Plain cream armchairs - how bad an idea?

[Lovage]

So I've fallen in love with some plain cream art deco style armchairs with black piping, in a velvety kind of plain cream fabric. The fabric can be scotchguarded, and I guess it could be cleaned by an upholstery cleaning service if it does get grubby, but I don't want to buy something that will look dirty within months. Kids are 8 and 6, not especially grubby but within normal bounds. I'm a bit prone to spilling cups of tea, but maybe I could make a rule not to sit in the armchairs with cups of tea (I mostly sit on the sofa anyway, which would be a grey/black/cream pattern - much more spillage-proof!) ? The chairs would get used most days.

What do you reckon?

[QuiteQuietly]

No no no. Each chair/sofa was like another child in terms of maintenance and forethought. Ours were covered in blue stains from new/darkwash jeans, sweat stains from ill people, dribble marks from people falling asleep, fingerprints from newspapers etc. etc. I recovered them in the end so that we could enjoy sitting down and relaxing on them. Scotchguarding is pointless. Any treatment after manufacture is a waste of money - it has not be treated when dying to be effective.

[MrsLettuce]

They sound stunning but for the love of all things, please don't do it!

[Lovage]

Thank you for the clear answers! The scotchguarding would be part of the manufacturing process, but it is just normal fabric with scotchguard applied to it (or dipped in it? I don't know - I could ask the manufacturer, who is really helpful). But that still sounds like 'no'. Sigh They are gorgeous. But two kids is enough - having decided I don't want any more kids, I should definitely avoid taking on psedo-kids!

What about cream faux-leather, which is another option? I don't like the look/feel so much as the velvety ones but I guess they would be wipeable? Anyone got cream faux-leather armchairs and kids? Do stains wipe off, or not really?

[QuiteQuietly]

By all means ask the manufacturer - but they are trying to sell them (and upselling you with extra products/treatments). Unless you can laminate them...

With the cream faux-leather it would depend on the fabric and finish. See if they'll send you a large square sample and spend a week or two sitting on it (not 24/7 obv., just when on your usual sofa). Be sure to wear your cheapest/darkest jeans and spill some coffee/red wine/noxiously coloured fizzy drink on it. I do this with high-traffic carpet now and reasonable suppliers are happy to oblige. Good luck with your sofa shopping!

[Lovage]

Excellent plan, thank you! I have a suitable sample already.

Luckily, I don't have to give up on the shape if I give up on the cream - I could have them all in the same grey/black/cream pattern, I just didn't want everything all matching. But that may be the least worst options.

[MrsHathaway]

We have cream, but machine-washable. DC slightly younger. The covers typically need washing three or four times a year from just grot, or more often if DH gives the toddler a chocolate digestive ::still bitter::

One armchair can't be washed. It is 3yo and utterly foul, so has throws and blankets all over it. At least they can be washed.

It's not about spills but just general grime. I can't have the only grubby children.

[Lovage]

Thanks, that's more useful info. Actually, I suspect I'm as grubby as the kids - my hands are less sticky but I spill more drinks.

[magicgirl74]

I have 2cream sofas but I can remove the covers for cleaning which I have to do several times a year as I have a black dog and 2 black cats.I also have a teenage son and a messy husband but iv had the sofas well over 10 years and they are in really good nick but I need to get new covers as we are starting to get a few holes ?? but I will probably go for cream again as it goes with everything ??

[WingsClipped]

I have white fabric sofas. Really wanted them for our little white cottage so we got them. Washable so I bung them in the wash every couple of weeks. Brilliant coz you can see and therefore clean the filth.
I would steer well well away from light colored non washable sofas though. The inevitable stains would bug me.