A few years back I decided I wanted a good basic sofa with a slip cover. Truth be told, I have never spent much money on furniture for my home. A lot of what I have was given to me or found at garage sales, consignment shops and second hand stores. I am the epitome of a “use what you have” decorator.
The furniture in my home is all good quality from stores like Ethan Allen, some are even antiques, but I learned from my mom that you can have high end for much much less than you think if you are willing to get creative and let your home evolve over time. Quality furniture will last a long time, so it is worth having.
Only once did I splurge and buy a full price custom loveseat. It was the first sofa I ever bought (18 years ago), and it was the ONLY thing I ever I spent a lot amount of money on (it was over $2,500) and to this day I cannot believe I did that, knowing all I know now about bargain hunting. It was so unnecessary for me to spend that kind of money, we certainly couldn’t afford it, but live and learn.
I will say that I still have that loveseat and the original upholstery — it WILL NOT wear out. So in the long run of 18 years, maybe it was a good investment. For that reason, I recommend buying a classic neutral sofa if you are spending a lot of money on it!
Other than that one crazy splurge, I have never set aside a big sum of money to go shopping for an entire room. Never have, pretty sure I never will. It would be fun (I guess that is why I became a professional decorator), yes, but it is just not something I have felt the need to do. We have other financial concerns than spending our money on furniture. I have gathered a piece at a time as a bargain treasure is found or given. After 22 years, I have a house full of quality pieces that work together that “evolved over time” way.
It takes patience to gather your things over time without a furniture budget. But it can be rewarding to look through your home and not be able to find more than a thing or two you actually spent a hundred dollars (or more) on. Even if you can afford it, imagine all the things you could do with the money you saved!
But back to my desire for a slipcovered sofa. Since I was determined to buy one for very little money, I knew I was going to have to be on the lookout for a deal. I searched my usual haunts but couldn’t find what I was looking for.
I started searching on Craigslist for the PB Basic sofa and lucky for me, I found a local woman selling a down blend PB Basic for $400. So, it wasn’t cheap but it was cheaper than new! And remember, this is DOWN so it is OH SO COMFY! I kept the slipcover she had on it for a couple of years until it wore all the way through and started to embarrass my children. True story, it had holes all over it for at least a year. I am so ashamed.
Finally last fall I was ready to update it with a new slipcover. I searched Craigslist but never found an affordable replacement. I decided it would be most affordable to have a slipcover made for it rather than to buy one from PB, but when we decided to put our house up for sale, I realized I was out of time and that ripped up slipcover was going to devalue our house. I am not a seamstress and don’t even own my own sewing machine, so making one wasn’t really an option for me this time. I had to act quickly to find one ready made.
So I called Pottery Barn in desperation and begged them to search for a floor model slipcover. Sure enough, they had a white (or off white) floor model slipcover up high on a shelf. The only wear on it was a small stain on the skirt, which is usually folded under the sofa a little bit anyways. I knew we’d make our own marks so that was no big deal. She sold it to me for $300. Not as cheap as making one myself, not as cute as one I would make if I could customize it with a pleated skirt, BUT, it was an instant makeover without the fuss. Exactly what I needed!
So now I have a PB Basic down sofa that I spent $700 for. That made it the second most expensive sofa I ever bought. I loved the challenge of finding what I wanted for a fraction of what it would have cost new. I have seen dozens of really high end beautiful quality sofas for $700 in recent years, so I know there is really no need to spend more if you are willing to be creative and flexible! You can buy an IKEA sofa that looks just like this for even less! It might not be quite as comfortable as the PB Basic with down, but hey, it looks great!
And for those of you who asked about keeping it clean, you can wash the slipcovers or take them to the cleaners. So far, I’ve done neither and it has held up just fine. It does get dirty and it is not perfect, but I live with it!
