settee makeover | part one

by | Aug 2, 2016 | All Things Home, Tutorials, upholstery | 22 comments

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Do you remember this settee I showed a few weeks ago?

Well, it’s all stripped down to the bones now.

I tell you what, I have never seen a sofa give up so much change.  We got at least a dollar out of this one when the final count was over.

So, now that this one is stripped, I am feeling very intimidated. I know I managed to do a sofa with over forty tufts, but that gap in the padding has me a little stumped.  There were a few channels there, on each side, but I’m not sure I want to do channels there again.

So I’m debating between doing one smooth back with two seams on each side or upholster the back, arms, and corners in sections.  Hmm.  Decisions, decisions.

I feel like once I get working on it, I’ll have a better idea of what I want to do.

Now, I have made a decision about the fabric I’m going to use.  I purchased a roll of this beautiful gray linen at the Raleigh Flea Market a couple of summers ago and have been waiting for the right piece to wear it.  I think it’s perfect for this one.

The texture is yummy!

I’ll start with the decking and the cushion and go from there.  It’s always tricky to share how I do something when I’m figuring out portions of it myself, but I’ll take pictures (maybe video) and share what I can.

It will have to wait until next week, though.  Wednesday, Kriste and I are leaving for the Haven Blog conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  It’s going to be a busy trip, but it was such a fun “girl’s retreat” last year that I am really looking forward to it!

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    22 Comments

    1. Karen from 4848Farmhouse.com

      Oh, that fabric is yummy! What ever you decide I am sure it will be beautiful! Can’t wait to see it.

    2. Gayle

      That’s going to be gorgeous!

    3. Heather cloudt

      I love your two seam idea and that was what I immediately thought!
      The grey linen is perfect!!

    4. Paula Runyan

      No one will fault you for not redoing the channels. Those scare me, and I refuse to touch a piece with channels. They are NOT easy to do, and require some extra equipment, never mind creating the innards for each one.

    5. debbie delosreyes

      love that fabric!

    6. Rita C at Panoply

      Can’t wait to see this one. The frame and fabric are handsome! I love a masculine/feminine mix, and this one will definitely have that yin-yang.

    7. Karen Anderson

      I always love your honesty! I’m sure your direction will become much clearer once you get going. What struck me today (I must of missed it’s debut a couple of weeks ago) is that I think I have it’s older brother or father – a lovely curved wing back chair with the same frame, same stain color and very similar fabric, but in avocado green. It’s sitting in my bedroom because I’m too intimidated to tackle it and don’t have the resources to pay someone. I need to borrow your courage, and watch some of your videos… I can’t wait to see her all spiffed up! Will you do a monogram on it since it’s linen? You could put it on the inside arms as a peek-a-boo..

      I’m looking forward to hearing about Haven! Enjoy!

    8. Laurie

      At that point I would be running away terrified! What a challenge! but I know it will be beautiful and worth all that hard work! Can’t wait to see it finished. ?

    9. Cindy

      Ohhh… you’re gonna make this look soooo good…

    10. Bshane

      OMG, that settee looks intimidating. I give you a lot of credit for tackling what looks like a complicated project. You go, girl.

      The gray linen is gorgeous. I think it’ll provide a nice, calm counterpoint to the many curves and embillishments of the couch’s frame.

      Looking forward to seeing how you progress.

    11. Debra Lyn

      I love using your paints, but I also love watching and reading about your re-upholstery projects!!! Thanks for Sharing.

    12. Laura

      It’s going to be gorgeous in the gray linen!. I wouldn’t do the channels either. Can’t wait to your process and who it turns out. I’m sure as beautiful as usual!!

    13. Melissa Leach

      She is going to be a beauty! I would love to see the channels, especially with this fabric but then I’m not doing the hard work. Just a question, when you work with a fabric like this is the piece itself more for show or does the linen really hold up to every wear and tear? Can’t wait to see the finished product. Have fun at the conference.

    14. Deb

      I think you should do the channels, at least try! Besides who just made a commercial to – “Prove Yourself Wrong!” You did say this about the landscape dresser, “You’re going to mess this up. You aren’t good enough to pull this off. But I pushed through it and, in the end, was really pleased with the results.” quote by Miss Mustard Seed

    15. Melinda

      This will be soooo beautiful. Your boldness gives me courage:) And by the way, the hemp sheets that arrived will blend beautifully with the one I had purchased before. I appreciate your attention to my details. So I ordered another, for good measure…just to be sure I had enough fabric:)

    16. Cindy in Oklahoma

      I inherited an old sofa from my mom which looks very similar. It’s covered in velvet almost the color of old faded denim… and… it has two seams on each side which are hardly noticeable because of the texture of the material.

      I hope you give the channels a try, though, because they are so feminine…. Can’t wait to see how it turns out, whatever you decide!

    17. Marlene Stephenson

      I can’tell wait to see the make over, great bones.

    18. Tora Consolo

      Oh Marion, Please, Please, PLEASE do a video tutorial on this one! I have my mother in laws’ settee that’s almost identical, sitting in my basement for the last 36 years. I’m SO intimidated by it and want SO badly to reupholster it. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

    19. Naomi S.

      I think the grey linen is lovely and will look beautiful on the settee. But I sure am glad it’s not me doing the reupholstering! Are you going to paint the wood on this piece? I think I would choose white of light grey for the paint. White would make a nice contrast. Or you could do your own mix to get the right shade of white.

      If you make a video of yourself re-doing this piece, remember not to make it in double-time! Just kidding!

      Hope you and Kriste have a wonderful and fun time at the conference!

    20. Kimberly G.

      When I read that you had a roll of gray fabric and I scrolled down then to see it I immediately went
      “Oooohhh” followed by “perfect”…. It’s a lovely choice, beautiful! Can’t wait to see!

    21. Kimberly G.

      P.S. And oh by the way, I was thinking you should paint the frame in your Typwriter or Trophy? A nice, darker contrast! But soft, you know? Haha! Who am I kidding? You’re Marion!!!! Good luck!

    22. marylisa noyes

      It’s going to be AMAZING with that gray linen fabric.

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