A couple of years ago, we bought two cream sofas for the boys to sit on while they played video games. We chose them because they were on clearance, and while the soft cream wasn’t our preferred color, the price was right, and my Instagram algorithm approved.
Time went on. We remodeled the house on the spur of the moment. We moved out; we moved back in. Everything was cream or white, and my Instagram algorithm approved.
The boys grew like weeds. Mikey is now the same height as my husband, and Nico isn’t far behind. I noticed Nico contort himself into the loveseat that he once laid on like a Roman emperor. Family movie nights became impossible. We put up with the discomfort for our weekly mass, and it was fitting. We sat properly with hands in our laps in uncomfortable fluffy cream pews. My algorithm said no one else on Instagram had these problems.
I started looking at sectionals. I wanted something in a mustard color similar to Medina’s from Grillo Design but didn’t see anything I liked in my price range. The sectional also needed to be near flush to the ground because Maggie and Fig want to create little dens of sin under furniture. I decided hunter green would be pretty. My Instagram algorithm did not approve.
At the same time, for different reasons, talk came up with the boys about self-expression and taking risks. We told them to be themselves, not what someone expected them to be. “Don’t follow the algorithm,” I cried out hypocritically. I am naturally an overly cautious wall builder with a tendency to overthink. My husband is just a private person in general. It’s true what they say about getting older. We lament some of the risks we avoided.
It’s also true what they say about being a parent. There is little more frustrating than seeing your personality weaknesses in your children. Our motivational pep talk wasn’t going anywhere until I remembered the hunter green sectional. I put a survey on Instagram and asked people to vote on what color sofa they expected to see in my home. Over 70% of voters said they expected me to have a neutral sofa. Even friends who sat on my old blue chesterfield voted neutral. Only one person, Kate, messaged me to ask if I considered indigo a neutral color. I showed the boys the results. “See what I mean,” I cautioned. “Don’t be so safe that you disappear.”
I took my advice and started sharing more of what I like on Instagram. I shared pictures of rooms I would never see in my algorithm–photos with color, pattern, and evidence of human life (in one I saw a discarded pair of socks and a family picture). I joked that I was going through a maximalist grandmother phase. I received an effusive if unexpected, response. I confessed to buying Midnight Sun. Sometimes when I am cooking dinner, I show a dirty countertop, and there will never be enough stories of Fig snoring in front of the TV. The Instagram algorithm isn’t happy, but I am.
I told my friend that the sectional completely changed the look of the house. “It’s more woodsy/boho than I wanted, but I think I can UK it up with some florals.”
“You can easily UK it,” she replied immediately, which made me feel better. I wouldn’t want to disappear into the wrong algorithm.
Hunter green isn’t my color but I LOVE your hunter green sectional. Seeing the image in Instagram made me click into the blog for the rest of the story. Algorithm, schmalgorithm. :-)
Yay! That’s the attitude (I am trying to adopt)!
This sectional was a GREAT decision. I love it!
Thank you! The boys love it. They said it’s both big and cozy at the same time.
I absolutely love your hunter green sectional and rugs – especially with that stone fireplace. Real wood-burning fireplaces give me all the heart eyes. Also, you may be ahead of the algorithm curve – I’ve been toying with the idea of painting our bedroom a deep rich matte (hunter) green. You wait – it’ll be all the rave after all the Scandinavian whites and creams.
I don’t want to brag, but in 1987 I was the first girl in my school to wear black leggings under my polka dot swing skirt. It’s still one of my proudest moments. ;)
Love it all! The green sectional and the rug make the stone fireplace feel more at home. You’re going to be adding layers all over the place!
Yes, that is the plan! I hope to be more courageous about it. Applying details is where I tend to overthink and stall!
Before I even knew what this post was about, I saw the photo and thought “that couch is fabulous!” Sometimes it’s ok to try on different styles and trends, if only to figure out how you really feel about them.
You are so right. I tried the serene all-white home and it didn’t work for me. I do think it is very pretty.
That sofa is so gorgeous! Love love love that colour! Also, love the expression ‘UK it up’
It is scary how I have thd same tendency of avoiding risks and bold choices out of fear and who knows what else.
I’ve got this weird almost paralysing fear of ‘getting it wrong’ so I don’t do anything at all. Just ridiculous.
2 years since we moved to our home and I have so many projects left for later because I can’t commit to making certain choices.
MaybeI should print a picture of your sofa and stick it to my fridge as inspiration ?! ❤
I would be honored. We can do this “risky business” together. :)
Your sectional is beautiful! Neutral is so overrated. Plus you are ahead of all the IG designers anyway. I recently read that color is going to make a huge comeback in our homes in 2021 due to COVID. People are looking to bring vibrancy, the outdoors and life to their homes now that we are spending so much time in them.
Hey now! That would be great. I love to hear that. :)
LOVE this. it is so interesting to me how much instagram and algorithms in general have changed our viewing habits and our influences. it’s freaking me out a little actually. and while i’m not a fan of florals (yet) i LOVE the darker color of your sofa for many reasons, chief among them the ability to hide DIRT!!! xo
I’ve always been a hopeless fan of florals. Laura Ashley in the ’80s was my glory days.
In love the phrase “maximalist grandma.” I keeping taking those “what is your style quizzes” only to realize what I like doesn’t really fit in a box. About 10 years ago I painted our home office a soft brick red & decorated with artifacts from my in-laws’ attic. It made no sense and I went with my gut & I loved it. This is a nice reminder to do that more often. I do love the green couch in that room.
Where did you buy this couch? I love it…and I bought my wedding dress off the rack at Laura Ashley in 1984…sigh…