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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Really Speedy Reupholstery

| By John Petersik | September 3, 2010 | 109 Comments

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:

Reader Susan Before

And after:

Reader Susan 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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Comments

  1. Avatar for SharonSharon says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    WOW!! What an amazing transformation! Great work Susan!!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Cait @ Hernando HouseCait @ Hernando House says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    That looks fantastic! I vote for “exhausted”.

    If our dogs didn’t love the one chair in our house that needs to be recovered I’d try it!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for TreyTrey says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    GOOD LORD! Now I know why it costs so much for custom upholstery… NEVER could I tackle such a project. but woohoo for Susan…

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Christa MChrista M says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    I would LOVE to be able to reupholster my couch and love seat with a fun & funky vibe similar to this http://judysturman.typepad.com/in_his_grip/2010/07/goodwill-sofa-made-fabulous.html

    This gave me inspiration and hope that I can do it!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for ALittleBiteALittleBite says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    That looks amazing!! I really like the tufted buttons and the color of the fabric. I’ve wanted to learn how to sew and upholster but I don’t know where to start. This makes it seem so worth it though!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for CarolCarol says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Check out your local community college for a class. In Wilson, NC the upholstery class is the first to fill in the continuing ed department each quarter.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Christine BChristine B says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    Amazing!!! Amazing that they were able to do that and the couch looks amazing!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for JennaJenna says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    That is amazing! It makes me wish I would have held onto my grandma’s old sofa…

    Reply
  9. Avatar for WhitneyWhitney says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    Wow, I love this! What a transformation..And it looks like it took a lot of hard work! Great job!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for StacyStacy says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    That was AWESOME! I loved the music too!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for MelindaMelinda says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    Wow! I’ve toyed with the idea of reupholstering a small chair. It sure looks like a lot of work. My favorite styling is the addition of the fun pillows – so cute!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for KatarinaKatarina says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    That’s awesome. Mu husband and I bought a house in the Church Hill area, which we have been renovating all summer. I was wondering where a good place to get my craigslist dining room chairs redone… any suggestions would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 12:58 pm

      Hey Katarina,

      We love William’s & Sherrill (a local fabric place) where you can go to get reupholstery recommendations. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  13. Avatar for DarleneDarlene says

    September 3, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    Wow! That is WAY COOL. And I love the music.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for DianeDiane says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    It reminds me of a couch I admire at Room & Board. I love the color and the tufting. I cannot, literally cannot even begin to imagine doing such a huge project myself. Kudos to these folks!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for jillianjillian says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    There are definitely upholstery classes in Richmond, my mom has taken a few (and produced quite a number of cool pieces) through Henrico County Rec/furthering education. I think Chesterfield County offers classes as well.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 1:05 pm

      Hey Jillian,

      Sweet! Thanks for the info!

      xo,
      s

  16. Avatar for kalamarikalamari says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Wow! That wasn’t just reupholstery, it was a total gut job! OR an extreme makeover: sofa edition! Awesome. And I love time lapse. ;)

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Amanda WrightAmanda Wright says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    The couch looks amazing! I have to know who that singer was! Does anyone know?

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    Wow – that looks fantastic!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for r8chelr8chel says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    Wow – that looked like a lot of work! My favorite part was the little girl jumping on the pillows at the end. :)

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Allison @ House of HepworthsAllison @ House of Hepworths says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    I love the new couch! And I especially enjoyed the video. How fun.

    YHL, I don’t comment to you very often, but you are one of my favorite blogs to read. My heart skips a beat each time you make a new post! Love it!

    Allison @ House of Hepworths

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 1:17 pm

      Aw thanks Allison! We so appreciate the kind words.

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for elizabethelizabeth says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    looks great!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Mike @HAMike @HA says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    I always thought it would be so fun to learn how to reupholster furniture, but after seeing how much work that was… I don’t know!!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Jocelyn StottJocelyn Stott says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    WOW! That is great!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    OMG – that video was amazing! My favorite part was clearly when the little girl started jumping on the cushions. Nice job on the sofa, it turned out great!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for OwningSingleOwningSingle says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    WOW!! Really?! That’s amazing! WOW.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for SallySally says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    It’s been confirmed. Reupholstery is an insanely involved biz. Much respect for anyone that takes it on! Love the video. The music was really fun. Cheers!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Single Stone StudiosSingle Stone Studios says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    That was so fun to watch! Great music too. And don’t you just wish you could hit the fast forward button in real life accomplish such a big job a short amount of time?!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Rayan-The Design ConfidentialRayan-The Design Confidential says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    that would be a class well worth taking! you could save thousands, what an amazing skill set to have!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    The music is “Via Con Me” – By: Paolo Conte

