Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Ottoman from Scratch

So if you guessed from yesterday's post, dear hubby and I built an ottoman this weekend. After purusing them for some time, I just couldn't justify spending $1,500 on an ottoman. Nor would hubby let me... :) So, after seeing this ottoman from Restoration Hardware, I knew what I wanted.



I considered the option of fabric, but after remembering that i have a toddler, two dogs and a husband who gets dirty on a daily basis, this wasn't a very good idea unless I wanted to cringe every time my 2 year old walked over and stuck her sucker on it or decided it was a beautiful pallete to draw with her crayons on. So leather it would be. So, after I found this tutorial from Michelle over at Three Men and a Lady (which I might add is a very talented and sweet lady), I figured "I can do this".  I used the tutorial as a guide for what materials I would need, but we ended up adding more supplies and taking it a little further. I had looked for coffee tables to recover and use, but because we live in such a rural area, I have to drive an hour and a half just to get to the city to pick up thrift or craigslist finds. Everytime I found one, it was gone before I could get there. So I started getting everything I needed, using my 50% off coupon at Joann's saved me huge. I told dear hubby what I wanted it to be and for him to work his magic. He laughed at me when I said "how hard can it be, it's an ottoman." On sunday I was eating my words and praying for cheese fries (more on that another time!) I'll just point out now, this project is in no shape or form an easy one...and I've done a lot of projects, and this one had me almost in tears toward the end. So here's some pics from the project. It helped tremendously that dear hubby used to have a leather shop and built boots and repaired saddles, so his awl and wax thread, along with his imagination came in VERY handy...as with all our projects.

Here is hubby measuring the tufting holes, getting ready to drill.

This is the start of the frame. We did extra supports and brackets in the corners as well, so this thing is STURDY.

Drumroll please...here it is first time in the house.
Here's a closeup of the legs. I wanted a turned leg with brass casters. Beings my love for all things Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, these babies were the icing on the cake for me.



And here she is...in all her glory!
I wanted to add that my initial plan was to adorn her with nailhead trim on the bottom, but after she was done, I think I like her the way she is, but hubby thinks I should put the nailhead on. What are your thoughts??

Hope you like her as much as I do...I love how she grounds the white in my home.

You can find the full tutorial HERE.
Linking up to these parties:
The DIY Showoff
Somewhat Simple
Shabby Shic Cottage
Crazy Domestic
Shabby Nest
Remodelaholic
Just a Girl
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Makeover
Fingerprints on the Fridge Feature Yourself Friday
Funky Junk Interiors
The CSI Furniture Makeover Project

37 comments:

  1. Looks fantastic...and doesn't it give you such a sense of pride that you did it yourselves?
    I posted your project here: http://windhula.blogspot.com/2010/06/reader-ottoman-project.html.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  2. It looks amazing!
    Good job.:)

    I just found your blog on
    Three Men and a Lady, and I LOVE it;)

    Please visit mine

    http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

    Lovely greetings from germany...

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  3. That's great! I saw Michelle's original tutorial, and I'm so glad that you shared your version. I love the legs!

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  4. I love it! I do think nailhead would be great but oh my it's gorgeous just as it is now. I might encourage my husband to attempt this project with me. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. Where did you get the legs if you don't mind sharing?

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  6. Amazing! So inspiring! I agree with you. Less is more- I would leave the trim off.

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  7. That looks wonderful! I also love the legs!

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  8. I agree! It's beautiful! Did you have to stitch any of it, or did you just fold the corners? And, is it real leather?

    Again, it's gorgeous. What a great addition to your living room!

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  9. How wonderful is this!

    Y'all did make this from scratch and it looks absolutely wonderful! Much better than mine!

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  10. Stopping by from the DIY Show off!

    Seriously this is gorgeous and SO impressive that you did this!

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  11. Just gorgeous! If I didn't already have a practically bomb proof coffee table, I would be making this TODAY! Love it! Perhaps when we finally get a new house? Hmmmm?

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  12. Oh my gosh! Amazing! You guys did a WONDERFUL job! That turned out absolutely perfect!

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  13. You rock! I love this ottoman...thanks for sharing.

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  14. Great work! It turned out exactly like you wanted.

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  15. I love it! I know all about those projects that make you wanna cry. I may tackle this when you do the tutorial. How much did it cost for everything?

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  16. wow, that looks so good! I can't believe you guys MADE that! AWESOME!

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  17. Aw, I am so jealous. That ottoman look great!!!

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  18. Gorgeous! Great job making your dream furniture happen.

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  19. Oh, I love it! It looks fantastic! You guys did an awesome job.

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  20. A-mazing! Just like it is!
    Y'all did a fantastic job. The sticky fingers and crayons will only add to it. :-)

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  21. Gorgeous! I love the way it looks with your sofa!

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  22. We thought this was such a great project we had to feature this one also.

    www.remodelaholic.com

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  23. It is fabulous! It looks as good as the inspiration. I love the pillows on your couch too...it's all great. :) Lisa~

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  24. I'm over from Remodelaholic. I like the ottoman the way it is, but think it would look a little more finished with something at the bottom. I don't think I would go with nailhead, though. Maybe cording to match?

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  25. What a beautiful ottoman!! You guys do amazing work!! Love your scripture!

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  26. Wow great job! Where did you find the legs & did they come with the casters or where did you find those also? Thanks

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  27. Well done! How did you do the cover and tufting?
    I think it looks great the way it is. Thanks for sharing. Your daughter is precious!!! I have an 11 mo. old granddaughter.
    ~ Julie

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  28. You have got to be very proud of that piece. Thanks for sharing your process. Coming over from the CSI Project... it's a great week.

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  29. LOVE IT!!! My 1st time here, coming over from Miss Mustard Seed... I think that it looks great the way it is...
    I have done a handful of these...using an old coffee table, never from scratch (You go Girl!! ) ... I do upholstery & I can tell you that putting in nail heads is a little tricky... esp. if your wood is hard.. if you do, hold them in place using a needlenose & then hammer lightly... the brads bend very easy... my 1st few times I threw away as many I used...
    Looks as good, if not better than anything PB or RH does!!!

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  30. Great great job!!! It is so beautiful!!!

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  31. I'm inspired! I'd love to do this project...now to convince the hubby!

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  32. You did a marvelous job on this project! I would never have thought of making an ottoman on my own.

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  33. It looks beautiful. I have an expensive one from Ethan Allen and yours looks just as good. At the bottom of ours is leather cording and it looks good. I think getting nailhead trim evenly spaced is a bear so I vote for cording.

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  34. Gorgeous. I enjoyedyour tutorial. Go without the nailheads, it might be too tough, it looks great and no one will walk in and go "Hey, where's the nailheads!" I am having a giveaway this week for Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. Hope on over.

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