White is the new red!  Or…I finally got things clear in my head.  Not really, but I did get it clear in my head that using white with kids in decorating is actually O.K.!

We bought this sectional when we first bought our current home, almost 10 years ago.   The Sectional came with a lovely red  slip cover.  Over the years, it stopped looking better when I washed it.  It just sort of looked, reddish-blahish.

Imagine if you will, two toddlers, just turned two years old.  Activity level of Thing one and Thing Two.  You know the term “Synergy”?  We had Twinergy!

Don’t let them fool you. They only look cute, they didn’t always act that way.

The oldest daughter was 6

The blur in the background?  Not a camera shadow, see “Twinergy”

Fast forward 7 years, enter a puppy, a CHEWING puppy. 

At the same purchase of Le Sectional, we purchased “Le Overstuffed Chair”.  Said chewing puppy had a lot of fun chewing the skirt of the chair. I thought I would challenge my sewing skills and sew up a slip cover of my own.  After all, Miss Mustard Seed has them all over her blog and even has an awesome video tutorial (which I tried following and um, yeah, pictures are worth a thousand words).

I don’t even allow my son to sag his pants.  My chair apparently has some ‘tude.  (Or the slip cover has no way to stay on because I didn’t put a zipper back there….)  Oh, I forgot (couldn’t stand sewing anymore) to make the cover for the back cushion.  It looks good ala nude, no?

After looking at several other blogs and asking too many questions of kindly folks who wear white year round on their furniture.  I decided to go with WHITE Denim.  We had the slip covers made locally, but I wish I could have used Jill Flory from Sew a Fine Seam!

So far so good.  No one had bled on them, thrown up strawberries on them, or spilled large amounts of chocolate and pizza sauce on them.  Yet.  I washed them for the first time this weekend, they came out even better!

As for that chair, it got whipped into shape, complete with a zipper on the cushion so it’s underwear doesn’t peek through.  She even got a sassy new ruffle around the edge.

As for the Dog, she got a new piece of furniture too.   She only chews this now, her own bed.

Still waiting on inspiration to change up those pillows.  I can only handle one major change per quarter of the year.  I have to wait until June to make another decision.

Sharing my new couch duds at these lovely hang outs:

 

Artsy Chicks Rule
Tutorials and Tips

 

20 Comments

  1. Sharleen

    Sounds like you are having fun. Yes that sounds like a wonder life! . White s so liveable these days. I did the drop cloth myself. But we have the brand name printed on one side of the arm of the chair cover. Woops! I just hide it with a white hot water bottle cover turned into a pillow. And.. Goodness me! We have the exact same floral pillows. How about that. 🙂 lovely. Have a great day. Sharleen.

    Reply
  2. Sandi Reagan

    You are so funny !!! Thanks for sharing so much of your life and family. I always enjoy seeing what makes the gals I follow who they are. Your children look just like their Mama…. Puppy must take after Daddy???
    LOL
    Thanks girl, Great job as usual!
    Sandi

    Reply
  3. Jill Flory

    Your slipcovers look great – I’m sure they are much more professional than mine would have been! I haven’t done the piping thing too often 🙂
    I love white slipcovers – they can always be washed and even bleached if need be!

    Reply
  4. cassie

    they look amazing! so light and fresh in your space!

    Reply
  5. Shelly Andrade

    looking good! wonder if i could have your friend make a slip cover for my LaZboy rocker/recliner that’s all duck taped

    Reply
  6. Bliss

    Is it my imagination or is the dog expressing a bit of tude as well?

    Bliss

    Reply
  7. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

    Gosh those are cute kids! And I’m loving the slipcovers. The ruffle on the chair is a really great little detail!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia

    Everything looks great, love the slipcover on the chair. The kids are cute and so is the dog.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  9. Patricia Krank

    Love the new look and your great sense of humor. You keep me laughing girl! Blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew

    Reply
  10. Catherine

    Looks wonderful dolly–I especially luv the ruffle at the chair!
    -btw-if you don’t want to sew in the zipper, you can always add velcro!
    Hey, the pillows–how about the longitude/lattitude pillows you liked??
    Catherine

    Reply
  11. Alice

    Hi, love your slipcovers. I’m in your area and desperately looking for someone to make me some slipcovers. If you are happy with yours, could you let me know who made them for you? Please.

    Love your blog and enjoy all your creations.

    Alice

    Reply
  12. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

    You are a hoot! I have been wanting to make a slipcover for my sectional forever, but I have a very busy two year old and I’m afraid! I really don’t want to be washing them every week…so I may ave to wait a bit longer. Yours look great and make me want mine even more!! Btw, was that a naked thing 2 running by in a flash?? So real life, I love it!
    XO,
    Christy

    Reply
  13. Suffering Husband

    Oldest daughter looks like dad.
    Youngest daughter looks like Mom.
    Dog looks like son, both are red with a penchant for leaving messes throughout the house.

    Reply
  14. Emma

    You don’t need June. You need me! We are going to paint those walls ASAP. Can’t wait for next Tuesday.

    Reply
  15. Jayne

    I love slip covers and yours look really beautiful and very well made 🙂

    Reply
  16. Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside

    I love the white denim slipcovers! I keep saying that I’m going to try to make some myself but I’m scared mine will look like yours….sagging and unfinished! Maybe I’ll just find someone to make me one!!

    Reply
  17. Marsha

    Love your new slipcovers, they look amazing. I just did a post on my living room and how I’ll be changing things up a little with new slipcovers. Check it out over at Every Little Birdie.

    Reply
  18. Danielle

    Love, love, love how the new slipcovers look. I love white covers and they are perfect with kids. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays.

    Reply
  19. Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse

    Hi Karen! Happy Memorial Day weekend. You are one of the fan favorites today at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a showcase button for your blog. I’m opening up MIP tonight since we all will be spending time with the family. Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
  20. Jeanette @ Creating a Life

    Oh, I love these slipcovers!! I have a big, brown micro-suede sectional that is just begging to be covered like this {when I can afford it} someday! Hope you’re having a great weekend : )

    Jeanette

    Reply

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