Slipcover sofas? (floor, color, light, designers)

[cowboyxjon]

I really like the idea of a slipcover sofa, sort of like the Willow series at Crate and Barrel. I generally don't like slipcovers because they tend to look like sheets that are thrown over a couch, but these sofas have slipcovers that are a bit more tailored. The only thing I don't like, however, is the price. Are there any other vendors that make something similar to the Crate and Barrel Willow series, but aren't quite as expensive?

I'm aware of the Ikea Ektorp series, but there is no Ikea in Denver. The closest one is in Salt Lake City and I don't want to make a purchase like this without being able to sit on the couch first. It's not that I can't travel to Salt Lake City -- it's just that the cost of traveling would add to the total amount spent, not to mention paying for shipping to Denver.

Thanks!

[southbel]

I was actually looking for the same thing and had the same complaint. I found some at JCPenney of all places.

I didn't purchase from there and ended up going to Ethan Allen but only because I fell in love with a velvet sofa from there. A lot of places are making those sofas now due to the popularity of the Crate and Barrel/Pottery Barn thing right now. Good hunting!

[chet everett]

My wife was "on a mission" to get something similar. She did track down several other offerings from other vendors but they were all in the same, if not higher, price range. She went so far as to talk to a few of the actual upholstery specialists that work with custom designers on "built to order" stuff and what it comes down to is that that the sofa has to be built in a pretty solid way and covered with a medium/ high grade fabric that then hass to be covered again with essentially a custom cut slip cover that has to be made of a cleaning - stable material. This all adds a lot of cost due to increased labor and need to rule out lots of fabric choices.

Can someone probably make something like this for less? Probably, but like so many things for people that try to get anything out of the ordinary you are kinda stuck having to either get it done yourself of settle for mainstream solutions. Head to any furniture store and 90% of the sofas seem to have been designed by the same folks that make interiors for custom vans and stuff for air port waiting lounges so the demand for something a bit more tailired is going to be cosnidered "high brow" by folks that are including cup holders in everything....

[gentlearts]

Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs have them also. They aren't ever cheap, but once you have them, you will never want furniture without them. I don't know if Norwalk Furniture is still in business (I know they went through a rocky spell a year or so ago..One of the last American furniture companies), but I bought slipcovered furniture from them through a regular furniture store.
It is very satisfying to wash them and have a pristine sofa again. Worth the $$$, and it will make you wonder how anyone lives with the filth that accumulates on furniture.

[jeepgirl27]

Originally Posted by cowboyxjon

I really like the idea of a slipcover sofa, sort of like the Willow series at Crate and Barrel. I generally don't like slipcovers because they tend to look like sheets that are thrown over a couch, but these sofas have slipcovers that are a bit more tailored. The only thing I don't like, however, is the price. Are there any other vendors that make something similar to the Crate and Barrel Willow series, but aren't quite as expensive?

I'm aware of the Ikea Ektorp series, but there is no Ikea in Denver. The closest one is in Salt Lake City and I don't want to make a purchase like this without being able to sit on the couch first. It's not that I can't travel to Salt Lake City -- it's just that the cost of traveling would add to the total amount spent, not to mention paying for shipping to Denver.

Thanks!

I recently purchased a couch and chair slip cover from sure fit. They fit wonderful. Everyone thought I had new couches. I got the microfiber.
Sure Fit Inc. -- Slipcovers and ready made furniture covers
It was cheaper than buying the red couch and black chair like I wanted.

[cowboyxjon]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

The main reason why I want a slipcover sofa is because I have two huskies and even though I brush them nearly every day, my current sofa attracts hair like a magnet. All they have to do is walk within a few feet of it and it's basically covered in fur. Their hair is so fine that it's nearly impossible to clean. SO, I'm thinking I can occasionally wash a slipcover and the material may be easier to keep clean as well.

I might just bite the bullet and pay the price, but I'll take a look at some of those other options too.

[hothulamaui]

try the company Rowe furnishings they make slip covers too, not cheap but they are a mid range company and well built

[Hopes]

You can have slip covers custom made. You'll get exactly what you want that way. Good slipcovers are expensive wherever you get them.

I have the dog hair problem too. I've owned the expensive furniture with the factory made slipcovers (two sets---that makes three looks for one sofa). It was a pain to take them off and wash them. A real pain. Slipcovers don't solve the dog hair problem. If dog hair is bothering you, you're going to still have dog hair on your slipcovers. You need to vacuume the slipcovers just as much as you vacuum your current furniture. You can't wash the slipcovers every week. And if your dogs shed like mine, a once a week washing won't solve the dog hair problem anyway.

Consider buying leather furniture. Get a good quality leather that doesn't show scratch marks. Dig your fingernails and scratch the swatches at the store. You'll see the difference. Leather is perfect. Dog hair doesn't stay on the furniture. It just flies to the floor mostly on its own. You just wipe down the furniture with a damp rag. No need to vacuum except under the cushions.

[cowboyxjon]

I wanted to bring this thread back from the dead to let everyone know that I finally decided on a new sofa and armchair for my living room. I didn't like the prices of the slipcovered sofas at Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel and happened to stumble upon the "Henry" sofa collection at West Elm, basically because they sent me a 10% discount coupon after I moved to my new house and I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a look. They happened to have the perfect sale for me when I stopped by a few weeks ago -- 15% off all slipcovered collections! I combined that with my 10% off coupon and also received another 10% off because I signed up for their credit card (which I can pay right away and might cancel), so basically I bought the 86" grand sofa and an armchair and had them delivered to my house for slightly less than the cost of the slipcovered grand sofas at Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel.

I couldn't be happier. The sofa and armchair are sturdy, heavy, apparently eco-friendly (not that this is a big concern of mine, but still), and also made in the USA (Mississippi), which is a bonus! I don't have much experience with slipcovered pieces, but the slipcovers were easy to put on when I received the furniture in this case and I think I'm going to eventually buy a set of slipcovers in a different color, just in case I get sick of the color I chose.

Anyway -- just wanted to let everyone know the outcome!

[eggalegga]

Glad you found something that worked for you....and a great deal.