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Trying Another Sofa Set-Up In Our Living Room: The Milo Sectional Sofa
What a totally abnormal experiment – to be able to try out a few different configurations in your living room in the name of “photographing your sofa line”. Not exactly typical, but my goodness, I wish this on everyone. I suppose that could be the future of AI (so far, it’s doing a terrible job when prompted – No offense, future leader robots!!). Last week, you saw our living room with our double “Barb” set up (which I LOVE), and on that same day, we brought in the sectional sofa (shout out to my team led by Gretch for a lot of literal heavy lifting). It’s hard not to like – it just works visually (but less so functionally). I’ll prove it:
The colors work. The scale of the sectional sofa is great. And it’s so cozy. I love our sectional – it’s chunky and low and so comfortable, with the sink-in-able bench seat and the cushion-y back. It’s a 7 on the firm scale at first, then will wear into a 5 (which is where you want it to be – you don’t want it to look sloppy and mushy).
If there were a TV above the fireplace, it might make sense for the configuration to be mainly facing the fireplace, with few other places to sit. But this just isn’t enough seating for this room, which is mostly for hanging out, screen-free, with friends or our kids.
But for fun, let’s look at a slider of both green sofas first:
Now, onto the two recent setups:
I love how open it looks, how it fills the space, but with enough negative space to allow your eye to rest. But once you’ve had two sofas where everyone gets to spread out while talking, it’s hard to go back (and y’all, this room is big and can handle two sofas, so the single chaise sectional facing a non-TV fireplace doesn’t make sense to be our living room).
Again, the greens:
And the other two:
The chaise on the Milo is big, though, in such a good way. A total double cuddle corner. And if the cream linen blend scares you (it’s a performance fabric and has a lot of thread variety), know that it comes in a velvet Charcoal and Chocolate as well. I love the chunky arms and how solid it feels.
A little more green, anyone?
And finally, the view fully facing the sunroom:)
I also want to mention that with the cost of furniture these days, this sectional is so well priced at $2,999 and is cheaper during Black Friday sales. I have zero control over what it’s listed at, but boy am I begging for it to be at least 15% off (and Wayfair mostly free shipping, so hopefully that is an extra incentive). It’s all made in Texas and ships out quickly, so you can get it by Christmas (hopefully!).
So which one is your favorite?? As the person who lives here with husband, kids, and pups, I have a clear preference, but I honestly love all three. You all have more distance from it (I’m literally too close to it), so curious what you think. Are you Double Alice? Double Barb (blue and pink)? or Big Milo???
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
Double barb is my favorite ! The colors and forms just sing to me. But let’s be honest! all three are great options!
Double Alice. All 3 options are great, but the dusty blue and mauve is too 1980’s for me.
haha. it is kinda 80’s! I like it but you are right!
I agree. Both the color and the style.
Double Alice! Love that green and the symmetry.
we are putting it back in next week to shoot holiday 2026 for a magazine but i’ll try to get one shot and post it here or on social, too. I’m excited to see it for the holidays, but Brian is even more adamant about the double barb than he was.
Double Alice still has my heart. Followed by Big Milo. Taking your word that Double Barb works, because it continues to be my least favorite.
haha. I appreciate this. I’ll convince you!
I’m remembering an old post from Brian years ago where he mentions not knowing which sofa is in his living room. haha! Life of a stylist blogger! Hooray for finding something that works well for your family, space, and lifestyle.
Double Barb in pink and blue 🙂
I’m really enjoying this series of Sofas In A Room! They are all beautiful sofas, but for this space I definitely prefer the layout of #2 (the pink and blue barbs), however I prefer the simpler colours of this one, #3. I think this #3 layout isn’t as cosy, largely because it opens the whole arrangement to the stairs, which makes it lean a little “hotel lobby”. Layout #1, the two green sofas with the two mustard armchairs, felt extremely “hotel lobby” to me, and also the least cosy of all the options. I think this does come down to there being 4 “entry points” in Layout #1, versus only 3 in Layouts #2 and #3. I think for what is essentially a floating seating area in a large, open plan space, you really need to define the area as a kind of cosy, freestanding corner and make sure it doesn’t feel like a pass-through space (which is why the number of entry points makes a difference). So my vote goes to Layout #2, but with both sofas in the same colour – either the blue or the pink, both of which I think are very “relaxed farmhouse” vibe. I… Read more »
Ah i see. So you want less entry points? and is your vote double barb but in the same color? I love all this imput. double barb, but have them match?
