Our readers don't just come to us for home inspiration – they also share their own projects with us, bring the inspiration around full circle. Jude emailed us this sofa transformation that we think is a great lesson in patience and DIY chutzpah.
Jude's small apartment requires a slim sofa, one that is no longer than 56 inches. After searching in vain for a new sofa that would work in the space, Jude turned to Craigslist – and ended up with not only a sofa but also a little extra cash for re-upholstering it.
I found a hideous couch with a great silhouette on craigslist. It was posted with two wing back chairs for $60. I picked it up in a nearby suburb of San Francisco from a nice couple with a small condo. It was decent quality with a hard wood frame and the world's ugliest floral tapestry. Everything was in great shape. I ended up reselling the two wing back chairs for $125 and used the extra $65 towards my budget.
I stripped down the couch carefully saving all of my main pieces to make a pattern, but first I had to sand down a layer of ugly fake cherry varnish on the legs. Using several coats of dark blue, black and metallic gold, I was able to imitate a nice convincing faux antique gilt look. Next I cut out my pieces and added a little Dacron where it was needed. Using old fashioned nails and a hammer (I don't have room for a fancy pneumatic staple gun) I went about reattaching the fabric. The rolled and sculpted arms took a lot of time, but as an experienced dress designer, it was easier than fitting fabric to a person. Now as a lot of you guys know down cushions are expensive! Using a custom service like Cushion Works, I would have spent probably $300+ to pad my sofa. Instead I went to Overstock and bought down body pillows at $15 a piece. Two for the back and arms and one for the seat. Total price: $85
So now I have an amazing sofa that's comfy to curl up on. A custom sofa at $100 that has tons of glamour and twice the quality of a store bought sofa! My advice, don't compromise and wait. It literally took me three solid years of looking, measuring and searching for fabrics until I found exactly what I wanted and at the exact right size and price. Just about everything is already out there, just waiting, if you're willing to look.
(Images: Jude Gabbard)
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Very Belgian; very nice.
looks great
Well done - and the sofa loves you!
It's a nice sofa and it looks better than before, but not really good. IMHO fabric is too thin for upholstery and looks baggy. Better leave those things to professionals.
Wow Julcia--She stated she's an experienced dressmaker, not a reupholster.
Jude: I think you did a fabulous job. Just thinking about re-doing those arms would scare the poop outta me.
I purchased some wing chairs from craig's list that need reupholstering. I've removed the fabric from one chair and just waiting to find the right fabric. I've NEVER done this before so I purchased a book on reupholstering and the chairs were only $20.00 each so I won't be too heartbroken if the don't come out 'perfect'.
I appreciate on you took this one w/ love and patience. Kudos to you.
Oh the grammer-sorry.
.....so I won't be too heartbroken if THEY dont come out perfect.
.....I appreciate that you took this ON w/love and patience. KUDOS TO YOU!
Looks GREAT! And I am impressed with your undertaking of the project! Me- I would have thrown a sheet or blanket over the old upholstery, because I am too lazy and untalented to attempt a project like this!!! Another poster wrote that it looks "baggy". Ah, who cares! It actually looks lived on and comfy! (and less baggy than it would look at MY house with a sheet thrown over the old ugly upholstery! LOL!) For your first project you did an amazing job, Jude! I suspect that by your third upholstery project you WILL BE the professional that it was suggested you take this to! (that poster didn't realize that this is how we learn- by doing & making mistakes!) Well done, my dear! Now make yourself a cup of tea, and curl up on that baby with a good book! (PS- LOVE the clothespin tapestry on the wall. Cute! I want that for my laundry room to hide the ugly electric box!)
I think the sofa looks nice and comfortable. I want to reupholster my sofa but have been terrified. Kudos to Jude for giving that sofa a new home and a makeover.
@LYONSTILL, if I wanted to make a dress, I'd leave it to a dressmaker. I thought Julcia gave productive criticism.
"That poster" didn't mean to sound nasty, but clearly that's how she was understood. Sorry, for maybe I don't get all the cultural differences like "give only positive feedback" and "pretend to like it". I wanted my post to be just informative. I've seen many inspiring DIY projects here, but IMHO this one is not. Do I really have to have the same opinion as the rest of you?
@Julcia is right. That's downright frumpy. Which is fine if you're going for shabby chic, but it doesn't even begin to look professional. And the body pillows are going to squish down really quickly. There's a reason upholstery foam is more expensive than a pillow designed for a dorm room.
I really like it just as it came out--casual and elegant.
Some close-ups or additional information would be helpful... I assumed the fabric to be a natural cotton-linen mix, but perhaps it isn't. As well, I can't really make out any changes with respect to the feet; it would be nice to see "before" and "after" shots to be able to better appreciate the work that went into them.
I share everyone else's fear of re-upholstering! Maybe some day.
E for effort! However, it looks like the base of muslin that covers the batting before the upholstery fabric is put on. If it is muslin, that may not hold up to regular use, it is too thin and will allow too much movement of the "batting" (pillows). It's a good start but I wouldn't leave it like that, it doesn't look good.
