I’m so excited about our new living room couch. It’s 50% casual, 50% elegant AND 100% dog proof. The linen-look twill slipcover is just what the doctor ordered, and the clean lines and cushy pillows are the perfect balance of form and function. Of course it makes the more expensive couch in the den (that we got from Pottery Barn a few months ago) look like the redheaded step child. I guess couches are like Olsen twins… everyone has a favorite.
I just can’t get over the fact that the new couch was around $400 less than the Pottery Barn one and looks far superior. If you’re in the market for a new couch, book it to your nearest Rowe retailer (in our case it was Sofa Design in Richmond) and get one straight from the source. You’ll end up with tons more fabric choices (the pale linen-look twill wasn’t available at Pottery Barn), free throw pillows in any complementary fabric that you desire (we chose two with a subtle leafy branch motif), more money in your wallet, and a sofa that you’ll wanna come home to.
In other almost-sofa-related news, I added another fun Christmas touch that I’m dying to share. See those lamps on either side of our swank new couch? They have glass bases with an opening in the bottom. So I flipped them upside down, tossed in some silver balls, covered the opening, then flipped them back over again. Instant glamour.
I’m loving our new seasonal lamp bases and I’m already brainstorming other stuff I can fill them with throughout the year. Seashells, black and white photos, wine corks, matchboxes- the possibilities are endless!
Erica says
I stumbled upon your blog this past weekend, and it is so inspirational, and well put-together, it’s my new favorite! I just have to thank you so much for this post. I was dead set on purchasing my next couch from PB because I knew they were good quality, however, now that I know about Rowe, I’m changing my mind!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erica,
We’re so flattered! It’s comments like yours that really inspire us. We’re so happy to hear that we’ve saved someone from the same sofa snafu that we fell into. And we’re so glad you found the blog! Good luck with Rowe, we’re still LOVING ours.
xo
Sherry
Liz says
Hi Youngsters! I just found your blog and I’m in LOVE – it’s so well-written and inspiring. As you can see, I’ve been digging through your archives to get some ideas for the upcoming holidays, and I have two questions for you!
– Where did you get that feather tree?? I’ve seen them before but can’t remember where – was it West Elm?
– Can you give me some tips for mixing whites & creams? I’ve been noticing throughout your blog how effortlessly you do this. I tend towards cream (lots of our furniture is various shades of cream/bisque, like the slipper chairs we have from Target that you’ve got too!). But I find that when I try to keep the whole color scheme cream/off-white, it winds up looking too matchy and well, kind of dirty and dingy. Do you have any tips for introducing whites into the mix to keep things looking clean and fresh, but keeping the effect soft and not haphazard?
Thanks for all you do, & keep up the great work!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Liz,
We’re so glad you found us- and with Christmas around the corner again stay tuned for lots of fun & fab holiday decorating ideas in the coming weeks. As for the feather tree, we’ve seen them at West Elm and even Target but happened to snag the white one (actually John snagged it as a surprise for me after I saw it and swooned) from a local boutique. I love that thing. We also have two green ones from Target, so they’re all over the place (and hopefully will be just as abundant this year).
As for mixing whites and creams, I think the idea is not to actually put anything cream on anything white (ex: don’t throw cream pillows on your white sofa) or the creamier tone will just look dirty. Instead, using a cream sofa on a tan rug with a white slipcovered chair in the corner allows you to introduce varying shades of the same tone for a pleasing monochromatic look with a lot more depth, interest and texture than an all white space. We also always think painting your walls a subtle tan or gray (or of course any other subtle tone with a bit of a gray undertone to keep things sophisticated as opposed to pastel) will help all the creams and tans and whites pop (and even keep the white molding and trim looking fresh and dimensional). So that’s another great trick to add even more subtle differentiation of tone to the space.
And of course adding lots of texture (sisal, sheepskin, leather, cotton, bamboo blinds, etc) adds depth and keeps everything interesting. And then a pop of color (from green ferns and silver votive holders to a yellow rug or a baby pink throw) can definitely add freshness and a whole new look to the space that’s super easy (and affordable) to switch out when you’re itching for something new. Hope that helps! Happy decorating…
xoxo,
Sherry
Barbara Catron says
Gosh I love that couch! I would love to add that to my home but all the dealers in Utah say that they arent able to carry the Rowe furniture line anymore because they are now out of business? I hope this isnt true! I guess I will keep searching(: wish me luck.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh nooooo! Say it isn’t so! Wishing you lots of luck. Keep us posted…
xo,
Sherry
Andrew says
Rowe is still in business
http://www.rowefurniture.com
We just bought two new couches from them last year at Belfort Furniture in Northern Virginia.
http://www.belfortfurniture.com
We love them! Also, they are made in Virginia so for us (we live in NoVA) it also supports our state’s economy. Most of the name brands have their stuff made in China.
