Month: September 2014

When it comes to wardrobe, clothing and accessories, there are a number of items that one should always have in order to make a statement and be fashionable. Whether it’s a watch, a choker or a simple belt – these can make the difference between looking sharp and looking sloppy.

The question is whether this is the same true for the homes we live in? We certainly think so! Here are 7 simple add-ons that can turn your plain Jane vanilla living space into a super awesome one:

1. A standing lamp that lights up your house’s beauty

Having a standing lamp in your living room, hovering over the coffee table or over the couch is an excellent way to shed light while creating an ambience conducive to welcoming guests over for a glass of wine before dinner, or entertaining your friends from your monthly Book Club.

It doesn’t have to be a futuristic looking one like the image above, but if you can get your hands on one of them – it’s always a nice conversation piece. Even better if it was a DIY job :)

2. A tray that holds all the pieces together

Get a decorative tray – it can be one you brought back from your holidays to an exotic island or it can be a simple wooden tray that looks elegant. Place it on your coffee table or on the butler table with your finest tea set or wine glasses and decanter. It can also be used to bring out refreshments or left out on the patio table.

3. A custom sofa slipcover that oozes style

Nothing lets your personality shine like a custom slipcover. You get to choose your colour, your texture, your fabric and the design that is aligned with your personal style. A great alternative to upholstery, consider it as not only a stylish statement for your sofa or couch, but also a way to add warmth to your home.

4. A vase that displays pretty florals

Regardless of shape and whether it’s made out of glass, ceramic or clay, transparent or opaque – a vase is an absolute must for every home. Ideal for displaying pretty bouquets or simply to receive flower arrangements offered by a visitor during a celebration or gathering at your place.

Check out this “Ono Vase” above which serves a dual purpose for a single flower or multiple flowers, just by turning it downside up – pretty neat huh?

5. A houseplant that shows off your green fingers

Plants always convey an air of natural freshness (literally) to any home. It also indicates that you have a good way to balance modern furnishings with natural elements. Gorgeous ferns or cactus add life to any room, while orchids add a touch of luxury.

Fun Fact: Taking care of plants actually reduces stress!

6. A wooden cheeseboard to wow your dinner guests

If you are a Martha Stewart in the kitchen, you probably already own one, but if you don’t, get your hands on a wooden cheeseboard. Imagine how stylish it will look when you serve cheese, neatly plated next to each other, alongside crackers, fruit preserves and nuts. You can even get pretty shaped-ones such as hearts, artsy ones such as cloud-shaped boards and ones carved out of old wine barrels for a little French twist.

7. A rug you actually won’t want to shove dust under

Most of us have rugs in our homes, in the living room, by the fireplace or in the bedroom. However, more than the practical aspect, it needs to be a rug that fills a space and adds comfort and a sense of style in your home. Choose between an opulent Persian carpet, a shaggy rug for a shabby chic look or a bamboo-knitted rug for an eco-friendly touch. A simple gray rug can turn a living space from just “meh” to “wow this looks luxurious!”

These items do not seem to occupy such an important place in your living space, yet they can make a great impact on the interior of your home. The best part is that they are very versatile and come in different shapes, colours and prices which means you’re practically spoilt for choice. It’s up to you to find what suits your lifestyle, your taste and your personal style.

Until next time, happy designing!

Image sources:
Standing lamp: http://www.delightfull.eu/
Decorative trays: http://blog.mcgrath2.com/
Vase: http://www.dominican-republic-live.com/upload/ono-vase-01.jpg
House plants: http://www.postconsumers.com/
Wooden Cheeseboard: http://lakelandcamel.scene7.com/
Floor rug: http://www.aldovega.com/

In the family home, no other piece of furniture is used (and abused) more often than the sofa. It has become the central gathering place, study spot and relaxation area for kids, pets and parents alike.

Not all sofas are created equal, and not every sofa style works for the casual yet active family lifestyle. The ideal family sofa features ample seating, versatile layouts, comfortable styling and multi-functional design. With that in mind, we’ve curated our favorite IKEA sofa styles and features to help you choose the perfect sofa for your family and home.

