Thursday, May 20, 2010

Tale of Two Ottomans...Before & After



 Several months ago I had the luck of picking up some used model home furnishings that were being sold. 
 I think I paid 10 or 15 dollars for both of the ottomans. That's a deal! 
They are practically brand new and it was NOT a terrible experience tearing off the old fabric and finding tons of cooties. :)  I have some scary stories! 

 
Here's a view of underneath. 
 Look how they finished it off with hard backing and simple square feet. 

 
These guys are serious...heavy duty....burlapy tough ottomans.  Probably would be great in a cabin or with some western decor. 
 I wanted to feminize them a bit....:) 

The screws were stripped so I had to pry...then hammer them off.  I busted almost all of the legs, and did some damage to the frame. Oops!

 
I love taking things apart.....it always intrigues me how something was built.  Looking at this picture...I think these might be simple to build.  2x2's and hardboard would build the frame.  I think I see some ottomans in Nicole's future... :)

 
The foam was in good condition.

 
What do you think...easy to build? 

 


 
It looks like they used spray adhesive to attach thin foam on all four sides. 

 
With all of my previous projects, I usually pick apart the upholstery and make a paper pattern or pin right to the new fabric and cut.  I didn't like the look of the new fabric with the old look...it was a little sloppy.


So, I pinned and fitted it like you would a slip cover, then pulled it off to sew. 

 
The corners are always a pain in my side....I would like to take an upholstery class just to learn how to ease corners!  The crinkles always sneak in- darn it!
I sewed all the sides together, had to unpick a few times and finally got the look I was going for. 

 
Since I ruined all the feet taking it apart, 
 I chopped up a pine board and spray painted the new feet brown.

 
I usually prefer staples, but noticed the original upholsterers used small tack nails.  I had some cut tacks in my tool box and thought I would give it a try. 
They were great!  Power staplers are still easier but this was fun to try something different.  Nails were used to put the hardboard back on and they worked like a charm . 
I put the feet back on using long screws and they sat super straight because of the hardboard on the bottom. 
From past experience the feet were always crooked because of the layers of fabric and stapling. 
Smart idea to use hardboard!

 
Here they are!

Let's take a peek again at the before.....

 


  
 I couldn't catch a good picture of the fabric inside- it's kind of a gloomy day.
I found the fabric at Hobby Lobby and used a 40% off coupon.  Finding fabric I really liked was difficult, this choice came close to having all the colors I wanted. It took a little over two yards and I think I have enough left over to make a few pillows.

  
Here's  a clearer picture outside, I love the combination of the colors in the fabric.
 There's a mix of cream, brown, green and bits of turquoise. 

 
And... here are two feet and two great reasons 
why I'm heading out to purchase one large can of Scotch Guard! :)


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32 comments:

Katie Olthoff said...

Beautiful fabric, and great job!

Ange said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ange said...

You have done such a great job. Your ottoman's (men?) look gorgeous. Well done not using a template. I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to improvising so always use the old fabric to cut around.
Sounds like you have the same trouble as I do when it comes to corners. I get a little apprehensive just at the thought of it!
Angex

Melanie Beth said...

so pretty, I love that fabric! they look great!

Daisy said...

Very pretty! Love the fabric! You did a great job with the recovering, they look store-bought!

autumn said...

i love that fabric you used! they turned out so cute. i need to borrow some of your mo-jo. i am the worlds biggest procrastinator when it comes to little projects around the house!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

Love love love it. Professional job.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Nice job...and so versatile. Looks like you can put them together for a coffee table and take them apart for extra seating.

richelle said...

Wow, would you like to do mine now?!?!?!?! You make it look so easy!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful! I thought they were pretty hideous before, so imagine my surprise when I saw the 'After' product...phenomenal!

Its So Very Cheri said...

They look great. I have a tip for you on the corners. I don't think I can get it all into this compressed message, e-mail me for details. It is super easy and makes your corners look so smooth.

The DIY winner was posted this morning.

Cheri

Leanne said...

That fabric is gorgeous. You did a great job.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Nice!! You're pretty adventurous taking all that apart. I would have gone right over the works and held my breath it would work. :) The finished result? Stunning! No cooties reside here!

Thanks for linking this up to SNS!
FJ Donna

Krystal said...

Those look great! What a steal finding those! Thanks for showing how they were built, they would be easy to recreate.

KJ@letsgoflyakite said...

terrific makeover and thank you for the instructions!

Tracey said...

Have 2 ottomons in my garage...now I know what to do with them! Glad to find you! Have a great weekend!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

What an amazing transformation! Love the fabric! Gorgeous! Hope you have a great weekend!~ Stephanie Lynn

Pretty Little Things for Home & Life said...

These turned out great! I have a large HomeSense one I need to re-do since one of the cats apparently thought it'd make a good scratching post! Your "slipcover" turned out great and a perfect fit! Wish my sewing skills were that good.

Great fabric choice as well!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Nice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

So much better than the original look. Now they are light and fresh and perfect! Great job and best wishes for the rest of your week. :) Tammy

~ Regan said...

OMGosh! You've got such an eye for what kind of potential something has! I would have gotten the heebie-geebies from the looks of those old ottomans! I just can't believe my eyes- what a transformation. I had no idea the fabric was going to be that beautiful judging by the first pictures your showed- it's funny how the back of a fabric can be so different than the front!
Anyways... I just love them, I think you did a great job on the corners, too! :P

Tina said...

Those were a great find and the transformation is awesome!
Great job.
T

Jen@Notes From the Heartland said...

The ottomans turned out great! The fabric is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the "guts" photos....I think I'll show these to my dad...maybe I'll have new ottomans soon. ;-)

House of Smiths said...

These are SO fun! I LOVE the fabric you picked for them!
Nice work.
Shelley

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Thanks for linking and making this the most successful Modern Craftswoman Monday so far! Rory

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I just love the fabric you used. I think they turned out fabulous! I wasn't digging that before fabric and now you gave them a new life.

Julie said...

Love your new fabric!!

Blue Artichoke Interiors said...

What a great job! They look fabulous and I am lovin' the fabric too!

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Those are so cute! I love how versitile these little cube ottomans are. Great job.

Doran & Jody said...

These are so great! I just love how things seem so easy for you to do. I bought two shelves at the DI about a month ago to redo and they are still sitting. sigh..

Lauren -HCP said...

saw you on Better After, I have a couple of ottomans to recover also- thanks for the helpful post!

Recaptured Charm said...

I really LOVE these! They do look simple to make, but it was at least nice to have the construction part done for you. The fabric you chose was terrific! Love how they turned out.
Lisa

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