Couch Before + After Reveal (Finally)

7.6 2010

Before….

I found the couch at a local thrift store + fell in love with the length, 8 1/2 feet, sorry to sound cliche but they don’t make them like they used too. A happy surprise was that when we got to the bones of the couch, the springs were/are 8 way hand tied + the wood was/is in perfect shape. We only had to retie a couple of springs in a couple of places, + reinforce the wood because we were changing the shape somewhat.

After….

We restructured the arms, changed the back to be a connected cushion, re-foamed the seat cushions + attached new legs (legs purchased here).

Here is our time-lapse video of our process. This video is taken over nine 2 hour classes.

Cost Breakdown:
$30 – Couch
$90 – Fabric (microfiber,17 yards bought on an extremely LUCKY truck sale)
$320 – Class ($160/per person)
$120 – Other Materials (staples, foam, jute, legs + muslin)
$560 – Total

Comments

1. Nicole :

   The sofa looks great! I've been waiting to see the final result ever since I heard about your video. Well done! I'm gonna repost on my blog, k?
2. Lindsay :

   Great work, you must be so proud! I love that you had the foresight to tape everything and then make the time-lapse movie (my fav part was the child jumping on the cushions!).
3. Rebecca :

   It's amazing!!!!! I can see why you fell in love with the length.. you just don't find them like that these days, and certainly not for that price. The microfibre looks really elegant and I'm sure it's hardwearing too. My dream sofa would be that colour -- it looks lovely when the light catches it. Now you need to enjoy your handywork :o)
4. Bethany :

   That video is totally mesmerising! Such a cool thing to accomplish! You must be so pleased, it looks fantastic!
5. Jan :

   This is absolutely marvelous ,you must be so proud of your selves ...love Jan xx
6. susan :

   Its a beautiful sofa! Job well done.
7. {lizzythebotanist} :

   it's about time! LOVE it! it looks soooooo good.
8. Miss Makes-a-lot :

   wow! ive always wanted to make over a couch :) you did a great job, and thanks for the breakdown...seems like an awesome way to give a vintage piece new life! great job, thanks for sharing! xx
   
   www.stuffyoulllove.com
9. Bonny :

   The couch is fab and the time lapse vid is awesome! I esp like the part where H is jumping on the cushions.
   
   nice work!
10. {natalie} :

    that is so awesome, i'm really impressed. it looks great.
11. Sassy Priscilla :

    I love this! It is a great transformation. My favorite part of the video is when a little one was jumping on the cushions!
12. You Are My Fave :

    Will you make me one? This is like my dream couch. Nicely done.
13. kersten :

    love, LOVE it!!! I might just have to take on a similar project. LOVE IT!
    Great job, thanks for sharing!
14. Lisa :

    Awesome job! It looks great!
15. Azúcar :

    It's GORGEOUS!
16. Katie :

    I like the before couch - but the after is just amazing! Great work!
17. UK lass in US :

    Stunning - it looks awesome!
18. yours truly :

    Wow, I'm super impressed! It looks awesome! The video was so fun to watch too- I've heard that song before and loved it, who is it?
19. Elizabeth Johnson :

    Wow I love it! Great job! The video is so fun.
20. Stephanie Sabbe :

    wow! 100% awesome
21. dandee :

    ummm...it turned out INCREDIBLE! and i love the vid too.
22. Elaine :

    Love it. You're my hero.
    
    clothed much, a modest fashion blog
23. Haydee :

    WOW!!!
24. emerson-j :

    i quite liked it before but ur after is AMAZING!!
25. everyday katie :

    That is seriously fantastic!
26. abby :

    holy crap, it's beautiful.
27. Tiffany Haynes :

    I liked the before couch and was sad you were reupholstering it but when I saw the after couch I actually gasped!! It's beautiful!
    I'm a silent admirer of your blog but I thought your hard work shouldn't go unnoticed. Well done!! You have inspired me to someday take a reupholstery class.
28. Jenn H :

    Awesome...
29. leigh :

    It looks so good! And the video was really cool too.
30. KK :

    The sofa looks great!
31. Madeline :

    Love the video. It was totally worth the wait. And I love Hattie jumping on the cushions at the end. haha
32. Maggie :

    wow! you did all of that after one class?! my 6ft 5in tall husband would love to find a couch that long, I don't know that it would fit into our flat though.
33. Shalet :

    Spectacular! Love it! ♡
34. kristen :

    that couch is amazing!!! love it!!
35. Faith :

    I've been looking forward to seeing the results since you first told me about the project. It's amazing! You guys did a fantastic job
36. Brooke :

    you are truly amazing.
37. Kendi Lea :

    Um can you please come re-decorate my house?? You are amazing!
38. ellen :

    Amazing!! The video is delightful!! A friend gave me an old chair and the fabric and all I do is stare at it. I need to find a class or a friend that can help me. Too bad you don't live in Boston. :)
39. The Marsh’s :

    Impressive- nice job! I love the lines of that couch. The video is brilliant!
40. jared :

    nice work petersons looks like a comfy couch for me to crash on when i visit
41. HollyOak :

    Just saw your couch on Apartment Therapy's website. Um... I'm jealous. One day I want to be just like you. :)
42. elsabags :

    awesome! & your house looks amazing in your next post. it's a pity (for sooo many reasons) you have to move!
43. Amber :

    I am CELEBRATING that you made this time lapse! It is so fantastic. Way to show the ladies in the earlier class that it IS possible to finish a couch in one session. Lol... Well done!
44. Bromeliad :

    wow.
45. MegRuth :

    Good night! This is incredible. My re-upholstery job isn't nearly as awesome.
46. Gabrielle of Design Mom :

    Fantastic job, Susan! So impressive. Love it.
47. kalanicut :

    Love the couch, Susan. Fantastic job. I'm almost more impressed even that you had the forethought to videotape it before you started. I am always well into a project when I think, "Gee I should've taken some before shots."
    
    I hope you enjoy your handiwork for a long time to come!
48. KLM :

    Did you make the ottoman too?! I've been looking for something exactly like that. Please tell!
49. Nicki :

    Susan! It looks SO GREAT! Seriously, nice work.
50. Amy :

    Fantastic! Where did you take the class?
51. Desiree Fawn :

    This song... is in a Meg Ryan movie, yes? I know I've heard it before!
52. Olivia Carter :

    I forgot to comment on how AMAZING the couch looks. It SO makes me want to take a class like this & I am in LOVE with that video.
    
    And I totally missed your yard sale. Boo. We had a house full of sickies, me included. No fun, but hope it was a success!
53. Sydney :

    Just found your blog and i LOVE it!! You're an absolute inspiration!! Consider me a regular :)
54. Carrie K :

    W-O-W! Amazing!
55. Lorajean :

    I have seen so many couches that I have wanted but needed TLC. This transformation is awesome!! :)
56. Holly :

    Dropping in from YHL.. this is amazing, what a great job!!!
57. Kristin ~ Bien Living Design :

    This is absolutely incredible! We have a painfully awesome couch that our dog just tore to shreds & this would be so great to do. Would love to find a class like this in Chicago!
58. The Thirty-Something Bride :

    I'm really shocked that all this work was only $560. Makes me want to take a class and start doing this for a living!
59. Maria :

    WOW!! Amazing!
60. Bria D. :

    This sofa was beautiful before and sweet after! Love the his/hers pillow's, too. :)
61. The Mac’s House :

    Great job, it is gorgeous! I have a three piece living room set that I'm looking into doing, if it becomes too daunting I might break down and find an upholstery place. :)
62. Lacy :

    I love everything about this!!
63. J Cale :

    Not a bad job Rikki but as you know I'm old school, revamped and recovered in its original style it would of looked much better......
64. J Cale :

    As an upholsterer of many years working on every type I I don't need to moderate any thing