Brown leather sofas - had their day?

[FishAlive]

Am pregnant and incapable of making any decisions.

We're redecorating our lounge and in dire need of new sofas. We have a 2 year old, a baby on the way and I'd also like to get a couple of kittens if when things calm down after DC2 arrives. I've seen these sofas on the Habitat website:

2 seater

3 seater

They are in the sale and look nice enough though I've never really been sold on leather sofas; not keen on the coldness in the winter or the stickiness in the summer. Plus wondering if they are now a bit passe (for want of a less nobby word)?

BUT I can't disagree with DH when he says that they are far more practical with small children....

We like modern-quirky-retro (realise this is a contradiction) stuff like this, rather than the classic Next-catalogue look (no offence to anyone who does, just not for us). We have wooden floorboards and live in a 1905 semi with lots of character. Some friends have just got brown leather sofas and I can't help but think they look just a couple of years out of date now ...

We are going to have a sit on said sofas this afternoon to try it out. Maybe it'll just depend on how we dress it with cushions and the rest of things in the house...

If we don't go for leather, I would like something like Sofa.com's Isla with removable covers.

Anyone want to help me through this first world decision??

[poocatcherchampion]

I tend to agree. we have a brown leather one in the kitchen - from a charity shop, I'm not that sold on it but we will keep it a while (currently renovating). we have a cream one in the sitting room with washable covers - it was only £50 from eBay so we are not be precious about it but it has survived all sorts of red wine spills. dds don't eat or paint anywhere other than kitchen mind.

we are getting another for the sitting room - it will be fabric too.

[poocatcherchampion]

PS Isla is nice

[FishAlive]

Saw it in the flesh and thought it was horrid!!!

Will try to convince that it's worth driving to Chelsea to go to the sofa.com showroom to look at the Isla!

[Pinkje]

The Habitat one was horrid? Thought it looked nice. If this is a stop gap until the babies and kittens are grown why not get a second hand leather sofa;gumtree and ebay have plenty ( proof perhaps that they are passé!).

[FishAlive]

Yeah it was really reddish and plasticky looking and not comfortable at all to sit on. Looked cheap which I suppose it kind of is

[jamaisjedors]

If you don't like leather sofas I don't think you'll ever be sold on one.

I hate them too. For all the reasons you list.

We have a couple of leather chairs but I never ever sit in them.

I also think brown leather has had its day for the moment (ie it'll be back in another 10-15 years) although the pic you linked to looks quite up-to-date and nice.

Cue lots of posters saying it's timeless!!!

Have you already re-decorated the lounge? What colour scheme are you going for?

[CalamitouslyWrong]

If you like the barker and stonehouse one, why not buy it? It's cheaper than the habitat one. DH really likes that sofa (and it's very comfy).

Or buy one of them and an Isla. They'd be nice together.

[FishAlive]

Haven't decorated yet and colour scheme still tbc. Love the stuff on Loaf's website and this kind of stuff appeals more than any leather sofa does. Just nervous about them being wrecked in a few months with small sproggies.

[FishAlive]

Actually barker and stonehouse have a shop in battersea too so that's 4 showrooms we could go to in one day (loaf, sofa.com and sofa workshop too). I would happily spend the day perusing sofa shops - think DH and DD might have to be dragged a bit more!!

[CalamitouslyWrong]

John Lewis also have a sofa that's similar to the barker and stonehouse one. It comes in a bigger size too.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I've got an old Chesterfield that used to be my parents. I couldn't give a shit if brown leather is out of fashion. It's style that counts!

[ggirl]

I would get an Ikea one with removeable covers, there are a few styles that would fit your retro taste .The stockholm is nice
We've had Ikea ektorp for yrs and have changed colour of cover about 5 times..I get bored easily.

[FlynnRyder]

We have a brown leather sofa that has gone through lots of baby vom, cat sitting, spills, being used as a trampoline by the DCs etc and it looks the same as it did when we bought it 5 years ago. I don't really care if its "in fashion" or not. Its comfy, practical and good value for money. Once the DCs have left home in 10-15 years maybe we'll get a nice fabric one but for now, it makes sense.

[StringBeanJean]

I think in the right style/ setting they can still look good. I've just got one for the same reasons you list, OP, small child and wipeability won over my designs on a sleek fabric number...until the dangers of chocolatey fingers have passed anyway!

I plumped for a lovely vintage Laura Ashley Penhurst sofa for a bargainous price on eBay - looks totally gorgeous and I love it

[FishAlive]

I just googled that stringbeanjean - it looks lovely! Looks far less plasticky than the habitat one did!

[HaveToWearHeels]

Get leather one, we have just replaced a brown one with a cream one and we have a dog and a 4 year old. If you get a fabric one (that doesn't have removeable covers) you will be constantly worrying about drinks/food/pens/shoes.