I have a post scheduled for later this week that will give you some tips on second hand shopping, which is my favorite way to find quality furniture at discount prices! I found a $4,000+ high end sofa for a client at a consignment shop for $800, it is a great way to shop! Stay tuned!
this post shared with my buddy Nester
Tips on buying a sofa: Canadian House and Home
Hi, I'm Melissa. This is where I share inspiration for creating a simple, authentic and beautiful home.
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so impressed… how smart to call for a floor model. This is the couch that I want sooo bad. And I was worried about keeping it clean, so thats good to hear you don’t have problems with it.
karli & rockbellas inspiring blog post..Price My Space Party!
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that’s awesome! i love white. what a bargain hunter you are!
melissa stovers inspiring blog post..Price my space – Kid’s bedroom
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Melissa,
I have had the same PB Basic sofa for almost 10 years. I am on my second Kahki slipcover , they do last forever! I had PB send me swatches of white….uggh….they have like 5 different whites! This is not good for someone like me….is the cotton duck to creamy white, is the WHITE white to white? I just need a normal white & it appears that is what you have. Hate to ask you but what white DO you have? This would be extremely helpful….
Lisa
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 12th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
No problem! Ok, I think what I have is the warm white denim. I was willing to take anything in a neutral color and this is what I ended up with. I love the shade of white, not too glaring white but not cream either. Perfection.
I have seen these floor model slipcovers on Ebay too, only thing is I wanted to be able to see it and return it easily to the store right away if it wasn’t in good enough shape. Mine really looked perfect, except for that small mark that I never even notice.
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I have the Rowe version of this slipcovered couch (with down) and I took it to an upholsterer and had the cushions re-stuffed. It made a big difference in how mine looked. I did not even know you could do this until my mother suggested it
XOXO
Beachbrightss inspiring blog post..Could You Live in 450 Sq. Ft.?
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Love it! I really love the white PB basic sofas, but we have leather couches (not from PB) that began wearing out within a year. Such a let down. I will definitely do things different next time.
Looking forward to your consignment post! I bought two of my favorite pieces of art at a home consignment store – I can’t believe the bargain price!
living with lindsays inspiring blog post..Finding Privacy Solutions for Uncommon Windows
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 12th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Consignment is really a great way to shop, so many quality bargains to be found! Post will be up on Wednesday, I believe.
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Looks fresh and fabulous!
Jeanne @ Inspiring Ideass inspiring blog post..Summer Souvenirs
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I’m so glad I asked about that sofa….and got to hear the sweet story. I’ve got this big blue denim beast…paid enough for it and keep thinking that I could sew some slip covers…maybe…sorta… at any rate, I’m…again…inspired by your inspiring
stories.
lylah ledners inspiring blog post..Creating Beautiful Moments
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 12th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
If you can sew them yourself, you are my hero. For those like yourself who have a good sofa but not a PB one, I recommend finding a great seamstress and having her make one unless you can do it yourself! Some will charge you way too much, but I have had good seamstresses give quotes for my clients that were quite reasonable, so it pays to ask around. I usually start by asking for referrals at the fabric stores, they usually give some great references you can start with.
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Karla @ Mom's Potluck Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 7:57 am
What a timely post! I had been dreaming of new furniture for my living room, but I realized I might be able to slipcover or reupholster some existing pieces and be very happy with that.
I have a comfortable, well-crafted sofa in my basement with very dated upholstery. Does anyone reupholster anymore? I’ve always heard it’s more expensive than buying new, but we got the sofa at a rummage sale, and it’s really well-made. I like the idea of checking with fabric shops, I didn’t realize that.
Karla @ Mom’s Potlucks inspiring blog post..Use the right tools: Speedy vegetable prep
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That’s really good to know that you like the PB basic sofa. It’s been on my wish list for a while. And good for you for finding bargains on both the sofa and slipcover!
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottages inspiring blog post..Thrifty Decor Tips
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lucky you! i love those sofas.
Ikea’s white slipcovered sofa, with the slip is only $349 for those who want the look , but can’t afford the price of something like PB. The cushions look flatter than yours though, but i’ve sat in it and it’s really comfy too. $349 is an amazing price I think. Nothing looks better than a white slipcovered sofa imo.
