THAT [unreliable] GIRL

A little while ago (okay, a long while ago) I put together this concept for my living room. Inspired by the colours of my then tiny, harmless kitten, I drew upon her grey, white and apricot shades and put together a palette that's a little bit feminine, but not so much so that Mr. Unreliable would flip out. This scheme also works in with my apartment's ~~grey/beige~~ greige carpet and silver/grey/beigey-brown fittings.

The problem, in case it's not already glaringly obvious, is The White Couch of Doom.

Let me say that again.

The White Couch of Doooooooooooooooooooooooom.

Sadly, it's the only item from that image that I actually own. I bought it pre-kitten (and pre-reality) and I love it...but it doesn't stay white for long. Removable covers are all well and good, except that I'm the only one who ever cleans them and they need to be cleaned at least fortnightly. Mr. Unreliable not only makes most of the mess, but he also promised me (when he chose the white cover!) that he would help keep it clean, including never putting his feet on the couch. Never. He broke that last promise within half an hour of getting TWCoD home.

So now I have a dilemma.

Being the consummate party animal, I asked for a rug for my birthday. Yes, a rug. That rug. The one in the picture there, under the Impossibly Pristine White Couch On Which Unicorns Drink Fairy Dust Martinis.

The issue is that the whole palette has been (foolishly) built around The White Couch of Doom. It provides balance, contrast, lightness. If When I finally get jack of grubby footprints and grey cat hair coating the couch and give in to buying a dark grey cover (like I should have from the outset!) then the whole dynamic changes, the whole palette becomes darker and less vibrant.

So, impeccably stylish readers. What say you?

xx Kit

P.S. Have any lovely Australian readers come across the pictured coffee table (or similar) anywhere? I've only been keeping a casual eye out, but I haven't seen anything even vaguely resembling that design...and I must have it, I must!

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poet · 744 weeks ago

I would suggest getting a cover in that peach color you also have on the palette, and adding some simple, machine-washable white cushions! Or more intricate ones if you want to...
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MsUnreliable 58p · 744 weeks ago

I have been keeping an eye out for a nice apricot/peach coloured throw, but as is always the case, whenever you're looking for something specific, it's nowhere to be found. I shall live in hope that I cross paths with one soon! :D

Isabel · 744 weeks ago

Hi... I have a white couch too (which I love) but have a huge throw/blanket that covers it in neat ways. I don't just throw it over the couch but fold it neatly to go over the seats and sides or over the seats and back (so producing no unsightly wrinkles) - meaning that from time to time I only have to wash the blanket. I can even imagine just buying a heavy fabric of your choice and draping it over the couch.

Hi again... do you possibly know where this lamp comes from? Thanks...

Hi Isabel! Thanks for the great ideas, I think I'll invest in the Jorun throw too (it matches the rug!) - just for starters at least. I currently have a brown herringbone throw that I fold over the couch neatly, but Mr. U constantly rips it off to cover himself while he's laying on the couch with the air conditioning on! Silly man.

As for the lamp, I first came across it at Kim Snow, however I'm not sure of the actual brand/manufacturer so it might be a little tricky to track down if you're not in Sydney. From memory, the RRP was $600+ (eek!)

If you have any trouble finding it, let me know and I'll contact Kim Snow directly for you!

xx Kit

Katie · 744 weeks ago

I love this look! My boyfriend's mum has a white couch. Looks great, but she changes the cover regularly. Good luck!
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I have one other set of covers, but they're quite old and faded (and brown - boring!) I've been pondering dying them for a little while now, but I haven't got around to properly researching the best way to do this. I don't want to accidentally dye my cat in the process!

Bonsai · 744 weeks ago

I feel your pain - we have cream leather couches and they need to be cleaned constantly, so we'd prefer to trade them in for dark couches... but we worked our whole look around them too. I agree with the suggestion of a throw rug. I didn't go shopping with the intention of coming home with an animal print (faux) fur rug, but it adds so much to the look of the room and I think it would work with your scheme too. Here's a pic from my blog: http://bonsaiinabugsworld.blogspot.com/search/lab... (scroll down, I included all my house pics so you can see the overall aesthetic)

Love that throw rug Bonsai, it looks amazing!

I'm trying to steer my colour scheme away from brown at the moment (very tricky with so much timber furniture in my apartment!) but maybe if I can find a faux-grey animal of some description, I'll have a nice fuzzy throw at my disposal.

Emma · 744 weeks ago

I would suggest keeping the scheme you have chosen, however go with the grey couch, and a lighter coloured rug. (Opposite to what you have chosen) so go a white rug with dark accents, rather than a dark rug with white accents like the one you have chosen.
That way, rather than having to wash/clean couch cover frequently, you can use a dyson (trust me, they ARE the best) on the rug instead.. much easier.. and stays with your dream!
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