Came here to say matching barbs!
Yes, I think fewer entry points makes it cosier and more defined within the larger space.
And yes, Double Barb, Single Colour.
I prefer the Double Alice but it may be the color more than the sofa. Agree a Double Barb in blue might be the winner.
Wanted to reiterate the idea of one Barb in blue, one Alice in blue…
Just wanted to say that I love the specificity of this comment! The point on # of “entry points” is great. I prefer the more casual layout of #2 or #3, but couldn’t quite pinpoint why until I read this comment.
Oh thank-you!
Double Alice, but different pillows with it then originally used. It seems a bit flat with all the velvet and deep colors. The pink and blue distract from the house too much and for me don’t work very well. I do love love love the blue chair.
Yah i think for next weeks 2026 christmas magazine shoot and i’ll try with different pillows. Obviously accessories can change everything. Not sure how I’d convince Brian though. The guy is SOLD on double barb 🙂
We are not sold on the double barb, pink and blue ???? and all the velvet. Too much, and not farmhouse vibe. This layout works, and blends nicely. Also, like green, but maybe in the L shape.
Hard choices but I’m team pink and blue. It just works! It feels cohesive, cozy, and gives you the space you need. This new sectional iteration is also very nice- it reminds me more of your Glendale home and feels less Oregon to me. No doubt it’s a lovely look but it also feels the least exciting to me and reads more generic.
I LOVE the green Alice sofas but they never felt quite right. I liked the addition of camel to the furniture palette but the two camel chairs felt like way too much velvet, too formal, and I agree with another commenter that it read very “hotel lobby”. So I understand your dilemma.
This has been a fun series!
Yah agree re the sectional. I love it, but its more of a TV/family room and I’d also want it in the darker colors.
No. 3 looks best for Instagram. But for living, the two sofas makes sense and I vote double Barbs although the double Alices look great, too.
This one a thousand times over. The others are way too fussy by comparison and even a bit prim and prissy.
Modular sofas are way more comfortable and better for hanging and conversation.
This looks modern, fresh, family friendly and relaxed. To my eye, the room finally works in a way that it hasn’t done up till now. Probably my Australian sensibility for relaxed modern rooms emerging here. I loathe twee farmhouse style.
And I can imagine everyone around the fire (assuming you light it). Having no tv in this room hasn’t got anything to do with the price of eggs in China as far as I can see, nor with the position of the sofa.
I really love this.
Just read this over and to be clear I’m not saying Emily’s house is twee farmhouse! I was thinking of fixer upper and that kind of look.
hahah. no worries! i love how much you love it. it just doesn’t seat as much nor create that conversation area that we want (everyone would be facing the same way). I do love how it looks for sure and it was super relaxed. thanks for your input 🙂
I think you need an L-shaped sectional!!
I’m team Double Barb, I think it flows better! But seeing as your living room is so big could you maybe try Big Milo BUT WITH THE CHAISE ON THE OTHER SIDE? And then a Barb on the other side? It might be too much but it would definetly give you plenty of space and the air that the Double Barb setup gives. Just a thought 🙂
You know – i haven’t thought about this! we kinda had that set up years ago with our article sofa and the leather rejuvenation sofa. the sectional + barb could work. but y’all i can’t have a cream sofa in here. I’m not disciplined enough with my dogs (as you know) to wipe their paws and we live in the rainiest part of the country.
Does Milo come in other colours? I totally understand the cream/ white sofa dilemma, maybe a darker camel tone could work as a nice contrast to a blue or green second sofa?
I like the white sofa set up best, though might add a small visually unobtrusive chair in place of the leather poof, if there will be a large group sitting around. I like the double green set up next best. To me, having the two different color sofas and all those chairs makes the room feel like a furniture show room.
Love, love, love the darker green with the two mustard chairs. So much seating and the lines are great
Shout out to all of the hard work it must have been switching out all of the fur and accessories. Impressive.
And all of the options are great. It’s your house, you know how you use it, you do you.
Seriously. Shout out to Gretch! I pulled my back out the day before one of the big switches so Gretch and Brian (and Bailey a freelance PA) had to move almost everything (for the double barb which are by far the heaviest).