I love that you stripped the legs, and the shape of the settee is adorable. Not my personal taste, but well done on tackling a project on your own!
The arms! They are nightmare-ish, great job. I agree that the seat looks a bit floppy, but I like it like that, it looks lived in and loved. All around nice job :)
I love how it came out. I think the looser fit gives it a lovely, soft, cottage effect. And it's a whole lot better than any of my attempts would ever be!
I had the exact same couch a few years back. Makes me wish I would have had it reupholstered instead of selling it for a bargain price...which I'm sure the buyer did. Dang.
I applaud your effort on the arms. I'm sure they were really tricky curves to make. The piece probably would have benefited from the application of a more durable fabric or leather -- something that wouldn't sag and bunch. This would have been a good opportunity to replace the foam in the cushion, as well. Maybe add some tacks to give clean lines and tighten things up?
In any case, you did a much better job than I could have on my own.
I definitely applaud you on the effort and the successful chair flipping, but I agree with the others that the seat and back look loose and baggy.
Great idea about the down pillows. I inherited a chintz-covered chair and ottoman from my grandfather, whose main appeal to me was the softness of the down cushions. I had it reupholstered professionally and was horrified to see that the guy had replaced the cushion filling with new modern foam. Completely ruined with luxurious feeling, and a waste of lots of expensive down (unless he sneakily kept it for other projects). This is one case where I would have been better off with a DIY job.
You did an exceptional job on the re-upholstering - those arms must've taken a huge amount of effort. Also love your resourcefulness with the body pillows - I wouldn't have thought of that! Agree on the fabric choice though; something with more weight would've been a better choice. I say enjoy it for a few years, and when you're ready to change it up, you'll know what to do next time to make it even better! And besides, if you love it, who cares what we think? LOL. Great effort.
The upholstery is actually a very heavy ultra suede like fabric that has a sculpted diagonal stripe. The fact that it comes out looking visually lighter than it actually is makes me pretty happy. The finish is almost like a clay. This room is really small and the visual weight of this style of ornate couch could easily overwhelm the room which is why I chose such a neutral color. If you've ever had a real down sofa (not down wrapped or foam) or seen them in historic interiors some soft wrinkles and a floppy seat are the gold standard. Thanks for all the nice comments! So very appreciated.
Good job! The seat cushion looks off to me, though. It's thinner in the center and the overall fabric is loose on the cushion. I would invest in more padding and/or another body pillow and stuff that baby..then it'll be perfect!
It was overstuffed, but just like a down pillow on your bed it gets mushy. It's the nature of down. I suppose I could've fluffed it for the photo, but I like the cozy feel. It looks like a real person lives there, not an airbrushed cut out.
You've got all my respect for trying. And I'll respectfully offer some honest feedback. JULICA is right. The bagginess and loss of shape in the bottom cushion is distracting from the overall beauty of the piece. Since it is such a beautiful piece and will be treasured, I'd go the extra mile and correct those issues, DIY or by a professional.
It looks EXTREMELY comfortable and inviting.
DIY means that you aren't a professional, right? It kind of assumes you aren't an expert. So, as far as DIY goes, this is super-amazing.
I love a beaten-down, smooshed down seat, so that's looking just fine to me. I think the arms are a little puckered and messy, but there's no way I could've done even half as good a job! Would have loved to see more photos of the treatment the legs were given - I never would have thought to paint Queen Annes gold!
Yeah I gotta go with Julicia on this one. Mad props for trying though!
i agree with Julicia, but you def. have more balls than me. so thumbs ups for giving it a shot
I have to agree with Julicia.
I think it's great. I love the velvet pillows and purple drapes, a wonderful serene comfy-but - elegant look. Good job!
I think the DIY-er is trying to say that they were *supposed* to have that squishy, beaten-down look.
I get it, and I think it looks awesome. Especially given the budget. Sometimes it's a choice between DIY, or don't do it at all.
You did a great job! Sofa looks nice...and comfortable.
I get what Julicia is saying, but i thought the point was that the poster had an extremely limited budget and couldn't afford to have a professional do it and so she made do with what she could afford? isn't that what DIY is usually about?
I was looking for the "after" shot. I thought the muslim was just the pre fabric under the final upholstery. So is this the final look, or did the final shot miss getting put in the article?
Coulda been in the landfill but now it has new life. Good job!
love the idea of using down pillows... thank you for the inspiration!
Wow your sofa is so cute,soft cuddly looking, I really like it.
And I love the clothes pin on the wall ,did you do that too?
The fabric needs a bit of tightening IMO but if you like it, it's all that matters :) Still a better job than I would do lol
well done! 'hideous with a great silhouette" is my favorite :)))) maybe plump up the seat cushion a bit more to make it fuller & tighten up the loose spots... perfect size too!
The fabric is on the thin side, and it is attached in a loose way -but it looks pretty cool, and I bet it feels like butter!