Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Fabric Makeover

I had the idea awhile back to buy an inexpensive well-made love seat and have it reupholstered. I was under the impression that it would much less costly than it actually was, but in the end I have a really pretty piece of furniture.

I bought this Ethan Allen love seat on craigslist for $125. Here's the before:

And here it is redone! I'm really happy with the overall effect.

Call me a picky perfectionist, but the placement of the flower designs are not where I expected/hoped they would be. The symmetrical design makes it look very retro and less modern, but I've decided that that can be cool too. The back is the most bothersome part... but everyone likes owls, right?

Now to find a big rug to tie it all together.

19 comments:

Mrs.C said...

What a beautiful transformation, but yeah, the "owl eyes" on back would bug me too. Very lovely fabric!

Unknown said...

i love it!!!

Jill {Sweet Diva} said...

I've been lurking for a while.....love, love, love your music ~ and love the couch redo! The owl eyes would bother me, too....but it does look lovely in spite of them!

Anonymous said...

where did you find your fabric for the redo? who did you use?

Anonymous said...

My mom had what she called a Lawson love seat, exactly like yours. It has lasted 60 years, being redone occasionally. The railroading on your piece looks off, which is probably whats bothering you, plus the large scale of the print is different on these smaller pieces. I like it, personally and think you will enjoy that for a long time.

gloria

Kari said...

haha! I probably wouldn't have even noticed the owls! It looks AWESOME! Makes me want to revamp our space! You have a good eye for that stuff! =)

Unknown said...

Nice fabric choice! The color looks great in your room. Instead of letting the owl bug you, think of it as charming and humorous! I mean, who else in the world has owl eyes on the back of their loveseat?!

Moonofsilver said...

wow! I love that yellow. Wow, the back really does look like an owl!

Leslie said...

HAAA on the OWLS!!! I can see that BUT I LOVE what you have done! I wish I was good at fabric makeovers, I need to practice on that. LOVE your *new* loveseat! LOVE that fabric!

Unknown said...

That is indeed, lovely!

Laura {{* *}} said...

Continuing the owl theme,
I'd say it is a wise piece of furniture for the beauty that surrounds it.

If the eyes get to be too much,
a nicely place pillow or throw
should suffice.

Love how you make somethin' from nuthin'

...and it was such a pleasure to meet you in Fleming Island last week.
Really.
Your 4 songs & sharing were SO worth the drive.

{{* *}}

April Emery said...

i love the fabric color and choice! i wish i new how to do stuff like that (although my husband would kill me in the figurative sense ... he hates change and i love it. ha ha).

i have been following your blog for a little while now and really enjoy it. i actually nominated you for an award. you can read about it at my blog post
http://aprilemery.blogspot.com/2010/10/versatile-blogger-award.html

Julie said...

JJ, I've been meaning to stop by & say hi & thanks for putting me on your blog roll. I noticed a while back that I was getting several hits a week from your site. Then, thanks to a commenter, I put 2 and 2 together & found out you are the JJ that I listen to on my local radio station all the time (Life 88.3 in Knoxville, TN). Blog world is such a small world!
So anyway, having said all that, I am absolutely in love with your new sofa. Such a great fabric choice. And the symmetry doesn't bother me at all. :)
Keep up the great singing & song writing!

phalloeun said...

Hi JJ, you have mad skills. That looks so intimidating. I have always wanted to try, but always afraid. Did you get help? How did you do it, please spill your secrets!!!

Melissa said...

I'm so happy you have a blogspot! I can't wait to look around your blog! Thanks so much for having such an amazing voice & sharing it with all of us! Loooove the couch!

Anonymous said...

You could always put a couch table behind it to break up the pattern. I love it!

Joy Morykon said...

wow! that looks so great!! i love the fabric you chose!

Anonymous said...

I love it too... But I had a similar frustration with my couch and found a pretty throw at world market which I just tucked in... I actually really liked the effect it had;)-- beautiful work!! Very inspiring!

cottagepinkperfection said...

I love craigslist! You are girl after my own heart. I just got two free vintage chairs on craigslist and plan to do the same thing. My husband wants to know why I don't just buy new chairs. They don't make good sturdy furniture like they used to. So I totally agree. Your piece turned out beautiful, I just love the fabric! Care to share the designer?