Joni
joni webbs inspiring blog post..Sunday Fun: Fashion, Feed Bags, & Fabric
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 12th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Thanks Joni. Good to know on the IKEA sofa–great tip and awesome price! Mine is a little smooshed from my son walking all over it and beating it up with weapons. I didn’t even fluff it before the photo
It is a pretty fluffy sofa.
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Love this story! I’m so impressed that you knew to ask for a slipcover floor model… a tip I will definitely remember!
I have an off-white sectional that I paid more for than I should have NINETEEN years ago and it will.not.die. I alternately love it and hate it for random periods of time. Right now I love it because I gave it a deep cleaning a couple of weeks ago and can’t believe how good it still looks.
I’m totally with you when it comes to decorating with what you have. And it appears that I will have this big white sofa for a few more years! (So glad I stuck to my guns and bought white when so many people said I was crazy!)
Tracys inspiring blog post..The Bluest Blue
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Love this story! I’m so impressed that you knew to ask for a floor model slipcover… a tip I will definitely remember!
I have an off-white sectional that I paid more for than I should have NINETEEN years ago and it will.not.die. I have alternately loved it and hated it for random periods of time. Right now, I love it because I gave it a deep cleaning two weeks ago and can’t believe how great it still looks.
I’m totally with you when it comes to decorating with what you have… and it looks like I’m going to have this big white sofa for a few more years! (so glad I stuck to my guns and bought white even tho so many people tried to talk me out of it!)
Tracys inspiring blog post..The Bluest Blue
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Oh jeez… sorry I left two comments… I thought I accidentally deleted the first one!!! New laptop… unskilled operator!!!
Tracys inspiring blog post..The Bluest Blue
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I have a little dream that once my children gain control of their bodily functions, that I too will own a sofa with white slip covers with beautiful accent cushions. I know you can wash them, but with six children who have a penchant for Vegemite, I think I’d better wait. Love your sofa, Melissa, thanks for building the dream! Meredith xo.
Merediths inspiring blog post..bookaccino time
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Yes, thank you for a reminder that it takes patience. I want this house done tomorrow, even if it could be, the upholstery people take a lifetime and to rush means the antiques I really want may not be available right now at ant decent price…
The Blushing Hostesss inspiring blog post..Tropical Morning
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I’m not sure I could get away with a white sofa these days – a 6-yr-old and two 4-yr-olds (not twins) make me dubious. But it IS beautiful!
Jamie
steadymoms inspiring blog post..Sponsor Giveaway :: Love and Tea Company
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Thanks for this post. I have been grappling with a sofa purchase for the last month. I spent too much on a sofa that I no longer like…at all. So, I’m searching for a slipcovered sofa and settled on the Mitchell Gold equivalent to the PB Basic and the PB Square. I was worried that being on the “low end” of the Mitchell Gold line, they wouldn’t hold up, but clearly, they are built to last (Someone commented that they have had theirs for 10 years! Great!)
Jeannine @ Small and Chics inspiring blog post..Feeding my paint addiction
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Thank you for reminding me that decorating my home is a process and an evolution, not a one day project! Sometimes I get impatient and I want my home to be done RIGHT NOW, but for the most part, I am enjoying the journey of making our old house into our home. Currently, the kitchen is in the works and your website has been such a fabulous inspiration.
Incidentally, I did the floor model thing for my sofa too. I went into the Ballard Design Outlet and asked them to sell me their slipcovered floor model. Imagine my surprise when they said yes! It was a great bargain and we love the ease of the slipcovers.
Looking forward to your consignment store post!
Annies inspiring blog post..The View From My Back Porch
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Good for you! It pays to ask!
