Ottomans Part Three!

Remember these beauties Candace recovered a few years ago?

Well 4 boys later.....she was ready to toss them in her house purge she did over Christmas.
Of course I was more than happy to be her charitable recipient.

I found some really cute and super thick quality upholstrey material at Home Fabrics for about $20.  It's a gorgeous houndstooth pattern that is almost a taupe/dark grey color on a creamy white.  An hour later I now have these!

I didn't try to make a pattern from her old material~I just measured each of the sides so every thing would be a crisp square.

One thing I did do was seam around a square piece to cover the bottom.  I hate that black cloth that most furniture pieces have on the bottom~besides where do you find that stuff and why does it rip so easy?

This was super easy and makes the ottomans look even more finished.

What do you think?

Phoebe

Callie

Now if they survive these two kittens.....that's another story.  

Yes, I'm feeling like an animal hoarder.  This is what happens when your daughter baby sits the neighbors cat who also happens to be pregnant....and then she baby sits the kittens......it was bound to happen.  They were her birthday present and I told her "these are the last pets we will ever have while she lives under our roof."  And yes, those are Build A Bear outfits~they fit little real kitties too!

Master Bedroom ~ Reveal!

Hooray!  It's finally done!

Last year I hired Autumn from Design Dump (Nicole's Sister In-law) to create an e-design for my master bedroom.  Ever since Nicole introduced me to Autumn several years ago, I have admired her classy style. My master bedroom has been baby central for eight years and was in need of big change. I knew she would be the perfect person to help make our bedroom a pretty and peaceful place to be. I think it worked, because I keep finding my hubby in there relaxing. 

My request for the e-design was to keep the cost low by diy-ing most of the projects,  But to be totally honest, even when diy-ing,  it's still expensive to decorate a room when you are starting from scratch. I started with two dressers and a bed, that's pretty much it.  I stretched the expenses over a year, buying items and materials monthly to make it affordable for me.  I love that these projects pushed me to sew and build way beyond my comfort level, and save a few bucks in the process. I have learned a lot over the year!

Here are some of the changes we made to the room-

I had to throw in a couple of before & after pictures!  The changes even shocked me!

What I love about Autumn's designs are the details.  She has an amazing eye for detail, from the trim on the pillows and curtains, to the contrasting fabric in the bedskirt. I really love everything about the room! 

Here is a list of all the diy projects from the past year.  Hopefully they will get your wheels turning and help you make a room in your house a place you LIKE to be! Thanks Autumn!

(And thanks Nicole for your hard work on the ikea dressers, they are definitely the highlight of the room!)

Bedskirt With Constrasting Box Pleats

Re-upholstered Benches

Sunburst Mirror

Fixed Roman Shades

Ikea Curtains with Trim

Plant Stand

Paint Choices

Ikea Rast Dresser Makeover

Ballard Designs Headboard -Knock-off

Pillow Shams with Trim

Greek Trim Pillow

 

Ballard Designs Headboard-Knock-Off

I am so happy with how the headboard turned out.  It is so comfy!  After taking it apart three times, I think I finally finished it just the way I wanted it, tight and tailored.

Autumn suggested that I knock off the Ballard Designs Stevenson Headboard for my bedroom.  A king size headboard is around $800 dollars!  Autumn had me upholster with Tommy Bahama Indoor/Outdoor fabric.  I can't say enough about this fabric, it is beautiful and durable. 

Stevenson Headboard (Ballard Designs)

First, I had Home Depot slice a 4x8 ft piece of 3/4 inch plywood to 4 ft x 80 inches for a king size bed....and then asked my dad to bring a trailer so I could get it home!

I used a jigsaw to notch out two curves similar to the Stevenson Headboard.

After so many failed attempts at building this headboard, I had a light bulb moment.  I remembered how they upholster nail head chairs! I wanted the hard edges to give the headboard a crisp look, but wanted it nice and cushy to sit up against.  I have seen nail head chairs that have a wood rim underneath.  So, I took 1x2's and lined the edge of the plywood, and cut out of pine the arch with my scroll saw. 

This is a really blurry picture below of the headboard, but it shows how the entire board is framed with 1x2's. 

 I sanded away any wood overhang with a heavy sander for a smooth edge. 

I used 1 inch foam, found in rolls at Wal-Mart, to line the inside of the headboard. 

A strong spray adhesive helps to hold the foam in place .

I used more of the spray adhesive to piece thin batting to soften the edges.  I debated whether or not to bat over all of the foam  This seemed to work and it helped keep the crisp lines I was looking for. The foam does sit higher than the wood edge, but after I placed the nail head on, it was no problem.

For the upholstery..

I knew that I wanted to have the same tailored look that Ballard Designs has on their headboard. So, I cut 5 inch strips that would wrap around the edge of the headboard. Then I cut the fabric to fit the front of the headboard, basically following the shape. 

Next, I pinned the 5 inch edge fabric to the front fabric, inside out, like you would when you make a slipcover. There were 5 separate 5" pieces, one for each side, one for the top and then one separate piece for each curve, basically leaving a "seam" of sorts at each corner.  Then I sewed it together, flipped it over and started stapling.  I had to do some fine tuning, and lots of unpicking to get the curves just right.

