This couch was an early reupholstery project of mine, bought in a fever of excitement — before I'd found a permanent apartment — when I saw it on craigslist for $50! One paint job and a fun fabric update later, I proudly hauled it to my apartment: and promptly realized that it is much too large for the space. I tried every possible rearrangement to keep the piece, but eventually I had to come to terms with the fact that I need to sell this sofa and get something smaller...
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: boston(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
why not pull it apart and make the two ends into a couch? you could use that middle piece somewhere else in your place as a chair?
view sunnyvolvo's profile
If you're going to reupholster it yourself, I'll tell you that to cover extra large welt cord (piping) is very difficult unless you have a fairly heavy duty sewing machine and a very narrow zipper foot. Another way would be to have a dedicated welt cord foot with an extra large channel for the cord. You could pay an upholsterer to sew the cord for you.
www.modern-fabrics.com is a good source for upholstery fabric.
view ModHomeEcTeacher's profile
what a fantastic couch!
view mlleErica's profile
i've had good luck with www.mjtrim.com, www.denverfabrics.com, and www.housefabric.com. i agree with sunnyvolvo, though- is there any way you can use two of the pieces and give the third away? it's a sweetheart of a couch.
view redmusette's profile
Interesting that you are preparing to sell, but making the item much more taste-specific. Why add more and potentially scare away a few customers that are willing to go as far as the couch shown above, but may find another strong color in the trim too much (which you've admitted is "over the top")? List it as is, or give potential buyers the option.
view amt230's profile
I don't understand. Why would you reupholster this couch AGAIN if you're going to get rid of it? Whoever buys it will probably want to choose new paint/fabric.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
Agree with the posts saying don't redo this sofa, in a very idiosyncratic way, if you are just going to sell it. If anything, I would paint the yellow a graphite grey - which would give it a broader audience appeal - and try to sell it then.
view home body's profile
Great couch! I have to agree, sell it as is. Let the next owner reupholster to get it how they want it.
view Kwil's profile
It seems that you are attached to it, so I agree with if possible splitting it up and keeping it in your place. Otherwise I would be happy to take it off your hands! It is a a great piece.
view sarah d's profile
Hey guys! Adwoa here; glad you like the piece! Perhaps I wasn't clear enough - the sofa has ALREADY been reupholstered. I now need to cover the staples of that upholstery job.
Currently I have the middle piece in the kitchen and the two end pieces in my living room as a couch, but it's not the ideal solution. (My apartment is 360 sq ft... which would be fine, but my living room doesn't have any corners. I tried every possible configuration to squeeze it in around the two doorways, a closet and a radiator, but it's just not going to happen.)
Thanks so much for the suggestions; I will definitely check out those sites!
view curvatura's profile
well, I would still suggest that you try to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible and avoid going "over the top" to finish it. Something simple will get the job done. if you go out of your way to find something so unique, and pay all sorts of money for it, you're likely not going to find a buyer that values it the same that you did, and will end up not getting back the investment to finish the piece.
view amt230's profile
I grok. Do you have a sewing machine? Do you know how to make your own piping? Look it up on the web, it's really fun to do then you can choose your own fabric. I find choosing fabric the hard part. At the fabric store they have rolls of various sizes of piping then you cover it.
The other way is to go to the fabric store and ask them what you can use so you don't have to make your own piping. Fabric store employees are so helpful and, in my experience, they all know how to sew.
Thanks for reading,
Linda in Santa Cruz, CA
view bokjoy's profile
P.S.
If you can find some ready made cord at the fabric store then all you'd have to do is use a hot glue gun to fasten it.
Linda
view bokjoy's profile
How Much Are you selling it for?
view lilipixi's profile
That's such a great couch! It's a shame you have to let it go, but I would buy it right now as is (and save you the work!)
view megbrownie08's profile
Yup, I'd buy that. You should list it in the classifieds here when you're done!
view cassielynn's profile
Totally love it and love the color combo. But I agree with the other posts that I'd try to sell it as is first.
Where did you get that fabric? I'm about to reupholster two chairs and want to do something similar. Again awesome job and I'm sorry you can't keep it.
view azure's profile
So is it a sectional? Sweetest couch ever, if that is the case. I flinched when I read the part about turquoise piping or gimp though. Play it safe! Also, I would advise against using a hot glue gun.
Have you ever thought about starting up a little side business, buying cheap furniture and turning it around like this? I can't see your work close-up, but there are definitely yuppies out there willing to splurge on fun vintage pieces like this.
view clampers's profile
I don't get it. Why would you put any more time, money and effort into this if you can't keep it. Certainly, there are many that would buy it and finish it to their liking...just list it as unfinished.
view acaj08's profile
What are the measurements? Is it still for sale?
view kajr's profile
Another place to check out upholstery supplies is in Quincy on Water Street (not far from Quincy Center). It's called New England World Wide Upholstery. I've bought lots of supplies there and costs are reasonable.
http://neupholsterysupply.com/
view belgiumifye's profile
What a find.
What a steal.
This is when Craigslist feels like some magical fairy.
view baileyb's profile
That's an amazing piece. Strip it and get rid of that awful paint. Restore tha natural wood. Those usually have nice dark wood.
About the gimping - it's all irrelevant if you are going to reupholster it. The first thing you do when recovering something is to strip off the fabric and throw it away.
Ideally you'd take it all the way down to just the springs and frame and start from scratch. Which you'd want to to to get rid of that ugly yellow paint.
Wait - I'm confused. You're doing all this to sell it?
Don't, in that case.
Sell it as-is and let the buyer restore it.
I would buy that in a heartbeat as a restoration project.
Wait I lied. The first thing you do is hire someone to do it for you if you're like me - I can barely manage to properly stretch a canvas over a frame.
view TypicalGuy's profile
Is the mottled gray the "after" fabric?
I think a lot of people will be planning to either change the fabric or change the paint, so maybe you shouldn't go to extra trouble before selling.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
good point, guys! i've posted the couch for sale, both in the apartment therapy classifieds and on craigslist; the craigslist ad is here:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/fuo/1222454167.html
there are better images in that one; the fabric is actually a beautiful waverly print, seen here:
http://www.fabricworkroom.com/store/files/images/detailed/d_7147.jpg
view curvatura's profile