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Floor models! What a super smart thing to think of! I had a sofa with the same lines and same cushion layout in my playroom – ugly worn out blue plaid upholstery…not very pretty, but good “bones”. I tried to sell it this summer in a yard sale, but had no luck. I looked online for slipcovers, and after looking at the Linden Street Friday sofa at Penney’s (and measuring every part of my sofa) I decided to see if their $200 (on sale) slipcover for it might “do”. It worked beautifully! I did have to add a little stuffing to the cushions to plump it up, but other than that it worked. Made a dramatic difference! So perhaps there are other brands of slipcovers that will work on the pb sofa (since I really LOVE it at heart!) but do indeed cost less than the pb price. Just be sure to measure everything (and you can always send it back if it doesn’t work.)
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:38 am
That is a great idea. I was actually thinking of trying that with that expensive loveseat I have. It looks very much like a PB loveseat in its shape and style so I was wondering if I could get away with buying one and trying it out. Thanks for the tip about Linden Street Friday slipcovers, I’ll check those out. Thanks.
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Our furniture is such an eclectic mix.
I do enjoy some of it, while others I would trade in for more comfort.
You did very well. I enjoyed reading about it.
Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Blues and a Mosaic From a Summer Picnic
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great deal you found there! One day I’m going to know how to sew! That way, I won’t have to buy those expensive pieces of furniture or slip covers! Haha! Thanks for sharing!
Cheles inspiring blog post..Is that you God? Should I stop or continue?
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We’ve been lucky to find some great Pottery barns rugs at garage sales, however we are shopping for couches. Do you have suggestions of some nice consignment shops in the Portland area? I would really like to give them a try. Thank you!
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Yes, I really like one in Sellwood (eek, can’t think of the name off hand)…it is almost across from Hollywood video on 13th. It has a parking lot on the right side and around the back. I’ll try to think of the name of it and put it here later. It is a small shop but they get some nice stuff.
Then there is one in Tigard called Consignment NW. It is huge and I’ve found great things there too. You have to look through stuff you don’t like to find the gems, just as in all deal hunting!
I loved a shop up on Terwilliger that just closed, sad about that one.
If I think of any more or the name of the one in Sellwood I’ll let you know!
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I think if we lived next to each other, we would be great friends- your story about your furniture sounds like what I do- here’s a little silly- I did the same thing when we were first married and bought a sofa {mauve, have you} that we couldn’t afford, but had to have it- the darn thing never worn out- it has been pasted around through all five kids- it finally meet it’s end this year- 30 years later =)
I just picked up a few things last week at a consignment store- and I’m so looking for a white slip covered sofa too! { little secret, I just got a invite to a restoration warehouse sale in my area- they only happen 3 times a year- and you have to have a ticket to get in- I’m holding a ticket =)
Happy Day- sorry this comment when on and on =)
teresas inspiring blog post..Sensible Chic
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:39 am
you lucky girl, that is amazing that you got the ticket!
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Oh after my recent visit to a consignment shop, I realized that would be the way to go. Still, even those excellent prices are out of my budget for a while. Great stories about both of your sofas! You must have clean kids, a clean husband, and clean guests.
Vees inspiring blog post..A Haven’s Food Mosaic
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Well, no I don’t have clean kids necessarily (I have a 9 year old boy and teenagers so that should tell you something about our cleanliness!) but keep in mind you don’t have to get a white slipcover! You can get brown or tweed or other dirt hiding fabric if the color is worry.
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But don’t you worry about fleas or bed bugs when buying used upholstered furniture?? If you ever inadvertently bought such an item your entire house would become infested and what a nightmare and expense THAT would be!! Far more trouble and expense than buying new.
I admire you, but I just worry too much about that to follow suit. Has anyone ever bought an infested piece?
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:06 am
No, I have never had an infested piece of furniture. You definitely would want to pick a quality consignment shop for your upholstered purchases. Quality shops only accept quality (i.e. nearly perfect!) pieces. I look them over carefully, smell them and have never had an issue. Quality shops would take the piece back if you had a concern once you got it home. Not to worry, you can safely buy furniture at consignment shops as long as you check the pieces out before hand and have selected a reputable and quality shop! I would especially be careful about buying upholstered pieces on Craigslist (which is where I bought mine!) since there is no return. It is important that you take them time to screen who you are buying from and check out the piece very carefully before you purchase it.
