Awesome Primitive Sofa!

I was on Craigs list a couple of months ago and found an awesome maple frame sofa that was in need of some love :) I can't resist a project that has sooooo much potential! I was excited too because the price was right and the cushions seemed to be in great shape. Here is the before picture.

Do you notice the absence of cushions? After a couple nights of storage in my garage they began to smell a wee bit like animal pee :(   guh- rroooos! They went in the trash promptly. Then the real work began. As you can see the seat was missing the webbing and center supports. New wood pieces were cut, clued, and screwed into place. I then sanded, painted, distressed, and waxed the frame. I went with black because I LOVE primitive black pieces! I just used good old Krylon flat black spray paint.  It was then time to do the webbing which is what gives support to the seat. You will need to have a webbing stretcher to get the right amount of tension and I would highly recommend a pneumatic stapler as well.

My stapler

Webbing stretcher

This is not a complicated process at all. It kind of like basket weaving only you have to pull tight with one hand and staple with the other.  Each of the seat areas was done separately and I chose to go with a single 3in foam cushion for the bottom.

Side view of how cute this sofa is!

 I chose a cute tan and black stripe fabric that reminded me of a grain sack. It is a nice sturdy material that goes perfectly with the primitive style. I did the cording for the cushions out of black and tan buffalo plaid. The back cushion hangs from the top decorative pieces by plaid tabs as well.

I used a nice big upholstery needle and thread to pull little tufts in the back cushion. I think it gives it just the right touch!

Fabulous!  This went to Market Antiques in Ottawa, but my dear friend Lori has already claimed it for herself :) I will get to visit it whenever I want!
See you soon ~ Christy

Beautiful Little Serpentine Front Chest

Hello! Hope you have been enjoying this unseasonably warm weather we have been having in Kansas! It has been crazy! I was wearing short sleeves sanding on my deck one day. I was about to put shorts on, but was frightened by my white legs :) No one needed to be subjected to that!

I wanted to share a little serpentine chest that came from Craigs List at the same time as the wash stand from my last post. I did not get a true before picture of the piece as I was soooo excited to get started on it! It had a top that was split and extremely warped so the first order of business was to make a new one. I got to use my biscuit joiner, jig saw, and router for this :) LOVE my power tools! I joined the wood pieces, traced the outline of the old top, cut it with the jig saw, and then used a router to put a nice edge on it. Once it was on the piece I painted it in a dark walnut color.

I know what you are thinking. Cute right? From a distance it looks pretty good. Up close there is damage on the lower drawer front that just really bugged me. I know how beautiful the bird's eye maple veneer is and really struggled with covering it up. Let me show you my dilemma.

I really couldn't live with it. I know some people could but i decided to paint out the drawer fronts and top and leave the body of the dresser just as it was. I think it was an excellent decision! I chose ASCP in Coco. It is a great color that is somewhere between taupe/grey/and beige. I paired it with some beautiful yellow porcelain knobs.

 
I love it! It is at Market Antiques in Ottawa if anyone needs to have this little jewel for Christmas :)
See you soon ~ Christy