Decorating Dilemma: Sofa,Sofa...What to Do? Help!

This dilemma ( these dilemmas) for you decorators/interior design aficionados.I love decorating and usually am okay but I’m still in a dither over this…hitting a brick wall. It’s long…but please bear with me. One is about dated sofas and the other is about kitchens.

I am moving into a European house that was built in the 1880’s. It has very little brown now…the owner painted all of it white—super white. Think very Scandinavian. It’s light and bright and white. I like it. I love the idea of working with a Gustavian pallette (white/blue/dove greys) with a French touch and some Cath Kidston vintage prints from 30’s/40’s. Think white/peely crystal chandeliers, bleached fabrics, cabbage roses, etc. I would like to stay with vintage, old things as that’s what I like and what I collect.

The problem? Budget. Right now, I have two drop-down armed sofas that are light brown corduroy. They are really comfy, but very sad-looking and worn. Honestly? I don’t want brown in that house. It just wouldn’t go. In my present house, there is a lot of dark wood. In the other house, it would be jarring. The other sofa set I have is a button-tufted campaign style sofa and high back chair (button-tufted) in a very dated 80’s rose-colored print. Once again, the bones are great and the color is just tired. Can you paint upholstery? If it’s cotton? (I just had to ask.) I got an estimate to recover this and was quoted £1800!! I only paid about £100 for it in an estate sale. I won’t even venture to guess what upholstering the Knoll sofas would cost! (So, I am asking about two different sofa sets——not sure if I want to chuck them out completely or just do something with them at this point.)

At the moment, I either a) reupholster or try to find an inexpensive way to cover these (Surefit covers will not work on either of these, by the way) or b) get inexpensive sofas….. and if I do, I didn’t want to get white sofas (as they get really dirty). No one seems to make sofas in vintage rose fabrics (like they did a few years ago). I also thought of getting some sofa day beds (French feel). What sort of sofa would you use in a Scandanavian (think Carl Larssen) or white walled /vintage decor? Or do you have some inexpensive idea for a sofa? I will need two sofas…because there is a living room and a family room.

Second decorating dilemma:

The house was recently refurbished (this is a rental by the way) and the cabinets are in brown wood. Once again, everything I own is very 30’s 40’s cream-colored, bright coloured…and made for a cream colored Shaker style kitchen. I don’t think painting is an option as the cabinets are brand new. Is there anyway to minimize the dark wood without painting? (I know, I know…but I thought I would ask.)

Once again:

1. What do I do with tired old sofas that don’t fit into the new decor? And what would you suggest as possible alternatives for a Jeanne d’ Arc/Shabby Chic/French white interior?

2. How do you minimize the dark wood cabinets in a kitchen without painting them (not an option in this case)?

Any suggestions would be so appreciated! Thank you thank you!