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I have the same sofa with a pure white slipcover. I finally washed it after using it everyday for 2 years. It washed beautifully. I washed it in cold water with Mrs. Meyers Lavender detergent and hung it on the clothesline to dry on a hot day. I put it back on before it dried completly. It was a little wrinkled but I like the way it looks.
p.s. I was not as clever as you were in purchasing it. But we got ours w/our American Express points, it took a long time but was worth it.
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Great tip on hanging them out to dry and putting them back on before they are completely dry. I think that is the key!
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Thank you for the post…I could hardly wait! I peruse Craig’s List every day and rarely find PB stuff. Oh well, maybe in time. Here’s a silly question…are flea markets the same as swap meets?
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Maybe someone else can answer this too…Flea markets have booths that people pay for in order to sell stuff. At swap meets, you just pay to enter so everyone can participate in buying and selling.
Anyone else that can answer this? Is this right?
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Love your PB sofa and the story behind it! We foolishly spent $ we didn’t have on furniture when we first married and didn’t “evolve over time”. Over the years, the furniture became worn with holes and we were still paying on it! Thankfully, we have finished with that loan and adopted a “paying with cash” attitude. We finally bought a new sofa last year for about $700 and I agonized over the decision. I knew it would need to last for many years… and hopefully, it does.
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You thrifty chics totally amaze me ! I admit it I am jealous !
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You thrifty chics totally amaze me ! I admit it I am jealous !
PS: Forgot to add great post!
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I admire your resolve and thriftiness. All you gals today are more budget-conscious, which I guess is somewhat a sign of the times and the state of the economy. I can remember a time when it was all but unheard of to shop at a thrift shop, and now it’s all the rage! (I love my local consignment shop!) I don’t have kids at home anymore, and I hate to travel, don’t give a hoot about clothes or shoes, so my money goes into my home. There was a time when I couldn’t do that. But I figure, you can travel to someplace exotic and carry a photo around. Or you can sit on a piece of furniture that you bought with that money you spent for many years to come!
Brenda
Brenda Kulas inspiring blog post..Price My Cozy Space
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Have patience..don’t be in such a hurry…my dad used to sing that song to me!
Susans inspiring blog post..Sequim, Washington: The Lavender Capital of North America
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Was that the Have Patience song from Music Machine that inspired the line, “Have Patience, Have Patience…don’t be in such a hurry”?
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Stephanie @ A Fine House Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Loved the Music Machine!!
Stephanie @ A Fine Houses inspiring blog post..Fine Finds
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Isn’t that just totally a blast from our past? Ha, glad some of you recognized it!!
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Melissa,
That is what I keep telling myself….have patience. I have a living room with 1 sofa, and a rocking chair and I am desperate for a loveseat or another sofa. I need more seating, but alas, I must wait.
Have patience, have patience…don’t be in such a hurry.
When you are, impatient…you only start to worry.
(Wow, that brought back melodic memories from my childhood!)
Stephanie @ A Fine Houses inspiring blog post..Fine Finds
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I am May-Jah-ly jealous of your find your PB sofa and slipcover for less than $1000!!! I’ve been searching for a slipcovered sofa and I’ll be darned if they all aren’t soooo expensive! It looks soooo comfortable, even in white (or off-white)!
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I have to share my expensive sofa purchase – about 1978 we bought an expensive Barcalounger sectional sofa in a small diamond corduroy type fabric. I think the sofa was $1800, a bunch of money to us. It was supposed to last “forever”. It did. Unfortunately. We finally gave it away in 2008. That was one time I wished it had not lasted “forever”!!
