We’re working on a few projects this morning, but in the meantime we thought we’d toss out this work-with-what-you’ve-got quickie. Some people have been asking where we got the armless loveseat in our living room, but that’s actually just two of our old cheap-o Dolce chairs pushed together with two Ikea faux sheepskins covering the seam. See, here they are divided:
And united:
Thanks to the front legs sitting on the rug, they don’t scoot or separate, so they’re actually fully functional. If we were going to keep them this way for a while we’d probably use metal L-brackets to connect them from underneath the frame, but since Karl’s arrival could completely change the layout of our living room we’re going to hold off on that and just see how things go.
One day at a time is definitely the mantra these days. And it totally works. We may have five million things on the ol’ to do list, and we may be constantly switching gears (from room to room and painting-projects to fabric-hunting), but we’re surprisingly not-overwhelmed. Thanks to taking things day by day. I know it sounds like a Backstreet Boys song (or even a “vintage” NKOTB hit) but we’ve always been ok with embraced corny. So we’re just trying to sit back, enjoy the journey, and sing in harmony to girls who scream and faint see where we end up…
Autum says
I have and love Karl. I don’t know if you mentioned this, but what legs did you go with? I didn’t like either option, so I found some really nice ones on ebay at a great price.
YoungHouseLove says
We went with the birch ones but we have an idea for sprucing them up. More details when we tackle that!
xo,
s
Larissa says
I’ve got Every Little Step by Bobby Brown in my head now. I might have even done his little move with the jumping and the arm swinging. Weren’t the early 90s grand?
DJ says
Love the house, love the blog. Especially loved that you referenced my boyfriends Donnie, Danny, Joe, Jordan and Jon!
YoungHouseLove says
Comment of the day goes to DJ! I LOLed. Literally. It was audible.
xo,
s
Care says
Ugh…hearing NKOTB being called vintage makes me feel oooolddd.
Love the work!!
Mona Alicia says
I’d just like to say that I read several blogs on a daily basis and yours is the one I look forward to the most. I am so happy that you have a new big house to keep you busy for a while because reading about your projects gives me a fun break during the day. Please keep it up, I can’t wait to see where your life takes you!
Paula/adhocmom says
Backstreets Boys. Yes. You should totally give your new house a soundtrack!
susan says
Ingenious!!! Now what can I push together to create that look…….hmmmm? susan
Lindsay says
COMPLETELY off topic, but I saw these and the giraffe ones made me think of Clara!
http://www.lifeisgood.com/category/kids/baby.aspx
And, I LOVE your blog!!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! You know Clara loves giraffes. And her life is pretty good…
xo,
s
Katrina says
I have been wondering how you keep it together going from room to room, project to project. I know what you pull together will be cohesive and beautiful, but it’s a bit difficult for my mind to comprehend. Seeing as I have limited time in the home to work on projects, I’m definitely a one room at a time kind of girl. I’m tired just reading about what you do. Keep up the beautiful work and lunch break entertaining posts!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Katrina! We learned with our first house that we’re kind of all over the place but it seems to work for us. I think it keeps us excited and from burning out (since we can switch gears and have fun doing a variety of things and rooms without feeling too stressed out about one specific thing/spot). We just try to have faith that things come together over time, and always remember there’s more than one “right answer.” There are a million ways a room can come together so we just take things one step at a time and remember to have fun along the way!
xo,
s
Lauren says
After eyeing your Dolce chairs and waiting for a good Target sale (25% off w/free shipping going on now!), I finally purchased the chair. But as many Target reviewers warned, it is impossible to assemble since the leg holes don’t line up with the seat for the screws. I’m wondering if you had this problem and tried drilling your own holes? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lauren,
We mentioned a while back in the comments that we ordered ours almost 4 years ago and didn’t have that problem at all! We’ve heard varying things about newer orders (some people love them and have no issues, others say they arrive smelling kinda funny, etc). So strange!
xo,
s
Jess says
YHL is like a soap opera, you love it and get addicted to it when it starts..but then it drags on… and you feel like you don’t wanna watch it.. but you still do and get disappointed .. sorry to be honest but this is my feeling after reading posts since you have bought the new home..
please do something exciting
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jess,
We’re real people with real budgets sharing our progress as we go. So we’ll definitely take on a variety of projects, both major & minor, over the next few years. Just like we did in our last house over the last 4.5 years. Every post won’t include a groundbreaking (and budget-breaking) makeover by any means. But heck, we’re not HGTV. We’re John & Sherry who live in Virginia. When our counters come in a bread truck or our living room is full of boxes, we tell people about it. This is just an online diary. Read more about our post-what-we-wanna-post resolution here and here. If a post – or even our blog as a whole – isn’t your fav, please feel free to skip it! Seriously, there’s no pressure to stop in. We just put what’s going on at our house out there for the people who enjoy following along- and thankfully we seem to have a lot of amazing support, and for that we’re oh so grateful!
Nothing but love,
Sherry (& John)
Serena says
I have to say, my jaw literally dropped when I read Jess’ comment. You guys are great and I love that everything is posted in real time. I find it way more inspiring to see things happen in “reality” than in some time lapsed, unlimited budget cable tv kind of way. It’s great to see real people with accessilbe ideas on how to have a butt-kickingly awesome home. You are home improvement rockstars!
