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The Makerista

I'm Gwen, a modern traditionalist who isn't afraid of color. Kansas City.

A Striped Loveseat

One of the perks of sharing my love for design on the internet is the people I meet along the way.  I have the most amazing souls taking an interest in what I share, and sometimes you all share things with me that make my heart go pitter patter!  On Saturday I got an Instagram message from a girl named Sarah.  She was in Lawerence, Kansas about an hour from my house and saw a loveseat that she thought I would like.  I saw the picture and got the feels.  I’m a sucker for a stripe, but this stripe was in the same colors as our library!  The lines were clean but a bit feminine, and the price…it was half off for a grand total of $35!  I told Sarah I was so thankful she sent it my way, I loved it, and I wish it was closer to me.  She messaged back “I live in KC and it would definitely fit into my car.”  Umm…go on and tempt me, Sarah!

 

Come to find out she was in her boyfriend’s car he lives in Lawrence and he let her borrow it to bring it to me the next day in KC.  Such kindness all around!  I picked it up Sunday afternoon and did some moving around to make room in the library.  I absolutely love it against the shelves but could also see it going where the piano is at some point the piano could be fun against the bookshelves too.  There is a bit of wear on the arms, but the worn-in pieces always make me a better mom – no fussing over kids being on the furniture in any position other than sitting.  One of the many joys of secondhand shopping furniture is the ability to buy something on a whim.  I love being able to change pieces up for very little money, I don’t have to worry as much about my kids causing damage, and if someday I decide it’s not a fit anymore I can definitely say I got my money’s worth.

I know some of you are saying “that thing is so 90s” and you’re right.  And whether you like it or not, I think we’re headed in that direction again.  Blue and white linked to some of my favorites in this post, maroon and pink, feminine details…Would love to know your thoughts in the comments!

See more on our library here.

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Comments

      • S@sha says

        Its a perfect fit for your library! My first thought was take off the skirt too but instead of a fringe I’d gold leaf (brass leaf, is that a thing) the legs to match the sconces you have on the bookshelves. I think that would modernize it a little.

  2. Shelley says

    It was definitely made for your library, what a great library, what a great find!

    As long as the country motif doesn’t come back with those colors, I’m good.

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks so much, me too! I’ve been thinking about adding it for a year or two now, glad I finally took the plunge!

  5. KS says

    I might be the only weird OCD germ freak, but I’m soooo curious how you clean everything you thrift – from coats & clothes to furniture???

  6. Mindy says

    Way to go, Sarah! This fits you and your space perfectly, Gwen. Absolutely stunning! I love your addition (for the time being!) of all the blue in white in the bookshelves.

  7. Elizabeth says

    I love this! How wonderful to meet so many kind people thru Instagram and blogging. With kids and pups a $35.00 sofa is a great deal and something one doesn’t have to worry about.

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks so much! I definitely had the thought, but I like the polished look with the skirt at this point.

  12. Peggi says

    I think it looks smashing! The cushions appear nice and plump, and I dig the tone-on-tone stripes. Score.

  13. Brittani says

    Love it! You have the best eye for putting things together! I am curious, when you thrift something like this, how do you go about cleaning it? Not just this one but and chair or loveseat,etc?

  14. Kristi says

    I love it! My favorite pieces are thrifted too. I always struggle though, with how to clean it. Just in case something comes along for the ride. What’s your method? I generally leave it in the garage for a while after doing my best to vacuum it out.

  17. beth says

    It doesn’t scream 90s because you put in in your amazing library where it gives off the coolest vibe. Absolutely love it!

  20. Kate says

    I love it and love your style and love your thrifting! My first thought was that maybe you should take off the skirt and show some leg! Don’t know why, just popped in my head. Either way, I love how you are making it ok to buy used upholstered furniture. I’ve always done that, and don’t know why people have such an eversion to that.

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks so much! I like the skirt for now, but we’ll see what I go with long term!

  21. Pamela says

    Tailor made! OUTSTANDING. as to anyone who says that is so____, I decorated homes from the 70s to the 80s to the 90s and 2000s and every style gets (so called) dated. But good design is good design and someone might as well say of your new sofa “oh that is so 18th century Thomas Chippendale.”

  22. Caroline says

    As soon as I saw the picture I was like “that is the exact colour of the bookshelf……how did she find this!!!” and the story is so cool! It was meant to be and it looks great. So what if it’s 90s, it fits in this space. it blends right in and doesn’t overpower the bookshelf (which in my opinion is the real star of this room!)

  23. Mary says

    I mean really, could it be more perfect?! Like it was tailor made for your space. I relish opinions but always go with my heart & eyes for my home. After all, I live there 🙂

  24. Linda says

    Its amazing that a sofa could match up so beautifully with the colors you’ve chosen in your library. What a find!

  25. Joanna says

    It’s perfect! And, not just the colour but the style. Those arms! The camel back!
    You could always take some fabric from the back and have the arms reupholstered, putting a solid fabric on back.
    The kindness of strangers touches one’s heart.

  28. Tricia Heliker says

    I was blown away by this post. First that someone you have never met would make the connection to that sofa and your library is amazing to me. Secondly to go to trouble to get it to you and finally, that it is Soooo PERFECT. I absolutely love it in this room. Well maybe one more final: the price! Your receiving energy is wide open. I’m using this as my inspiration to keep myself in a similar vibe. Thanks for sharing your story.

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      I know, it was such an amazing experience! Thanks so much for following along, Tricia!

  29. Bonnie Schulte says

    I cannot believe how this love seat came to be in your home. Wow, the stars and the planets, moon, whatever, must all have been in alinement perfectly. What an awesome fit and color for your library. The price doesn’t hurt either. All I can say is Beautiful. I LOVE everything in this amazing room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite rooms are by Ralph Lauren, and this reminds me so much of his designs.

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks, me too, it’s such a great piece and it’s like it was made for in here!

  32. Kat Minotti (@_thekatchat) says

    That love seat was meant for that space. Love everything about this story 🙂