Big Milo all the way – it’s as though this room can finally exhale. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great room no matter which sofa and arrangement you choose but this last choice, the Milo, makes the room seem really pulled together and beautifully, effortlessly designed. When something seems “effortless” you know it really isn’t but it is just meant to be!
Interesting!! I think this is Kaitlin’s favorite visually as well (our photographer).
Agreed — feels like the most natural fit, the pink and blue was trying to hard and didn’t vibe with aesthetic.
I do like the sectional but can see how it creates a “dead zone” and less seating. How about double Alice (green) in the configuration of the double Barb? I LOVE the green but also really like the 2 sofas in more of an L rather than across from one another. Maybe this would give you the more casual feel you have been looking for rather than the formality of the parallel sofas? What a lovely problem to have that each of these actually look really nice – it’s like having to choose among 3 wedding dresses that all look stunning on you!
Yes! I do want to try this double Alice in an L shape (and I do have a smaller alice in storage). Maybe in January we’ll set this up. I mean, who needs AI when you can just physically rearrange your rooms all the time (LOL – this is so crazy that we are able to do this). and thanks re the wedding dress analogy 🙂
Yes (in my imagination) this is the version I like best.
I’m a double BARB Fan!!! I prefer the cohesive of the double greens. All 3 are wonderful options y’all.
I think double Alice has my heart. I love pink and blue but the green just pops in the photos. I’m sure it’s different in reality. Could you lay the Alice’s out like you have barbs instead of facing each other? Maybe that would help although i love symmetry!
also. Maybe i missed this…but id love a post with maybe you and also Brian or someone taller sitting on each couch side by side abd giving real life info on comfort/depth. I’m so tempted to buy on of these but its hard to make that choice without touching and feeling them!
thats a great idea! and I totally agree. We shot me ‘sitting’ and ‘spreading out’ on the barb last week for social that goes up I think this week (so look on IG stories). Both are really comfortable, but in different ways. The alice sits deeper without the back pillows, more shallow with them. The Barb sits perfect for a slightly deeper seat as is (feet can rest on the ground but I can also criss cross apple sauce easily). The Barb has a more supportive back (its higher). The Alice is a bit firmer but still really soft (think cushion on top then more support).
I love the sectional. I’m wondering if you put a modern rocking chair or some other type of chair by the fireplace and then you have a conversation area. Or even your flowery chaise where the chair is now (maybe even move the little hutch) and then move the blue chair to the other side of the fireplace OR to where the chaise was and put a bit smaller chair or rocking chair to the left of the fireplace. Something very calming about the sectional and in that color. I don’t know why it’s reading grounding to me when I usually do like a colored sofa. Either way, I do still love the 2 barbs better than the greens.
I love the look of the cream upholstery in this space but the little chaise isn’t big enough to section off that area between the entry & the sunroom. There’s no real value in opening up your convo area to that empty space. A true L-shaped sectional could provide the separation you need there (as do all the 2-sofa configurations you’ve shown) with the bonus snuggle corner.
I’ve def thought about an L shape (even a U shaped). maybe I can mock it up. Agreed that it would provide a lot of seating but I don’t have an L shaped so likely not going to happen (especially when we love the double barb so much). the floral chaise is really just a pretty inviting vignette that i love to look at – post coming next week about it!
Does this mean you’re trying the Bennett in here next? Why not!
I think this one looks the best. Easy, effortless, calm, serene, open, comfortable. The others all look too fussy for me; though of those, the Barb looked the best with the lighter colors.
But, this is BY FAR my favorite.
For extra seating, you could add another chair on the other side, or consider an ‘L’ shaped sectional for a tiny bit more seating where the chaise is.
Double Alice! I love the layout and the palette (possible because I have a similar palette in my own home?). The pink and blue of the Double Barb doesn’t work for me. The Big Milo is a cute shape, but the white is meh, IMO, and I see what you mean about needing more seats!
Think how great this sectional would look with your original Amber Lewis rug! Have you ever tried your TV sectional in here? Strictly for fun.
hahahahah. re bringing in that sectional. Its SO HEAVY and doesn’t fit through the pocket door so we’d have to take it out and around but of course now i want to try it. I really need to find two people in Portland that we can hire hourly to help us rearrange but not book all day long . Its so much work for me/gretch/brian to try these out but its so much fun after they are arranged. Maybe in January when we are all wanting the extra exercise, lol.