P.S. I also totally admired you for not only posting the comment, but for responding to it in such a tactful, positive way. Not sure I could have done it :-).
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Serena! We’re so glad you’re enjoying the ol’ blog.
xoxo,
s
Felicity says
Gee Jess, that’s kind of unnecessary. I love that you guys picked up and moved your family out of the house you loved, the house where you were married for the sake of your blog. Maybe not 100% for the blog, but if you weren’t full time bloggers then I bet you wouldn’t have been so eager to make the move. I know you all must have thick skin, but as a long-time reader I just have to chime in to say that I think the blog is just as fab as ever and I think the move has opened up a whole new world of great blog posts. It feels like you’re going back to your roots and really getting your hands dirty, just what I think any good house blog needs. xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Felicity! We feel the same way. It feels like we’re back to doing what we love and we’re proud of how YHL has grown and changed as our first house (and now our second house) has evolved!
xo,
s
Liz says
“If a post – or even our blog as a whole – isn’t your fav, please feel free to skip it! Seriously, there’s no pressure to stop in.”
Thank you! I don’t understand why people feel the need to make negative comments on anyone’s personal blog. If you aren’t interested in their langauge/beliefs/life/what they have to say, just stop visiting!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Liz! We realized a long time ago that it’s impossible to expect everyone to agree/love everything we do or say. You just can’t please 100% of the people 100% of the time, but you can kill yourself trying, which isn’t something we want to do. So we just figure if someone doesn’t like what they see they’ll just find another blog to read. And we’re more than ok with that! Live and let live.
xo,
s
charlotte says
Are you kids even old enough to remember NKOTB? Looooove reading your blog! Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes! I have photos of myself in an airbrushed t-shirt of theirs at about 9 years old. Hotness.
xo,
s
jordan says
as i was scrolling through the comments, I saw talk of “paint roller cleanup”. I just throw my paint filled roller in the washing mashine (on the short cycle) and it comes out perfectly clean. Just a tip that has saved me TONS of time and energy!
Roxanne says
I actually found a few cute armless loveseats (and sectionals!) on overstock.com. I prowl it regularly, just waiting for the right deal. So yeah!
Kristin says
Please forgive me for sounding vulture-ish, but any chance you’d put that sofa on YHL-list before you put it out there for the whole city? I’m a little bit coveting at the moment.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristin,
Yup! We promised a few others interested that we’d make a big YHL announcement (usually in bold as a PS to a post) just as we hit “publish” on craigslist so our readers get first dibs on things that we’re selling!
xo,
s
Juli B. says
Your room looks fantastic and the house is really coming along. I love your end tables. Sorry if you have already told us, but where did they come from?
YoungHouseLove says
They’re from Target too! Got them a few years back for around 50-70 bucks a pop. They’re by Victoria Hagan for Target if that helps!
xo,
s
Robin says
anyone know how some people have icons/photos next to their post and most don’t?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Robin,
Those are gravatars. Check out this post for more info: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/03/bloggy-bonuses/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy says
Great job. You always do such a nice job with working within a budget (without skimping). I wanted to share a great blog with you and your readers. Sooooo many great finds!!!
http://www.copycatchic.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah we love love love that site! So inspiring!
xo,
s
Felicity says
I had the same vision for the slipper chairs I bought for my office last summer. I know we’re going to have to move because of husband’s job as a pilot so I wanted something that could serve as chairs in separate rooms, or a love seat smushed together. I love the way you unified the two with the sheep. Did you see that Ikea sell faux sheep now? I think you started a revolution! Please don’t hate us, but I bought two real sheep for beside our bed in the winter. The dog things they’re his personal fluffy tuffets.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Felicity,
Yes! We were so excited when Ikea started selling those faux sheepskins! Burger has a special place in his heart for them.
xo,
s
Clare says
Hey guys – where did you get your yellow rug? Our current rugs are my in laws old ones and Id love to upgrade at some time in the future but they always seem so expensive – any help is appreciated!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Clare,
We got it on clearance from Pottery Barn but they no longer sell it. Maybe try ebay?
xo,
s
Katie says
I love how you made 2 chairs look like a loveseat – genius! Just curious, do you happen to have a photo of what the back view of the “loveseat” looks like? Thanks!
Steph at Modern Parents Messy Kids says
That faux love seat trick is very cool and I really like the end table.
Christina says
I’m loving your yellow rug. Has it been sourced somewhere? What kind of rug is it (woven? not?) and have you been happy with it?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s wool. Love it. It’s from Pottery Barn (called the Moorish Tile Rug) but they no longer sell it. Maybe try ebay?
xo,
s
Amy says
we have one room in our house that is entirely knotted pine “i call is the knotty room” we went with the oil based primer for bleeding purposes and found that indeed, where the knots were, there was a yellowish bleeding that occurred. We painted over it with our color of choice and have had no problems in the 6 years that’s its been painted. Now, years later, it’s our son’s room. I LOVE the looked of painted paneling, but highly recommend the oil based primer (for larger paneled rooms of course…trim is another story). the oil paint is to much sticker and messier…but beats the alternative of stripping the varnish before painting!
I love reading your ups and downs on your blog. We have been taking our house 1 room at a time for 6 years…and it’s finally becoming the house of our dreams.