12 May, 2010

This Is Not Your Grandma's Settee

                              OK...I should warn you ahead of time...this is not your grandma's settee!
Well, she was when I brought her home, remember?

When I first posted about her, lots of people suggested I leave the wood natural, and use a linen to recover her in. Which would have been my choice also if she were to reside in our home. However, she was destined for my studio, and the linen option was a little too quiet for that.
I will say that I've never reupholstered anything other than a chair seat before, so there were a few oops moments, but nothing too drastic. Here's where I started this interesting project. Maybe I should also admit to not being a perfectionist in some ways, and I feel that this whole endeavor can be reversed in the future if I so desire. Here goes.
I started by painting the frame. I used brushes, did not spray her. There's a lot of carving, and I wanted to see that. Notice I didn't even remove the old fabric, although I did eventually take the cording off. I experimented with fabrics. Originally, I thought I'd do the whole thing in this garbadine pink ticking. Too boring.

I went back to my studio fabric selections. You may remember them from here.
I decided that the tufting was a little too fussy for me and the fabrics I chose, so they went away.


Once I started using the stapler and compressor, things really started to move along. I used an electric stapler for the back, not fun. You know what they say-The right tool for the job. So true.
Anyway, I threw some fabrics together, a couple of hours later she started to take shape.

There's a lot of fun and whimsy going on.

I'm finally finished, and I really love how she turned out. I smile each time I walk in and see her sitting there.

And did I mention she has two seperate looks? Kind of like daytime and evening?


Now  I feel like I need to change the fabric behind her so she'll stand out a little more! I am still working on the rest of the studio, that's taking longer than I thought it would. Oh well, it's not going anywhere.
ann marie

109 comments:

  1. I love it! Thanks for the tutorial. Don't forget to show photos of it in your studio.

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  2. what a great transformation, it's so cute and colorful. Great job!

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  3. Wow!! How amazing... that looks very difficult. Fantastic job!!

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  4. If you ever get tired of that settee then send it my way! I LOVE it! The mix of colors and patterns are fabulous!

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  5. I'm not sure they've invented the word to describe her!! Something like fantabulous or gloriful or awesomous!! You do good work!

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  6. So very sweet! I love the colors. Very dramatic transformation.

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  7. Oh!!! Super cute and very whimsical you did a fantastic job!!

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  8. this is so beautiful. nice job.

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  9. LOVE the way this settee looks now. Truly one of a kind.

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  10. I love the fabrics you chose. It looks so good.

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  11. You say your previous upholstery experience is only a chair? Must have been SOME chair! Your fabric selection is impeccable and the sofa is perfect! I love whimsical furniture and this takes the cake! Very, very impressive!!

    Ellen

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  12. wow! that looks awesome! i remember when you bought it and i was soooo hoping you would paint it! it looks fantastic- totally updated! great job!

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  13. I love the fabric combination...so cute and fresh! The settee is adorable. Great job.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  14. An amazing redo...I'm in awe...the fabric choices are so great...APPLAUSE

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  15. Honestly, this is the best makeover I've seen. I love your fabric choices!

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  16. Wow, how do you know how to do this? It looks good with the different fabrics. Very pretty!

    Kathleen

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  17. Hi..I’m Barb….I am from Wed. Spotlight.. Wow!! What a super great job!!! I love it!!
    I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
    & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

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  18. Oh my! I think my heart has stopped! You have to link this post to every linky party! Everyone would LOVE to see this!!!

    m ^..^

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  19. So beautiful ! I love the your color choices,very unique .

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  20. I love it! You took it from stuffy and proper to fun and relaxed.

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  21. SO SO CUTE!!! Perfect fabric choices! Reminds me of my day to night Barbie from the '80s hehehe!

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  22. You did a fabulous job. I'm very impressed!

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  23. I don't think you could have chosen more perfect fabric for it. You have definitely brought her back to life! It truly is exquisite! Glad you went with more color. I'd never attempt recovering anything. You did a fabulous job doing it though!

    Stop by for a 1 yr blog-iversary. A sterling silver/gem necklace is up for grabs. Would love to see you there!
    Lisa

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  24. WOW! You did a fab job! I love the fabric you picked!

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  25. That is just beautiful! I love it! I can imagine you would smile walking in and seeing that. Love the fabrics you used and I like that you used a few different ones. It's nice and long, too, so if you get tired of working on your studio you could take a nap! : )

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  26. Breathtaking. You have yourself the cutest couch. And you r so darn talented with your sewing. You could sell this for alot of money.. But i would keep it myself too...lol

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  27. I got here while blog browsing and I am so happy I did... that is one fabulous looking sofa! I wish I was that good to pull this off. All thumbs way up:=)

    Tiffany

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  28. I just love this! The fabrics you chose are wonderful.

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  29. WOW - what an inspiration!
    Can you tell me what you used the compressor on for this project?

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  30. Love it! That couch is so cute. You did a wonderful job!

    OXO
    Jen

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  31. That is so gorgeous! I'll definitely be featuring it next Wednesday! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  32. Awesome makeover !! How gorgeous is that?

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  33. Oh my this is fabulous..am very impressed. Hope you can stop by My Dream Canvas!!

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  34. That just might be the happiest piece of furniture I've ever seen. Absolutely adorable!

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  35. She's amazingly beautiful! You have surely inspired me!
    Kathy

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  36. I am totally in love with this furniture re-do! SHE REALLY HAS HER OWN SPIFFY PERSONALITY!!
    !
    I love hte fabric combos and paint choice, too, for your work space!!

    Hugs, Lana

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  37. Such a beautiful make over project. You have a great job.

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  38. Hi Ann Marie, your settee turned out amazing! I have one and I need to recover it, I have been dragging my feet on painting the wood... but yours just POPS now, stunning! Thanks for the tutorial and inspiration!
    Bella

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  39. What a super, wonderful makeover. Love the colors used.

    My Show n Tell is my finished, newest, watercolor painting...I do hope you can stop by to view it and give me some critique!! Click HERE

    Have a great Friday.

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  40. Love the transformation with the freshly updated colors and fabrics. I keep kicking my rear for passing up a similar sofa at a sale for about $50! Ugh

    Thanks for sharing your re-do...fun and so cute!

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  41. Your sofa is so adorable - Great job! Love your choice of fabrics! ~Marcy

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  42. STUNNING!! just beautiful!!

    Thanks for sharing and linking up to I'm Lovin' It! Have a GREAT weekend!

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  43. Quite a look. Very original. Jane F

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  44. amazing makeover! loving it!.. beautiful..

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  45. Sigh...swoon...my heart is going pitter pat.

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  46. WOW! You have done an amazing job!

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  47. Georgous!!!! It looks amazing!!!

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  48. Girl! This is magazine worthy!! LOVE IT!! I love the fabrics! GORGEOUS!! Simply Stunning!!

    You did AWESOME!!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  49. WOW!!! That looks so amazing!!! What a transformation! I really love it!!!

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  50. I agree with everyone -it is amazing!!!

    Carolyn

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  51. WOW that came out fantastic! I love your fabric choices.

    Well done!

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  52. Oh my, I absolutely love it! Love the way you mixed and matched the fabrics. Everybody needs alittle whimsy! Thank you for sharing~~~~~Lisha

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  53. it turned out so great and whimsical. you are so talented! have a great weekend! verbena cottage

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  54. She is beautiful! Love her! :)

    ~Liz

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  55. Oh, I am in love! I want that sofa!

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  56. Oh Ann Marie....Absolutely gorgeous! I cannot believe that this was your first time reupholstering...it look so professional!!!
    Great job! I'm definitely going to follow you so I don't miss any of your projects!
    xoxo Beth

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  57. very extrordinaire! look at all these comments!

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  58. Gorgeous!! Love the mix of fabrics! Great job! From one Ann Marie to another. :)

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  59. Oh my goodness...HOW FUN! It looks FABULOUS! I can't wait to have a look around the rest of your blog! I found you through Funky Junk sns party!
    ~Bridgette

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  60. I LOVE the fabrics you used, it looks marvelous! I like the patterned cushion look better than the plain pink but that's just me :) Great job!

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  61. Your sofa looks wonderful. Love everything about it!

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  62. What a transformation! I've seen these kind of sofas and setees around and they are just screaming for a little love! This is wonderful and I'd love for you to share this on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

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  63. That is so awesome. I'm glad you didn't go with the linen! Love whimsical furniture!!!

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  64. I featured this beautiful thing this week. :-)

    http://thespeckleddog.blogspot.com/2010/05/weekly-faves_16.html

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  65. Fabulous! I absolutely love it!

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  66. I am IN LOVE with this settee! Mostly because of the wonderful fabrics you chose! I just adore it. I just discovered your blog from Making the World Cuter and I'm now a happy follower! I'd love it if you could check out my blog when you have a chance (in between painting and reupholstering and life!).

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  67. You've done an amazing job on this olden settee! I love it and the variety of fabrics just make her gorgeous! You're good! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  68. I gave you a Trendy Blog award. Come on over and check it out.

