

This is a new idea: a persistent post for your tips only.
We get a lot of emailed tips, and we blog as many as we can, but some get left on the cutting room floor. So, in addition to sending us emails, we're going to experiment with taking tips right here (you can still email us).
We'll be pulling the best tips to posts on the front page, but this will insure that the all tips are shared immediately.
Got a tip?
Know of a great store, product or website? Let us know right here (no questions please).
Hi~
I need your opinion!! I can't decide on which fabric to use to reupholster a very ugly piece of furniture I got on eBay...
Here's the link: http://sol.pupazzo.org/?p=406
Thanks a bunch.
view Sol's profile
Go with #8. You like it best, and the retro chick aesthetic suits the style of the bench.
view wende in phoenix's profile
Sol,
I'd go with #6, the mauve flowers. The other fabrics are cute, but if you plan on having this thing for a while, they might get old.
view Sasha's profile
Number 6. Or if you dont want it taken too seriously go with the citrus in number 3. And the bench/settee isnt ugly just needs WORK.
view Trumystique's profile
Ooop this thread shouldnt be in Tips- it should be in Open Thread.
view Trumystique's profile
I like #2, the japanese print. it's muted and elegant, and will also probably be lasting.
view rikko's profile
I like #2 as well. What colour did you want to paint the wood? Ivory would be a good choice for many of the fabrics I think, especially #8
view Angie in Montreal's profile
Trumystique you are right :) I'm sorry!! Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me your opinion. I'm indeed painting the wood ivory, and then I'm going to wait to reupholster, because I'm living in Italy and have to have the fabric shipped. (haven't found interesting fabrics in europe...!)
Right now I have narrowed it down to 3, 6 and 8.
Thanks a bunch.
view Sol's profile
this doesn't narrow it down for you, but i'm loving this and think it would be so HOT on your stool:
http://reprodepot.com/ecbhve.html
or this:
http://reprodepot.com/ecbdbln.html
or this:
http://reprodepot.com/ngwfcr.html
but i do like your choice of #6
view polkadot's profile
Just me, but I'd go for bordello chic, and use wine velvet fabric and paint the wood gold!!!!
view Maureen's profile
And yes, I AM serious! I'd whore it up good and have fun with it!
view Maureen's profile
I`d reupholster it in silver glosy fabric.
Or leave it as it is, and paint the wall behind light blue. Or turquoise.
view maja's profile
I'd go with #3, the citrus slices, and make sure that some colour from the print is repeated elsewhere in the room ( a wall, part of the bedding, curtains). It is such a fresh print, but not too child-like.
view judy in TO's profile
Is it me or is the above conversation not a "tip?" I think it would have worked better on an 'open thread". Yeah, you got some responses, but...
view VickyA's profile
I like 2 and 3. 8 is cool, but I think it could get dated. Also... I kind of like the pink fabric, but the silver paint had to go.
view Samantha S's profile
Hi Vicky, you are right, I'm sorry.... I just don't feel like asking *again* on an open thread.... I got really nice input though... thank you everyone.
Judy the room will have a mauve wall and the rest will be white, I think... I'm the queen of indecisiveness.
For the bordello chic, I think my husband would have something against that... He actually likes it how it is! Samantha, the silver is quasi gone, and so are my fingers!
view Sol's profile
Number 2 - its muted (the bench doesn't need any more help in that department) and sophisticated with a touch of whimsy, and the pattern will work with the lines of the bench. And it doesn't have a direction, unlike #8, which would create a front and back because of the orientation of the pattern.
view Fio's profile
sol, can you please share the source for the lovely japanese fabric (#2)? thanks
view chickpea's profile
I vote 8 - it matches the girliness of the piece, but in a modern, Kate Spade kind of way.
view Joy R.'s profile
Chickpea: the swatches are from http://www.superbuzzy.com
Thanks for all your comments. I'm now proceeding to paint the frame, and then order the fabric... I'll be posting a link to the finished job
view Sol's profile