa purchase. Unfortunately (whine, whine) the one we have now is holding up just fine and my husband likes it. Have a good day, Patty

The Old Parsonage said...

Oh how I wish I could find a slip cover to cover our monster. I've tucked sheets in, over, and around it, but would love a "real slip cover."

Better yet, I'd love a new one similar to yours. I let DH pick this huge thing that takes over the entire room - I got to pick the color:)

Love yours and we have an IKEA close by:)

Leann

Pink Princess said...

I have almost the same couch and LOVE it ♥ It is SO comfy lol. And to wash the covers is a breeze, my cat sleeps on it and she sheds ofcourse. And when she's been outside, yup she got dirty feet and jumps ON the couch to wash herself lol. SO yes it needs a wash again.

Also LOVE your toile pillows and throw, so pretty ♥♥

Laura said...

I agree with you regarding the expensive vs inexpensive couch thing.
For me, it more a matter of, I have 4 kids and 3 pets. Spending a bucket load of money on a couch that the rug rats are just going to destroy makes no sense. ;p

I love your couch and your slip covers ... and your throw and pillows! :)

((Hugs))
Laura

The Creative Bohemian said...

We'll be in the market once we get our floor done, after I get the kitchen cabinets and stain the stairs...,you know how that goes... one small step at a time!

Thanks for recommending the IKEA sofa. I will keep it in mind.

Diane

Terri Steffes said...

I love hearing about the IKEA sofa. We don't have an IKEA store nearby but I hope someday to get to visit one!

All That Glitters said...

I went to ikea yesterday for the first time. It was nice there. Not really my style but I did love the white couch!! It was my favorite! I also saw your gorgeous bucket at home goods! I found a toile lamp shade at Dollar General! I blogged about it too! come check it out!

Take care!
Jennifer

Theresa said...

I have never been to IKEA but sure would love to go! Isn't it great that you can wash the cover on this and have a fresh smelling, clean sofa... just like new! I love the wall color with the white! The throw and pillows are beautiful too!

Enjoy your Sunday my friend! HUGS!

Salmagundi said...

Everyone seems to love their Ikea couches. I went the other route, and bought two custom made (expensive) loveseats a long time ago. They have been reupholstered once, and I still love them because they sit so well for us short people. Love your toile accessories. Sally

Nadine said...

Our Golden, Ginger, is the same way! We have a slip cover, but I wish it was darker in color to help hide the dirt better! :)

Blessings!
~Nadine

Miss Janice said...

I love that couch. In fact, I want one just like and it's on my list! Love the toile throw and pillow as well!

Gypsy Heart said...

My little boy (fur baby) loves to sleep on my chair so yes, the slip cover must be washed this week. I love it too! Mine is an oversized chair with an ottoman and covered in black & white ticking. I use red accents so I do love your red & white.

Hope you have a blessed week ~
Pat

Gumbo Lily said...

I went to IKEA for the first time this past winter when I was visiting a friend in the Phoenix area. I loved the idea of their furniture being slipped in so many different fabrics. What a novel idea -- so practical. I'm in the market for a sofa, but no IKEA nearby. Humph.

Jody

Angie said...

I would like to have a slipcovered couch for my next one. Love the look of yours. Looks so beautiful with the toile. I want that adorable french bee bucket on your coffee table!

Anita Diaz said...

I just have three kids and they do enough damage! So I have leather, dark brown leather:-) Love your sofa, and that gorgeous toile! Someday maybe I will have a formal living room again and I can have something less rugged!

Heathahlee said...

I wish I had slipcovers! I have two sofas, and we really don't need but one. The sleeper is in great condition structurally, as is the regular one, so I can't decide which to give up! They both need slipcovers in the WORST way, the sleeper needing it most.

Did yours come from IKEA, too?

Michelle said...

I sooo wish I had a slipcove sofa. Ours will need to be replaced soon. Which model sofa is yours? I would so enjoy a meal planning schedule as well. Thanks.

Mimi Sue said...

I so agree with you about the couch! I say buy a less expensive one and change it out if you need to. I guess I need change and the slipcovers will sure do the trick. Mimi

MJ said...

