My Settee Saga
I purchased this settee about 5 years ago and it’s completion is long overdue. I thought it would be a perfect second project for an upholstery class I was taking at the time. WRONG! Would you believe I actually moved this baby, by myself to and from class? How crazy is that?
As you can see it was in terrible condition. I striped it completely, right down to the finish on the legs. I refinished the legs, applied new webbing and retied the springs. If I took pictures, I can’t find them. After partially tearing a ligament in my thumb tying the springs, it has been sitting in my basement and garage, unfinished, ever since. Suffice it to say, I was a bit over zealous choosing this as my second class project.
Determined to clear out my garage, so that it can actually be used to park a car this winter, I decided to turn it over to a professional, and this is how it turned out. I already had the fabric, a light neutral linen, which I had purchased some time ago. I have a weakness for fabric. If I see something I like, I buy it in anticipation of that next project.
The seat is so tight you can flip a coin. Honestly, I would have never been able to achieve such beautiful results. Some things should just be left to the professionals, don’t you think? Simple chairs are more my thing.
This post is being linked to:
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Brambleberry Cottage:Time Travel Thursday
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
Oh my goodness I LOVE it!! I am currently on the hunt for a settee like that for my guest room.
Oh wow! What an amazing transformation!
I can’t even imagine taking on such a project! Good for you for trying….but yes, there comes a time when a professional is the only answer! Looks really great…
Hi! I am over here from The Shabby chic cottage link. I was excited to see your link because I have a vintage Victorian sofa that I bought for $40 in near perfect shape and have been looking for fabric to reupholster it myself as well. It is kind of scary to do but I really want to try and do it on my own.(I watched my mom do this sort of thing growing up for friends etc.) Yours turn out so lovely!A part of me thinks maybe I should just splurge and have it done professionally. oh well, we shall see. Thanks for posting. Its inspiring and such a pretty fabric sure to go with all kinds of decor and pillows etc. Congrats on getting it finished.
This is so beautiful. I love the lines and the fabric choice. It will go with anything you put on it, now! What a lovely piece!
It looks great – yes, I guess some things are not the best DIY projects. You tried, though, and I bet you learned a lot.
Your settee is beautiful. With those hand-tied springs, and your fabric choice – it will look beautiful for a long time.
This looks great! I have a settee that is similar that I bought at a garage sale for $20. I will attempt to redo this on my own, but I think I’ll leave all the springs and such alone if I can.
http://froufrugal.blogspot.com
It’s beautiful~you had some vision when you bought that. I think all I would have seen is the old upholstery. I love the new fabric you chose.
Your settee looks beautiful! Kudos to you for trying to do it yourself!
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Great transformation!! I found you at SNS!
I’m your newest follower. Visit me when you get a chance over at Sassy Sites!
Your settee turned out gor-ge-ous! I love it. I have been thinking about trying my hand at upholstery but afraid it would turn out as good as a professional. I think yours is so pretty.
This is beautiful! Well done. You have me beat. The chairs on my current post took 8 months which I thought was forever in blog time.
Woa… what a beautiful piece! I admit I skimmed the post first and thought.. uh, this girl is GOOOOOD at this. And then I read it properly.
Enjoy the new piece… and the empty garage!
Donna
Visiting from Funky Junk-
Well, all’s well that ends well, right? And it does end well, the settee is gorgeous!
Gorgeous settee! I have been thinking of taking an upholstery class myself. I’ll be sure and pick a easy chair for my project.
The end result is beautiful, Joselyn! I hope the “professional” gave you a super great deal, considering all the work you had already done.
Sounds like you’re a type-A personality just like me.
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
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Wow, it looks aweesome. i say, high five for taking on such a daunting task!
I love how that turned out… Very classic!! I also have a project chair and ottoman that I need to upholster, but have been struggling w/ doing it myself or taking in to a professional. I think after seeing your piece, I’ll be turning it over to a professional. BTW, I’m loving your site!! Keep it up =)
Rosanna, thank you for the lovely comment. Why not give your ottoman a try? And if you are pleased with the results you can attempt the chair. You can always hand it over to an upholster if you are displeased with the results like I did. But you should definitely give it a try; you just might surprise yourself.