Andrew
YoungHouseLove says
So good to know! And of course we love that they’re made in VA. Wahoo.
xo,
s
Marilena says
Hold on. Am I understanding this correctly? Is ROWE the manufacturer of sofas for Pottery Barn?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Marilena,
As of two years ago when we purchased our Rowe sofa we heard from two separate in-the-know shelter magazine editors that Rowe was the name behind the Pottery Barn sofas (and also behind all Crate & Barrel sofas). We don’t definitively know if they still are today, but we love our Rowe sofa direct from the retailer a lot more than our PB version (more fabric choices, cheaper, better quality, less mark-up). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lara says
Hey you two!!
I just looove your site. We are just about to start working on our bathroom too and love watching the progress on yours’. I’ve been looking for lamps like in the pictures, but I can’t find them anywhere. Do you remember were you got them? Keep up the good work!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lara,
They’re actually from Linens N’ Things (which is sadly no longer around) but perhaps you can try ebay? We have also seen similar glass-based lamps at Target, TJ Maxx, JC Penney and Marshall’s. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Shannon says
Hi!
I was looking into purchasing a new sofa set for my living room, and was considering a slip covered variety, like yours. Question: how easy are the slip covers to clean, really? After you wash them, do they go back on easily enough? And I’m concerned that the slip covers will always look rumpled, and won’t keep the structured look. Now that you’ve had yours for awhile – what are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance! Love the blog!
Shannon
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, so easy. They come out super clean (as in, mint). I toss them in my laundry (it takes two loads cause I like to spread them out) and I put them on the sofa while they’re still a little damp (it’s recommended because then they dry without wrinkles right onto your sofa). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Celia says
I found an article about another PB Manufacturer…
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/41/gold.html
Thanks for the tip!
Ayleen says
Do you remember which model this is? I am looking into buying a slipcovered sofa, and was on the Rowe website, but can’t seem to find this one with the square arms. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ayleen,
So sorry, we didn’t catch the model name. Since it was a floor sample on clearance it’s possible that they don’t make it anymore. Perhaps you can hunt down a local retailer and call them to see if they have any on hand?
xo,
s
Kristina says
Hello, love this blog. I stumbled onto it while looking for a Rowe Nantucket sofa to go with my chair. I have the nantucket chair (9 years old now) and the pottery barn basic chair (12 years old). The Rowe has far outdone the pottery barn/Mitchel Gold chairs. The PB down is lumpy and the fiber added has become matted into the feathers and dosn’t fluff anymore. The arms padding has compacted to the point that you can feel the wood frame. The Rowe however has down cushions made in the US. Still soft and fluffy and much thicker. The bottom cushion has a layer of Memeory foam and the company uses eco friendly materials. MUCH better deal. I’m planning to buy the sofa to go with it…but may end up buying a new slipcover for the chair too so they go toghther :).
YoungHouseLove says
Amen! Years after writing this post we still feel the same way. We love our Rowe and have since craigslisted the PB sofa!
xo,
s
Carolina says
Hi!, I love your blog!! I’m looking for two sofas just like yours, and there is a Rowe retailer here in Philadelphia! lucky me!! do you mind telling me your style number or the name of that particular style? I want exactly that one… same color and all!! : ))
thanks so much!! and keep doing such a great job!!
C.
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry we have no idea what it is (never got that info at the time!) but if you bring a photo of our sofa with you they should be able to find it easily. The fabric is a linen-look cotton fabric in a cream color with striations in it (like linen). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Angie says
Your sofa looks a bit like the darby rowe sofa–costs about $1200 when not a floor model. It has a slip cover and looks like square arms.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds about right! I think we paid less but it was a few years ago.
xo,
s
Danielle says
I am so lucky to have found you guys! Being a newlywed who just closed on a condo, Ive been in the market for sofas!! Thank you so much for being a TRUE review of products… I’m usually the fool who buys straight from the overly expensive store and ends up SO disappointed! THANK YOU!!!
Jessica says
I’m so happy I came across this posting! The bf and I are taking the big leap of moving in together and lots of things that are new and “ours” are in order. Including a couch! I live in LA and looked up Rowe furniture…and a few places popped up (including “studio rowe gallery…whatever that means??). Do you think it matters where you purchase the brand? Or should you look at a store and then purchase straight from Rowe?
Also…I definitely wouldn’t be disappointed at a few more apartment idea postings!
Thanks for all of the amazing inspiration (and congrats on turing 30! I just turned myself…big year!) !!!
YoungHouseLove says
We purchased our Rowe sofa from a random local retailer (named Sofa Creations I think) so anywhere that sells it is probably easier to track down than a swpecific Rowe wearhouse. Hope it helps! Oh and as for apartment ideas, check out our Projects tab under our header where there’s a whole category devoted to dorms and apartments/rentals! Good luck!
xo,
s