First Things First - The Dream Achieved

Note: These home posts are a year late, but better later than never, right?

What was the first thing I did after I signed the papers and got my keys to my new home?

I went to the West Elm website and ordered my dream green velvet sofa; the Harris sofa in Tarragon Astor Velvet.

Harris sofa

Once I realized I could afford a home I knew I should finally purchase a "real" sofa. The last few decades I had first lived with a basic futon loveseat and then spent far too long on a two-seater sofa handed down from a friend who bought it from Goodwill. Who knows how old that thing truly was? Despite how it looked upholstery-wise it was in good shape and the coils were in shape. For many years I had a dream to reupholster it, but that never happened. Overall, it was hard to feel like an adult with those things. 

I deserved to get what I wanted and could finally afford to buy new. Now, of course, I'm still frugal but I wanted to up my game quite a bit. The companies I researched were Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, CB2, RH (fka Restoration Hardware), West Elm, and Target. 

The most important factor was who had the right style in the right shade of green? Many had similar styles, but the green velvet factor was key. I chose national brands with nearby storefronts because I needed to see and feel the product via a visit or fabric swatches in the mail. A purely online purchase wouldn't work, there is too much margin for error.

I also needed a fabric that was hard wearing. That is this velvet which is also luminous and wonderfully light reflecting. I'm still in love with it as much as I was when it arrived almost a year ago.

My inspiration was the 1930s style of a classic Jean-Michel Frank's club sofa. I believe I achieved that in an incredibly luscious green velvet that appears to change color during the day and throughout the seasons.

Here it is early in my home owner journey.

More updates to come...

Design Inspiration for My First Home

I accumulated all of these images over the last six months. You see, I knew this is how I wanted to live. I needed to find a place that would allow me to fulfill that dream. I may not have the little bungalow of my childhood dreams, but I could do whatever I wanted within these walls. Goal: Create a bungalow in a two-story condo.

These images incorporate my love of green, my father's basket and bamboo collections, mid-century chairs and general vibe, natural wood tones, eclectic artwork, quirky details, and painted furniture.

Dream Green DIY

hannahbullivant.com

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Desire to Inspire

Domino magazine

My own room photo

Mystery image from the web

midcenturymaurer.com

www.beaninloveblog.com

www.beaninloveblog.com

Let's go!

A Green Armoire, Finally!

Years ago, I bought an armoire from the Spiegel catalog. The assemble-it-yourself kit was made by American Moulding & Millwork and was a joy to put together. The accomplishment made me aware of my ability for DIY. 

This cabinet has served me well over the years, storing books, sewing fabrics, and supplies. But, almost from the beginning, I knew I wanted to paint it green.

While debating on the exact shade, I sealed it with a clear finish. Well, it ended up wearing that for years! I chose different shades over the years, even buying one twelve years ago that went bad. Yes, paint can go bad, horribly bad, even if it has never been opened. The smell was disgusting, nauseating!

Last year, I bought a new shade, a small 8-ounce tester pot of Clover Green in satin by Benjamin Moore, and finally got around to painting it a few weeks ago.

I had to wipe the piece down with prepaint cleaner Krud Kutter and give it a good sanding. I first attempted to paint without primer but thought it might take too many coats, so the rest received a coat of Kilz 2 primer.

I have to admit, I took a somewhat lazier approach to paint this piece than I usually do. I didn't sand between the paint layers and probably should have painted the inside, especially those doors. I didn't think of it at the time, was limited on the amount of paint, and I was very impatient to finally have it done. So, so many excuses! 

So there will be no open door photos in this blog post; 1) because I didn't paint the interior doors, and 2) it still hides a mass of stuff and materials despite my very thorough decluttering.

It is what it is.

But check it out? I even refolded all of the fabric for my "near-future" projects using a tutorial pinned from Pinterest. It is so much neater and easier to comb through to see what I have. The first thing I noticed is how neutral the fabric within is compared to the cabinet itself, It is all white, cream, gray, black, and navy blue. So, I guess I'll have to change that!

Simple Sofa Pillows - Singer Sewing for the Home

No, not more garment sewing but some necessary and long overdue home sewing.

In 2016, I created two custom slipcovers for a 62" wide octagonal ottoman we use for a coffee table, one in a wipeable vinyl and another in upholstery fabric. Before 2021 arrives, I have now finished the matching sofa pillows in that same subtle green, brown, teal, and orange Ikat print upholstery fabric. (Let's just say I have a little problem with procrastination, ok?)

Sewing for the Home (1988)

It wasn't difficult because I had the help of my first Singer Sewing Reference Library book, Sewing for the Home. My favorite method for covering pillows is their version that has an overlap closure. 

So easy, so elegant, so quick! If you don't have this book, there is a very similar tutorial from So Much Better With Age. I also found one by The Crafting Nook that uses one piece of fabric, simplifying the process.

I could have used a ruler and measured the 17" x 17" front and 17" x 22-1/2" back pieces right on the fabric. Instead, I created one paper pattern measuring 17" x 22-1/2," which at full size I could cut the pillow back. By folding it under at the 17" line, I could also cut the pillow front. Therefore, one pattern could be used for both parts.

During construction, I reinforced all the stress points by double stitching at each corner and the overlap area, knowing that these pillows would need to be hardworking. I then steamed every seam and pressed them with a clapper to create flat crisp edges.

This is a great way to change your decor quickly and cheaply; it takes less than two yards per typical couch accent pillow. An added bonus is that if you chose only machine-washable fabrics, spills are no longer a problem if you move quickly.

