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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

The Vintage Sofa Project - The Reveal



I finished my Vintage Sofa Re-upholstery Project.  I had fun staging it.   I just realized how masculine the staging is for such a feminine sofa.  I guess those of you that have been around for awhile know I'm not a frilly decor kinda girl. 

For all the details and things I learned along the way here's the links to all the posts in the series: 

Vintage Sofa Project
Tear Down to the Frame 
Covering the Bottom 
Diamond Button Tufting
Upholstering a Curved Outside Sofa Back 


This is what I started with back in October.  A free sofa that needed to be taken down to the springs. 


I ditched all the old foam and batting.  Then removed the arm and repaired the side.


Then recovered the bottom. 


Button tufted the back.


Then finished the curved outside back. 


Wow that was a lot.  The only thing I haven't showed yet is how to make a cushion cover which I will do sometime soon and just add the link to this. Really though, breaking it down and doing it in smaller do-able chunks really made it easier.  Of course it's not perfect but I'm really proud of my first attempt at a reupholstering a sofa.   



I love how the curvy white legs and trim look with the soft gray velvet. 


My favorite thing is the coordinating fabric on the bottom under the cushion.  No one will ever see it but I know it's there. 


As far as the cost goes I spent just about $100 to makeover my free sofa.  The bulk of that was spent on fabric and the foam cushion.  The fabric is the biggest variable.  I found my fabric on sale and used a coupon.  You could easily spend over $100 just on fabric.  I used five yards but I bought seven.  I have extra for another project.  Keep in mind if you use a patterned fabric you will need a few extra yards to match the pattern.  All the little stuff adds up so think about saving as much as you can from the original piece.  Zippers, piping, buttons and of course foam if it's in good shape can all be reused.  

 I am glad to have this done so I can start the New Year fresh.  It's actually been done for two weeks but I didn't feel like writing this post until today.  I have been focusing on cleaning my house and workshop.  I have worked myself into a corner and just need to stop and take a moment to think about where I want to go with my business in the New Year.  Don't we all feel that way this time of year?  Clean out the closets, organize, start fresh.  Make a to do list. I might even write down some goals.  We shall see. 

 Check the Vintage Sofa Project off the list!







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45 comments:

  1. That is one of the best before and after projects I have ever seen! You out did yourself on this one! So, (I'm fickle) all on board now. Tickets? I gmailed you :)

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  3. A gorgeous settee and a real showcase of your talent. I love the coordinating seat fabric. Enjoy your beautiful creation.

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  4. Oh Mimi! I love how it turned out. You did an amazing job. I can't believe it was your first upholstery job. I love the staging...it's perfect! You have so inspired me!

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  5. Oh Mimi! This is a project for the recordbooks. I love how it turned out and I think it is just perfect from every angle. You did an AMAZING job.

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  6. Wow - you knocked this one right out of the park! Gorgeous - I would love to have that in my home!
    XXX

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  8. OMG Mimi, what a professional and beautiful job! Love the contrasting fabric, the white legs and trim and the button tufted back. Great vision, great execution. Holy, I am so impressed with you. You amaze me.

    Awesome transformation!!!

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  11. Jimminy Cricket that's luscious-ahem-in a manly way, of course!!!!

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  12. Holy CRAP! If that's your first attempt I can't wait to see what you can do with some experience. I'm amazed, and it turned out awesome. Now think of a way to show that under cushion, it looks great.

    Bliss

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  13. Holy Canoli Mimi! Not perfect?! Well, I don't see any imperfections. Nice job. That sofa looks like it would have cost at least $900 - over $1000 in a store! Very impressive.

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  14. Oh My Gosh, Mimi! Your upholstery is absolutely amazing! My dad did that for a living and I can appreciate how difficult doing a tufting like that is. Plus all those curvy lines - wow! I am not worthy!! Fabulous job!! Shelly

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  15. Mimi, how is that transformation even possible! You are one amazing lady!

    Debbie

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  16. Hi Mimi, wow, I'm super impressed. this is a fabulous piece of work. Love the colors you've used. 99% of us would have passed this up. just joined as a follower, thanks so much for joining in!

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  17. What a wonderful job-it looks just beautiful!

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  18. Wow, very nicely done! I can't believe it's your first attempt. You did good! It's beautiful.

