The Secret Source for Josh Young’s White Slipcovered Sofa

December 28, 2025
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Posted in: Furniture, sofas

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. My son, Cale, was here. Alas, he’s gone home, but we had a great time, eating good food, watching old movies, and lots of chatting.

The other day, after I posted about 50 Living Room Decorating Rules You Need to Know, Lisa D. made this lovely comment:

Wow – five years…I’m going back to your 12/21 post for a minute, because I searched endlessly trying to find the white sofa that you pictured when you mentioned the designer, Josh Young. I tried searching for the sofa using Google images, but had no success, so I’m wondering if you know where to find that particular sofa. If not, that’s fine. I will continue my quest for that perfect white sofa. Thank you, Laurel, and have a very wonderful holiday!

I looked at the image of Josh’s slipcovered white sofa.

Oh my! That is a vintage Chippendale-style sofa!

And yes, I found Josh’s sofa without its slipcover, below.

Dear Lisa, this is how you too can have this sofa.

Why does this work so well, when your aunt’s Chippendale sofa in rose damask looks dowdy?

It’s for the same reason that Gerald Bland’s Chippendale slipcovered sofa looks so cool.

Simple cotton, be it cotton duck or simple stripes, knocks back the formality and gives these 18th-century designs a fresh, 21st-century look.

So, the answer to acquiring a slipcovered sofa like Josh’s Chippendale-style AKA camelback sofa is as follows:

Find a beautiful vintage Chippendale sofa for less than $1,500 at the most! However, you can most likely find one for a lot less.

Below is another beauty upholstered in linen.

The sofa then takes a trip to a master upholsterer.
Should show him the image below, or another inspiration image, a sketch and clear instructions.

In this case, Josh did a box pleated skirt for his slipcovered sofa.

Below is another style of box-pleated skirt

Above is one of the best slipcovers I’ve ever seen. It’s much more of a challenge if there’s no separate seat or back cushions.

If your sofa has straight lines, and you know for a fact the workroom is superb, then it is possible to do it long-distance.

Otherwise, I must caution you to be careful.

Please do not be fooled by the glossy pics showing slipcovers fit for a queen.

That is not their work.

This is what their work looks like.

See how that’s pulling on the arm? The fabric also looks a bit thin, and unless it’s a cotton with a good weight, I’d line the skirt.

Eegads! Noooooo!

The loose cushions should fit like an upholstered sofa. So, not only does this workroom need to be expert, but so do your measurements. That is why it’s best to do this locally, unless you’d like to send your sofa somewhere.

Most often, the sofa needs reupholstery anyway.

That way, the frame can be tightened and/springs fixed.
You can upholster with a cool fabric for a different look without the slipcover.
The cushions can get a makeover.
And, your slipcover will get a superb custom fit.

Here’s what part of a typical frame looks like.

About the skirt of your Chippendale or any slipcovered sofa.

The industry standard is one inch off the floor. However, I prefer no more than 1/2,” and I’m fine if it is just a whisper above the floor like the beige box-pleated sofa higher up.

But, if you don’t specify, get ready for the flood, or…

Find yourself saddled with some hideous mess like the chair below.

It is not possible to have a slipcover fit the English roll arm like you’re seeing above. That is an upholstered sofa, not a slipcovered sofa.

Above is gorgeous work on the right by the Slipcover Maker. See the difference?

Below are nine vintage, affordable Chippendale-style sofas.

Please click on any image for more information. All of these passed the Laurel test for beautiful proportions and lines.

Josh’s home is so lovely. And yes, the wing chairs are slipcovered. I am sharing this one to show a beautifully tailored slipcover and also to show you what a beautiful skirtless slipcover looks like.

Laurel, do you know what Josh’s wall color is?

Haha. I knew it was coming, so I prepared. It looks strikingly like one of the Laurel Home Paint and Palette Collection 144 colors, Chestertown Buff hc-9.

But, you know the drill. It could be one of dozens of other colors.

Above is a board I did a while back, with Chestertown Buff on the walls.

Speaking of the Laurel Home Paint Collection, there’s some good news!

Sale Extended — New Deadline

The original deadline for my design guides was tonight (Sunday, December 28, at 11:59 PM ET).

I realize many people are busy with family and travel this time of year.

So, I’m extending the sale through Tuesday night, December 3,0 at 11:59 PM ET.

Please note that these guides are now at the lowest prices they will ever be.

After the sale ends, all five guides will increase by at least 30% and will be priced higher than they were before the sale began in late November.

This is a wonderful time to give yourself — or someone else- a last-minute digital gift. (Gifting is available; simply enter your recipient’s information and preferred delivery date at checkout.)

Laurel’s Rolodex, The Essential Paint Color Collection, and Six-Figure Income Blogger all include lifetime updates.

I’m also working on something new for the spring — and owners of the Rolodex, Paint Collection, or Six-Figure Income Blogger will receive a special discount.

Final deadline: Tuesday, December 30, at 11:59 PM ET.

(Clicking on the new buttons will send you to the pages to learn more about my interior design guides.)

Laurel’s Rolodex – Newly Updated for 2026 – 12th Edition – A unique shopping guide that shares hundreds of my favorite sources + the inside scoop. For people in the trade– decorators and designers, you will learn about the best sources that sell directly to the design trade.