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I like this post–it reminds me to be patient. I haven’t always been good at thrifting–we just don’t have many thrift stores around here that are good for good furniture finds, but I still try occasionally. I do wish I’d talked my husband into a PB couch when we were first married, so I wouldn’t be stuck with our Ikea look-alike one. It’s okay, but not for tall people.
aubreys inspiring blog post..You know it’s time to fold the laundry when…
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Thanks for your answer on swap meets/fleas. May I please ask another question??? Is your PB Basic sofa the down or poly blend? I’ve heard the down doesn’t hold it’s shape as well…but would like to hear from someone who actually owns the piece. Thanks in advance
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mine is down and you can see from the photo that the back cushions get a little floppity. When I bought the sofa the owner had a second pair of back cushions made out of foam that were stiffer. I just didn’t like them as much as the “sink into it” down. The down just gives a less formal look that I really like. However, you can have the down refilled to plump it up more if you find it to be less full looking over time and you want to restore the plumpness
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I too purchased the PB Basic w/slipcover in Honey this past January. A couple of weeks ago I got a call from the store telling me that they were getting rid of the slipcovers that had been used on some of the floor samples. I was told to get to the store within the next couple of days if I wanted one. To make a long story short, I got a white denim slipcover in mint condition for $60! I would not normally choose white, but for $60 I can afford to have it cleaned regularly.
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Hello Melissa – I really like your sofa! It looks incredibly comfy and I love the calm creamy white shade. Great job getting it for a fraction of the cost of a new one! Love those stories. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Marie
Maries inspiring blog post..price my space kitchen & bedroom
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Awesome couch! Great great great advice.
Elizabeths inspiring blog post..Happy 4th of July to my American friends!
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I love your blog!!!! So inspiring! I just figured this out this year, the ikea slipcovers fit the P.B. basic couches just perfectly. I have 3 P.B. basic couches. The white one at Ikea is $49.99. What a deal, I couldn’t get the material for that cheap and the material seems the same to me. Like someone said the Ikea and P.B. Basic couches are twins separated at birth. Hope this helps in the future!
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I just wanted to say thank you…I’m on my computer nearly in tears ok in tears. I’ve never-ever wanted something so bad, I work hard…save like crazy and even after I crunched my numbers for a PB sectional-comfort I won’t be able to afford it for another 7 or 8 months. That’s with no vacation, shopping, cutting my dry cleaning expense, heck I pretty much need to wake up and work-and that’s no way to live. I came across your blog and I read it, tears pouring down my cheeks I read it. I’m so embarrassed that I have to shop on Craigs List for a couch, I feel like if I ever told anyone they would think I was incredibly dirty or something. You never know what someone is selling you these days, so I just felt so discouraged. When I read your blog, here you were putting it all out there for the world to see it wasn’t shameful, you’re not the cheapest person in the world, and there is nothing wrong with admitting you love something but need to cut corners to afford it. Thank you…a million times over….just thank you I needed to be inspired.
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Guess what?! I posted an add yesterday on CL looking for a PB Basic or PB Square and I found one…only a year and a half old from a newly married couple who has moved into their new apartment and have now ordered the sectional. So I guess you can say their loss is totally my gain…for $400! I’m now on the hunt for an off white PB Square couch cover, and I’m having no luck. I have again scoured CL and Ebay and even Pottery Barn, but they don’t have the PB Square as a floor model. Melissa ANY help would be appreciated, I’m trying to stay super thrifty on this so under 200 dollars or just over would be perfection.
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I LUCKED UP on a PB Basic (Mitchell Gold) sofa, at a church sale for (are you ready?) $75.00….it was $150 the day before, but I waited overnight because I knew I’d have to have a truck, and when I went back, there she was in all her red/white striped glory, and when I asked the woman if it was $150, she said “No, I’m sorry..I’m afraid the price has changed”…I was mortified…surely someone had told her what the sofa was…I told her to break my heart and tell me what she was asking, and she said $75…and I swear I broke out into a ridiculously happy crying fit…It’s been 3 years, and this slipcover looks just HORRIBLE…so a white slipcover on Ebay for $159 is not going to punch a hole in my wallet, and Voila! A nearly-new PB Basic for LESS THAN $250!!! I am the Queen of Cheap…someone on Ebay has the PINK slipcover for a very good price…it’s a very demure pink, and I’m SERIOUSLY considering it, just to have a spare, and to be able to upset all these men in my home who think their opinion truly matters!!!!
