Reader Redesign: Really Speedy Reupholstery
I think this goes down in the record books as our first ever video reader redesign submission (though the transformation is just as fantastic in photo form). So if you haven’t already seen this time lapse of Susan’s couch upholstery makeover then you’ve just gotta check it out:
I’m a long admirer of your blog and work! Recently my husband and I reupholstered our 8 1/2 foot long couch. The couch itself has 8 way hand tied springs and really good wood. We changed the shape to fit our taste a little better. And we shot a time lapse video of the entire thing! It was taken over 9 days of a two hour upholstery class. – Susan at Freshly Picked
Here’s what it looked like before:
And after:
We’re not sure whether to be amazed or exhausted, Susan! The final result is stunning – and we can’t believe how much work it looks like it required! It’s so cool that you got to learn how to do it as part of a class. What do you guys at home think? Anyone else tempted to take on a major reupholstering project like this? Or sign up for a class near you? We’re definitely wondering if they have something similar here in Richmond…
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Am I crazy to really like the fabric that used to be on the couch? I think it would be cool to use some of the old fabric for throw pillows somewhere else in the house!
Thanks Sherry + John for the post + thanks everyone for your kind words!
That is stunning! It looks professional. I’m exhausted just thinking about all the hard work that must have gone into it. I never would have believed what it looked like before without the picture.
Ah mah gahd! That was sensational. And the finished product looks so high-end. Wow! And the pillows? Perfection.
jbhat
Those his and hers pillows are awesome!
I am in love with the pillows. Please share where you found them!
Looks great, but I would NEVER tackle that myself!
I actually like the “old” couch, too!
Wow that looks amazing! I would love to learn how to reupholster furniture, but can’t seem to find any classes around Boston. Anyone know of any such classes in the area?
That’s amazing! I would love to learn to do reupholstery. I have two mustard yellow chairs that I got at an estate sale for $25, but I’m still saving to have them reupholstered. Did they say anything about the cost of doing it themselves?
Hey Alexis,
They didn’t mention the cost of the class or the materials to DIY it but we’re sure it was at least ten times cheaper than getting it done (which could easily have been over 2K for such a detailed job). Maybe they’ll share those costs if they drop in again!
xo,
s
Wow…amazing video! I can hear my mother now though…”that back is too low…how can anyone be comfortable on that couch?” LOL!
I have been thinking about recovering a chair and ottoman that I have and this has totally inspired me…and Erin’s blog entry above really helped as well! Thanks to you both!
Looks like a lofty project but well worth it. The pillows are hilarious and stylish. Great work!
That’s incredibly impressive! The proportion of the backrest to the seat depth isn’t my cup of tea, but it looks so very professional!
Wow, that is FANTASTIC! It looked like a ton of work but so worth it!
Wow, that video makes me think the cost to get something reupholstered is more reasonable than I thought!
Awesome couch; love the video! Don’t have time to read through every comment so sorry if this has already been answered, but for those folks who asked about the pillows — I noticed they’re selling them on their site ($60 for the pair). Link here: http://freshlypicked.bigcartel.com/product/his-her-pillow-set
Wow! That looks great! I trash-picked an awesome chair that i want to recover but i have no idea how lol i was planning on just finding a bunch of tutorials. If it turns out nice then I’ll send it in:)
Wow, absolutely stunning! I love the ice blue color. Totally modern and trendy.
This is such a great way to show all of the work and effort it takes to take on a major reupholstery such as a couch.
I saw someone taking on a pair of wing-backed chairs and found it interesting. I then decided I could do it. I don’t know why, but I jumped in head first and did it. First to a love seat, then took on a few chairs, then a bunch more chairs, then finally a fill size couch (similar to the one shown here, but now it’s leather!).
For anyone looking to try this out, GO FOR IT! It’s time consuming but fun! And so worth the end result!
Just try not to damage the pieces of fabric you take off so you can use them as a guide. : ) Learned that one the hard way. lol Good luck!
OMG, that video gave me anxiety! Waaaay to fast! haha
Cost breakdown is here
http://freshlypicked.blogspot.com/2010/07/couch-before-after-reveal-finally.html
thanks again!
The couch is AMAZING. The fact that they did it themselves?Uber AMAZING!!!!
Wow! Amazing. All I want is someone to make a slipcover for my couch. Tried a Pottery Barn pre-made and it just didn’t fit the shape of the couch right. Boo.
WOW! That looks pretty fantastic. I tried this years ago with a chair. I took it down to the bones and even retied the springs. http://www.kitschdesigns.com/post/DYI–Chair.aspx
It was a lot of work, but NOTHING compared to what I just watched. KUDOS!
That is just amazing. Maybe there is hope for my fiance’s ugly recliner. LOL
I love that video. I could have used a class when I reupholstered my couch! Instead, I learned from a book, and from taking it apart so I could put it back together again. But I love the new color (the same as my couch) and the button tufts on the back (ditto).
