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Sofa in the kitchen? Turns out it’s exactly what we needed!

January 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

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You know they say you should live in a new home for a while before you do anything major? Because it’s only by living in it day to day and seeing how you use the space and how it works for you, that you’ll be informed to make the best decisions. And it’s so true, but let’s face it, we are impatient. Well, I certainly am!

Our L-shaped kitchen/dining has been a sticking point for us for the 3.5 years we’ve lived here. The kitchen part (renovated shortly after we moved in) is possibly my favourite space in the house so that side of the L, we had covered! The dining part however, was tricky! We’ve tried the dining table in two spots: right opposite the kitchen (let’s call that A!) and also further away by the French doors to the deck (let’s call that B!). When the dining table was in spot A, we had a credenza in spot B and vice versa. We finally realised the spot B by the back door was the best dining spot (and three tables later we have the right one!), but the credenza thing wasn’t quite right and mainly because it became a dumping ground for everything without a proper home. And having clutter opposite my beautiful, minimal kitchen? Not cool!

One day I just realised we needed a sofa there. I was thinking about how everyone naturally gravitates to this room when they come over. It has lovely light, the kitchen’s a nice space to be, it’s where the coffee is made and the drinks are poured and, as they say, the kitchen really is the heart of the home these days. But I couldn’t find quite the right one.

Enter Crafted Furniture, who make custom sofas right here in Sydney, and in only six-to-eight weeks, which is amazingly quick for a sofa these days, especially one made to your requirements.

We fell in love with the Slade Slipcover Sofa after having a good browse of their newest showroom in Paddington’s Oxford Street. Its clean lines (love that arm profile!) just made sense to me for the space, it not being a traditional living room. But the plump back cushions mean it’s still super comfy and frankly, the ideal spot for a nap! So, the sofa choice was pretty easy. The trickiest part was the colour because we could really have whatever we wanted.

I’m so glad that I went against my ‘play it safe’ tendancies to choose this gorgeous blue, because I would normally go for grey or my favourite navy (but I felt the latter would dominate the space too much). Speaking of which, I didn’t want the sofa to protrude out into the space, which is a thoroughfare to the dining table, too much, and I’m talking about the way the space felt, as well as the actual physical space. So we asked for ours to be made 10cm shallower than this model would usually be. It still looks beautifully generous but it fits the space perfectly. We had more space to play with but I feel it would have felt too overbearing had we not made this small change. The length was easy: I just wanted about 30cm of breathing space at either end.

Another prerequisite was removable covers, like we have in the living room and have proven to be a godsend, especially in a room where food is allowed (by default!). This linen and cotton slipcover lifts clean off and can be machine washed on cool but personally, I’ll be getting it dry cleaned when I need to.

The showroom experience was really enjoyable and helpful. They didn’t even mind our two little terrors running around! I think when you’re investing in a quality sofa it is a good idea to go and sit on it, and when you have the opportunity to make it any size to fit perfectly, and hundreds of fabrics to choose from, it’s great to get some expert advice. We saw lots of fabric samples in store but they then sent us our favourites in the mail so we could see them in the context of our room, against the paint colours etc.

Our kitchen opposite the sofa with laundry beyond

I knew I wanted a large artwork above the new sofa and couldn’t resist a new one from Melbourne artist Kirsten Jackson. We have one of her much more vibrant works in our living room which takes centre stage and always gets so many comments! This is a lot more subtle and I’ve tied it in with the lounge and broken up the blue by adding a couple of soft pink Eadie Lifestyle linen cushions. Then I decided the pink terrazzo stump in the living room looked just perfect here so brought it in. Do you ever do that? ‘Shop’ from what’s already in your home? I highly recommend it!

We are so thrilled with this new seating area in our home. What was just a spot for the credenza (which is now in the hallway so we haven’t lost the drawer storage) now feels like a whole additional room! It is already very well used and many sticky fingerprints have already been spot cleaned off it without any drama. Phew! This area also looks so damn pretty and the colours work so nicely with the kitchen and the art. I also feel so smug that we have finally worked out how to best use this slightly awkward space for our family and visitors!

Now please excuse me while I go and listen to a podcast with a cuppa on my new favourite couch…

Photography by Joe Cheng

Crafted Furniture have a 15% off sale on until the end of the month if you’re in the market for a sofa. Check them out online or visit their showrooms in Paddington, Crows Nest or Castle Hill. You can even arrange a consultation via FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

The owners of Crafted have over 20 years experience in the furniture business and they proudly make everything here in Australia. An additional benefit of this is you only wait an average six-to-eight weeks for your custom sofa. Crafted also work with The Sofa Project charity to help re-home your old sofa to someone in need.

Disclosure: We received a trade discount on our sofa.

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

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The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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