Sectional or Modular Sofas

A top choice for mid-to-large size families with ample living space, the sectional sofa delivers big in terms of comfort, versatility and multi-functionality. These flexible sofas, also called modular sofas, feature individual components that can be bought to create specified seating configurations dependent upon room size and user needs. Typical sectional/modular sofa configurations include:

Classic L-shape—fits nicely into a corner or in the middle of a larger room. The above living space shows an IKEA Kivik 3 seater with Chaise in Somerset Mint Slipcovers by Jenna Sue. These are ideal for smaller spaces and allows for a more traditional forward-facing set up ideal for watching TV. The extended chaise provides extra room for kids or parents to stretch out and lounge.

U-Shaped—best for large living areas, ideal for families who entertain or have kids with friends over often. The Karlstad Sofa Series by IKEA offers great flexibility with the way their standard sectional can be combined with a chaise to create the above dreamboat. You can even simply get a 2 seater with 2 chaises to put on each side to get a U-shaped sectional too. Other IKEA sofa models that are perfect for combining pieces together are the discontinued Tylosand series and the Kivik sofa series.

Convertible Sleeper Sofa

For families with limited living space, the convertible sleeper sofa or sofa bed offers multi-functional features in a more compact design than that of the popular sectional sofa. Like the sectional, some sofa beds can be purchased with an extended chaise. These dual purpose pieces, like the IKEA Kivik Sofa Bed act as sofa by day and bed by night, offering an extra sleeping area for kid’s sleep overs or the occasional overnight guest. Or if you prefer saving space with a cosier sofa bed, consider the Beddinge Sofa bed as picture above.

Alternatively if your space can accommodate a larger sofa bed, do check out our favourite corner sofa beds, such as the one pictured here – the IKEA Friheten in the original Skiftebo cerise (pink) fabric. Check out our range of IKEA Friheten slipcovers here.

English or Club Sofa

For a more straight forward layout, the casual-style English Sofa, or club sofa as it is alternately known, provides both ample space and comfortable seating. It is also versatile style-wise with traditional, transitional and contemporary décor styles offered. If you’re thinking of getting one, do check out IKEA’s Ektorp series, and if you like custom IKEA slipcovers made for them like the one above – just Google Comfort Works ;)

A top choice for families are the over-stuffed, wide-seat versions that one can sink into or curl up on like the discontinued Backamo 3 seater. The Ektorp also has a 2 and 3 seater sofa bed, but unfortunately the 2 seat sofa bed had been discontinued by IKEA already. If space allows and extra seating is required, consider purchasing a matching loveseat or second full sofa.

Sofa Options & Tips

No matter whether you choose a sectional, sleeper or club sofa, each style can be found in a myriad of leather and fabric styles, textures and colors. In addition to a family-friendly sofa style, be sure to choose a family-friendly upholstery to cover it—one that is up to handling the rigors of daily use by kids, parents and pets.
With optimal durability and stain resistance any of the following are go-to choices for the family sofa: leather, vinyl, cotton/poly blends and engineered textiles like acrylics. Additionally, custom slipcovers in breathable and washable tightly-woven, 100% cotton offer an easy-to-maintain upholstery alternative for the family sofa.

For more durable sofa fabric information read our guide, “Best Family-Friendly Fabrics for the Sofa”.

Additional sofa buying tips:

• Avoid sofas with frames made from metal, plastic or particle board as they can warp; instead, choose one made of kiln-dried hardwoods of oak, maple or popular.
• For long-lasting sofa cushions on a budget, choose ones made of resilient high-density foam.
• Measure your space and create a floor plan before you purchase to determine the perfect style and size sofa for your space. Don’t forget to measure door and entry ways to makes sure the sofa will fit upon delivery and avoid costly mistakes.

Extending Sofa Life

When choosing a sofa for your active family, it’s advantageous to consider price vs quality, lifetime value and possible ways to extend its life. Here at Comfort Works, we’re all about custom slipcovers for extending sofa life once upholstery wears out, as well as offering you options to change up your sofa look as your décor is updated over the years. Drop us a message anytime if you’re interested at info@comfortworks.com.au

Image Source: SectionalSofaIdeas.com; SofaGallery.net; Ikea.com

With today’s multi-purpose living spaces and on-the-go lifestyles, modern families are taking their homes, and especially, their furniture to task. Family meals have moved from dining table to coffee table and from dining chair to sofa. Family time at home is often spent on the sofa — be it playing video games, watching TV and movies, or browsing through web through handheld devices and laptops.

