The Camel is Back

I just can't stop thinking about this gorgeous room by Windsor Smith. The grasscloth wallpaper, black framed windows, ornately carved octagonal cocktail table, Pierre Frey Malawi pillows, polished silver and plethora of blue and white porcelain all work together to create a room that is cozy yet sophisticated BUT it's the camel back sofa that has has me seriously smitten!  The words camel back sofa usually stir up visions of nursing home lobbies but this, this camel back is different.  I'm a true believer that the right fabric can completely transform a piece and the vibrant turquoise embroidery has done just that.

I usually stick to sold fabrics for large pieces of upholstery but I think the image above confirms my belief that great, timeless furniture (even a patterned piece) can be versatile and can move around your home depending on your needs or vision at the time.  Windsor Smith's home has been published several times and despite using many of the same pieces from her diverse collection of furniture the outcome never looks the same.  I much prefer the sofa in the grasscloth-covered room where it's the star of the show but what do you think?  Doesn't this make you want to go buy that camel back sofa you've been passing up at your local thrift store or on ebay and reinvent it with a vibrant vintage fabric à la Windsor Smith?

(Images Veranda January 2012 and Windsor Smith)