For over 10 years we’ve had this sofa.
It’s been a good sofa.
It was the first grown up purchase we made for our first Arizona home.
It’s the first place I sat and held my babies when all three came home from the hospital over a 7 year span.
This sofa has a lot of miles and a lot of memories.
Back in August (2014) I shared with you all that it was time for a new look in the living room. We were done with our cream microfiber sofa hidden under the white custom slipcovers,
We settled on a leather sofa and were ready to pull the trigger.
When the leather sofa arrived it was a beauty but it threw the whole feng shui of the room off.
Out it went.
I continued to shop and shop but I just couldn’t find anything that I loved. I found myself gravitating back to the same sofa, but new.
Even though we bought the sofa over 10 years ago, it’s such a classic that many retailers like West Elm, Room and Board, and Mitchell Gold sell a version of it.
I figured, “why mess with a good thing?” and decided to have it reupholstered.
That way I could get the exact fabric I wanted and continue to use the custom slipcover we had made for it years ago if so desired.
Reupholstering a piece isn’t cheap. In fact many times you’ll pay as much, if not more, to have a piece reupholstered than just buying it new.
Not only do you have to pay for the labor but you also have to buy the fabric. You can find good, inexpesive fabric online if you’re willing to go through that process. Upholstery fabric is tricky.
Just because you see something online doesn’t mean it looks like that. You have to order samples, wait for shipping and do it all over again (in my case) to be certain of what you’re getting.
Calico Corners was having sale on fabric and upholstery at the time I was shopping so I meandered in there. (Not being paid to plug or mention them). That place is like fabric heaven. I could have spent 5 days in there feasting my eyes on all the lovely fabric. Unfortunately, you’ll pay a pretty penny for even the least expensive stuff. BUT, it is a one-stop shop. I found exactly what I wanted and booked their in-house upholsterer. 2 1/2 months later (yes it really did take that long because they only have one upholsterer who was backed up with projects) I had my sofa.
We paid about $1100. for fabric and re-upholstery…about the cost of a new sofa (+/-) but I got exactly what I wanted.
I chose a gray velvet.
It’s soft and neutral enough to work with what we have but dark enough that my three men can play WWF mania (which they have for 5 days straight) on and I don’t have to worry about it looking completely dirty.
I love how it turned out and am ready to change up the look for the rest of the room.
I’m looking for a mid century-ish coffee table (this one from Lulu & Georgia is too narrow so will be moved to another room) and the white ottoman will soon be for sale.
(Light from School House Electric).
In the meantime, we’re selling this chaise lounge for $175.
It currently retails at Ikea for $350. Plus, Ikea sells slipcovers for it if you want to change up the look.
We are a pet-free home (unless you count fish as a pet…but don’t worry, we don’t let our fish sit on the furniture).
Contact me if interested smhinckley (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
You did really well at that price. It cost me just that much to have my sofa reupholstered, plus fabric. I wouldn’t do it any other way – It keeps something out of the landfill, and like you – I loved my sofa.
Preach sis-tah! So happy with my choice to reupholster too! 🙂 2 votes for reupholstering!
Extremely well done Michelle! It looks wonderful!
I am a huge believer in reupholstering and this is frequently where I go with clients who want a change – cannot find anything else in their searches – but profess to like the basic shape of their current furniture. Never underestimate the reality that time is money. Time spent choosing a wonderful fabric to go over a furnishing we already like translates to time well spent.
As you move forward with the remaining changes in this space you will be so glad you made this choice!
Totally agree. Thanks much! 🙂
Your couch looks gorgeous and brand new! I love the soft grey velvet — I don’t know that I would have immediately thought about velvet, but I love how it gives the grey some variation so it’s not all exactly the same color. Plus, I echo the kudos from Emily R. Keeping something out of the landfill (reduce and reuse, baby!) is a commendable thing.
Yes, I didn’t think I was a velvet person either but when I saw a sample I feel in love. Thanks AnnMarie. 🙂
Your stuff is always SO good! Your styling is beautiful and I love the fabric choice for your sofa. It’s hard to pull the trigger on new fabric and reupholstery, but you’re right….why mess with a good thing? I’m doing the same thing with a pair of chairs right now. I think I’m going to tackle the upholstery job myself. Pray for me!
You’re so sweet. I feel the same way about all the stuff you do too! I still click back to see the bathroom reno you did from time to time. I’m in love with it! Good luck with the DIY upholstery. I’m praying for you! Just know you can always take it to a professional if you get desperate (I’ve done that a time or two). 🙂 xoxo, Michelle
Your sofa looks great! I just had my first experience with reupholstering furniture (a large chair) and loved the result. We are getting ready to do a sofa and were quoted just about what you paid. I think you got a good price considering you worked with Calico Corners, which does have gorgeous fabric.
Congrats on your success with your chair. Upholstering something looks so easy but doing it yourself is another ball game. Yes, I did get a good deal with Calico but only because I got 35% off. 🙂
looks fantastic! and that velvet is just going to get better and better over time. great choice.
I hope so!! 🙂
Looks great! What brand is the sofa? It has held up great for 10 yrs.
It’s a brand called Rowe.
Great idea. I admire your work and sharing with us. Got a nice idea for renovating my home. Really great pictures and beautiful home.
I love that sofa with memories and you are so attached to it. Even I will keep memories with my favorites but my husband says its silly to love objects. I love your sofa and your taste.
I agree with both camps. It’s just stuff and can’t love me back but on the other hand that stuff has memories attached to it. Can’t win. Thanks for your kind words! 🙂
Such a great choice Michelle. It looks awesome love. You got the best of both worlds for sure…getting to keep your beloved sofa AND giving it a brand new look. Love it:)
Thanks girl! I’m loving to see how your house is coming along!
Do you have a link to the specific fabric that you purchased. I have been searching for a specific velvet but every swatch I order is not the true velvet look. It looks like yours is what I have been searching for but calico has a lot of different velvets… thanks!
Can you tell me color of your dark wall in this room?
It’s just a straight black.
Huh I never thought about it that way. I love my sofas but they are starting to look worn. Yeah, it would be about the same as paying for a new sofa but technically it IS a new sofa. And I know it fits and I know it looks good and I know I like it already. I’m going to look into having my current sofas reupholstered! Thanks for the idea!
Thanks Lisa!!