I read through comments and it struck me how individual/personal preference this is! Such a split! I prefer the look of the milo and I don’t really see how not having a TV matters. It is similar to my great room with a sectional, fireplace, no TV, hosting big groups (20-30 every holiday and for days on end). The colors and flow are peaceful and feel right when I see your photos. But if lack of seating is an issue, can you do the Milo with something else? Second choice for me is the double green sofas. Last… a hard last is the pink/blue. It is so 80s for me… literally my mother’s living room. I am certain they are comfy and would fit better in a different home, but they are jarring to my eyes with your home’s style/coloring. Please don’t be offended. I know this is your job/income, so do what you love. I love that you would do whatever you love despite our input b/c you are confident in your design and you know your family needs- please don’t read that as I am giving permission. #facepalm.
haha. i’m so not offended!! i, too, love how personal it is and how people feel so strongly for such different configurations. such a fun experiment that helps me. And I get the 80’s! I don’t agree that its a bad thing (i mean powder blue and rose are two of my favorite colors). I think because I wasn’t raised in this type of 80’s it doesn’t feel that way to me. so much of our opinions are really based on our own personal context which makes things more fun/interesting. xx
I vote for #1 Alice. To me, the layout of the two Barbs is fine but the two different colors says to me “I just moved in and the extra sofas from my old house will have to do until I can afford to buy new ones”. And agree with others about the 90s color combo.
haha. i really don’t love a ‘leftover furniture’ vibe either. I don’t agree here but I get you! I think sharing the same lines is what I love (maybe if they were totally different it would bug me).
I like the 2 green sofas the best. Both the blue & pink & the L-shaped white both feel too busy to me. The 2 green facing each other with the 1 or 2 chairs at the end feels cozy & functional.
after staring at the photos i like the blue chair instead of the two green. Its just a softer color palette but I love the function of the two swivel chairs (but admit that it also leaned ‘hotel lobby’).
Double Barb!
I’m with team Big Milo, but have a feeling this is not your favorite! I have creamy white slip covered couches in my living room so may be why I’m drawn to it. It looks beautiful, cozy, functional without all the unnecessary stuff.
I love the Big Milo the most BY FAR; the others are not even close. Love the shape, style, fabric, color, and how it looks in the room. Looks so calm, modern, and inviting. It just works! Love this sofa, love it in the room, and love the styling of the room with it in it. Another chair could be added where the ottoman is.
Since the Milo comes as a sofa without the chaise, can you try two Milos in Pearl in an L, similar to how the 2 Barbs are positioned?
The styling of the room with the two Barbs looks too busy and cluttered to me. Also, I don’t love the style of the Barb sofa arms; looks too art deco-ish for this space.
The dark green of the Alice look too dark for this room.
I’m sure you’ll figure it out!
Absolutely agree with all of this! And I too think the Barb leans art deco, and not in a great way.
Yes, neutral, simple transitional sofa for the win! It seems to blend in best with the more traditional architecture, including that stunning kitchen. I would actually scoot it toward the fireplace, all the way onto the rug, to cozy things up. Also, the Amber Lewis blue rug might really work now, as it will tie in with the gorgeous blue tile in the sunroom and kitchen.
I still think stripping the paint off of the fireplace and allowing the brick to show, or even adding another, beautiful stone, will help anchor the seating area and the living room as a whole.
I’ve thought about the amber lewis rug but I officially sold it to my brother and its in their living room so no going back (low-key sad about that one – whoops). And the fireplace was painted even before we bought it but I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve thought about stripping to the original brick. i guess i just have no idea what that would even look like (like what if the bricks are ugly? brown?).
Then it’s a chance to choose a wallpaper and paint combo to cover up the not so great brick 😉 — or paint and a new wood mantle! While also reinforcing a secondary color that complements the sofas and makes the focal point more special!
And if it’s a fail somehow, that just means 2 process posts instead of one and a super big reveal! The drama!!
