It's been a while since we've done any new blog posts...between all the projects and little Olive and taking time to just enjoy life, some things have had to give. But at long last Ben has prepared a post for me! Yay! If anyone is still out there, please comment and let us know you're here! :) Also, the blog will always be a good source of announcements (or join our mailing list on the sidebar) and blog sales. For eye candy and fun stuff...visit our Instagram...I'm always posting new pictures there. But...sometimes you need more than one photo to show things off...so without further adieu:
This has been quite a while in the making...but our balcony has finally come together! We've been really busy with other projects and haven't put the final touches on yet, but we thought it was pretty enough to show now. :)
Layered rugs, a brand new chair (actual new furniture is a rare find in our house, but this one was nice and cushy). And lots of pretty plants.
A vintage kantha quilt from India - made with old sari's (these are soooo amazing and unique...ebay has tons).
This is what our now pretty couch looked like before. Not super terrible...some vibrant pillows and good context would have brought it back to life. But the velvety fabric used to be green as you can see from the inside corners where throw pillow protected it from the light somewhat. When we took it apart, the hidden fabric was even more vibrantly green. It's amazing how it faded into gray over so many years.
It's always intimidating trying to figure out where to start a reupholstering project...
But really you just have to dig in and start ripping fabric off.
I kinda wish I could have kept the cotton fuzz exposed...it's so textural and cool looking...but alas, it was fragile and the horsehair underneath was coming through it and felt like pine needles, and sometime sewing needles, were sprinkled about. Also, I barely bought enough fabric, not realizing that the fabric on the seat went all the way through the back. We had to really stretch it (literally) in spots, but it all worked out! If you are doing something like this, if you're able, it helps to remove the old fabric before buying the new, then measure it to determine how much you need...and still get a little more.
Done! Does it look amazing?? The hardest part of redoing this piece was choosing the fabric. After much hemming and hawing, we decided NOT to play it safe and go bold!
So so glad we did.
And Olive is a fan. :)
12 comments:
it turned out so great! i love the fabric you picked.
The space looks wonderful and love the couch redo. You guys did a super job...the pattern on the front and the mix on the back - SUPERB!
What a great space for creative thinking and quality family time! In love with the couch too! Great job
I love everything about that porch. Such a cool couch. And don't even get me started on the bed. What a great place for an afternoon nap! Carol
I'm still here and I love following you on Instagram. It does looks amazing, both front and back! Olive looks amazing on it as well. Good work guys!
What a heavenly spot ! You guys did a great job and the couch is so darn cute . I love that you used a different pattern on the back ! Enjoy your new space and thanks for sharing. ( Oh and I cannot believe how much Olive has grown ! )
You all give me such joy with all of your warm compliments. Thank you so much! I'm so glad this balcony is now a great usable space. For so long it was so uninviting. I'm so glad that's not the case anymore. :-)
-Crystal and Ben
Hi Crystal, I don't think I've commented on your blog before, but I enjoy popping in from time to time to see what you're up to! I love your style and am inspired by your photographs. Thank you for the post! Love the balcony and sweet smiling Olive!
Thank you so much for your comment Tama! It means a lot to hear you say that. :-)
Crystal - I love the whole balcony room and especially your newly purchased chair. I have been looking for something similar, to no avail. Would you mind sharing your source?
Hi Underdog! Thank you for your compliment! That chair is super comfy and big enough to easily curl up on (which is what we were looking for!). Our source is (drumroll....) ikea! I forget the name of it, but we only bought it a few months ago and it's most certainly still available. Just make sure you buy the feet too...they are sold separate, which we weren't told when we ordered it at the store...grrrr. Ikea customer service is positively horrible, so just make sure you have all the parts before you leave the store. :) Good luck!
Thanks for the reply, Crystal. I checked the chair out at Ikea in Stoughton and it's perfect. Bad news is that it was Labor Day weekend and every student in Boston had picked the shelves clean! But I managed to order it on-line, so all is well.
PS I have purchased several of your figures at the SOWA Christmas Market prior to 2014. Last year, we were unable to even get into the building!! We waited in line for over an hour twice, and then drove past two more times to see if the line had shortened at all. In the end, we went out for drinks to console ourselves. I would suggest that the Ben Franklin venue is costing all the vendors a significant amount of business, and that you and the others should demand a more accessible (and conducive to sales - not a warren of booths and pillars and nooks) location for the sale. I like to buy Xmas stuff, and you should have the opportunity to indulge me! ;)
Post a Comment