1917 Sofa Love…

May 23, 2016 by Terry

When I found this stained beauty by chance in a thrift store, I threw it in the back of my truck and excitedly drove home with visions of what it could become!

Once home, not everyone was as thrilled with it as I was and I even had to bribe some of my family members to help me carry it inside. When I call them the kids usually tend to scatter because they know I need help lifting something ;) lol!

I have to say I didn’t blame them this time, it really was quite heavy and awkward to bring in.

Outside of the mystery stain on the seat that led up the back … it was perfect!

I tore into it right away and quickly realized that this really was antique. Not a single staple in it! Upholstery tacks only! Not only that but there was straw and horse hair inside! On the inside of the frame at the back was a smeared stamp that said 1917 and illegible writing, which I think may be initials? I could not find a company name anywhere.

Now for the good part, putting it back together. I couldn’t decide between two cushions for the seat like it had, or changing it to being one long one so that it required less readjusting after being sat on. I ended up opting for one long cushion. To give it a little extra design and pretty, I ruched the sides of the cushion. I’m so happy I took the time to do this as it turned out super pretty!

The legs were painted with MMS Milk Paint. I let them be chippy and after sanding, added white wax to complete the look. I used left over fabric to trim the sofa. I frayed the edges and folded it for that bit of a shabby, informal yet formal look. I did purchase some grey trim but when I placed it on to try it, I found it made it look a bit stuffy and untouchable.

This trim and it’s unfinished look was more what I was going for, I also like that the staples look more like stitches than staples.

mmmmmmmmmmm! Sofa love! This room is back in the works of yet another change. I received these beautiful antique windows for Mother’s Day this year and of course …. if I get something new, then EVERYTHING gets moved around! Yep, it doesn’t take much to inspire me!

The lamp shades were left over from the market too and I have converted them into pendant lighting for either side of the sofa. I still need to sew cord covers for them but can’t decide what type of fabric to use. The little round side table also got a quick splash of MMS linen paint in order to “fit in”… same with the round mirror. I decided the mirror needed to be chippy so I didn’t sand it before painting it with MMS Linen. I got my wish with the chipping and quickly sealed it with some clear poly.

The throw pillows, I borrowed from Aliah’s room, they spend most of the time in her closet so I felt it was okay to borrow them so they could at least be seen in the clean (if you know what I mean! ha ha!) They were made out of an old bed skirt that was damaged but had such pretty crocheted lace that I couldn’t part with it.

This room is a little tricky to photograph, it is long and narrow. It never ends up looking as good in photos as it does in real life. But, you get the idea anyways :)

The other side table is an old typing table I found a year or so ago. It will be fine there for now but I almost feel it is too high for the side of the sofa. On the other hand, I like the chippy paint on the metal and the castors on the legs … we’ll see.