I have a few magazine subscriptions currently; like cushions, you can never have too many. I know I buy Elle Decoration UK, Living Etc, House & Garden, Homes and Gardens at least every month, so it makes sense (and is much, much cheaper) to have them on subscription (and dear husband better not say anything while he spends money on cigarettes).

So for this post I wanted to share with you some great inspiration from the pages of my favourite magazine with a focus on living rooms and specifically sofas.

Above: House in Stockholm shot for ELLE DECORATION SWEDEN. A similar sofa is the Long Island by Sofa.com in liquorice pure Belgian linen, ready in 4-6 weeks and priced at £3,080. It requires a LOT of space, at 3.40m wide it's the size of your average London bedroom! It fits perfectly in a minimalist interior - great for Scandi style lovers.

The Long Island by Sofa.com

If minimalism gives you the chills, then why not go for something classic yet refined: a buttoned sofa or Chesterfield but with the edge that only beautiful velvet can give you.

In the photo below Stylist and editor Jackie Astier brings her rock-and-roll spirit and a passion for high style to her family's Upper East Side apartment, shot for ELLE DECOR (see more here). Apparently the brass Mastercraft cocktail table was an EBAY find (no comments, definitely nothing like that in the UK).

For a similar sofa try the Patrick by Sofa.com in Hudson Roosevelt velvet, an exceptionally deep pile, decadent velvet. It is one of the most expensive fabrics they have that would cost well over £120pm in retail. This 2.3m wide sofa is now only £2,031.50 and is also available with finance.

For something a little more modern try the Stella corner sofa, similar to the one shown below on ELLE DECOR. Try the snow crushed florentine velvet or the egret coloured herringbone, both are great neutral fabrics that will make the perfect backdrop for colourful cushions (see, I keep talking about cushions!).

The Stella from Sofa.com in a light coloured fabric will be the perfect backdrop for accent cushions

The Zeppelin (below) was chosen by Elle Decoration UK and for good reason. It's modern take to the classic mid-century style is refreshing. While the primary colours in the setting below are a combination to swoon over, why not choose it in the AW16 fabrics by Barneby Gates like the Palm Trellis.

The Palm Trellis fabric by Barneby Gates, new for AW16

If you are looking for strong lines and a robust frame for a medium sized sofa to re-create this setting below, try the Sofa.com Stella three-seater sofa in one of my favourite fabrics: Prussian Blue. Seriously, is there anything better than velvet on your sofa? This colour would also look great in a light blue coloured background. At £1,428, this 3-seater is another bargain and could be yours in time for Christmas!

I recently visited Sofa.com in their new Bankside showroom and got lots of inspiration and fabric swatches. Not only does the brand have it's own fabric line, it can also make your sofa in any of hundreds of designer fabrics, to completely customise the look for your interiors.

CHECK OUT SOFA.COM's NEW SHOWROOM

Some of their new products include the Costello which draws its inspiration from contemporary Italian furniture; the Cooper, which oozes contemporary cool: Its high back and luxurious seat cushions ensure a relaxing go-to place, whilst the fine seam detailing running down the arms and back frame offers an elegant touch to an already stylish design; and the laid-back but still luxurious Isaac which will look great in a washed linen fabric.

For AW16, Sofa.com has teamed up with talented designers Barneby Gates to produce two limited edition fabrics. The exclusive collection includes Palm Trellis and Owl and will be available exclusively for six months across the full range of sofas, armchairs, footstools, beds and scatter cushions. Both designs are PERFECT for quirky bars and hotels, mancaves and sophisticated home libraries!

“We were inspired to create a fabric that combined English

eccentricity with classical timelessness, and have achieved this

with the new Design Lab collection.

We were truly excited to collaborate with sofa.com,

comfortable in the knowledge that the brand shares

the same philosophy of unleashing the potential

of colour and pattern in the home, and that together

we could create something beautifully unique.”

Vanessa Barneby and Alice Gates

The new Sofa.com showroom is located at Unit 3, Burrell Street, SE1 0UN, a short walk from London Bridge.

Connect with Sofa.com on Instagram and Twitter.

See my previous visit to Sofa.com for a workshop in Timeless Interiors here.