After spending the weekend ill and perched on my sofa, I feel inspired to address the question of how to pick out the perfect couch. It’s a question I often get asked, but like most things in the world of design, it’s highly personal and dependent on your lifestyle needs.

When it came to choosing the couch in my own living room, I went the form over function (well, comfort) route. I came across this amazing 1950s shallow couch that worked very well with the rest of the room and its foam cushions make it the perfect place for guests to sit. It looks absolutely perfect in my living room.   But, it’s not the spot to curl up and watch Gone with the Wind. 

Here is the couch in my apartment that I got on eBay two years ago. I had the foam cushion reupholstered
.

For many people, comfort is the key. Those who like to relax on a nice cozy couch after a long day of work should really go for a couch that is no less than 23 inches from the front edge of the cushion to the back edge of the cushion. The higher above the 23 inch mark you are, the comfier the couch tends to be; when you get less than 23 inches, you’re looking at a couch that is more for perching. An important thing to keep in mind if you are purchasing your couch online is that sellers (and sofa manufacturers) usually quote the overall depth of the couch, not the edge-to-edge cushion measurement …  so make sure to ask for the edge-to-edge cushion measurement I just mentioned.

Also you should look into what the cushions are made of. Solid foam cushions are the hardest ones and down/feather cushions are the softest; if you can’t decide between the two, some couches have cushions made from a thin foam center with a down wrap.

Besides the material, most of you have probably noticed that some cushions require “fluffing” while others require no maintenance at all. It’s the feather/down cushions that need the "fluffing-up" to maintain an attractive look (cushions with only down wraps require a little less maintenance). So, if you aren’t into maintenance, foam cushions are the way to go. You can balance the hardness of the foam by selecting cushions that have been sewn into a cotton case (they allow for the smoothest upholstering). Another way to add extra comfort is leather upholstery; its durable, softens with age and is easy to care for—it’s a great balance of comfort and fashion.

Here’s an example of a shallow leather couch
  

http://cgi.ebay.com/Long-and-low-mod-Chesterfield-sofa_W0QQitemZ270145974832QQihZ017QQcategoryZ63584QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you’re like me and use your living room more for hosting purposes, a shallow couch is a great option for cocktail parties so guests can perch over while engaging in
conversation.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mid-Century-Danish-Modern-Sofa-Couch-Eames-Era-Long-Low_W0QQitemZ190134433155QQihZ009QQcategoryZ63584QQssPageName
ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is an example of a deep, comfy couch.
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/RALPH-LAUREN-Leather-Sofa_W0QQitemZ230154382649QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4960QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Beyond deep versus shallow, buying a couch is mostly aesthetic and there are endless options to explore!

I’m sure that many of you beachgoers have had your fair share of unwanted run-ins with driftwood, so you may be surprised to find out that while it’s often considered a nuisance, driftwood has increasingly been gaining in popularity when it comes to home décor.

Being that I am in the midst of decorating my upstate cabin and that I’m going for a rustic look, its been great to see a lot of driftwood in design shops that I like. The cool thing about the wood, and why I think home decorators are increasingly starting to use it, is that each piece of wood is 100% unique with colors and textures that are impossible to replicate.

Something I’ve done and would be an easy project for anyone looking for furniture with an authentic, earthy feel is to simply attach a glass plate to the top of a leveled piece of driftwood. This is an easy way to make a great end table. Actually, you’ll probably find that the hardest part is finding useable wood, especially for those of us who aren’t in close proximity to a beach!

For those of you who would rather buy something ready-made, there are some truly stunning pieces out there. I just found an eye catching mirror made out of old strips of driftwood. It’s a great example of taking something natural and turning it into something polished.  Here are some other great products I’ve found that turn driftwood into refined and elegant home pieces.

I love this slung coffee table because it’s a perfect example of how you can take an organic piece of driftwood and turn it into something simple and fun!

http://cgi.ebay.com/COLLECTIBLE-DRIFTWOOD-COFFEE-TABLE_W0QQitemZ170131710359QQihZ007QQcategoryZ38205QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Great for children or a summer home, this mirror captures the beach vibe people so often associate with driftwood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DRIFTWOOD-GRAY-LIGHTHOUSE-SEASIDE-WALL-MIRROR-NEW_W0QQitemZ110121242470QQihZ001QQcategoryZ45498QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

This a great way to incorporate driftwood in your garden, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend caring for your plants. This particular example features Tillandsia which grows easily on rocks and trees without soil.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Live-Tillandsia-Airplants-Bromeliad-Grapewood-Driftwood_W0QQitemZ160137694942QQihZ006QQcategoryZ25463QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Modern and sleek this lamp would be great for an end table.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260140849854&indexURL=10&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

Living in New York City I often find myself nostalgic for my carefree childhood nights spent camping in the Adirondacks. Perched over an open fire on a campsite, my friends and I would roast marshmallows while we relaxed and enjoyed the warmth and crackles of the great outdoors.  With this in mind, I‘ve always known that when I built my own country patio I would create a sitting area with a fire pit as the focal point. From cocktails that can be enjoyed around the fire before moving indoors, to taking in a cool nighttime breeze, fire pits are truly great for all ages and they have the added bonus of warding off pesky bugs!  

I spent much of this past 4th of July weekend working on the terrace at my country house, my getaway in upstate New York.  And of course, the fire pit is the star.

If you don’t want to build your own, there are countless options for readymade ones. Here are some of my favorites!


Streamlined and sleek this fire pit would be an elegant addition to anyone’s patio. The aluminum base and granite top make the fire pit easy to maintain and able to resist even the worst weather. Best of all it is multifunctional as it can double as a table.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fire-Pit-Natural-Gas-or-Propane-Firepit-Grill-Table_W0QQitemZ120140028275QQihZ002QQcategoryZ85916QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

This fire pit truly brings back childhood memories. You can use fire wood or some Duraflame logs, either way this is a great take on a traditional campfire pit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LARGE-WOOD-BURNING-FIRE-PITS-OUTDOOR-FIREPLACE-L-K_W0QQitemZ260135089866QQihZ016QQcategoryZ85916QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

For those of you who are working with a small space a metal fire pit and screen like this one is a great option.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OUTDOOR-PATIO-FIRE-PIT-FIREPIT-CHIMENEA-FIREPLACEYARD_W0QQitemZ280132825102QQihZ018QQcategoryZ85916QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

This type of steel fire pit is great for those of you looking for a modern take on an old time classic.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Uniflame-OUTDOOR-FIREPLACE-Fire-Pit-Black-Copper-NEW_W0QQitemZ160137086475QQihZ006QQcategoryZ85916QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem