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resourceful or ridiculous?

Today, the glittering continued.   I received my box of 10 pounds of glitter over the weekend, so the glittering isn’t going to stop any time soon.  Even my basement sparkles…and not because it’s clean, unfortunately. 

I also began working on my feature furniture pieces for the Lucketts holiday open house today.  I started pulling apart this sofa, but as soon as I got the back partly off, I realized I was in over my head. 

I have found a lot of strange things in furniture before, but this took the cake.  Upholstery done with a rice sack.  Not a grain sack, but a tarp-like plastic rice sack.  OK…strange…

Then I started to examine the filling.  I figured it was horse hair.  It had a wiry, crunchy texture.  No, not horse hair.  Something about it was off…is this?  …could it be?  …grass? 

Yes…the entire settee is stuffed with grass.  I did do some research online and it’s apparently not too uncommon.   Although the grass was a total mess and I was certain a family of rodents would jump out at me any minute, it surprisingly didn’t smell too bad.  Despite that, this sofa was beyond me, so I called Ruthie, “my” upholsterer, and asked for her help.  She’s picking it up tomorrow, so it can be done properly and professionally.  (I love Ruthie.  She’s my hero.)  I painted and finished the frame today and she’ll take over from there.  (Have I mentioned how much I love Ruthie?)

As I worked on it, I couldn’t make up my mind if the rice sack, grass and cardboard box strips were resourceful or ridiculous.  What do you think? 

Oh, and the winner of the Wuslu laundry basket giveaway is KatieQ and the winner of the foot stool is The French Maker.  Congrats, girls!

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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88 Responses

  3. What in the world? I've never seen this before. But it is a lovely sofa, I can't wait to see what you do with. Can I ask what kind of glue you use for all your ornaments/decor?

  7. Oh resourceful for sure.

    I'm curious, what were the cardboard box strips you mentioned? Were they part of the tacking around the perimeter or something else entirely?

  8. Wow! What did the rice sacks say? Were they from a foreign country? That stuffing could be excelsior, which is what stuff used to be packed in before styrofoam. Do you think this sofa was reupholstered overseas? Good luck! Ann

  9. Great piece but sounds like the making of some serious mold! Just an FYI, when I was in Florida last year on a tour they told us they used to use that moss that grows on trees for upholstery and mattress, problem is fleas love the stuff. Hence, don't let the bed bugs bite, comes from that mossy junk on the trees!

  11. Looks like a plastic feed sack to me. We get some of our farm feed in them. The grass is probably hay: grass would mold. Hay smells good. 🙂 Sounds like a farm wife maybe tried to fix it up…but wasn't me! 🙂 I wouldn't have the foggiest clue where to even start!!

  12. Whoa… cool, i find that fascinating, and resourceful as anything, but i don't blame you for calling in reinforcements!

    Cindy

  13. I think you need to add a gun to your tool list b/c I would want to kill anything that jumped out to surprise me. I have never heard of such in upholstery, but the only thing I would wonder is where the grass came from (state, town, country). I guess they were being resourceful. I think I would have cried if I had gotten to where you did when you took the photo. Best of luck. Can't wait to see how it looks like on the upside!

  14. I purchased a setee from a lovely lady who moved to Austin Texas from New Orleans after hurricane "Ike". She had rescued her family heirloom setee (complete with photos of past visitors perched upon it from the 40's, wish I could post photos here), however she was a tad bit late in saving it. It was damaged in many places to the point that she finally gave up and posted it for sale as a "project" on Craigslist. Lucky me? haha, I found myself just as you have in this post…what??? what is this??? old shirts?? grass? and yes, pieces of cardboard holding things together.

    My newest friend with her lovely stories, explained to me that this piece was never intended for our modern day "plopping down upon" and to be sure it was used in a formal setting as it wouldn't take much wear. Hmmm…I smell a challenge. I have a 13 year old Lab who refuses to abide by the no getting on the couch rule, a 6 year old who's middle name is "plop" a 6' 4" husband who has no concept of fragile (enter bull in china shop scenario) and a 15 year old Step Son who rrrrrealllly likes to kick back. This is why I love love love Shabby chic. I ripped that beauty apart, reinforced it glued, screwed, and stuffed that baby like a champ! But then there was the upholstering….can I have Ruthie's number? hehehe…I love your blog!!!!

  20. Wow, I've never heard of that either! I guess if it was pretty comfortable to sit on, I'd classify that as resourceful!

  21. I'd say resourcefully ridiculous. It definitely looks like it has potential, but I think you made a good choice to let Ruthie take over….my goodness that sofa looks like a mess!! 😉 Can't wait to see how it turns out though!

    Hugs,
    Gail

  22. Hmm, I have a vintage sofa and this makes me wonder what's in it. Interesting…but yeah, definitely weird, but pretty resourceful I guess.

  23. Love the shape of the sofa, it WILL look beautiful when finished! Just a note about FL people using Spanish moss, it's not fleas, it's Chiggers, they are unseeable to the naked eye and burrow under your skin, and itch like crazy! We used to have Spanish moss fights to get each other to itch. I stay away from the stuff now, unless it comes in a bag from the craft store which has been treated to kill the little pests!

  25. I think you have more guts than I do. I would be completely afraid to touch the thing. It actually made my skin crawl looking at it. But as usual, I know you will turn it into something totally amazing because that's what you do with every piece of furniture you get your hands on. I must say, I don't think I have seen a picture of a project you've worked on that started off looking this bad (or gross). Can't wait to see the finished product!

  26. I recently purchased some dining chairs from around 1825. They were and are in pretty bad shape. When I went to strip the upholstery it was a mess filled with pine straw and dried grass. I kept expecting rats or squirrels to pop out yuck, but I have them stripped down to the frames & I'm trying to decide what to do with them. The sofa is going to be gorgeous I can tell. Thanks for sharing.

  27. Resourceful and very intriguing. I'd love to know the story of this beautiful piece. I imagine it came from a family that maybe did not afford it in it's prime, but just like modern day bloggers, did what what they could with what they had. Either way, beautiful piece and I can see why you called in a pro! Can't wait to see it finished 🙂

  30. I am actually cracking up at all of this and all the comments! That is gross and looks totally fun at the same time! I love a good challenge! Good luck with it and I also can't wait to see what you two come up with!

  31. Hi remember me I was the one visiting the grandbabies in D.C. and tried but couldn't make it to Lucketts last month???? Well anyway I am back home in Washington State and just posted about my new settee that I salvaged before the neighbors took her to the dump…looks just like yours…check out my *after* if you have a minute, I have a fabulous re-upholster too (thank heavens).. Kathy

  32. I say ridiculous!!! Grass?? Seriously? How about lazy!! Ha!! Thank God you have Ruthie
    Can't wait to see this sofa finished. It has a great structure!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  33. Oh my gosh…you are sooo brave! I'm sure I would have freaked out! lol Thank goodness for Ruthie though! 🙂 I'm sure it will be fabulous when you are done with it!!! This post really made me laugh!!!

    Cheers,
    Jessie

    acozycottageinthecity.blogspot.com

  34. I cannot wait to see your holiday room at Lucketts!!! Gorgeous sofa, and yeah very resourceful, but ugh! Lady Courtney

  36. Ridiculous to us NOW, but probably resourceful back in the day. I remember being shocked to hear that my husband's aunt's couch is stuffed with horse hair, but now I know it's not that uncommon from those period pieces. I have to say that this piece you picked up looks pretty gross in it's current condition, but I know it will be a thing of beauty the next time we see it!

    Now about that 10 POUNDS of glitter….!!!! ;^)

  37. I don't get all the gross comments. But then again, I have seen this type of stuffing ALOT! The first chair I saw like this was one I bought out of a crate from England back in 1990. I have seen many since. The reason I don't think it is gross is because, it isn't. lol Vermits would probably not come close to that chair if they had a modern, stuffed couch and a few days alone to set up!!! We once caught a family of flying squirrels having made a winters nest in a sofa while our NC mountain cabin was shut up for the winter. Now that?? That was gross!!!

  38. Hay was used for mattress stuffing for centuries. I have a similar sofa but channeled in the back. It's the channels that is stopping me from ripping out the horsehair! Hay sounds resourceful to me, in the time period. I want foam now!

    Does Ruthie have a website/blog?

  41. I have to giggle at the thought of you thinking there might be rodents. I can imagine!! I would have been jumping every time something grazed my arm unexpectedly. Poor thing! (wink) I guess I would think it was "resourceful" to use things readily available. Makes you wonder about some woman trying to turn her house into a home with what she had. But it becomes ridiculous when you have to be the one to clean it up years later!! (smile) It looks beautiful though. I cant wait to see how it looks when Ruthie is done with her part!

  42. Do you know how refreshing it is to know that you needed help?? I swear this is a compliment and not a snarky remark 🙂 There have been several projects that I either tackled and felt "in over my head" or wanted to tackle but was just to scared to try. You are the best of the best in the blog world when it comes to furniture restoration and to know that sometimes even you need help reminds me that not every project is as easy as it looks online and that it's ok to look for a helping hand on occasion!

    Love your stuff and can't wait to see the finished project!

  44. i'd say resourceful – they worked w/what they had! i think it kinda sounds familiar, don't you?! 🙂
    Esther from fleurcottage

  45. I had a vintage vanity seat that was stuffed with grass. It fell apart and I gave it away because the kids were pulling the filling out. Then I found another matching one at a flea market–had to buy it! I don't know if this one is another grass-filled creation because it's fully intact, but we'll see. I think it's resourceful.

  46. I'm so glad we got to see the before photos, because I'm sure it will be amazing once it is finished. Forest Gump might have thought life was like a box of chocolates, but after this, I'm going to think of life being like your settee. You never know what's under the upholstery.

  47. I actually have a little foot rest/bench that I got in a barn sale that I still have to redo. I'm convinced that the reason it wasn't picked up by someone else was that it's coming apart from the bottom & guess what is coming out……grass!

  48. I love this sofa style! The wood part that is! Was looking for one like it not long ago. Can't wait to see the end product!

    Diddie @citicasita

  50. Made a point to show this to my husband who thinks I bring home projects that are beyond salvageable. This one certainly takes the cake in my book! I guess it's true what they say, necessity is the mother of all invention!

    I'm excited to see it post makeover!

  51. Hmmm… I say resourceful. Its a lovely couch…even in it's current condition. Beautiful lines.

    Now– you say, you're having it done. Well, I STILL have not recovered my old settee and chair, The Husband mentioned the other day letting someone else do it. But I balked. I SO WANT to do it myself…but if it's too hard for you…??? Then how could I ever??? I may take him up on his offer.

    Can't wait to see it finished.

    Pat

  53. Strange and interesting. Anthropolgie would put it out as is and charge $$$ you might have started a new trend 🙂 Can't wait to see it finished!

  56. COOL SOFA!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

    I have a book recomendation: Creative Walls: How to dispaly and enjoy your treasured collections by Geraldine James.

    GA GA GA!

    MISSYMAAM@QWEST.NET

  60. I vote for resourceful…they did what they could with what they had…maybe? I'm sure the bugs are long gone and it will be beautiful when it is finished. I have a setee waiting in the wings for it's transformation too; hmmm I wonder what's under my upholstery?

  61. If you love vintage and antique things you should consider how most people lived in those times. There was no running out and buying the supplies you needed or calling in Ruthie to reupholster! These people REALLY lived green!! I think it is fun to see how resourceful they were. I know I'm blessed and very spoiled to live now. I wouldn't have lasted long as a pioneer woman!

  62. Um, weren't you the one who used the beer box cardboard strips for another upolstery project?
    I say, use whatcha got, thats what it's all about. And someone had grass and rice bags.
    Rice sacs are like those blue Ikea bags, and I think we all know those things are indestructable, pretty clever.

  63. Ummm…I'm gonna say it is ridiculously resourceful….I opened an old mohair sofa one time that was stuffed with that same grassy stuff…and it was horrible to sit on! Can't wait to see this baby made over- xo Diana

  64. Its great you dont get too grossed out.. I would and probably have my husband throw it. Neat you can see past it!! You amaze me 🙂
    Jen

  65. "Um, weren't you the one who used the beer box cardboard strips for another upolstery project?
    I say, use whatcha got, thats what it's all about. And someone had grass and rice bags.
    Rice sacs are like those blue Ikea bags, and I think we all know those things are indestructable, pretty clever."

    Well said, kindred Anon!

  66. kinda repulsive because i know grass can mold. i think a more fun surprise stuffing would have been the 'other kind of grass' or cash. this is one gorgeous piece, marian. thinking there are about a dozen life lessons wrapped up in this one, yes? pretty on the outside and a big ol' mess on the inside…

    hugs.

    michele

  67. This makes me recall my old "Little House on the Prairie" books, where they used fine straw for stuffing mattresses and periodically they emptied all the bedding to air it or replace the straw (maybe that's why its called "straw ticking"). Back in the day they didn't have all the fancy foam and batting we have now, so they used what they had.

  71. Not sure about the choices: maybe a little of both!

    Ruthie to the rescue!! Everyone needs a Ruthie…

  74. My son is listening to Laura Ingall's "Farmer Boy" and I was reminded of the chapter where the kids sneak into the parlor while the parents are away. It was a minor forbidden thrill since they were only allowed in there when company came. The horsehair sofa was described as slippery and uncomfortable. Doesn't sound like an item used for typical family life even back then. So I'd say "resourceful" since it was meant more to look good from the outside. I think back then it would have been considered ridiculous to put good material into something that was mostly for decoration anyway.

  76. That is just unbeleivable. It is amazing how they built things back then. I took part of a wall down a couple of years ago and what should of been studs was actually a picket fence. It is a beautiful piece though. I can't wait to see it finished.

  77. Grass, that is amazing. I would never have guessed that was what would have been used for such a lovely sofa.

    I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

  79. Great piece…She will be amazing when completed.

    Off topic-any ideas where I could find chipboard letters? I have found the ones with the bad smell, ick. Michaels, Target, Scrapbooking stores…Nothing. I'm becoming frustrated.

    Any suggestions for on-line sites? Would love to have these for my Christmas decor.

    Thanks for your help…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! So inspiring.

    kmcooper1984@gmail.com

  81. I would have to say resourceful! We live in the middle of the African bush in a house built in the 1930s by a farmer and his labourers. Whilst drilling holes in the walls we have found various things that were used when they obviously ran out of bricks including bottles, newspaper, straw, burlap sacks, stones and mud! Nothing surprises me anymore!!!! lol x

  82. In all my life I've never dreamed of re-upholstering something until I came to your site and now have started to see the potential in things. But, I have to admit…if I one day do get the courage to re-upholster something, and I see something like this…I think I'd quit. On the spot! =)

  83. I am giggling with the person who mentioned using IKEA bags to support upholstery. Wouldn't that be a sign of the times for someone else to find 30 years from now??

    My grandparents were depression era farmers (the namesake for my site) and I grew up seeing them use anything and everything to make and do every job under the sun. Orange Hay Bale ties never surprise me when they turn up holding something together. I even used them in my wedding as the drawstring on the goodie bags.

    Also, I have used more than one cereal box as the edging for my upholstery work!

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  88. people….think about it, there wasn’t a whole lot of polystyrene or plastic foam back in the 1800’s. What do you think they used? Horse hair, moss, dry hay (imagine your mattress stuffed with hay!) wood chips & shavings…

    It’s actually very ‘eco friendly’,, just about everything in that sofa would degrade if it went to the dump, unlike all our plastic couches we have now.

    It also will last for another hundred years…again unlike that new chair you just brought home from the department store….it’ll last maybe 5 years tops?

    I dont know, maybe it’s my ‘country upbringing’ but it sort of makes me laugh about how people want things so ‘sterile’…a little dirt won’t kill ya! lol

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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