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  69. Love the work you have done with your home, studio, and the sewing projects you have shown on your blog!
    Thanks, JolieAnne

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  70. I adore it. The colors, the shape, the woodwork, the mix of pattern. Stunning and that floor is fab too. So very Greenbrier.
    Pamela

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  71. This is just FANTASTIC!!!

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  72. This is simply gorgeous! I just adore the combination of the fabrics. The detailing on that piece is beautiful. Amazing job! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~Stephanie Lynn

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  73. Hi Ann Marie! Just wanted to let you know I'll be featuring your settee today! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  74. WOW! It takes a very creative eye to see such whimsy in something SO formal and elegant. Really, really beautiful.

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  75. Absolutely stunning! But if I had that in my studio,(when I have one)all I'd want to do is lie on it sipping tea and reading a book!

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  76. beautiful job -

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  77. My girlfriend went nuts over this! I'm glad you shared and see you next week! Rory

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  78. It is, in a word, MAGICAL! Congratulations on the most beautiful settee I've ever seen. Should you care to link this to the Boardwalk Bragfest today, I would be honored!

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  79. That is the most beautful settee I have ever seen. I recovered my mother-in-laws, which I inherited and never thought to do something this spectacular. I love it.

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  80. Wow! It's so BEAUTIFUL! I'm definitely impressed, and I can't believe you've only reupholstered a chair seat before. You just gave me hope! Thanks!
    Jenn

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  81. I love the bright and fun fabric choices you made. I really love how it turned out!

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  82. this is an amazing transformation, which is why there are already 88 comments on this one post! congrats on a beautiful job!

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  83. This is the most wonderful and creative makeover for this tired old girl! YOu breathed new life into her. Now she is the belle of the decorating ball! Fabulous! Love the fabrics and the feel of this sassy settee!
    Yvonne

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  84. I'm speechless and for me that's something! This is really sweet, love the whimsy! Great job!

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  85. Absolutely love this! Kudos to you for a great job!

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  86. I learned about your makeover from Better After. Truly a phenomenal makeover! I would love to know where you got the print fabric. Beautiful job. Can't believe this is your first upholstery project. Great job!

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  87. I have just stumbled across your blog and this post has left me speechless! What an amazing job you have done and your fabric choice is simply gorgeous.
    I am looking forward to following you:o)
    Angex

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  88. Just phenomenal! LOVE that swirly fabric on the outside.

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  89. I found your blog via Miss Mustard Seed and I can see why she chose this for her feature. It is stunning and I want this in my house! great job.

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  90. I also found your blog via Miss Mustard Seed. This is the most beautiful, fun, cheerful settee I have ever seen. CAN I HAVE IT????????? I love the color combos that you chose and great idea about painting with brushes instead of spray painting. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Marilyn C.

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  91. Miss Mustard Seed sent me as well..I do a lot of custom sewing. Never have tackled upholstery, but now I am not afraid!. Love the collage style use of fabrics. Pink and green and polka dots and paisley--WOW, what a winnning combo! Congratulations girl!
    Amy

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  92. 'The fabric is wonderful!!! Can you tell me what fabric that is? The colors are colorful!!!
    Sandy

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  93. So feminine and fun! I love this one of a kind makeover!

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  94. There's nothing to add that hasn't already been said. Bravo! Lisa~

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  95. This is aaaaaaaaaaaaamazing!!!! Absolutely love it!!!!If you ever get tired of it...I'm sure we would get quite the bidding war going - count me in!

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  96. I just found your blog through Better After and I love what you have done with your entire house and this settee. Love the colors!

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  97. Oh my goodness!! That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the fabrics together, the painted frame and I love that you were able to patch up all that tufting!! What a great Idea!! My settee has been sitting...and sitting... and sitting... what can I say? I have been avoiding getting into that project! I already have a delightful frenchy fabric picked out just gotta get to it! Thank you so much for stopping by and telling me about this post!! I am so excited to see your sofa and to meet you! :)

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  98. Amazing transformation!!!!! I couldn't continue reading for a moment when I read "Anyway, I threw some fabrics together, a couple of hours later she started to take shape." My mind went numb trying to comprehend how someone can do these things SO quickly. I am impressed and hope to someday be able to work with such clarity and speed!

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  99. She turned out great and yes, very whimsy!! Love all the different fabrics together! I can see we definitely have lots in common...we both love our staplers/air compressors, sewing and I just was featured along with you on Roeshel's blog for redoing my sofa as well. :) I realize how much time and learning it takes doing upholstery...Great job!!!

    Hugs,
    Victoria

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  100. Love what you did to this gorgeous piece! What a great studio!

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Thanks so much for stopping by!