This weekend we not only celebrated Father's Day but also that Brandon and Alicia came home for their leave before they deploy to Iraq in early July. LOVE having them here!
I don't think there's a better gift for Dave than to have his boys at his side. (I love it too!)
Of course, we had to celebrate Father's Day doing the guy thing... going to the "swamp" to shoot... I was the spectator and photographer. :)
How do you like my Fresca can? I love that both boy's hands are holding it up for me. (it's the little things, right?)
On our way home we stopped at my parent's place so I could wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. I'm so thankful for him!! I love you, Dad! :)
I think his love has helped my know God's love better... I know what it's like to be loved by my Father, so I'm extra thankful for that.
On Friday Dave and I drove to Pittsburgh in a rented 10' truck to go to Ikea and get some furniture. It's a 7 hour round trip but worth it for the great prices that Ikea has. I got two couches and three chairs... all white slipcovered. My mom came over and helped iron the white slipcover for the family room couch...
Now I'm thinking that a white couch in the family room is pretty impractical. It's already covered with a white sheet so it doesn't get dirty but that's kind of crazy... to get a white couch and then cover it up? Now I'm kind of wishing that I got a dark brown leather couch (and maybe the chair) that they had. It's the exact same style only in leather. At the time I didn't remember that the rug has brown in it. I normally don't care for leather couches but this one is kind of "clubby" or "cabiny" looking to me. If I got it instead of the white, then I wouldn't have to worry about dirty husband clothes or hands, etc.
I need opinions!! What do you think... keep the white (I am keeping the white in the living room), get the brown couch and the matching chair or just the couch and a different chair. Help!!
Go for the leather in the family room you won't be sorry and won't have to fret..I had a white chenille sofa in the great room when my boys were teenagers..although it was gorgeous, and we had no major incidents..just from lounging on it it evetually got a grey ding to it...which made me cringe!
This house I got the leather...love it..no worries..dog proof, party proof, glitter vacumns right off....wish I had done it sooner..don't know why I hesitated..By the way it is a gorgeous chocolate brown..looks great with allmy vintage finds.
Posted by: connie k. | June 20, 2011 at 09:46 AM
that should say grey dinge..not ding! oops.
Posted by: connie k. | June 20, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Why not just get a brown slipcover for the Ektorp...
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19875765#/S09873781/
Posted by: Amy K in FL | June 20, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Yep, both of my kids have the brown leather from Ikea, one has two couches a chair and the big ottoman, that crew has a special needs kid and a black lab with a furniture pass! That is my son,my daughter has two chairs and a couch and a yellow lab and an 8 year old, then there are the husbands! Much more practical and very reasonable and long lasting and easy care, keep the white for the living room and get the leather for the family room so you won't have to be crazed trying to keep it clean.............good luck and enjoy!
Donna
Posted by: Donna | June 20, 2011 at 10:18 AM
My first thought to the white, "WOW White furniture for a family room?? ACK she's brave!" Then I thought well it's just the two of them...no kids... Personally I'd do the brown leather. I did and love it!! But if you're going for the beachy theme, the white is really nice.
Posted by: Cyndi | June 20, 2011 at 11:14 AM
I say go with the brown. To me, white furniture is just too hard to keep clean. Good luck with your decision. Donna O
Posted by: Donna O | June 20, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Brown would pop where the white blends in and gets lost in your room.
Posted by: cathy L | June 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I have NO opinion about the furniture, for some reason I can't make a decision this summer. But I wanted to tell you how much I love the pictures of you and your dad. They're priceless.
Posted by: Shereen | June 20, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Dye to slip covers to a color of your choice?
Posted by: Doris | June 20, 2011 at 06:26 PM
I say get the brown leather and the white slipcovers both. When you are in a "white" mood...put the slipcovers over the leather!
Posted by: KathyS | June 20, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Leather couch and if you get the leather chair you can get rid of my "Archie Bunker" chair.
Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Hi Debbie, Why not get the slip covers for the ektorp? They have some fantastic colours to choose from and I think they have a brown one too. Then when the husband get his dirty hands and clothes on it you can throw it in a washer...
Posted by: Cori J | June 21, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Just a thought about the leather. I too resisted getting leather, had several couches ruined by kids over the years. Fially my familt (husband) convinced me to get leather. But, now we have two cats. Within a month, I had scratches in the leather. I know you hve a cat, so keep that in mind.
Posted by: Janice | June 22, 2011 at 07:28 AM
Leather. My neighbors got an IKEA sofa in leather and she has 3 dogs...still looks new.
Pam
Posted by: Pam | June 22, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Brown...no regrets and nothing to cover over...you will love it...put some nice pretty pillows on for the different seasons and you are done!
Your Mom is so cute ironing those for you and I love the ones with your Dad! My Dad was never chatty and I really enjoy visiting with your Dad because he IS!!
Love to you! :)
Posted by: joey | June 22, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Hi Debbie! Go with the brown, The white over time might start getting a yellowish tint and then imagine: someone caring a dark colored drink and trips(GASP!!) hahaha I just loved dark colors so I'm being biased haha.
Posted by: Leilanie | June 23, 2011 at 07:28 AM
If you are responding to an urge to lighten things up, you may not be happy with dark slipcovers. An extra set of white slipcovers will make regular washing maintenance easier, like changing sheets. But if you want even easier maintenance, quality leather improves with use and age, including all the inevitable scratches and scuffs. Regularly apply a good leather conditioner to keep the leather feeling good and let the looking-good part develop on its own (like a memory-keeper). :)
Posted by: pamelajane | June 23, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Love the pictures of you and your dad together - the pictures of the rest of the family are great.
Posted by: Janet M | July 12, 2011 at 07:18 AM