Hi Everyone,
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. My son, Cale, was here. Alas, he’s gone home, but we had a great time, eating good food, watching old movies, and lots of chatting.
The other day, after I posted about 50 Living Room Decorating Rules You Need to Know, Lisa D. made this lovely comment:
Wow – five years…I’m going back to your 12/21 post for a minute, because I searched endlessly trying to find the white sofa that you pictured when you mentioned the designer, Josh Young. I tried searching for the sofa using Google images, but had no success, so I’m wondering if you know where to find that particular sofa. If not, that’s fine. I will continue my quest for that perfect white sofa. Thank you, Laurel, and have a very wonderful holiday!
I looked at the image of Josh’s slipcovered white sofa.
Oh my! That is a vintage Chippendale-style sofa!
And yes, I found Josh’s sofa without its slipcover, below.
Dear Lisa, this is how you too can have this sofa.
Why does this work so well, when your aunt’s Chippendale sofa in rose damask looks dowdy?
It’s for the same reason that Gerald Bland’s Chippendale slipcovered sofa looks so cool.
Simple cotton, be it cotton duck or simple stripes, knocks back the formality and gives these 18th-century designs a fresh, 21st-century look.
So, the answer to acquiring a slipcovered sofa like Josh’s Chippendale-style AKA camelback sofa is as follows:
- Find a beautiful vintage Chippendale sofa for less than $1,500 at the most! However, you can most likely find one for a lot less.
Below is another beauty upholstered in linen.
- The sofa then takes a trip to a master upholsterer.
- Should show him the image below, or another inspiration image, a sketch and clear instructions.
In this case, Josh did a box pleated skirt for his slipcovered sofa.
Below is another style of box-pleated skirt
Above is one of the best slipcovers I’ve ever seen. It’s much more of a challenge if there’s no separate seat or back cushions.
If your sofa has straight lines, and you know for a fact the workroom is superb, then it is possible to do it long-distance.
Otherwise, I must caution you to be careful.
Please do not be fooled by the glossy pics showing slipcovers fit for a queen.
That is not their work.
This is what their work looks like.
See how that’s pulling on the arm? The fabric also looks a bit thin, and unless it’s a cotton with a good weight, I’d line the skirt.
Eegads! Noooooo!
The loose cushions should fit like an upholstered sofa. So, not only does this workroom need to be expert, but so do your measurements. That is why it’s best to do this locally, unless you’d like to send your sofa somewhere.
Most often, the sofa needs reupholstery anyway.
- That way, the frame can be tightened and/springs fixed.
- You can upholster with a cool fabric for a different look without the slipcover.
- The cushions can get a makeover.
- And, your slipcover will get a superb custom fit.
Here’s what part of a typical frame looks like.
About the skirt of your Chippendale or any slipcovered sofa.
The industry standard is one inch off the floor. However, I prefer no more than 1/2,” and I’m fine if it is just a whisper above the floor like the beige box-pleated sofa higher up.
But, if you don’t specify, get ready for the flood, or…
Find yourself saddled with some hideous mess like the chair below.
It is not possible to have a slipcover fit the English roll arm like you’re seeing above. That is an upholstered sofa, not a slipcovered sofa.
Above is gorgeous work on the right by the Slipcover Maker. See the difference?
Below are nine vintage, affordable Chippendale-style sofas.
Please click on any image for more information. All of these passed the Laurel test for beautiful proportions and lines.
Josh’s home is so lovely. And yes, the wing chairs are slipcovered. I am sharing this one to show a beautifully tailored slipcover and also to show you what a beautiful skirtless slipcover looks like.
Laurel, do you know what Josh’s wall color is?
Haha. I knew it was coming, so I prepared. It looks strikingly like one of the Laurel Home Paint and Palette Collection 144 colors, Chestertown Buff hc-9.
But, you know the drill. It could be one of dozens of other colors.
Above is a board I did a while back, with Chestertown Buff on the walls.
Speaking of the Laurel Home Paint Collection, there’s some good news!
Sale Extended — New Deadline
The original deadline for my design guides was tonight (Sunday, December 28, at 11:59 PM ET).
I realize many people are busy with family and travel this time of year.
So, I’m extending the sale through Tuesday night, December 30th at 11:59 PM ET.
Please note that these guides are now at the lowest prices they will ever be.
After the sale ends, all five guides will increase by at least 30% and will be priced higher than they were before the sale began in late November.
This is a wonderful time to give yourself — or someone else- a last-minute digital gift.
(Gifting is available; simply enter your recipient’s information and preferred delivery date at checkout.)
Laurel’s Rolodex, The Essential Paint Color Collection, and Six-Figure Income Blogger all include lifetime updates.
I’m also working on something new for the spring — and owners of the Rolodex, Paint Collection, or Six-Figure Income Blogger will receive a special discount.
Final deadline: Tuesday, December 30, at 11:59 PM ET.
(Clicking on the new buttons will send you to the pages to learn more about my interior design guides.)
Laurel’s Rolodex – Newly Updated for 2026 – 12th Edition – A unique shopping guide that shares hundreds of my favorite sources + the inside scoop. For people in the trade– decorators and designers, you will learn about the best sources that sell directly to the design trade.
The Essential Paint Color and Palette Collection (two volumes)
Now including 12 new colors for 2025, with lifetime updates.
Six-Figure Income Blogger. This should be required reading for everyone who has a website and wishes to get the most out of it for their business.
