Friday, September 16, 2016

French Inspired Ottoman Overhaul

Here's another treasure from my "Ethan Alley" Collection!

I lugged the big ottoman down our alley wondering whether it was worth it. 
Someone had just put it outside for trash pick up. It seemed to be in pretty sad shape 
with a shapeless tan slipcover and that brown speckled finish on the legs that I don't like.

But those legs were curvy and it was a nice size. 
It seemed to have a solid frame, looked clean and the price was certainly right.  
Hmm.


When I got it home, I tore off the slipcover and discovered a pink tapestry cover 
ripped in several places as if two cats had gotten into a shredding competition 
on it. I thought I'd just pull out a few staples to see what I was working with.


Ha!  It must have had 500 staples holding that fabric in place. 
And when I finally got one side free of staples, I saw several more layers under the tapestry. 
A strip of cardboard stapled to the frame, a piping cord border stapled to the top, 
a spring with a torn gray fabric stapled over it, and a layer of white wispy stuff over the cushion. 
All of it stapled securely to the frame.

It certainly was well made.


But I like a challenge. 
My tools were three flathead screwdrivers of varying sizes, a needlenose pliers, and 
a staple remover. Soon my empty deli container was full of staples and 
my palm was aching from pushing the screwdriver under all those staples.


When I finally got the tapestry off and could take a good look at the ottoman, 
I realized I didn't have a clue how to reupholster it. Because of the springs, it wasn't a simple "unscrew the top, staple on a new cover and screw it back on" situation.


Then the weirdest thing happened. 
When I removed the gray fabric covering the springs, I saw some writing. 
And it was my name!!! How weird is that. Meant to be, I guess.


I decided to remove the bumpers around the edge just to simplify things. 
Once I got all of the staples out, I sanded the wood frame 
then gave it two coats of cream-colored paint.


Next, I decided to cut the new fabric (Lowe's drop cloth) to size and play around with it until 
I figured out what I was doing. I stapled the middle of all four sides and worked my way out.

It was going fine until I got to the corners.
What to do with all that bunched-up fabric? 
I fiddled with it and trimmed it until it fit, tucked it under and stapled it together.

Whew! That was close.


I then attached some burlap ribbon around the edge of the fabric to conceal the staples using upholstery tacks. But every single tack bent when I hammered it into the hard wood. 
Argh!!


Ron came to the rescue with a great idea. 
He trimmed the points down to make the tacks shorter and they went right in and, 
would you believe it, stayed in place!


I revived this old beat-up ottoman destined for the landfill for only $2.47 for the tacks. 
Everything else we had on hand. 
Not bad for a beautiful piece of furniture and perfect for the guest room.


Another lovely creation from the "Ethan Alley" Collection.

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33 comments:

  1. Ethan Alley - you are so clever. :)

    Great way to trim the edges and make it look so current. I really like this!

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    1. Thank you Stacey! We use it all the time to put on shoes. It's a keeper!

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  2. Well done you, I am about to upholster my first chair, not sure how it will work and not sure I will be brave enough to show my attempts on the blog, it may be laughable and awful! You on the other hand did so well. As for your name, it would have given me goosebumps, it was obviously meant to be! Have a great weekend. X

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    1. Thank you Susan! You never know how these DIY projects are going to turn out so go for it and let me know how it looks. Good luck!

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  3. 'Ethan Ally' is a great place to shop and you got a good deal and it turned out great.

    I always enjoy your projects. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you Lorraine! Yep, my favorite new/old store! We are definitely in fall here, leaves are changing and the air is crisp. Time to go alley shopping again!

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  4. What a terrific find! You did a wonderful job! I just love when someone takes something that would have been discarded and give it a little love and make it beautiful again. Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Thank you Lisa! We're on the same page with giving these discards some love. I just rescued a beautiful old crystal doorknob from a construction dumpster on my street. It had some paint splatters but it was an easy fix and looks gorgeous on my console table. Have a great week.

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  5. You are an inspiration! I love your persistence, creativity and no fear approach! This turned out beautifully!

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  6. What a transformation and great rescue. I'd be so tempted to knock on their door and ask if they wanted to see their old ottoman now! Take care, Cynthia

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    1. Thank you Cynthia! Ha! I've been tempted but am afraid they might want it back! Have a lovely weekend.

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  7. I have a set of dining chairs that is becoming more unsafe by the day. I need to do something about them, but because they are sprung, like you, I do not know where to start. Pliers, staple remover, screwdrivers perhaps...

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Catherine! Good luck with your makeover. Perhaps ...

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  8. This turned out great! I love the tacks. I hope you'll link up at our Monday Social party (open now).

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    1. Thank you Ellis! So far the tacks are staying put. Glad you liked my makeover.

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  9. You did such a nice job. Drop cloth is great for using in upholstery projects. It looks fantastic!

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  10. Fabulous ottoman! I love the drop cloth look and the tacks look so great. Thank you for linking up at Dishing it and Digging it link party. We love having you.

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  11. Ha, ha Pat, I love the term Ethan Alley! What a fun surprise to find your name. Meant to be for sure. It turned out great! I have an old wooden ottoman base in the garage that I bought at a thrift 3 years ago. Planned on covering it, but it hasn't happened. You've inspired me to get to it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. Love this! I was thinking about making one of these for our living room! We just started the To Grandma's House we go link party and I thought you might be interested in sharing there too, thanks :)

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  13. Love when a curb rescue has a happy ending! I'm sure I would have stopped mid way and it would still be sitting in the work room 3 years later.

    Love the Ethan Alley term, too. LOL

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    1. Thank you Wanda! I have a few of those mid-way stops myself. Someday... Have a lovely weekend.

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  14. Well Pat, it was worth the hard work. A stunning makeover! And that's so weird that your name was on it...literally! Mimi xxx

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    1. Thank you Mimi! I'm so glad you liked my ottoman makeover. Yes it was totally weird to see my name.

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  15. You find the BEST things in the alley, Pat! Nice makeover--looks lovely with the rest of your decor. Thanks for linking up with Vintage Charm :)

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    1. Thank you Diana! Wouldn't it be fun if we could go alley shopping together? The ottoman is working well in the guest room--great place to take off shoes. Hope you're enjoying a beautiful fall in the Adirondacks.

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  16. Great makeover! I wouldn't get rid of such a cute styles stool! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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