I Bought the Most Fabulous Plant

 I love a variegated plant more than anything.

Last week, in search of something else but trying to satisfy my serious Spring Fever, I wandered through the garden center at Lowe's. 

I spied this plant peeking out of a brown paper wrapper. It looked familiar but I wasn't completely sure what it was. I was trying to find the tag (and price) and an employee stopped to help. I asked if the one I was looking at was the only one and he said it wasn't. They had just unloaded a cart full from the delivery truck. I got my pick of the bunch. 

It is a variegated Elephant Ear (Alocasia adora 'Variegata')

 Here in the Atlanta area they are a Summer tropical but they are hardy in zones 10-11. I knew I still had some cold weather  ahead but I couldn't pass this beauty by!

           I brought it home and it's hanging out in a corner of the Family Room right now.                  

 See it in the corner?

Read about my newly recovered Leopard couch here!

We are having mild days (even hitting 70 degrees here and there) so I can take it out on the screened porch during the day to get some bright light and fresh air. I joke about "taking my plant out for a walk" but keeping this beauty happy until it's safe to move outside for the Summer is worth it. 

I'm hoping I'll be able to winter it over and have it for years to come. I'm doing some reading to learn more about Elephant Ear care. I love how big the leaves get on even the solid varieties. Do you grow Elephant Ears? Any tips?

Can a Couch Change it's Spots?

 The proverbial saying "that a leopard can't change his spots" is actually scientifically proven but a couch can change it's spots. And mine did!

I personally love a touch of leopard (or animal print, in most cases) in a room. I think it's a classic as proven by the use of leopard, tiger, zebra and more through the decades by many fantastic designers with fabulous taste. There really isn't anything more classic than @schumacher1889 le Tigre,  Lee Radziwill's couch,  or a zebra rug (faux, please!)

I semi-joke that "leopard is a neutral" and that's how I'm viewing my couch transformation. I moved this vintage (and very comfy) couch in to my family room a couple of years ago. I talk about why and what inspired me here.

(The wicker couch before)

Last fall, during my 'Family Room Fluff' One Room Challenge I searched high and low for an affordable, neutral, indoor/outdoor leopard print. It did not exist (for me) because I couldn't find the 'affordable' (for me) part. And needing indoor/outdoor was also key because we allow our beloved Cooper to snuggle with us on the furniture. 

(PS. Tennis balls are not allowed in the house. He is so sneaky!)

But I never gave up hope of finding this dream fabric and I never quit googling it from time to time ... and one day a link popped up and I clicked and there was affordable, neutral, indoor/outdoor leopard fabric for a too-good-to-be-true price!!

 So I ordered a swatch which came in no time.

And then I wandered around with the swatch looking at it in the room, in different light and with my pillows and such. And then I ordered it. 

I made a slipcover for my ottoman too. It was actually a leopard print already but it didn't match the new fabric on the couch. I wanted to preserve the leopard upholstery already on it so a simple cover was the best way to make it work in the room and still have the option of using the original upholstery in another place in the future.

I am not a sew-y person but straight seams are within my limits. I found a great, basic tutorial for recovering cushions waaaay back when I first got this couch and covered the faded cushions with dropcloth fabric. I've used it multiple times. If I had the ability to put in a zipper I would love that but stitching or velcroing has worked well. I've recovered a ton of cushions on thrifted furniture. There are some pieces that are worth having a professional upholsterer recover cushions and such on but some simply are not so this method works well.

I am absolutely thrilled with my fresh new (leopard) look. I've had white slipcovered couches for over 25 years and I still love them (and have one on the other side of the room) but this is a fun change for me!

Here are some really fabulous leopard couches in designer rooms to inspire you further.

First, the leopard couch at James Farmer's NC cabin is amazing.

I love the orange glazed walls with Aerin Lauder's huge leopard couch.

How do you feel about a leopard couch? Could you do it?