During my first trip to the Brimfield Antique Show, I purchased this unusual sofa. That curlicue frame and what appear to be old French grain sacks as the lining, did the trick. I have never seen a sofa like it and arranged for it to be shipped back to Phoenix. What would it take to upholster this antique sofa?
And of course, after the purchase, I started to doubt myself. Did I really need another sofa? Where would I put it? Was it really my style? Do I have a style?
Actually, I was hoping I could sell it during one of our barn events, but no one seemed interested. Was it too different? Am I the only one to see its potential?
Years passed and I was lamenting about what to do with this sofa to my very talented and visionary friend, Kim. She suggested a houndstooth plaid as the fabric. Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?
Now the next challenge was to select the perfect houndstooth fabric and then to find an upholsterer who would tackle such a project. I found the fabric at Boca Bargoons and my friend, Kim claimed she had a very talented upholsterer. What would we do without our trusted friends’ resources?
Fortunately the upholsterer was able to pick up the sofa. However, I didn’t realize it would take months to complete. Literally months-so many that I had nearly forgotten about it. This was the upholsterer’s very last project before he retired.
The upholsterer suggested making seating cushions that would replicate the curve of the frame. Just by adding these 3 cushions, the sofa is not only comfortable, but attractively highlights the gilded frame.
Look at his attention to detail. The houndstooth pattern lines up perfectly from cushion to cushion. This is truly a work of art. The other benefit of the cushion detail is that it works for those with short or long legs.
I also love the double welt that is along the gilded frame. This beautifully upholstered antique sofa now sits in our master bedroom.
As you can see it is a great place for my teenage daughter to flog! To see more photos of my master bedroom, click here.
Have you changed the look of an antique piece? It is so delightful to reclaim an old piece and transform it into something useable. If only the sofa could talk….
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This post shared with:
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #607
Inspire Me Monday #291 Life on Oak Hill
Karleen says
Love the material! And of course the frame is a one of a kind! So glad for you, it is perfect!
Michelle says
How do you know when you found a piece worth saving? I have some furniture with potential , but don’t know how to go about having them redone.
marycrz@cox.net says
That’s a good question. Being so optimistic, I think anything can be fixed. However, if something has really bad springs I tend to stay away from it. This particular sofa was rejected by the first upholsterer. They said they could do it and then changed their mind. At one point I thought I was never going to get it upholstered, but I found the right person to do it. I am so happy with the end result. I would suggest looking over the piece carefully and make sure the “bones” are good. Often, just repainting or refinishing will do the job. Experimenting with fabric samples is a good way to see how something will look before you go to the expense of re-upholstering. Good luck! I’m sure you will know a good piece when you see it. Trust your gut!
Janie says
That sofa is fantastic. Love your daughter’s picture!
Gabie - Tea End Blog says
Oh my! I just love this sofa and your friend was spot on with the hounds-tooth fabric, it looks so great. There is absolutely nothing like refurbishing old/antique furniture and re-purposes it. My husband and I recently had an old sofa that had a hideous and faded psychedelic fabric on it. I fell in love with the frame of the sofa and how long it was. Now it sits in our Family Room shrouded in white leather!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this transformation and I am looking forward to seeing more of the Master Bedroom of Bella Terra!
Polly Levine says
Love this Mary!