Having wrestled for an unnaturally long time with our own chair upholstery project (well, I was more a bystander while my wife played the role of the wrestler), we’re that much more impressed with Erin’s redo of her great aunt’s loveseat. Here’s her letter:
A few months ago I set out to reupholster my great aunt’s old loveseat. I actually planned on hiring someone to reupholster it, as I have never done anything like this before (not even close!). But then I got to thinking “Why not try my hand at it first?” So Project Loveseat was born!
It was definitely a challenge. And one that I just sort of winged. I couldn’t even write up a whole tutorial because I still have no idea what I did. But it goes to show you that projects like this one are doable for the average person (the average person with A LOT of staples). It’s not perfect but it is faaaar better than what I imagined I could do. -Erin
Three cheers for Erin for the great pictures and the encouragement to take on another upholstery project at some point! You can see more photos of the process on her blog Olive Our House. Has anyone else taken on any upholstery projects lately? Or any other furniture, paint, fabric, or full room makeovers for that matter? You know we’re nosy and we love to check that stuff out. Just send any and all projects to [email protected].
Psst- We shared a little “Fair Fun” over on Young House Life yesterday. Check it out here.
Wrenaria says
I WANNA STEAL IT! I love me some stripes. Yum.
melody says
holy guacamole! it looks great! and i love how the stripes match up!
Tux says
Gorgeous! I can’t believe how beautiful this is. All those buttons must have been a real pain in the arse.
I recently did some DIY magic with a pair of HIDEOUS lamps my boyfriend picked up at a thrift store. After some paint and TLC and they look like glazed ceramic that I could have paid tons for!
I’d love to share them – how does that work?
YoungHouseLove says
Check out the bottom of this post for submission info!
xo,
s
Tux says
Wow- Apparently I’m blind. :)
It honestly took me a while even after you said where it was!
My mom used to tell me I have selective hearing. Apparently I read selectively too!
windylou says
Upholstery must be in the air! I am re-doing a great chair I found at Goodwill. I’ve got every thing apart and ready to put back together. I thought the ORB would work with my fabric, but it doesn’t. sad trombone…so I’ll be repainting the chair before I can put on the new awesome fabric.
I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one crazy enough to try upholstery with little to no experience!
Rachael A. P says
That is gorgeous!
Jessi says
That is so cool!!
miriam says
Wow! Erin, you weren’t by any chance trying to sell this loveseat on Craigslist in DC before you reupholstered it, were you? I saw one that looked really similar to this! It definitely looks fantastic now, though. Great job!
erin says
nope, i never put it on craigslist! maybe there’s a twin loveseat out there in the district?
Steph says
Love it! Very inspirational!
Jenn(ifer) @ heim-elich says
What a fantastic job and piece!
Upholstery is really a thing to just dive into with lots of staples…
Here is my latest upholstery project:
http://heim-elich.blogspot.com/2011/06/sofa-makeover.html
YoungHouseLove says
Amazing!!!
xo,
s
Kacie says
WOWOWOWOW! I am so impressed. I have an armchair that is in much need of recovering and I’m completely inspired. I LOVE the stripes! It’s amazing!
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
Julie says
Holy moly. That is stunning!
Elizabeth says
Fantastic! Congratulations on a job well done! The colors are absolutely striking. Love it!
Brenda says
wow! that’s beautiful..I think I’d be too afraid to take on something like that! But as long as it doesn’t involve sewing..
Jessica D. says
Awesome job Erin! I’m really digging the fact that you left the wood untouched. At first I was thinking it could use a coat of black or dark chocolate paint, but I’m loving the feel of the original stained wood. Reminds me of a pair of worn but loved leather boots. :)
shaunna says
It looks so professional. Great job! Hey how could I submit a before and after photo to you guys?
YoungHouseLove says
Check out the last sentence of this post for that info!
xo,
s
Bria says
I love, love, LOVE it!!!!
Lou says
So cool! Yay, reader redesigns!!!
Courtney says
I re-did our loveseat- the little foundling loveseat from the back alley.
before and afters:
http://papersparrowadventures.blogspot.com/2010/06/couch-remastered.html
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, that’s amazing!
xo,
s
Paula M. says
LOVE IT!
What a kick to go from that tired-looking fabric to this fun, fresh pattern.
The new modern pattern looks great set off against the traditional lines from yesteryear. Terrific contrast, sense of life, etc. — quirky and stylish at the same time!
And I totally agree with other commenters who said Erin was brave and did a good job with what looks to me to be a demanding pattern (not a solid, no; imagine how those stripes could easily go all wavy and awry) in a complex-looking piece of furniture.