Acting as the centerpiece and most oft-used furniture in our living spaces, the sofa has got to stand up to rigorous daily use by kids, pets and parents alike. When choosing an upholstered sofa or a custom made slipcover for it, one of the most important considerations is the fabric it will be covered in — it’s got to be durable, easy-to-clean and low maintenance. Here at Comfort Works, we thought maybe we could share our top picks of modern family-friendly sofa fabrics.

Leather

It’s not a type of fabric per se, but it’s stil to be taken into consideration whenever you’re thinking of getting a new sofa or even just a replacement slipcover. Just like fabrics, you should never leave your leather couch in the sun as its colour can still fade over time. Highly-versatile and durable, real leather patinas tend to age beautifully through prolonged usage, making it one of the most family-friendly of sofa materials. It can be easily cleaned and rarely holds odors the way cloth fabrics do. As it ages, pure leather becomes softer and more comfortable. However, softer leathers are more prone to cuts and scratches from sharp objects or pet claws.

Vinyl

Bycast Leathers

More affordable, yet as durable as leather, vinyl can stand up to the abuse of daily use by kids and pets. It isn’t as comfortable as fabric or leather, but it is easy to clean and totally stain resistant. Vinyl is available in many colors, but are most often found in black, brown and white. At Comfort Works, our leather is actually a bycast leather very similar to Vinyl so if you’re looking for something like leather, durable and super easy to clean – let us know or even get some free fabric samples.

Acrylics

Engineered fabrics, such as solution-dyed acrylics, have been an increasingly popular choice in indoor spaces. Once used strictly for outdoor use, these fade and spill-resistant fabrics now mimic the look of natural fiber fabrics, but are more durable and long-lasting. They come in a wide range of styles and colors ideal for indoor decors. We’ve actually been thinking of getting some of these fabrics so if there’s a colour you want us to add do leave it in the comments section below!

Cotton/Poly Synthetic Blends

Kino Heavy Duty Fabrics

While 100% Cotton is not the best choice for oft-used sofas due to wrinkling and staining, a cotton/polyester blended fabric boasts the durability required for active households. It’s an attractive choice for those on a budget, as it is economical with an overall look of quality.

Our Kino Heavy duty fabrics are made of 100% polyester, making it fully synthetic, fully machine-washable and the toughest fabric we have available that can survive up to 53,000 cycles on the Martindale/Abrasion tests.

Nomad Blend & Nautical Stripes

Next in line are the Nomad blends and the Nautical Stripes – essentially these fabrics are the loveliest and more unique fabrics offered due to the way the fabrics are interwoven together. Durable, comfortable and also very machine-washable, the downside to having these fabrics might be the occasional pills but these can be easily removed with a handy facial razor/shaver. Once the excess fibres are removed, your sofa slipcover is pretty much good as new.

Rouge Velvets and Linens

One of our favourite fabrics that we have are the Rouge velvets, which is also 100% polyester like the Kino. But how is it so soft and comfy you ask? It’s just woven differently – as simple as that.

With the linens, we actually have 2 types – the Lino and the Liege. The main difference is that the Liege carries an extra trait – water and stain resistance making it slightly more premium, but more family-friendly. So if you’re looking for that luxurious look yet don’t wish to send your covers to dry cleaners so often, the Liege fabrics we have might just be your saviour.

When in doubt, order some fabric samples here!

Think we missed out something? Let us know in the comments below!

Looks like IKEA discontinued the IKEA Hovas 3 seater huh? Well thankfully, you’ll still be able to easily get your custom Hovas 3 Seater Sofa slipcovers here.

If you’re here to find dimensions and sizes of the Hovas sofa and other information here, check out our IKEA Hovas Resource page.

Quick Facts

• Hovas Sofa series was launched in 2012, and has been discontinued as of December 2014.
• The Hovas basically replaced the Ekeskog sofa (circa 2003), hence the uncanny resemblance.
• The Hovas sofa cover cannot fit the Ekeskog frame, but the Ekeskog sofa cover can kinda fit the Hovas.

For more information on the differences between the Hovas and Ekeskog IKEA 3 seater, check this link out: https://www.comfort-works.com/news/hovas-vs-ekeskog-differences-can-i-fit-the-ekeskog-slipcover-on-hovas/

Some of our works

Hovas 3 Seater Slipcover in Gaia Flax Hovas 3 seater in Kino Taupe

Hope this helps!

-Henry