Hey, if the bricks are ugly – just paint them again! You miss all the shots you don’t take! 🙂
My preference is the same as yours Emily. Love the double barbs. I am kind of confused by the people saying it looks so 80s because I don’t recall seeing any sofas like that in the 80s. I did a search for images of living rooms in the 1980s and I didn’t see anything that looked like it. stay with your heart
I know! they don’t read too 80’s to me either, but you know even my MIL has two blue and pink floral chintz sofa in her living room that no one goes in. thanks for your double barb support 🙂
When I saw this image, I actually said “YES!” out loud. The sofa is lovely and the color looks so pretty with the gray / blue of the chair. Maybe, as others have said, you could try a chair where the poof is to have more seating? After this option, I like the two green Alice sofas–such a pretty green. My third is the two Barb sofas, although I think I’d like that one better if the sofas were the same color. I like blue and blush together, but having them “vie for dominance” doesn’t look right to my eye. It feels like one color should be on a smaller piece of furniture. I’m really liking this little series. 🙂
I still like the greens, or the simplicity of the sectional. There is already so much going on in the space (large, open, and lots of staged decor), I’m drawn to the mirrored and same color approach of the green sofas.
Double green sofas facing each other, all day, every day — but especially knowing this isn’t a “tv” family room … it really is a living room, so the two sofas facing each other make the most sense. And the dark greens with the gold chairs?! Beautiful!
Double Milos in Pearl in the double Barb configuration. If you can’t fit two Milos I would go with one Pearl Milo and one Barb in Ocean.
I meant the Milo in the sofa configuration, not the sectional.
I like the double Barb best… with a chair swap; I think the shape and color is too much of a kind with the sofas, and my eye is asking for something with a little more contrast.
Double barb but both the same color? I think that would add what’s pleasing to the eye about the symmetry of the two green couches, but keep the openness of the double barb set up which feels more practical for a living space and matches the big openness of the room itself? Lovely options!
Hi! So you mind sharing information on the blue chair? Is that also apart of your line ?
No, it was from Soho Home. The Humphrey Armchair and was available in Grey Blue and Olive Green.
Oooh. Any chance you could share the link for that foliage pillow on the sofa? I am in love. Thank you.
I think it’s on the gift guide! Click the green “shop all our gift guide items” bar/link and look at the For Home picks.
Thank you for helping me out, Addi.
Double Barb but with both in the blue!
Double (green) barb with the camel swivel chairs! So dreamy, inviting, and visually interesting while not being chaotic due to the repetition!
The lighter green sofas plus the 2 camel coloured chairs – LOVE. Allows for a nice pathway to the front door/stairs as well.
So glad you got rid of pink and blue (did not work at all for the farmhouse vibe, and the colors felt too pink and blue boy /girl vibe. I still like the pop of green sofas, but I like this one too. The neutral and blue feels better, and nice and open which fits the dilemma you described. I just did not see the pink and blue at all — this one works!
Omg Big Milo calms my nervous system so much. That extra space in that big room is like oxygen!
When choosing a seat, I pick the seat with the best view. In your house, the best view in my opinion, is sitting on the sofa that is facing the dining room. The view of the fireplace is ok, if you have a fire going. The view of the kitchen is good only if the kitchen is perfectly clean, which doesn’t happen at my house all the time.
Love the new look!
I LOVE the second option.
Pretty, well-spaced and just feels so inviting!
Have read your blog; and books for years. Thank you for all the inspiration.🌸
I loved how the mustard chairs moved the color from the wood trim into the space. What about the blue Barb where the pink one is and the two mustard chairs where the blue Barb is now, completing the L? Alternatively, keep the blue Barb where it is and just switch the pink Barb out for the mustard chairs or even put the mustard chairs on the kitchen side where the swivel lets you decide which space to be part of. Together, the light blue sofa, the dark blue chair, and the mustard chair pick up on all the colors in the space while providing some variance in color depth.
ooh good ideas. i kinda forgot I have those mustard chairs to play with (and they could look good with the Milo….
My vote is Double Barb but both blue. I think the pink is too precious for a sofa. You can bring in pink in accessories etc.
I really prefered the more traditional style green sofas with the style of the house.
Love, as always, your blog and how you include everyone-and I know you’re not asking this so you may not want to print this, but with any of these choices, all lovely. I am wishing for a different coffee table, even though it’s a lovely one I don’t know why it bothers me but just a thought but but I do love the green sofas so much
ah thank you 🙂 and i love that coffee table so its not going anywhere but definitely not everyones cup of tea. xx