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Susan,
I ended up getting a pb square for a steal, and I actually covered everything from ikea for around $25-30 bucks. I used the karlstad for the sqare and the dimensions matched perfectly, and the erktop for all of my cushions and stuff. I actually shamlessly searched in a discount bin and bought the karstad piece for $5 dollars and then just purchased the other set for an amazing steal. In the end my perfect sofa cost be $425-430 and I love it. So…try Ikea!! If you have the regular pb basic and just want to cover it in all white, you can do it for such a fraction of the cost.
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Stephanie Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Hi Phebe,
I’m looking for a new slipcover for my PB Square sleeper and was going to send out my current faded red to be dyed (for about $300.00) but am hesitating because of the potential shrinkage that may occur. I read your post and went to the IKEA site but see the Karlstad slipcover priced at 149.00. Does the Karlstad fit perfectly over the sofa and then are you suggesting to also get the Ektorp just for the seat and back cushions? So realistically you’ll have leftover pieces from the two slipcover sets? I just want to see how you you found the bargains because buying two slipcovers off the IKEA website is getting pricey, yet again. Your feedback would be appreciated.
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After reading all the posts…I’m wondering if the three different sofas (PS, IKEA, JcPenney’s Linden Street) share the same dimensions. Can a PB slip fit a Linden Street sofa? Ikea on Linden Street? Etc.
Anyone have experience with the different sofas and slipcovers?
I have a Linden Street sofa and would like to have another slipcover.
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Susan Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:12 am
If you want to send me your measurement…arm width, height, depth of cushions, width of cushions, total width of sofa, total depth of sofa, and height of back…it seems like a lot of measuring, but that will guarantee it…I’ll get all my measurements and we can compare…the IKEA fit my PB perfectly, and the Linden Street looks identical….I have a feeling that everyone knows it’s simply the perfect sofa, and they just ran with the design! Mewdeeone@hotmail.com
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Hi there,
Thank you so much for this lovely site! I just want to shout out to all the female Pottery Barn fanatics that are overly obsessed like me over the lovely Pottery Barn couches! I think I’m crazy cause I am so obsessed with them cause they look so classic and clean! My boss gave me her old PB Basic down white couch. It’s 50% goose down and 50% duck down. It is sooooooooooooo comfortable and I get compliments on it all the time. The exterior needs a lift me up cause it has holes in it cause it’s linen material and slipcover. It got washed way to many times cause she had kids and they got stains on them all the time. I have two choices. I can either sell the whole thing for like 500 on Craigslist and put that down on a PB sectional ( which my husband thinks I’m nuts and says no because it’s like buying a car!) or I can get the couch restuffed with either foam or down again and get a seamtrist and make us a new washable slipcover in white for $5oo and then restuffed for not sure ? I need some help and suggestions. My husband is no help because he has no clue on where to look and I love the down feeling not the foam. I like the ” sink in ” feeling not stiffness. Let me know of any suggestions. please..The last thing I want to do is buy a $3000 couch @ PB and go into debt! I have to be smart here.. please help.. thank you so much.
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Susan Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:08 am
If you email me directly with the exact dimensions of your sofa, I will measure my sofa slipcover, which is the IKEA Ektorp (on my PB Basic sofa, which is a PERFECT FIT), to see if it would work…your dimensions should be the exact same as mine, but your cushions should fit a little more snugly because of the feather/down wrap. I did mine in the white, and not only is it gorgeous, it was CHEAP!!! If everyone knew about the Ikea Ektorp cover fitting the PB Basic PERFECTLY, PB would never sell a slipcover!!!
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