Hi Manuela...I love the style of your living room! Its very nice and looks so welcoming. Glad I stopped by.

Paula@SweetPea said...

I've never been to an Ikea. Isn't that sad? I really like the look of your slipcovered couch. Being able to wash the covers is such a great thing.

Debbie said...

My MIL is so jazzed about IKEA that she took us on a little "field trip" one time when we were in Atlanta.

I don't even want to tell how long I have been decorating around sofas in two rooms because I don't want to spend the money for new ones. I like your advice!!

june@craftyniche said...

Ok, where did you get your slipcover from? I really need to slipcover mine due to my messy kids!

Julie said...

Don't you just love dogs! Mine likes to rub her little face agaist the bottom of one of my chairs.

Love the couch and Ikea!

Donna said...

Love your couch, Manuela! I have the same problem with my two fur babies, and of course, the dogs are black and the couch is white!
Slip covers would be so nice.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love all of the soft colors in your home! And I love doing laundry! heehee! ♥

Melissa Miller said...

Your home and this room are very fresh and pretty Manuela. I have always loved the look of crisp white with red toile. It's your signature!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Manuela,
I love your sofa! You said that it was inexpensive. Could you share where you got it? I am looking for a small sofa to put in a guest room and don't want to have a major expense. I'd love the white slipcover too.
YOur walls are the same color as mine. And I use red with it too. I just love the cozy look.

I am re-doing my family room this fall, and my family room, eating area and kitchen are all combined. I have a white kitchen and want to go more neutral with it. What I do to one room must be carried through to all. So I'm heading over to the taupe, beige, cream color family. The tuscan colors will go to the basement in the downstairs family room. I am keeping some of my yellow though, I love it too much to do away with it all togeter!
Beautiful room!!!! Great post!
Yvonne

Vee said...

It's always good to have an excellent sofa recommendation. I think purchasing a sofa is a tough thing to do.

Brenda Pruitt said...

And it's so pretty too. I've been eying those couches myself.
Brenda

Screaming Meme said...

hey sweet girl...i wanted to share a link with you! http://thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-homeokaya-clients-home.html

Hugs, Meme

Victoria said...

I have always heard the same thing about a sofa but I think you are right. In this day and age of changing things up, who wants the same high quality sofa for 15 years?!? I did have a solid color nice sofa that we bought after we moved into our house and I kept it for about 8 years. Over time though I was bored with the color (green) and changing pillows out couldn't help the fact that I was limited to green.

I love your square pumpkin! I hope you can get it out.

My tomatoes didn't do ANYTHING this year. Normally they do great though so did it have to do with the heat and humidity???

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

I love your couch- I think it looks great and would love to be able to switch out slipcovers whenever I got tired of one! My couch is more the size of a settee and is wood framed so not so easy to change. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment. Glad you came by so I could find yours! :)

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Manuela! What a great idea for a couch...I love the fact that it has a slip cover and that you can change it if you want to or need to. It would be fun to have one for every season! It won't be long until I'm feeling like it's time to get into 'fall mode' but for now the temperatures are still in the 90's. It was nice to feel some cooler weather up in Canada although when we first got there the temps were in the 90's too. Enjoy getting your home ready for fall...I'll be looking forward to seeing how you've decorated your lovely home! Enjoy your week...Maura :)

Simple Home said...

I love the idea of slipcovers like that. They look so pretty. I've been thinking about fall nesting too. We woke up to very cool weather yesterday, and it was wonderful. It's supposed be hot again by the end of the week though.
Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Marcia

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Your sofa is just like my PB one without the price tag. I love mine too. So comfy and easy to clean.

Anne Marie said...

what a totally comfortable looking living room!!

great to meet you - I saw you at my good friend Jenn's blog on the same sidebar as me :)

xo+blessings,
Anne Marie

bj said...

Now this is an awesome sofa and slip. Love it.

Anita said...

I love the couch and slipcovers are so nice..you can change them out with the seasons, etc. I love toile, too, and have black toile kitchen curtains and red toile in my living room.