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  19. That is a beautiful transformation. The tufting looks so difficult to do. Beautiful color choice. Patti @ OldThingsNew

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  20. Love how you restyled this by removing the arms--how updated and elegant it looks, especially with the masculine-ish maps and suitcases!
    Blessings,
    Sindy

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  21. amazing upholstery Mimi! super tute too! great job girl!
    gail

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  22. Mimi- the sofa is just beautiful. Something I have never done but would love to. Perhaps your tutorials will push me over the edge to try. I am sharing on my weekly wows on Saturday.

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  23. Absolutely adore it!!! Sharing at the party tonight~ thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!!

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  25. Hi Mimi, just wanted to let you know that I've featured you over here at Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday, LOVE this makeover!

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  26. Wow, stunning transformation! Stopping by from Common Ground.

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  27. That is so beautiful!!! Love what you did!

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  28. This is amazing!! I'm going to explore your blog for more upholstery advice. I'd love to reupholster my wingback chairs by myself.

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  29. Wow Mimi, that is simply stunning. You know I love the way you staged it as the masculinity of your staging materials really draws the eye to feminine side of the piece. Not sure you get what I mean but it is all about contrast. Beautifully done.

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  30. You did such a fabulous job on this. It seems like it was one 1/2 of a sofa with the one arm. Well done and I am so impressed that I became a follower.

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  31. Your sofa turned out so lovely, Mimi! I love the blue velvet that you chose for it--plush and stylish!

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  32. Gorgeous, Mimi! You did such a wonderful job transforming the sofa. Several years ago I sold the same map which we put in an identical frame to yours. Funny...I was wondering if it is just a coincidence or if you bought this near Destin, Fl? Love your blog and I am a new follower.
    xx, Sherry

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  33. So amazed by this project! But I am even more in awe of your upholstering skills - only in my dreams. Beautiful job! Melinda

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  34. Hi Mimi, First time visiting you. Lovely job on the sofa. I did a french cane chair cushion and was all proud at myself for that first attempt. But you, wow. You take the prize! Don't think I could do that.

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  35. Hi Mimi, found your post via My Repurposed Life!
    This looks awesome!
    My tufting and upholstering skills look like children play sewing or something like that besides your talent;)
    Thank you for sharing;)
    You found a new follower;)
    Please visit me if you like.
    Love from germany...

    http://pudel-design.blogspot.de/

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  36. Wow and wow! I love it. You are very talented to pull that off. I will be featuring this at Wow this week. Thanks for sharing.

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  37. Oh My Goodness and this is your first time...........Wowsers!
    It is wonderful, looks absolutely beautiful.
    Can't imagine how great you will be at this with more experience!! lol

    blessings, Nellie

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  38. Amazing! You did a fantastic job, with something that most people would throw away. Wow. Awesome!
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  39. IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

    You did a fantastic job for your 1st time. Looking at it I would say you're a pro at doing it. That you've done it so many times before.

    I have an old love seat that I've put off, but, now that I see that you can do it, gave me courage.

    Thank you!!!
    Pam

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  40. This is absolutely gorgeous! I'm beyond impressed! I'm a new follower stopping over from Savvy Southern Style.
    Allison

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  41. WOW, you rock! I'm scared to tackle an upholstery job like this.
    I'm so impressed!

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  42. So glad to have found this project (visiting from Centsational Girl)! I have a wingback settee that I'm stripping down. Was planning to try to modify the wings, but after seeing this I might remove them all together! Pinning so I can go back and read all of your posts on this project. It is beautiful!

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  43. This is absolutely beautiful! Where and what is the gray (blue?) (velvet?) fabric did you get? I need to redo a large overstuffed couch and matching chair and CANNOT decide what to do it in. This is just lovely and timeless.
    Best wishes, Susan

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  44. This is beautiful and your a "pro' whether you consider yourself one or not. I am getting ready sometime this year...lol...to redo a wooden sofa that only has a bottom cushion and seperate pillows along the back. I am scared to start it as I have NEVER EB+VER done anything like this before. My MIL gave us the piece because she had bought something new. Would love to know how you did the cushion. Thanks again for the tutorials. Hoping they help when I take the plunge.

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  45. What a stunning transformation. And you don't consider yourself a pro? Lovely!

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