333 Decorating Rules & Tips You Need to Know
A packed reference of hard-to-find rules & tips, you’ll come back to again and again.
The all-new Etsy guide for 2026
Over 200 of the Best sources for Home Furnishings on Etsy, updated every November.
If you’re already familiar with the guides and are ready to place an order, please click the button below to go to the order page.
Thanks, everyone!
Please have a blessed week before the New Year!
xo,
There are also some awesome end-of-the-year Hot Sales!
Related Posts
How To Decorate A Blank Long Living Room Wall
A Fabulous Art Gallery Wall For Cheap!
9 Little-Known Paint Colors Decorators Are Obsessed With
My 20 All-Time Favorite Benjamin Moore Paint Colors
10 Home Decor Faux Pas Dating Your Interiors (According to AD)
How To Achieve Furniture and Color Balance in a Room
The secrets to creating a beautiful interior. You can do it!
18 Responses
Laurel, what can I say? YOU ARE A DARLING! I asked a question, and received an entire post from you! How fabulous is that?! Thank you so very much. I’m wishing you the happiest 2026.
No, thank YOU! I’m always looking for new interesting material, and that fit the bill.
Josh Young’s home is beautiful…I am pretty sure that the living room wall color is F&B Dorset Cream.
Hi Caryl,
Yes, I just looked it up, and you’re right!
I found the quote below, on the Farrow & Ball website.
“I knew I wanted the parlor floor to be in a soft yellow so we went with Dorset Cream, which really adds warmth and truly envelopes you when you’re in the space.”



Happy New Year, Laurel!! I love Josh Young, he was my big love affair last Christmas when I devoured his newly purchased book and his Insta pages for days at an end! I love everything he did in his home in DC and also the transformation of his farm house, there is a video about it for anyone interested. I know he used a lot of F&B paints but for the life of me and everyone else’s who was dying to find out what color he did in his living room in DC we were left dissappointed. If you happen to know the color please le me know! The dark mustardy yellow one I found out is F&B Dorset Cream, but the LR paint is a well guarded secret..
Happy New Year, SM! Yes, the living room is Farrow & Ball, Dorset Cream, but I thought that was the living room, unless it’s a different house or a different living room. You’re more up-to-date on his work, but I’m learning.
Here in Alabama, this style seems to be ubiquitous at estate sales in the better neighborhoods. I have seen them regularly ever since I have lived here (about 30 years). Please don’t hate me for this, but I found one about 10 years ago at an estate sale in mint condition from Southwood made in the 1970s. I paid $115 for it. I have slipcovered it and then reupholstered it in French blue silk which I like better than what was on it. The white slipcover still fits it, and I use that in Summer. I still see them for under $500 at estate sales depending on the size, age, and condition. Antiques will, of course, cost more, but vintage makes me pretty happy (most of the time). I am a big fan of estate sales!
Hi Ellen,
I couldn’t hate you for that. I usually mention estate, tag sales, and flea markets because those are terrific sources– IF they’re available. And if one wants to take the time to maybe find what they’re looking for. I usually get things in that manner, by accident.
Fortunately, a lot of the online pieces are also around $500.
As Mary Evers said I believe a vintage sofa will be more well-made than a recent version. However, if we’re talking slipcovers, they are very pricey. And if the sofa is reupholstered first, the cost is more than doubled. We’re still talking thousands of dollars. However, the result should be stunning.
Hi Ellen,
You have a good point. It depends where one lives. You’re right. It could definitely still cost several thousand dollars. However, if the fabric isn’t expensive, say $25/yard or less, it could be under $5,000 for a newly upholstered sofa which will be like new, with a separate slipcover. Once the pattern is made, more slipcovers can be made.
Hi, Laurel!
I almost bought one of the Chippendale sofas you posted, but my luck with sofas made me promise I wouldn’t buy another sofa without my husband at least seeing it first (and he’s already left for church ahead of me!) But I LOVE the idea of checking Ebay for a sofa- never occurred to me! And I bought a loveseat Chippendale recently redone by a local reupholster in the Bham area, and it’s darling- that one my husband approved, so I bought it for him for Father’s Day! Thanks as always for the beautiful posts * inspiration – Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Gabrielle! Hope the sofa works out for you, but if not this one, there’ll be another one.
You are the master sleuth, Laurel! I hope Lisa D is able to find the sofa of her dreams (or at least create one with the information you have given her). What a joy to be able to spend time with Cale. We have our two adult sons visiting with us right now and it’s the absolute best!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your light, and your life with us. We are only “virtual friends” but through your posts, we come to know you at least a little bit. We care about you and your well-being, and we support you. My heart swells with gratitude (and yes, even love) for you, because you’ve been a blessing in my life for a long time! Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Thank you so much, Sheree for the beautiful message. It means a lot to me and Happy New Year to you, as well!
Hi Laurel, What a lovely post this is. A very good friend gave me a two seater Chippendale when they were redecorating. It resides in our primary bedroom. It has very good lines and suits the room well. I love the horizontal stripe on one of the sofas. Glad you had a wonderful visit with your son too!
Hi Laurel,
I’m so happy you got to spend some quality time with your son.
I love a Chippendale sofa. I wish I had a bigger house to accommodate one.
Also, I think a vintage sofa is much better made than what’s being sold today.
Hi Mary,
It’s quite likely to be better, as most furniture is.
Excellent posting!