I will cut to the chase with this decision: I will be using Knoll upholstery fabric — Rivington in Palm — on the sectional I am having built for my Mahalo Lounge.
Earlier, I tantalized you by showing the final choices I was considering for a burnt orange sectional. I had always thought I’d go orange.
But once all my draperies were up… and I had a bit of time to viscerally absorb the dominance of the greens in the large expanse of fabric… I pretty much knew that green, not orange, was the way to go. I ordered a bunch of green upholstery options pronto, and once they arrived, I knew it was the right way to go.
A green sectional will anchor the room much better and ensure eyes moves all around the space. An orange sofa would be okay… but would stop your eye too much… I’ll use lots of orange in accents instead.
To search out the just-right green, I collected samples from the same companies I wrote about in my orange upholstery roundup.
I also knew my choice for green upholstery fabric the minute the sample arrived at my door: Knoll’s Rivington in Palm.
Several friends who have seen the fabric in the room including with the draperies are up were gobsmacked at how beautiful this fabric was in the space. It was a no-brainer.
The Knoll Rivington in Palm has a chunky woven weave that includes greens in a few colors and definitive pops of blues, too. It will look great given the Polynesian Pop style of the room — hey, it’s named “Palm” for goodness’ sake. The chunky weave also gives the fabric some motion, which I like in a large piece of furniture; I was concerned about using a solid color, afraid that all-solid would read like a big blob. I almost always prefer tone-on-tone patterns to solids when I am covering a large expanse — be it countertops, walls, windows or furniture.
I also think the rich green upholstery will look fabulous with all my faux bois wood trim surrounding it and with the leopard print rug planned for underneath.
Last week, the furniture maker who is building the sofa for me came for a visit. He assessed yardage needed, and is sending me a contract letter. Once that is in hand, I will be ordering the fabric, mailing in the deposit, and then … waiting with baited breath to get my new sofa.
I’ll be visiting the furniture maker during the process to take photos — and I’ll reveal who it is then. The company has been in business making furniture for more than 50 years. They’ll be making my sectional the old-fashioned way — with eight-way tied springs, etc. I’m very excited to have found it!
Most of my room is being put together very affordably (wait ’til I write about my $10 bar hack). That said, the sectional is one of three significant expenses that I bit the bullet and decided to spend on; the other two are the faux bois painting, and the pinch pleat draperies. While I “could” have done the faux painting and made the draperies myself and saved some money there, I was not game to try and build a sofa sectional from scratch; duh. This will be the most money I will surely ever pay for a piece of furniture in my life. I have a feeling that I also may being researching plastic slipcovers soon.
Sandra says
The green is much more soothing and has greater longevity. Great choice! Such a tropical vibe!
Joe Felice says
Good choice.
GlenEllyn says
Hallelujah! I imagine that’s what went through Pam’s mind when she saw the Palm. Ha,ha. I’m an orange-lover but wow! This is perfect. I can’t wait to see it.
I can see Pam already – lounging on her new Palm sofa, tropical breezes drifting in as she serenely sips her maitai… Well, as tropical as the breezes get there.
Deb says
Love the Palm! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
tammyCA says
Oooh, the Palm is very nice. I thought orange but good choice with green here, esp. now seeing all your newly painted wood.
Donna says
the Palm is lovely! some orange accents will be just enough!
SebastianPDX says
Phew, wow but…maybe plastic slipcovers will come back! Anyone here notice they were covering the Billy Hanes furniture in Joan Crawford’s living room, on FX’s “Feud.” Ms. Kueber, I assume you’re watching it because of all the MCM Hollywood glamour!
Karin says
“No wire hangers!” (haha). Those plastic slipcovers used to cover midcentury furniture makes sellers of vintage furniture really happy. The upholstery would be pristine after 40 years. It wasn’t much fun to sit on then though, My parents had a dining set in which the seat cushions were covered in clear plastic. I think they were supposed to come off after they were bought, but they never took them off. And yes, were they sticky!
Lyndasewsalot says
I am a big fan of all of your decorating choices. And that fabric is just perfect! That said…..some retro things just shouldn’t resurface. I know (Hope,Pray) your Kidding about the plastic slipcovers!!!! I was a kid in the late 60’s ,early 70’s in Brooklyn N.Y. There was lots of smoking , and no air conditioning, and sticky hot plastic slipcovers. Some things should just stay in the past. Pam, don’t be crazy in the bad way! lol
pam kueber says
Yes, just kidding!
Judy H. says
I must say I was a fan of the orange until I saw the PALM! It pops those draperies in a way the orange never could, in fact, I think the PALM makes those already gorgeous draperies even more gorgeous. I did wonder if the orange might dilute the beauty of your fabulous faux bois wood trim; the PALM makes it sing! A more perfection color selection there has never been. The true serenity and leisure of your Maholo Lounge has been sealed. Congratulations!
linoleummy says
Aww, not orange?! I have no doubt it’s still gonna be awesome! Did you have faux-bois dreams while on vaycay?