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...
What I'm looking for now is a good source for reupholstery trim and piping. I spent a lot of time and thought on this, and I would love to finish it with something a little over the top (like two and a half inch wide turquoise trim...) I haven't been to Freddie Farkel's just because I don't have a car and it's hard to catch them when they're open, although I'd love to know if they're worth the trip. Online sources with a good selection would also be appreciated. I've had this thing in my apartment knowing I'd have to get rid of it since late December; now I've started the Cure and am excited to get it done and let it go! Thanks, Adwoa
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Stanley Console by ...
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
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?
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.
what a fantastic couch!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great couch! I have to agree, sell it as is. Let the next owner reupholster to get it how they want it.
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.
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!
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.
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
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
How Much Are you selling it for?
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!)
Yup, I'd buy that. You should list it in the classifieds here when you're done!
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.
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.
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.
What are the measurements? Is it still for sale?
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/
What a find.
What a steal.
This is when Craigslist feels like some magical fairy.
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.
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
Beautiful! So interesting, I have a very similar couch, and situation. I want to reupholster and were looking for ideas. My problem is I have another couch designed which I had reupholstered not too long ago. I am afraid of choosing fabric because although the fabric is gorgeous, the sofa looks a bit odd in a aqua, gold leaf type of pattern. This one I am wanting to do myself. Did your couch have that bee house type of upholstery? Mine has and I want to make it plain. I love the yellow frame. Could you let me know the must have tools? what solution did u use for trimming?