Sleep or Sofa

Rochester Sleeper Sofa in Lagoon Performance Velvet

West Elm, $1189

(What is 'Performance Velvet' anyway?)

Hoping to convince our respective families to spend Christmas at our house this year--with visions of a real tree propped in the front window and a giant dinner around the new dining table dancing in our heads--we are now on the hunt for a sleeper sofa for the downstairs den. Admittedly sofa beds have a well-deserved reputation; typically too stiff for sitting on as sofas, too uncomfortable for sleeping on as beds. So I'm hoping to overcome the stereotype by finding one that our guests practically fight over when they come to visit---that is also affordable. Impossible, you say? Well, I've consulted the authorities and having gagged at most of the price tags, struck out on my own and found SALES! We're planning to roll around on some in person this weekend, but in the meantime, what do you think about these contenders?

Paidge Sleeper Sofa in Licorice Marled Microfiber

West Elm, $1316

Henry Sleeper Sofa in Aegean Blue Pebble Weave

West Elm, $1359

Davis Sleeper Sofa in Graphite

Crate and Barrel, $1444.15

- Cathleen

Industrial Pipe DIY

So, speaking of projects, I did FINALLY finish my painting my bookshelves and I’ve been walking around in a glow of self-congratulations. And since I still have about thirty-five projects left that I’d like to tackle, I’m hoping to keep that momentum going.

I recently took down the horrible curtains that were hanging in our living room- sheer white drapes with white embroidered flowers *ugh*- which have been there since we moved in almost a year ago. (It takes me a LONG time to get moving on projects.) Since I took them down, we’ve been living in a fishbowl because I haven’t found suitable replacements. Until... 

West Elm Industrial Pipe Curtain Rods

... I found these curtain rods, which I LOVE! I was going to go ahead and bite the bullet on them (I’ll need three for my living room) but I wasn’t quite ready to cough up the $200+ for curtain rods. 

Looking around for other sources, I found tons of instructions for making them myself. I assumed that they would look pretty homemade, but all the tutorials are easy and the final result looks great.

All the pieces I need!

Spray painted copper

Hammered Metal spray paint

So, now my weekend plans are laid out for me: cleaning and spray painting iron pipe fittings into curtain rods! Wish me luck because I’m definitely putting all my eggs in one basket here. 

Good luck to you and any and all DIYs that you’ve got on the horizon. Or just relaxation if that’s your plan!

Happy Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

Countdown to Summer #5

Alright- enough is enough! I am ready for summer- actually I was ready for summer like 2 months ago. I spotted these adorable Claudia Pearson dachshund plates at West Elm last week and they're taking the #5 spot on my Summer Countdown list. 

We have serious dachshund love going on in my house. 

These are porcelain and priced at $16 a piece. Love the price! 

These are great for summer BBQs but I envision them cutest hung on a wall (I'm obsessed with hanging EVERYTHING on the wall). You could totally hang these up in a boy's room, screened-in porch or other quirky space. 

Can be bought here!  Next Tuesday I'll have my #4 pick for my Countdown to Summer. Check back in tomorrow as Wrathleen will be blogging fresh shiz for you!

-Grace