In the near future, we're going to need a new sofa. One option that we are seriously considering is modifying an Ikea Karlanda sofa. Since we are still in the period where any sofa we buy will soon be destroyed, spending any amount of money on it seems just a bit foolish. By hacking a KARLSTADT, we can have the look we want for a whole lot less money and feel a bit less stressed out as it begins its decent into child-induced destruction. Shown above, in it's most basic form, the KARLSTAD with a white slipcover rings in at just $399 for the 3 seater sofa size. (my favorite stock color is the Isunda Gray, shown first image below, $599.00) The sofa is sturdy, comfortable, has replaceable slipcovers and is priced in a range that will make actually using it feel a bit more comfortable (when it's covered with all the glop that start glomming on here and there the second it enters the door). I saw a few mid century make-overs and they look really good and I've included a few samples below that go beyond the straight-up stock version found at Ikea, including new legs & adding buttons to tuft the seat. Ikea offers a range of slipcover options, but you can really upgrade the look with customized choices from Bemz or Comfort Works. I think the easiest way to upgrade it from it's standard state to something much more special is swapping out those clunky legs. Ikea offers a stainless option, but you can go a bit further with Prettypeg legs, which are really lovely. My favorite, though for simplicity's sake, are the mid-century modern legs from Uncle Bob's Workshop or Thirteen Colonies on Etsy. Click through on the images below from Honey Badger Home & My So-Called Handmade life to see more about their Ikea hacks & the tufted cushions. If you want to upgrade the slipcover, just buy the basic white slipcover. If you want to tuft your cushions, you'll need extra fabric for the buttons, so pick up a few of the extra matching pillows or an ottoman cover. If you want to do something really special with the legs, visit Prettypegs. You can choose from a slew of style and color options. Aldor, Estelle, Dagmar, Karl or Kurt in one of the wood tones will give you the most mid-century like look, but there are quite a few other options if you just want to spiff it up those clunker stock legs. I love the colored tips on Karl & Estelle and the Yellow Siris or Astrids are pretty cool too. (This is why I'm leaning toward Uncle Bob, way too many choices for me that I love at Prettypegs to ever be able to make up my mind.)
