Episode 2, more secrets
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 20 Comments Let's start at the beginning. I met the couple, figured out their styles and started shopping. I found the sofa first. I dug it out behind a ton of stuff, here's proof:
It looked like this:
Fun, but kinda gross, itchy, dirty. etc. and too retro. In general when i say retro its not a good thing. I want everything to reference the past with my vintage pieces but feel current. A retro shape in a retro fabric is going back not moving forward. That's a secret. except not at all.
Anywhoo, I bought it at Design Modern on Melrose. I thought it was such a piece and i knew that it wouldn't be hard to re-upholster because it has really simple lines. I bought it for $700 and i figured the reupholstery would be $600 to equal a pretty affordable vintage sofa. I bought the fabric at the famous Pasadena rummage sale. Super sophisticated, for such a retro piece to help elevate it, make it more modern and so you know, you don't get someone else's years of dust mites and dander. I didn't know this but in general all good reupholsterers re-foam everything and strip it down to the wood, so you don't need to worry about it. And you have some foam options: you can have just foam, or foam with feather on top to make it more comfy for just a couple hundred more. This guy didn't give me the option, but in general go for it - it makes a good difference.
Here's where it went wrong: I gave the upholsterer 9-10 yards (i forget) and he said it was enough. but guess what? it was not. And this was the first time i used this guy (at the beginning i was tryng a few out to see who has the best prices/best quality). He was running WAY behind and he told me the day before (tuesday of shooting, we install first look on wednesday) that he ran out of fabric for the cushions. I didn't have a swatch to match it, but sent people scrambling to find it. Sucked. So that is why it looks like this for first look:
There really wasn't an option (except doing something diy that would probably look like Sh*t) and it didn't look terrible, just really really low. and hard. and almost like there isn't any bottom cushions. During the reveal Micah and Evee were kinda confused so i had to tell em.
Anywhoo, we matched the fabric with a linen and the contrasting textures actually looked pretty good.
He was supposed to have piped it though. Needless to say i'll never use him again.
Anyway, the sofa ended up being $1300 with the fabric being $10 from the rummage sale and $40 for the cushion. Not bad for such a pretty piece.
And that's the story of the sofa.
Ooh, lets talk coffee table. Now we all see industrial carts as coffee tables these days, but they can run a pretty penny (like $400-$800) but i got this one at the PCC flea market for $250 and its pretty great. Its the real deal, not one of the new repro's and boys love this stuff. That's a man's coffee table right there. Dripping with testosterone. gross.
Alright then we have this piece:
Not pretty, but now it looks like this:
Cute, right? i wish those pillows were smaller - like 12x16 not 16x16. stupid regrets. This piece ended up being too expensive in my opinion. I bought it for $250 (too much) and it was $200 to reupholster and the fabric was $10 a yard and I needed 6 yards. You do the math, but it ended up being a pretty expensive piece for being vintage. In general i try to have chairs stay around $350 - $400 and i'll splurge on some if its a huge talking piece or a show stopper (i have some coming up in this weeks episode with Joy).
More sources tomorrow/behind the scenes tomorrow. gotta get my hair and makeup did.
Reader Comments (20)
loved all the vintage pieces. My favorite items were the tall side lamps!
You are awesome. Have a huge crush on you (in a non-creepy way, I promise!). I just love your show, and your style.
P.S. As an author with a public blog, I can sympathise with the feeling of being vulnerable/exposed (and how mean people can be on the Internet!) - you're doing such a great job and inspiring so many people. Ignore anything that distracts from that.
Andrea xx
The only piece i didn't care about in the entire show was the Orange World Map curtains... But as to make up for it, THAT SOFA?!! OMG! Made me drool throughout...! I thought the pieces from the first episode were kickass, but this episode was ever better! Can't wait for the next one! :)
And please don't bother about the trolls in the message boards and comment section... I think what you are doing is FAB! You have personality and style, and your makeovers look original, glamorous and liveable rather than looking like it came out of a catalogue.. :)
I see what you mean by the pillows being so big. I would take the some filling out and re-sew them so they won't overwhelm your chairs. Love them, by the way!
D'oh, I missed Saturdays episode! I've tried HGTV.com and Hulu, does anyone know where I can find it or if it will be repeated anytime this week?
I know people have already said this many times, but thank you so much for these behind the scenes glimpses into the show! I definitely didn't notice the missing cushion on the couch, but it makes me feel a tiny bit better that you occasionally have some snafus. Just because pretty much every project I try seems to be filled with them.
The last episode was awesome even though I'm not a huge fan of kitch. You brought the two styles together seamlessly. Can't wait til next week!
The orange world map curtains were amazing! Love the show! :)
I loved this room, nice work! What a fun space to decorate. Your upholstery options are much cheaper there than in the midwest, here it would cost about $350 to re-do a chair plus fabric, plus the cost of the chair-kinda cost prohibitive.
This episode turned out, like, totally fun. You're a genius.
Loved the show but seeing the post makes it even better. I had no idea that the 2 blue connected chairs/seats whatever you call them, were connected when I watched the show, they are great. My favorite was the couch it is just so unusual and fit in great with the huge space you needed to fill.
My husband said after this episode, "I like this show!" What a compliment as he watch's the history channel and other things I am not so interested in. Looking forward to next week.
I lu-hu-hu-huved this episode and the look you created for this couple. They were so fun and quirky and had SUCH a great space to work with. I died a little when I saw the coffee table you ended up using- the rustic one with the wheel. Swoon. If I had to choose between it and my husband.....well, I would choose my husband, but it would be a close contest.
emily... seriously... the queen of couches, sofas, and chaises! i bow to your amazing multi-seating style! bring on more cute couches!!!!!!!!!!!
first of all, love you.
second of all, you should make a tutorial post on how you made those socket splitter chandeliers. i need them! :D
LOVE the sofa and chairs! i'm glad you went with the curtains in the second look... the first look with orange curtains was a bit much. but i think that was kinda the point. you are right... each episode gets better and better! yay emily!
Fantastic pieces! In total agreement regarding the down upgrade ;)
I love seeing all your fantastic vintage finds! It makes me wish I lived in LA. In Boston you'd think there would be some awesome places like that, but not that I know of... Do you know of any fantastic Boston resources? (of know anyone who could recommend some places?)
Thanks!
How amazing is that fiat embroidery pillow? Where is that from?!?
Love your show! Can you tell me where you got the rugs you put under their dining room table? The ones where you used three to create one big one (orange and white or red and white, not sure of the color). Thanks!
Ive been searching for a month for a wall hanging exactly like the orange map curtains. Where did you find them? I have to have them! I'm making a headboard.