I would LOVE to take a class like that…amazing! I have two vintage chairs passed down from my great-grandmother that need to be updated (one of them has springs falling out of them). I love them so, so much & just don’t want to cough up the money to have someone else fix them. A class would be awesome!
Wow! That’s such an achievement. I’m with Lauren, also a fan of the original fabric. Using a bit of it somewhere to remind you & show off as you tell the story of your couch. Throw cushions would be great, or just a little piece in a matted frame, sneakily hanging proud!
wow… that looks intense. Now I know why it cost so much money to reupholster!!!
Jarman is absolutely right. I’m about to start my second class with Sarah Grinter here in Richmond and I cannot wait. She makes learning reupholstering really accessible and it’s completely addictive!! Not to mention the class is totally affordable.
Loved this! 2 years ago I did 2 victorian style chairs and they look great but never thought to take a photo. Loved the song too, can you tell me what the name is and who by? Thanks!
Hey Donna,
A few readers have identified the song/artist here in the comments, so feel free to scroll back for that info. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
It looks so awesome, and alot of work! My biggest fear is the ewww factor….I am scared to pick up a piece of furniture that’s used …not knowing whats on there…feces, bugs, human fluids…..am I the only one kinda grossed out about how sanitary it is….any comments to put my mind at ease? I would love to take on a project like this.
:O
frigging awesome. love that there was a little kid jumping on the cushions.
WOW…you made it look so easy and your “New” couch is stunning!! If you are ever in MI I can find a couch for you to cover for me :)
I’ve called the community colleges, upholstery shops, fabric stores and everywhere else I can imagine would be hosting a class. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
I may just have to take the plunge and get rid of the WHITE upholstery on our couch. (Four dogs, two kids, two cats; you do the math)
Fantastic job Susan & Hubby!
I got dizzy just watching this! Great job you’ve done.
This is really amazing! BTW the color at the end of the video seems much darker then on the photo. Maybe because of light…
Anyway the couch looks simply wonderful.
Great job! Did you really put legs on the sofa? I’m looking at before and after pics: one has legs, the other doesn’t. It does indeed inspire me to find a class here in NYC, to fix up my old but quality (I think) sprayed. How to decide if the original piece is worth fixing? It’sawfully comfortable, but the leather has seen better days!! Thanks for sharing this great experience with us.
thanks for posting that! I had no idea that a couch got stripped down entirely to the bones to reupholster it! Now I know why it is so expensive to do…
Whoa! Now I understand why a local upholstery business wanted to charge me $1500 to re-do my Louis-style chair!
I love the lines of this sofa. Classic looking! Nice color choice for the new fabric, too.
Every time the sawhorses scooted, I wanted to catch the sofa from falling! Now the song is stuck in my head but I’m convinced that if I had that song playing in my house, I’d get more done around here…LOVE the sofa – gorgeous!
I took an upholstery class as well, and still have the chairs to prove it. But the most important thing I learned was that I do NOT want to be an upholsterer and that the amount of money I pay to have things reupholstered is worth it. I had such blisters and I was so tired!
My mom took the upholstery class from Henrico about 20 years ago & she loved it! It was over at Hermitage High School back then. I went with her once. I now wish I had gone more. They did a great job!
This was great! I’ve also been looking for upholstery classes in the Charlottesville/Lynchburg area for some time now and can’t find a thing! I’ve even gone to professional upholsterers but they know of nothing and the opinion seems to be that its a dying trade. How sad!
Holy mackerel, I am in awe. It took me about 12 hours to sew my cupcake Halloween costume (yes, I’m 27 years old, don’t judge) last year so I am totally jealous of Susan and her husband’s awesome skills. Great job, the result is beautiful!
I love the kid jumping on the cushion in the end!
OMG.. that is an AWESOME video! If only upholstery went that fast. I took an upholstery class a number of years ago and it took me two semesters to get my $5 overstuffed garage sale chair done, but it was SOOOO worth it.
THis is the MOST amazing redo ever!! I would love to take a class- Every attempt Ive made at upholstering looks like a 5 year old did it!! It is so much more difficult than it looks AND paying to have done never seems worth it as it can run up to $1000 plus !!
amazing.
i actually like the floral print before (the fabric could have been saved for some great throw cushions) but there’s no denying that the ‘after’ is gorgeous! looks like something you’d find at create & barrel for $2000 or more.
awesome video! well done.
Ok, I was googling upholstery classes in Richmond and y’all popped up. Then I watched the time lapse video and thought, “eh, maybe we’ll just take the chairs to U Fab:)” The video is amazing! Eric is talking about completely renovating the kitchen and library this winter, we’ll keep you posted!
Ooh good luck!
xo,
s