    Reply
  30. Avatar for CaroleCarole says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    way to go, that’s a charming ‘after’…time lapse videos like this are so much fun to watch!

    i also had a smile at Jillian’s comment about upholstery classes in Chesterfield county…in Canada, ‘chesterfield’ is a (somewhat old-fashioned) term that we used to refer to a couch or sofa–made me think of home :)

    Reply
  31. Avatar for liz @ bon temps beignetliz @ bon temps beignet says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    Wow! It looks like a totally different couch. Amazing job!!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for AzulaoAzulao says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    ( .)(. ) OMGoodness! What an amazing job. I echo a previous poster — now I know why custom jobs cost so much! Congratulations and thanks to Sherry for posting.

    First time poster — love your blog, dear John and Sherry! I want to buy my own house now so I can have all this fun.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    I’ve so been wanting to learn to reupholster furniture because a few of our pieces need a makeover – but after watching the video, I feel a little overwhelmed! They did such a great job, it looks gorgeous.
    Amanda – I just Shazammed the song and it’s “Via Con Me” by Paolo Conte. I really like it too!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for JessJess says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    HOLY CANNOLI! What a task… but there is no denying, the end result is positively breath-taking. Thanks for sharing, guys! ;-)

    Reply
  35. Avatar for danadana says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    yay! that was fun!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for caitlincaitlin says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    fyi they have these classes at our community college in Pittsburgh, so chances are they have them at yours!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for BringingLadyBackBringingLadyBack says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    I’m a new follower to your blog (apparently, I’ve been living under a rock…) and I have to say I love everything about it! I love how you are smart, frugal, and most of all, you share your knowledge and how-to with others. Thank you!

    And this couch makeover? Brilliant! Susan and helpers should be very proud.

    I especially love the pillows. Hilarious!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Inspired by their vision for sure!

    Totally intimated by the work and after watching that, I am totally happy to pay for someone else to do the work.

    Trust me, it would look like a blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other, armless muppet did the work if I did it!!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for Amanda WrightAmanda Wright says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Thanks Sarah! : )

    Reply
  40. Avatar for ChloeChloe says

    September 3, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/adulteducation/2010WinterSpring.pdf

    That’s the link to Henricos fall classes. I haven’t looked into the this season buy they do usually offer reupholstery classes!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks so much Chloe!

      xo,
      s

  41. Avatar for DonnaDonna says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    A friend of mine told me she was taking a class at Marie Antoinette’s on Seminary Avenue. I just looked it up and they have classes in upholstery and other decorating projects starting up soon!
    http://draperiesdecor.com

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 2:03 pm

      Wahoo! Thanks for the lead Donna!

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for pampam says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    WOWOWOWOW!! That’s freaking amazing & wonderful! Plus I loooooooove the after pillows, it just makes it all that much more wonderful!!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for Jen at Fresh CrushJen at Fresh Crush says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    Pure. Inspiration. Wowzers!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for stephsteph says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    I need NEEEED those couch pillows!!! Please tell us where they are from, too cute!!!!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Wohhh! That looks like it took an incredible amount of work and time. Great job! I’m really impressed that you took on such a difficult project.

    I love the idea of upholstery classes, I’m definitely going to look into that sort of thing in my area too.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for liz @ bon temps beignetliz @ bon temps beignet says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    And I love that song… it always reminds me of French Kiss.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for ErinErin says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    That looks great–hard to believe it’s the same piece of furniture! My husband and I tackled our first reupholstery job a couple months ago and I recently detailed some tips about it on my very new blog:

    http://as-for-me-and-my-rented-house.blogspot.com/2010/08/chair-in-striped-pajamas.html

    It was a TON of work, but worth it–and I guess we didn’t get too frustrated with it, because we recently dismantled our hand-me-down couch to reupholster that, too…:)

    Reply
  48. Avatar for JeanJean says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    I absolutely love this video. It’s amazing.

    Oh, and the finished couch isn’t too shabby either! :)

    Reply
  49. Avatar for jarmanjarman says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    My friend Sarah Grinter teaches a great, affordable class in Chesterfield County. She also has a woodworking and upholstery shop in Fulton Hill in a revamped former gas station. She’s an awesome teacher!!

    Here’s the info:
    http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/ccps/instruction/adult_ed/files/Course_catalog.pdf

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      September 3, 2010 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks so much for the link Jarman!

      xo,
      s

  50. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Fantastic!! She is SO talented.

    Reply
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