Terrific!
Taylor says
Hi Sherry and John,
Love the post. On a totally unrelated note… I NEVER comment on blogs but wanted to tell yall that my husband and I just finished our first DIY project and we completely copied yall. I was obsessed with yalls desk and was shocked when my hubs agreed to build it with me. :) Thanks for the great idea. We LOVE it. (you can see it at my blog :) )
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, congrats!!
xo,
s
Elise says
I’m working on reupholstering a chair for my daughter’s big girl room right now and it’s just a seat (although I do have to work around the legs, so it’s not just a pop off the seat kinda job). But anyway… I’ve had several starts and stops and GRRRR moments already, so I can’t believe someone could do that couch on her first try. AMAZING!
Sherry says
Average person she says? Then that must make me….
Awesome re-do! I don’t even know her but I’m proud.
One day I may be bold. Courageous.
Kristen says
Erin did an amazing job!! That loveseat is to die for!
Kate says
Such a fantastic job on that seat! Keep posting these lovely transformations from talented women and soon, soon, SOON I will get the guts to do my own with two single winged chairs…. 30’s… delicate… scary!
Lorinda @ Waisting Away says
I am so super impressed!
Anna says
So cool!! I have a recliner that needs reupholstered really badly! This makes me a little less fearful of it :).
Kristin says
Awesome job! Thanks for this amazing makeover!
jen says
hi!
i love your website. it’s inspired me to start my own esp since i’m a total diy-er. do you have any recommendations on the best way to seal paint onto fabric. i actually just used latex paint since it’s what i had on hand and scotchguard spray but i figured you guys would know best. here’s the chair i reupholstered and revamped a little! http://fauxtreschic.blogspot.com/view/snapshot. thanks!
jen
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we tried painting fabric (upholstered chairs) and it was an epic failure! Anyone else have ideas?
xo,
s
jen says
so far, we’ve sat on the chair a few times but i’m not sure how it’ll hold up with the scotchguard spray seal. guess i’ll have to wait and find out :] i saw your chair painting project and i don’t think it was an epic fail, rather it was the fabric’s fault for having bumps and ridges. haha.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- thanks!
xo,
s
Stacey says
I am a slipcover lover all the way (3 cats and 2 you grandkids) but the loveseat is AMAZING! Way to go Erin! The stripe are wonderful…
Angie D in Ohio says
Wow… what a transformation.
Rebekka says
erin- that’s amazing! i’m so impressed that you were brave enough to tackle stripes!
Sarah says
That’s excellent work! It’s especially impressive on such an awkwardly shaped couch – no simple lines to work with there.
I love that you’re running reader redesigns again.
Katherine says
Oh my gerd, that is FABULOUS. Serious props, Erin. I love it. So chic. What a statement piece.
Alisa says
This is an amazing re-do! I also love the fabric choice. I’ve never reupholstered, but I’ve been meaning to pick up a chair at a garage sale/craigslist to try my hand at it…I’m just a little concerned about the potential for bed bugs (obviously not the case for you since it was in your family).
Jen says
Any idea where the fabric came from?
YoungHouseLove says
You could try clicking over to her blog for that info!
xo,
s
Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says
Wow, amazing job, Erin! I’m so impressed she picked a stripe fabric – I would imagine that would make things even more difficult. Looks beautiful.
anglophile.ash says
I’m inheriting an antique fainting couch that needs to be redone (cracked tufted leather on a solid oak base) – I’m nervous about attempting it, but this gives me hope!
Sandi says
Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice!
Cair says
The biggest upholstery job I’ve done to date was to change the fabric on top of a stool. Very simple.
But I have it itching around in my head to reupholster my couch myself. The couch is in good shape, save the fabric which is disintegrating everywhere there is red dye. It isn’t going to last long. Seems more sensible to reupholster than to buy a new one, and I’ just too cheap (or poor) to pay someone to do it for me. I’m going to try using painters drop cloth fabric, inspired by a few blogs I’ve seen.
We’ll see what happens.
Courtney says
Oh my!!! how gorgeous!! what a totally different look it took on! You should do this more often ;)!
Steph @ BirdHouse says
This looks absolutely stunning! I’ve seen this kind of old settee before but couldn’t picture a way of making them seem up to date but without looking to garish. I think a bold print would be too much on such an ornate piece. The large stripes are perfection! Well done!!!
Sharon says
That is freaking AMAZING!
Kathryn Griffin says
That’s just fantastic! I would have never thought to tackle that myself. Way to be fearless. Turned out great! Have a great Sunday! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Monique says
Gorgeous!
Amz says
Incredible!!