Alan Ilagan

{The above photo is of a Crate & Barrel couch – the Petrie sofa - which is under serious contemplation…}

I don’t know if it’s the sunny sitcoms of the sixties (I just sat through a few Bewitched episodes on DVD at Andy’s urging), or Charlie’s house in A Single Man (the lemon tree walk-through, the half-circle couch – how could she be so unhappy?), or the stylish goings-on of Mad Men, but I’ve finally come around to appreciating and enjoying the retro-modern feel of 50s/60s furniture fashion. Andy has longed for a couch in such a style, but I’ve resisted because they just didn’t look comfortable. (Odd, as I’ve always embraced style over function.)

There’s no easy way to pinpoint or explain such shifts in style preference, and it used to drive Andy crazy that I was so changeable, but he’s learned to accept it. My style shifting is far less drastic than it once was (there was a time when my bathroom had a new coat of paint every other month, and my comforter changed with the seasons) but I still get antsy when things get stagnant.

Which brings us to the next new thing in our home: a couch. I’d love to see a simple make-over of the family room in 60’s modern style, centered around a low, tufted couch in Tiffany blue, and for once I think it might intersect with Andy’s taste. That would mean redoing most of the room, however, except for the coffee table, and we’re in no position to do so, but I’m always at my best when planning ahead – and a dream can become a wonderful goal.

{Above is exactly what I’m looking for, albeit in a different color. This version is available from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and is called the “Dexter” – which also happens to be one of Andy’s favorite shows, but I’m guessing it’s prohibitively expensive – I’ll find out for sure this weekend in Boston.}