Wednesday, July 20, 2011

green monster revealed

Drumroll please.... I am so excited to show you the ugly duckling I got on Ebay for $400 - affectionately known as The Green Monster:


Revealed as a beautiful swan!


Sofas are a very personal thing. Everyone has their preferences. After five years running a furniture showroom and after going through four sofas in as many years, I finally know mine. I hate separate seat cushions because someone always has to sit in a crack, and I like to lay down on my sofa. So I had a bench seat made for this piece. No cracks. I also hate to fluff down cushions or loose back cushions, when they get squished down. This piece has a tight, tufted back, so it will never look squishy, and I had the bench seat done in foam with a dacron wrap - no feathers. Also, I like a cleaner, flat seam on the seat, not a cord (which gets worn through faster than your fabric will) so I asked for topstitching on the seat cushion and a mini welt to cover the tack lines. If you do ask for welt, have it applied on the bias, which makes it stronger. I had the skirt removed for a more mid-century modern look, and I had the sofa covered in an outdoor fabric with a linen weave. It looks like high end linen, but it will not stain. I can unzip the seat cover and wash it, or use a stain pen or brush to clean it!

So I am still going to have some box cushions made for the inside arms, but I wanted to show you the sofa today! What do you think?
E

13 comments:

F. said...

Wow! The sofa looks amazing.

Lily said...

Its looks amazing !! What a great find !!

xxLily
goldandgray.com

Heather (love your space) said...

GORGEOUS! Oh my, I love it. Isn't it SO nice to know what you like, and to get it?

Also, I don't know what was going on with the pictures on your post--I had no problem seeing them on my computer (PC) and a friend's (Mac), BUT I'm going to link to your re-post on your page so my readers can get the whole picture. Thanks again!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Looks like a stylish little lady. The fabric choice was brilliant as was the single bench cushion. Thanks for the tips!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks, y'all! No problem, Heather - I'm thankful you invited me!
E

Ashley said...

Oh my gosh, what a great transformation! Love the decision to go with a single cushion. Great, great!

Unknown said...

Elizabeth, it looks amazing!! Such good ideas for making a sofa more life-friendly. We are currently experiencing the back cushion problem and it's not pretty. And the welting problem is one I'm sure we will be facing soon.

Ooooh, I'm soooo excited to see the room come together!

Lonely Wife Project said...

I'm head over heels in love with you! That is my vision of a perfect sofa if I lived a dogless life. It's too good for words!

Elizabeth said...

I die.

Boo Hazard said...

WOW! Love it!! I hear ya on the bench seating - I wish I knew then what I know now...!! It really looks great - I love the shape of the sofa. You'll have to share your secret upholsterer with me when I'm ready!! - BOO

Elizabeth said...

Boo - it's no secret. I only trust Shane Porter with antiques but I had Leonel's do this one. Call me for the hookup when you are ready. Crazy me, I am already planning the next reup on this sofa! Gray velvet would be nice... hahahaa
-e

Elyse | Peonies and Brass said...

This is incredible!! So impressed with the bench cushion, which I wouldn't have thought of, and the choice of fabric! Gorgeous!!

Can I ask how much the upholstery set you back?

Elizabeth said...

Elyse - the fabric was about $500 and the labor was $800. It would have been less if it was a straight reup, but I needed the arms and base tightened and the bench seat was completely new - so lots of rebuilding...
-e