Trash couch re-do

This is my couch re-do, my Barrymore loveseat found in the dumpster, slipcovered by Lisa Buckland and her crew at Potato Skins in Toronto!

Note: any scrunchy bits you see are the fault of the couch's owner, not the slipcover Gods at Potato Skins.


The fabric is a suede-like microfibre that wears well and doesn't pick up as much kitty hair - it also makes it more difficult for the little critters to scratch. I love the deep blue.




This is how it used to look before, with a shapeless velvety cover I bought from some department store over it.

You can see how scrunchy-bunchy it was.

And the cat hair - don't get me started.

Slipcovers can look just like reupholstered pieces, especially if you get the uber custom kind that zip on. My kind is the less expensive version where they measure the couch and make a piece of fabric that you drape and fold and then pin into place. I even had the cushion covered!



Speaking of cushions, don't you just love the gold lame circular pin-cushion pillow I picked up at the Sally Ann Thrift Store for $1.99?

Read More

Dumpster Love

He came to me bearing Barrymore loveseats on his back, pulled from a dumpster around the corner. They had this funky Peacock pattern on them (below). Yup, if you want to win my heart, bring me junk from the trash. This same man brought me a custom-made bookshelf (so large it's still in Ottawa, alas), and he tracked down a lamp I admired in a thrift shop window after it had been bought by someone else!

BARRYMORE LOVESEAT (SLIPCOVERED) PULLED OUT OF THE TRASH BY A FORMER LOVE


Alas, those loveseats came and went on my guy's back several times as our relationship ebbed and flowed - every time we were in troubles he'd haul them out; when we made up he'd haul them back. Though we broke up, he kindly left them with me - and I'll love 'em forever!

Other stuff men have brought me from the trash, the height of romance for me: a fully functional (and much needed) vacuum; a retro wood dining table that has the funkiest fold-up panel to extend the table; a couple wood dressers; a filing cabinet ... all very useful and needed - and still used.

Keep 'em coming, gents.

Read More

Green Machine Apartment!

I admit it: I'm a green velvet junkie. So I may need to rethink putting my new green velvet chair (found at my local thrift store in perfect condition, not even stinky) next to my green Kroehler loveseat ... there is such a thing as too much green, afterall. But I've never had a true armchair like this to snuggle up on - all my other thrift finds aren't nearly as substantial or comfy (I know, you're thinking of the white one pictured in my Makeover post, but in truth, the springs are gone and I had to build the seat up with blankets underneath ... I found it in the trash, remember?). See, my cat Dag is already checking it out (as he and his cohort Dinky do every time I bring something new in). You can just see the corner of my new Persian rug (will post better pic this week); it gives a bit of contrast.

SOLUTION: I'll move the blue-covered Barrymore loveseat where the green one is so it'll be the contrast between the two green pieces. Hopefully it won't look too weird symmetrical.

This post is dedicated to Lisa Buckland of Potato Skins Slipcovers in Toronto, and her star employee Susan DeSilva, who I had a great visit with recently researching for a column (that I'll link to once it goes online). Lisa is celebrating her 15th year in business and is known for her slipcovers that fit like second skins - they're amazing looking! Congrats Lisa! www.potatoskins.com

Read More