I left the corners of the curves unsewn to get the lines straight,

 it was much easier for me to tuck and staple.

Autumn had me use nail head trim on a roll.  It is around $20.00 and is really easy to work with.

If you make a mistake the nail head pulls out easily with a flat edge.

Mom suggested that I make a template to help with a straight line...so smart!

I measured about 1/4 inch in from the edge of the framed 1x2 to mark the template.

In my bedroom plans, Autumn designed wall to wall curtains to hang behind the bed.  So hanging the headboard flush on the wall was not an option.  I didn't want the headboard attached to the bed.  My dad came over to help me drill a couple of 2x4's into the studs of my wall. 

We attached a French cleat by OOK, you can find them in the picture hanging section of Home Depot.  It is such a clever way to hang a large headboard, and it holds up to 200 pounds.  I did attach wood legs to the base to take some weight off on the French cleat since the headboard is a king and hanging from 2x4's. 
 

Finally, I gave the headboard several coats of Scotch guard to protect the fabric.

I am so happy with how the headboard turned out. We have been sleeping against a cold wall for so long, this is such a nice change. We love having the headboard to prop our heads against, it's so cushy!

Next post.. I will show you the room! Yeah! :)



**I forgot to give you the rundown on prices.  The foam made the headboard more expensive than I planned, but it was well worth it. Using a less expensive fabric and heavy batting would make the cost much less.**

3/4 inch 4x8 ft plywood -$35.00
5 yds of fabric-$50.00
foam-$45.00
nailhead-$20.00
French Cleat-$15.00
1x2's-$6.00
__________
total = $171.00  ( a lot of money, but much better than $800!)

 

promises, promises...

I bet by now you are beginning to think I am a BIG flake when it comes to finishing my bedroom. 

 I have great news though...it is almost done! I tackled the headboard this week and I am so pleased with the finished results!  The headboard and I have been through a lot together.  The idea was there...but needed some refining.  I disassembled it three times before getting it just right....my poor children have had to jump over plywood, 1x2's, foam, and a sewing machine to get to their favorite toys in the play room.

  It's no wonder that my three year old resorted to stamping himself with an "EASY" stamper from Staples while Mom was distracted building headboards....

Nice.... 

He sure thought it was funny.  Yes, he is another reason why it has taken a year to finish the room!

Be sure to come back - because after a little hanging, ironing...believe it or NOT...the room will be done! :)

Tale of Two Ottomans...Before & After

 Several months ago I had the luck of picking up some used model home furnishings that were being sold. 

 I think I paid 10 or 15 dollars for both of the ottomans. That's a deal! 

They are practically brand new and it was NOT a terrible experience tearing off the old fabric and finding tons of cooties. :)  I have some scary stories! 

 

Here's a view of underneath. 

 Look how they finished it off with hard backing and simple square feet. 

 

These guys are serious...heavy duty....burlapy tough ottomans.  Probably would be great in a cabin or with some western decor. 

 I wanted to feminize them a bit....:) 

The screws were stripped so I had to pry...then hammer them off.  I busted almost all of the legs, and did some damage to the frame. Oops!

 

I love taking things apart.....it always intrigues me how something was built.  Looking at this picture...I think these might be simple to build.  2x2's and hardboard would build the frame.  I think I see some ottomans in Nicole's future... :)

 

The foam was in good condition.

 

What do you think...easy to build? 

 

 

It looks like they used spray adhesive to attach thin foam on all four sides. 

 

With all of my previous projects, I usually pick apart the upholstery and make a paper pattern or pin right to the new fabric and cut.  I didn't like the look of the new fabric with the old look...it was a little sloppy.

So, I pinned and fitted it like you would a slip cover, then pulled it off to sew. 

 

The corners are always a pain in my side....I would like to take an upholstery class just to learn how to ease corners!  The crinkles always sneak in- darn it!

I sewed all the sides together, had to unpick a few times and finally got the look I was going for. 

 

Since I ruined all the feet taking it apart, 

 I chopped up a pine board and spray painted the new feet brown.

 

I usually prefer staples, but noticed the original upholsterers used small tack nails.  I had some cut tacks in my tool box and thought I would give it a try. 

They were great!  Power staplers are still easier but this was fun to try something different.  Nails were used to put the hardboard back on and they worked like a charm . 

I put the feet back on using long screws and they sat super straight because of the hardboard on the bottom. 

From past experience the feet were always crooked because of the layers of fabric and stapling. 

Smart idea to use hardboard!

 

Here they are!

Let's take a peek again at the before.....

 

  

 I couldn't catch a good picture of the fabric inside- it's kind of a gloomy day.

I found the fabric at Hobby Lobby and used a 40% off coupon.  Finding fabric I really liked was difficult, this choice came close to having all the colors I wanted. It took a little over two yards and I think I have enough left over to make a few pillows.

  

Here's  a clearer picture outside, I love the combination of the colors in the fabric.

 There's a mix of cream, brown, green and bits of turquoise. 

 

And... here are two feet and two great reasons 

why I'm heading out to purchase one large can of Scotch Guard! :)

Sharing with these great parties~

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