Put Your Feet Up #2 - Custom Ottoman Slipcover

Ta Da!

Goal: Custom-fitted slipcover for a 62" wide octagonal ottoman on wooden legs.

Original condition: The original top was constructed in eight wedges and tufted in the middle with a self-fabric covered button. The wooden skirt mounted below the upholstery ends in four tapered legs connected underneath by an x-stretcher.

Fabric: Three yards of lime green vinyl "leather" (100% PVC Face/100% polyester) for $3 per yard, originally priced as $29.99 per yard. (Purchased at the same time as four yards of green, brown, teal and orange Ikat print* heavy upholstery for $2.70 per yard, orig. $9) from Hancock Fabrics during their liquidation sale.

Construction: The fabric was just wide enough to cover the ottoman with a few inches of overhang. I arranged it over the ottoman so that the two selvage edges hung down equal.

Turning the fabric inside out, at each point of the octagon I pinned the fabric into a dart, creating a snug fit. I basted the darts and retried the slipcover. I re-pinned some of the darts till I liked the fit and then trimmed the length, trying to cut it all even to the shortest hanging section.

Because I did not want to apply actual heat to the fabric I held steam above the vinyl, making sure not to get too close and then pressed the seams allowances to the side using my quilting ruler. I really must buy a clapper soon!

After I placed the darted cover on the ottoman I realized that even though the darts fit snugly, the edges were not as snug as i wanted and were slightly sticking out from the sides. I needed a way to cinch in the cover and realized a simple horizontal band like the one on the tapestry version would not work in this more stretchy vinyl.

Using the selvage from the remainder fabric I cut lengths of 3 inches deep using my quilting ruler and rotary cutter and cutting enough fabric to go around the sides. I measured the circumference of the ottoman and seamed the sections together to fit that measurement exactly.

I now needed a way to cinch in the cover and realized a simple horizontal band like the one on the tapestry version would not work in this more stretchy vinyl. So I had to think of a way using elastic that would work.

My elastic sample

I used another piece of the fabric and created a channel that would just fit 1-inch wide elastic. I found it would be the best choice visually.

I also wanted a way to attach the band to the base cover and allow me to add the elastic in a way I could then hand sew the opening closed easily. I decided to create an opening in one of the seams that would allow me to pull the elastic through and then out of the "keyhole".

 There is a keyhole opening near the top of this topstitched seam.

I connected the strips of vinyl into a loop that matched the circumference of the ottoman and attached one side of it to the base cover.

Then I thought to make it easier, I could stitch one end of the elastic into the seam so I could place the elastic into the seam before I finished sewing the band to the cover. This way I wouldn't have to thread the elastic through the channel at all.

Folding the other side of the band up, enclosing the elastic.

I then stitched the other side of the band to the base and started to gather the band by pulling on the unattached end of the elastic.
 

Band attached: inside.

Band attached: outside.

As I pulled the elastic more and more, I started to get disillusioned as the bunchy mess I was looking at was not going to work and looked atrocious. But I kept pulling and pushing the gathers along, bit by bit, until the covered band started to naturally pull and curve under the wooden apron lip. Basically it's like a mushroom cap and I'm pretty proud of how the finished product looks.

 

*Note: I couldn't get the colors to come out accurate on these photos. But the fabric is amazing and coordinates with the existing sofa, loveseat, and throw pillows even though I chose the fabric purely from instinct and memory. Hurrah!

Put Your Feet Up #1 - Custom Ottoman Slipcover

Goal: Custom-fitted slipcover for a 62" across octagonal ottoman.

Original condition: The original upholstery is constructed in eight wedges and tufted in the middle with a self-fabric covered button. A wooden skirt mounted below the upholstery ends in four tapered legs connected underneath by an x-stretcher.

Fabric: Four yards of green, brown, teal and orange Ikat print* heavy upholstery for $2.70 per yard, originally $9 per yard (Bought along with three yards of lime green "leather" (100% PVC Face/ 100% Polyester) for $3 per yard, orig. $29.99 per yard) from Hancock Fabrics during their liquidation sale.

Construction: The fabric was just wide enough to cover the ottoman with a few inches of overhang. I arranged it over the ottoman so that the two selvage edges hung down equal. 

Turning the fabric inside out, at each point of the octagon I pinned the fabric into a dart, creating a snug fit. I basted the darts and retried the slipcover. Re-pinning some of the darts till I liked the fit I then trimmed the length around as even to its shortest side as I could.

Because of the thickness of the fabric I catch-stitched the darts down, making sure they all faced the same direction. Amazingly, the fabric print is such that the stitches seemed to disappear.

Can you see the catch stitches? No?

I pressed the darts from the wrong side with a little steam and used my temporary "clapper" (my quilting ruler) to press down and distribute the heat throughout the dart until it cooled. As you can see the dart is now as flat as possible.

Now?

Starting from the selvage on the remainder fabric I cut lengths of 7 inches deep believing this to be a good length for the cover. I used my quilting ruler and rotary cutter, cutting enough fabric to go around the sides. I pinned the fabric on and took a few days to debate what would be the best length. Floor is out of the question as there is a small ledge underneath that we keep magazines on that needs to be reachable. So the choices were halfway down the legs or tucked up to the length of the wooden apron.

 

Oh, look what I found after I was completely done...

*Note: I couldn't get the colors to come out accurate on these photos. But the fabric is amazing and matches the existing sofa, loveseat, and throw pillows exactly even though I chose the fabric purely from instinct and memory. Hurrah!