Monday, August 20, 2012

Move Over West Elm!


I apologize to any of you who follow me on Instagram {retroranchreno} because you’re probably all “been there, done that” with the subject of this post, but forgive me.  I couldn’t restrain myself from taking so many pictures.  It was just so much prettier than it used to be!!

Yup, that’s right…I’m talking about the bench for the end of our bed. 

I was very excited when I first laid eyes on this guy, well over a year ago.  The outdated fabric and beat up legs didn’t do it for me…but the size and price of this thing could not be beat.  For $20, I was sold!!  



And then along with most of my Craigslist finds, this poor thing was banished to live in the basement {first at our in-laws and then in our actual basement} just waiting patiently until I got around to transforming it.

The bench would probably be waiting another year if my mom didn’t convince me it was time to get it done.  During one of their trips north, we pulled it out of the darkness and got to measuring.  After figuring out how much fabric we needed, we went shopping.  Of course, nothing I saw was “it”, so I started looking online.  Once I laid eyes on the Islander Ikat Silver fabric from Fabric.com, I knew I didn’t need to look any further.  I submitted my order and impatiently waited for it to arrive.  In the meantime, my mom and I tackled the “fun” part of the recovering process {couch…sarcasm…cough}.  We ripped out all the old staples and removed the old buttons and fabric.  



Lucky for us, these staples came out MUCH easier than when we recovered my dining room chairs.  Phew!

After that it was time to find some new legs for the piece.  I could have easily sanded and re-stained the original ones, but they weren’t the style I was going for.  



Instead of thick, block-like legs, I wanted curvy, romantic ones…a la West Elm’s Essex Printed Bench.  During one of our numerous trips to Home Depot, I was able to pick these pretty things up for under $10 a piece.  I wasn’t thrilled to spend more money on the bench makeover, but I knew adding fun legs would put this project over the top for me.


At least I already owned the stain and sealer I needed for them.


Finally my fabric arrived and we got to recovering!!  After some thoughtful placement {taking pattern and direction into account}, sewing and button covering…I had myself a brand new bench!  






Or should I say Perny has a new bed.  I’m pretty sure he thinks this we completed this project just so he has another place to lay. ;)



Here is the breakdown of what I spent to make over the bench:

-Ugly CL’ed Bench - $20.00
-3 Yards of Fabric {with plenty left over to make pillows or something} - $44.94
-Legs - $36.00
-(2) Button Covering Kits - $3.94
-Upholstery Needle - $4.99
-Stain and Sealer - $0 {already owned}
-Thread - $0 {already owned}
Grand Total = $109.87

Okay, so this wasn’t the cheapest makeover, but it was way more affordable than if I bought the West Elm version brand new!  Their similar bench is priced between $299 and $349, plus a $30 delivery surcharge.  So in that case, I saved myself $219 – 269 on this project.  And while my bench isn't as perfect or professional, I still consider this project a major success! :)

42 comments:

  1. That looks great! I love the fabric. It's beautiful. You're cat is super adorable too, what kind is she?

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    1. Thank you, Megan! It's a he, and he is a doll-faced persian. He is so lovey and has the personality of a dog, more than a cat. :)

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  2. I want to steal your cat. And your bench. That is all.

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    1. Haha...Perny and Ike hanging out, taking over the world!

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  3. You did a great job! I like yours better. Yeah, our cat has to christen everything!

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  4. That looks really good! Your cat's cute too.

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  5. Gabbi what an awesome makeover! Your new bench looks amazing, and Perny seems to think so too ;)

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  6. I LOVE it! Great fabric choice! I need to upholster my dining room chair seats, but I've been avoiding it because I really don't want to deal with all the staples! haha

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    1. Thank you, Kate! I can't say I blame you for avoiding it...removing staples can be quite the job. Our dining room chairs were the worst!! Thankfully, the bench was 10 times easier. Good luck! :)

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  7. The money spent looks like it was sooo worth it. It's a gorgeous bench, I mean gorgeous bed for the putter. ;)

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  8. That's a wicked bench for just over $100! Nice job.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ashley! I'm very happy you stopped by! :)

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  9. Love it! The fabric choice is fantastic and you definitely made the right decision with the legs. Definitely some money and time well spent!!

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  10. I love this! Spectacular job! I love it most at the end of your bed. And my 2-yr-old little girl wants you to know that she loves your kitty. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, Bec! I'm so glad you stopped by! Aw, and please let her know I appreciate that! :)

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  11. I was wondering when you were gonna post about this! Instagram has been such a tease! ;)

    It turned out fabulous! I absolutely LOVE it!

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  12. This looks amazing. I loved it on Instagram and I love it here. And what a transformation. Totally worth the effort. (Easy for me to say.)

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    1. Thanks Kim! Haha, it definitely was worth it. I totally agree. :)

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  13. even though i was pretty much drooling over this on instagram (in between laughing at your cat), I'm still blown away and in love. The fabric is just to die for. And don't get me started on those sexy legs!

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Lyndsay! :) {And Perny loves that he amuses you hehe.}

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  14. Holy cow! You did a great job. I wouldn't have even thought to redo the legs also. It looks amazing!

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  15. Total success! It looks amazing. And now your kitty has somewhere super stylish to sit. ;)

    PS - I still want your cat.

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    1. Yup, only the best for him! ;)

      PS-I can't say I blame you. He's such a love bug. I'm sure him, Bill and Junior would get along perfectly hehe.

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  16. You did an amazing job! What a transformation...perfect. :)

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  17. I remember seeing this on instagram. You're very good at this whole reupholstering thing. Great fabric choice. We could totally use one of these and we don't even have a cat ;)

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    1. Thank you so much! I really dig the fabric too...it's one of my favorites!

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  18. you are seriously amazing... now i'm inspired to go to craigslist and make something beautiful!

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    1. Oh my gosh...thank you so much, Mariel! That means a lot! :)

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  19. Holy MAN!!! That is amazing. I always WANT to do something like that but I'm pretty sure I never could. Way to go - you did GREAT!

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    1. Thanks so much, Katie!! You TOTALLY could do it...give it a shot! :)

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  20. Your bench is gorgeous. Such a big difference. You did great!

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  21. OMG that fabric is amazing!!! I want to make curtains out of that, stunning!!! Your bench looks great

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