The Edit #2: Love seats for lounging
Corners calling out for an update and my roundup of the latest snugglers
There are two corners in my home that I can’t stop looking at. Two spots that are crying out for a new seating arrangement. It all started with a lovely press dinner with Dunelm a month or so ago when I shared a green and cream striped snuggle sofa on the Grid and the subsequent messages that followed confirmed just how nice it was and that it would look lovely in many of your homes. I’ve been wondering where it would work in mine too. And since it is due to go live in store and online in July, I’ve found myself thinking a bit more about it – and other love seat varieties – for these corners I speak of.
One of them is in the living room and already has a grey Mid-century vibe Made armchair and matching footstool there, while the other is in the dining area/playroom – that one is a Homesense bargain I bought just before lockdown and it’s dusky pink and rather shapely. I think it cost about 150 quid, if that. It’s been through three houses and when I’m ready to replace, my sister has already shown an interest, so it’ll be off to a good home.
There’s nothing wrong with either of the chairs, I like them both. But they’re the kind of furniture pieces that have been moved from house to house, room to room, never quite finding the perfect place in our current pad, if you know what I mean. I think because they were bought for rental houses gone by, they’re not quite in keeping with the decor, now that actual decorating is ‘allowed’ and I guess my style has evolved.
So I justify my quest to find new seats.
I actually took a trip to Homesense this week ‘for a look’, but came out with an array of stoneware mugs, faux foliage stems, a succulent jar and some coasters (all ‘needed’, of course – that shop should come with a warning), and didn’t spot a good chair. I popped into a local charity warehouse, too, which sells ex-display high-street furniture and found some great sofas (and an amazing rattan sun lounger), but no loveseats. So online I went. And I’m here to share my findings with you for the second instalment of The Edit – my monthly roundup of ideas for your (and my) home.
I always think a love seat/snuggle sofa in a setting combined with a side table and lamp to create the ideal spot to chill out with a cuppa/book/glass of wine (or all three, if you fancy), or to just sit and decompress from whatever the day has brought you (probs with wine, no?). So each of my finds comes with ideas for what you could put with it. Oh, and if you’re wondering… it’s called a love seat because it’s meant to be for two people to sit cosily together for a snuggle. Or just put your feet up and lounge in solo comfort. I know which I’d be doing (the latter).
Love seats and what to put with them
Let’s start with the one that started it all. The folks at Dunelm have told me that this striped beauty is due in stock in July. And it also comes in a nice orange/coral shade which is definitely worth a mention, as well as a look when it too launches.
The stripe adds a classic, but fun and statement factor to a room and a chair like this needs some equally fun accompaniments. I think you can go eclectic here – just own it. I love a burnt orange colour and it works well with green, so a simple-shape side table in the colour makes for a good match in my book. The rattan lamp picks up on the enduring trend for natural materials and gives a nod to the green of the chair to form a lovely little colour story.
My vision is one of enjoying my morning coffee with my feet up on a stylish love seat before the day begins. Pah. The reality is I’ll have a coffee, it’ll go luke warm while my toddler climbs on everything in sight and I fend off sticky fingers. But I can’t let that stop my interiors dreaming can I? It makes me think of fabric choice though and making sure it’s easily wipeable. Does that mean velvet is off the cards? Maybe leather is a better option and I do like an antiqued leather that already looks like it’s seen some wear – much nicer than crisp, shiny leather, especially for seating like this.
I’d keep it simple and effortlessly chic here. Think loft-style living meets cool co-working space. Side tables that do the double are a great idea and I’m obviously a sucker for a place to store a stash of magazines. There are some great tables with built-in charging (try Ikea and John Lewis) or ones with a lamp as part of the design (Habitat do a nice one of those). And a lamp doesn’t have to be on the table. A carefully positioned wall lamp will cement any cosy corner.
It’s called the Squishmeister and that tells you all you need to know. The bods that name sofas at Loaf must have some fun because they’re all called something perfectly fitting, like you can feel yourself sitting on it already.
What’s the verdict on mustard? We’ve moved on from grey and mustard (been there, done that) as it feels a bit 2010s now. Instead, pair the shade with other warm tones for an inviting spot to perch. Speaking of names, that side table is called the Marshmallow. I know, it makes total sense.
Admittedly, the more ‘glam’ side of interiors isn’t my personal style, so more vivid jewel tones are usually sidelined in my house in favour of earthy shades. However, the shape of this love seat and contemporary legs give it an edge that I like. Rather than button backed like many velvet seats in rich colours seem to be, the simplicity of a single uninterrupted cushion keeps it looking sleek, almost Italian in feel.
I’d pair it with a metallic finish – brass – to go for an ‘evening’ vibe. Maybe it’s the colour inspiring me to picture lounging with a glass of Malbec? Although, this summer, I have re-found a penchant for pale rosé, but I digress. I always look at the legs of a sofa, or in this case love seat, to find a way to build an accent shade. If they’re black and metal, could you introduce black accents elsewhere? Ditto if they’re oak or some other finish.
Last, but not least, a timeless neutral design that can be accessorised up or down. I’d go down for a Zen or Scandi vibe, but with considered details.
What I mean is, I’d choose equally timeless (read: not boring) pieces to go alongside. And just like before, picking up the material finish of the legs is a good idea to help tie it all together, like a nice vignette. The side table is Ercol, so well made and arguably a design classic. The lamp seems simple enough, but the bobbin detail on the base is bang on trend and adds some tactility to an otherwise pared-back trio.
