Gift Guide: giving the gift of domestic bliss

When I first started my blog, many years ago, it was called "secrets of domestic bliss". That's really what I wanted my blog to be all about. Creating a beautiful life at home. It's been quite incredible to see where my blog led, so many incredible opportunities and new creative endeavors. Still, the message is the same. It's the message God put in my heart to share with the world and its incredible to me how its somehow never changed. 

During the holidays, I am always looking for ways to give the people I love gifts that encourage and enhance domestic bliss. Candles, bath salts, picture frames, bedding, robes, etc. I just believe so much in creating happiness at home and the effect that has in a persons life. This year, with my Blissful Living book coming out around the holidays. I am sending it with a special gift. A beautiful set of matches that says "Follow your bliss...". Because along with the words in the book, I want to encourage you to light a candle, have some tea or wine and really create the vibe of domestic bliss for yourself. Aren't they glam? Get yours here.

I also have rounded up some very special items that would make an excellent gift to spread the domestic bliss vibe. . .

Picking out the perfect sofa. . .

When shopping for my sofa for Villa Noir, I wasn't quite sure on what I wanted. It's an interesting layout so placement is key. When you have to place a sofa in the middle of a space, dimensions can be extremely tricky. I knew I wanted something that could double as a sleeping place but a sleeper sofa would be too big. And as much as I love the new curved sofa look, that just wouldn't for my particular living situation. 

I quickly came to realize that a small L sofa would probably be the best option for the space. I probably looked online for 2 weeks to figure out the best sofa for my home. Because I was going for black walls, I really wanted a crisp with sofa that had an easy to wash cover, because we all know how hard it is to keep white clean. 

The sofa I ended up selecting is the IKEA kivik 3 seat sectional in white. Searching for an easy to buy white sofa is so difficult. IKEA has already discontinued it in white, so when it comes to IKEA, if you see it and like it, buy it! I do love this sofa for a couple of reasons. One: the cover is easy to take off and is machine washable. Two: if you take all of the pillows of, its the size of a twin bed and is super comfortable for guests to sleep on. Three: the arms are low and extra comfy, so leaning on them is nice. 

Now, I would have much preferred a sofa like this. . .

Obviously I love anything tufted and velvet. It just wouldn't make sense for my apartment. Which is why I was completely excited to discover Bemz. A custom sofa cover company who works specifically with IKEA sofas. Best part is, they just started to offer vintage velvet as a fabric option. Naturally, I fell in love. 

Make my IKEA sofa more vintage and fabulous looking? Yes, please! I jumped at the chance to cozy up my sofa for these next few months of winter with velvet. See all about my current love affair with velvet here.  They have plenty of beautiful color options but here are the 5 I selected to test against my sofa set up. I wanted something that wouldn't compete with my black walls and also something that would still work with my beautiful leopard pillows, get similar ones here. I also wanted to consider my love for pink and lavender roses, which are in my home pretty much at all times. 

Which one would you choose?

I've always dreamed of having a blush pink velvet sofa. I also could totally see having a beautiful green sofa to match all the plants I want in my home. Blue velvets, especially navy colors are just so dazzling my world right now and I think soft grey is the ultimate look for luxury. 

I am really torn between Viridian Green and Zinc grey. I need your help, which one do you think I should go with? Let me know in the comments below.