Mini Quandary -- Patterned Sofas, Yes or No?

I've kind of always wanted a crazy, patterned couch in colors that would make grandma blush. But would today's favored pattern become tomorrow's mauve and teal flamestitch? Oh wait... that's coming back, right?

Hot damn, not bad. I think I'd even like it in teal.

Anyway, what do we think? Balls out, all over upholstery, like only Miles Redd can bring it:

Or could we cheat a bit and maybe just tuck a blanket into the seat cushion to create some interest:

Can I tell you how much I love everything in this picture? Love. This is my Acid Wasp wet dream.

I may or may not be obsessed with contrasting patterns. Am I? Do you feel the need to save me from myself, or to egg me on?

So is the blanket thing too messy? Or is it ever worth the splurge to just upholster the whole couch in a pattern? I'm a little scared things could veer into Buatta territory. And expensive, I-redecorate-every-five-minutes territory. Still, wouldn't it be fun to do it up righteous?

Can you tell I'm super sick of having leather couches???

Happy Monday, folks. It's going to be a good week. Or else.

[1st Dibs, House Beautiful via, AD, Lonny]

Friday Thrift Store Score

Yesterday I realized that I've been moving like a zombie through life, with no time to do anything other than the bare minimum of dishes, laundry, child care, work, autopilot blog posts, rinse and repeat. With my first few minutes to spare in what seems like eons burning a hot hole in my pocket, I scooped up Ike and headed to the thrift store. Ah, the thrift store -- a smelling salt strong enough to bring even the grayest zombie back to pink and rosy liveliness. A creamy salve soothing enough to heal any wound. Too bad it doesn't do taxes and toilets, but a quick trip to the thrift store will fix just about any other problem I've got going on with its miraculous selection of crap I don't need but desperately crave. It satisfies my inner hoarder, and cheaply at that.

Anyway, I bought a heavy vintage vase covered in gorgeous green glaze, one that speaks to me of precious emeralds and malachite mysteries. This ain't the best picture, but y'all get the drift.

If you've been struggling just to tread water lately like I have, then I hope you find some time this weekend to hit your local thrift and uncover a treasure that speaks directly to your heart.

Hopefully for less than $5.

The Perfect White?

So now that I have a fantasy house to help decorate, I've been busy as a bee collecting inspiration pictures and ideas for The Inlaws. Priority #1 is a complete kitchen overhaul, and I'm sure we'll discuss that ad nauseum later. For now I am preoccupying myself with determining an overall color palette for their house my vacation getaway. The space is not ginormous, but the ceilings are super high, it has tons of windows and it gets a lot of light. The floors are warm polished marble, like so:

The current neutral running throughout the house is not horrible, but it's a little too yellow (more yellow than this picture). The aqua walls have to go -- too cold and contemporary. The Inlaws have employed fairly traditional decor in the past, and I feel like my task will be to ever so gently nudge them toward clean lines with casual finishes. I'm headed for slightly more modern but still very comfortable (and hopefully with a splash of drama), as befits a super radical 70's pool house. They seem willing to go to there.

With that in mind, I'd like to solicit your ideas for the perfect white. The ideal candidate would stand 6'2", do dishes, and be sexy as hell. Or, you know, just look great on the walls. I have some ideas of my own, but I'd love to hear yours.

Help me out, peeps. Nothing too clinical or super ultra light. Something versatile and welcoming.

And... go!