it is only in the weird internet world that you can post photos of your newly reupholstered sofa, and have people that appreciate it as much as you.
that being said, i had the sofa reupholstered (finally), and i love it! as you may remember, i scored this guy for $25 at my favorite thrift store a couple of years ago. mika, our cat, had his way with it, and clawed the sides of the sofa to death. i toyed with the idea of buying a new sofa, but i just love the cute lines of this vintage one so much, and the size is just right for our small place.
here is what it looked like before:
i got the off-whitish white fabric at hancock fabrics.
and,now!
i love the cute little lines of the arms, which my upholsterer lined in welting. much better than it was before!
i also had him leave off a skirt this time. the sofa has wooden legs, so i thought i'd expose them for a little cleaner, more modern look. i knew when i got the sofa back, i could stain them in a dark java stain.
i tackled this last night.
here is one leg, which gives you an idea of what they looked like before. solid wood, but scuffed, and the stain was in a less-than-desireable shape:
my tools:
i used stain and seal (faux painting product that i had) instead of stain, because it's waterbased and therefore easier to use. this is my favorite paint brush of all time - the purdy cub brush. i use it for EVERYTHING. it's become an extension of my arm. :)
this is what mika did while i was working:
first, i used a little block sander to give them a light sanding:
fyi, scuffs will come out with a sander, easy peasy. see?
and, here is what they looked like when i was done:
dark n lovely. :)
FYI: i use fast and great upholstery here in atlanta, and they are wonderful. if you use them, please tell them kristen davis sent you!
have a great weekend, guys!











































Standing ovation!!!! lovely!!! So glad you chose to keep it, it is absolutely great. I just finished a table from the sixties and hope to start working on a sofa I found on the street. It is such a great feeling to give these pieces new life :) Great decision!!!!xoxo Alma
ReplyDeletePERFECT! It looks brand new and absolutely gorgeous. The upholstery and piping really show off the adorable contours of the arms. So good!
ReplyDeletethank you guys! nikki, i agree! it shows off the great lines of the sofa so much better - which is what i always loved about this vintage sofa, anyway :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! It turned out so well!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering where you go to get your furniture reupholstered. I live in Atlanta, too, and I have a chair I need to address. Love your blog and all your awesome artwork!
Love it!!! Oh you have got to find a way to keep Milka away from those gorgeous new arms...
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! I loved that you kept your old sofa... I loved its size in the space.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed by how much the piping on the arms changed the look of the whole piece! It's great! And I love the after more than the pre-mika before--great taste!
ReplyDeleteOh! My heart just skipped a beat!
ReplyDeleteit looks so good. especially against the dark wall color.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with it!! So happy you decided to keep it, it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteKristen... where did you get it reupholstered and how much did it cost? I've been thinking about doing my sofa for a while now. This may be just what I needed to jump start it!
ReplyDeletethe sofa looks incredible. the lines of the sofa are so pretty and the skirtlessness makes is modern, just like you said. how much did the reupholstering cost?
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteKristen - I am coveting your sofa! Its amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeletelooks awesome who ever did this has talent...now what about the pussy cat!?! i have same problem cookie has desttroyed a chair, loveseat and is now moved on to the couch!!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! That is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteit's beautiful! I love that you did this instead of buying a new one, that's great!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWow I love it. It looks amazing
ReplyDeleteLove it! Its perfect! So glad you kept it!
ReplyDeleteI love the sofa and your whole new room. Beautiful and bold.
ReplyDeleteit looks awesome!!
ReplyDeleteWOW...great makeover!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!! It looks awesome against those gorgeous walls!
ReplyDeletePS- your cat is such a character!
lovely sofa!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! It turned out great! Looks like a completely different couch!
ReplyDeleteIt looks really good.
ReplyDeleteI see you took away the skirt from it, which certainly gives is a clean look.
Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting
WOW! it looks so great! if you don't mind my asking.... what can someone expect to pay for a reupholster-ing a sofa??
ReplyDeleteAnd what is your plan for keeping mika's claws in his paws? I too have a cat who enjoys ripping up leather :(
oleander - my guess is around 5-800 for a sofa, plus fabric. depends on the size and other specifications.
ReplyDeletethanks everyone! i use fast & great reupholstery here in atlanta, and they are fabulous. if you use them, please tell them i sent ya! :)
Love it! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteWOW. That looks BRAND new and absolutely GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteI've been lurking for ages, but had to come out to tell you that sofa looks AMAZING...I am totally jealous ;)
ReplyDeleteOh it's beautiful! I love re-upholstery!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!! the room is so warm and stylish. Love all the combinations you've used.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea to keep the sofa. If you love it, then keep it, is how im trying to live by now.
Love, Love, Love
So beautiful! So glad you decided to keep it. I love how you can really see the lines of it in the white!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lifetime sofa...amazing in her new coat! And stunning against the dark wall.
ReplyDeleteLucky you have a great upholster resource!
The sofa looks fantastic and the dark legs are the perfect compliment! I have two cats and I am always worried they will tear up our furniture when we're not home. Do you do anything to keep yours away? I want to declaw them but my husband doesn't wanna pay :/ Cheapskate...
ReplyDeletelove the sofa, the art and wall color. is it navy? i'm looking for a good navy for my bedroom. what color is this?
ReplyDeletethanks!
I hope Mink knows to keep his paws of this beauty! Love how it came out!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous!!
ReplyDeletewow, that looks incredible! great decision to leave off the skirt...big improvement. i have some vintage chairs with skirts that i've been wanting to expose the legs for years...this might have inspired me to finally do it!
ReplyDelete