This year has unfolded as a whirlwind of activity and adventure. My partner, Bridge, our beloved dachshunds (“the weens”), and I have spent a significant portion of 2023 away from home. As of May 18th, 2023, we’ve technically only been in our own space for a mere 30 days. Our journey began on December 1st, 2022, when we embarked on a road trip to Arizona, seeking refuge from the colder winter months. This extended escape saw us traveling between the warm landscapes of Arizona, the vibrant energy of Las Vegas (where my sister and brother-in-law reside), and the sunny shores of Los Angeles. A truly unforgettable highlight of this period was the immense privilege of being present for the birth of my sister’s first baby – my very first niece! Witnessing this precious new life enter the world was an experience filled with profound joy and gratitude, making our time away even more special.

Rediscovering Home Comfort: Our Family Room’s Journey to Serenity

After an incredible stretch of travel and cherished family moments, returning home held a renewed significance. We found ourselves eager to re-engage with our living space, ensuring it reflected the comfort and tranquility we yearned for. This brings me to the exciting focus of this post: the complete transformation of our upstairs family room, centered around an incredible new addition.

The Sixpenny Revelation: Why We Chose Unmatched Comfort

Our love affair with Sixpenny began last fall when I ordered their sofa to complete our downstairs living area. You can delve deeper into that experience in my previous post here. From the moment it arrived, it quickly became evident that this was the most comfortable couch I had ever encountered, let alone owned. Bridge and I were instantly captivated by its plush design and inviting feel. This unparalleled comfort prompted a significant decision: we knew our upstairs family room deserved the same level of luxury. We had initially invested in another couch for that space, trying diligently to make it work, but it never quite met our expectations for comfort or style.

With our hearts set on Sixpenny, I placed an order for their Amelia U-Shape Sectional in December. Understanding that custom fills and certain fabrics can take up to 12 weeks for meticulous craftsmanship, we planned accordingly. Sixpenny also offers a wide array of ready-to-ship options for those seeking immediate gratification, but for this specific piece, we were happy to wait for perfection.

The Grand Arrival: Setting Up Our Dream Sectional

The highly anticipated delivery occurred while we were still enjoying our time in Las Vegas. Eager to set up our new family room, Bridge and I flew home for a weekend dedicated to unboxing, assembling, and styling the space. While I don’t claim to be an interior designer or a professional artist, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of personalizing our home with unique touches. Inspired by abstract styles, similar to this piece, I envision painting our own oversized art for the main wall. In the interim, we have two smaller prints, which, admittedly, don’t quite fill the grand scale of the wall just yet, but they serve as a placeholder while we embark on our artistic endeavors!

Introducing the Amelia U-Shape Sectional: Comfort Meets Elegance

Allow me to formally introduce you to the magnificent Amelia U-Shape Sectional. This piece is more than just a couch; it’s the centerpiece of our refreshed family room. It fits the space with remarkable precision, exuding an elevated aesthetic that instantly transforms the room’s ambiance. But beyond its stunning appearance, the comfort level is truly exceptional – a solid 10/10! We opted for the luxurious feather-down fill in the elegant Corn Silk Washed Cotton Linen fabric. This choice provides a delightful blend of softness and support, creating an inviting haven for relaxation.

The lighter color of the Corn Silk Washed Cotton Linen fabric brightens our space beautifully. Knowing our beloved dogs will also enjoy the new sectional, we always keep these cozy blankets tucked into the cushions. This simple solution ensures the dogs can comfortably lounge without us worrying about accidental messes or wear. One of the standout features of the Amelia sectional, and indeed many Sixpenny pieces, is its modular design. The individual components allow for incredible flexibility, enabling us to rearrange the ottomans and sections to perfectly suit our evolving needs and the layout of our room. Furthermore, the removable slipcovers are a game-changer for maintenance; they can be dry cleaned or gently washed, making long-term care effortless and ensuring the sectional remains pristine for years to come. Explore the Amelia U-Shape Sectional and its various configurations on Sixpenny’s website here.

Shop related items and inspiration for this look.

Living with the Amelia: Our Honest Review

It’s been a few months since the Amelia U-Shape Sectional became a permanent fixture in our family room, and we are absolutely enamored with it. The initial “breaking in” period has solidified our love for this piece. While the feather-down cushions do require a gentle fluffing here and there to maintain their pristine shape and luxurious loft, this is a minor, expected aspect of feather-filled furniture and a small price to pay for such incredible comfort. The spacious design of the sectional has also revolutionized our ability to host guests. Now, everyone can comfortably gather and relax together, fostering a more intimate and enjoyable social experience. This has been a delightful change, especially after our recent travels, allowing us to connect with friends and family in our refreshed space.

Based on our experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Sixpenny to anyone in search of high-quality, comfortable, and beautifully designed furniture. Whether you’re in the market for a new sofa, a versatile sectional, an elegant chair, a functional daybed, or even dining chairs and tables, their craftsmanship is truly exceptional. Each frame is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, and you can genuinely feel the difference that high-quality materials make. Sixpenny frequently offers incentives, such as 10% off your first order on their website, making their premium pieces even more accessible.

Styling Our Sanctuary: From Blank Slate to Inviting Retreat

These photographs were taken just before my return from my recent book tour, so the styling is still evolving. My next step is to prominently display my Rachael’s Good Eats cookbook and coffee table book, perhaps alongside some new seasonal flowers, to add those final personal touches. The room is truly coming together beautifully, a far cry from its initial state. When we first moved in, the wall where the TV now resides was a completely blank canvas, save for the existing fireplace. We envisioned a more cohesive and open feel, which led us to undertake a mini-renovation. We added a substantial mantle, providing a focal point and surface for decor, and installed elegant paneling. These architectural enhancements dramatically transformed the room, making it feel more spacious and allowing us to strategically position the sectional to face the fireplace directly, rather than being perpendicular to the wall. This rearrangement significantly improved the room’s flow and created a more intimate, conversational setting.

Explore products featured in this post to create your own sanctuary.

I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this detailed tour of our newly updated family room space! It has been a labor of love, transforming it into a haven of comfort and style, perfectly suited for both relaxation and entertaining. And don’t worry, I’m holding myself accountable for those spackle art paintings – stay tuned for updates on our DIY art project! In the meantime, I encourage you to consider how even small changes can profoundly impact the comfort and aesthetic of your own home.

xx