hey all! been awhile since i've covered a monkey see...monkey do segment. where i take something that has inspired me and put my spin on recreating it. goodness knows there isn't a lack of inspirations out there! with the arrival of pinterest...it seems the sky is the limit on what you fancy. and even then the sky isn't going to limit you!
well...way back before the advent of pinterest...i had been tearing out pages of magazines & keeping them tucked away in a basket. w/ my absolute favorite kept out front & center on my magnet board. what was so deserving of the v.i.p status you ask?? well that would be this honey of a chair & ottoman. {below}
i have to thank country living for that one! and not only did i have the page to fawn over for YEARS...lo & behold there is was on pinterest as well! with a link back to more slipcover creations from a one talented gal by the name of lauren ross. click the polaroid above to peek @ more lovely works of hers.
i held this glossy image so close to my heart because i knew that i had in my possession just the chair + ottoman {below} to create possible sisters to lauren's work. a duo that was passed thru the generations of my hubby's family. they'd been around since the 30's when my hubby's grandparents acquired them.
then they changed hands to my dad and mom in law. mom mary had her recovered in the brown upholstery seen above. and this chair was everybody's choice @ family gatherings. cozy and comfy...her down filled cushions begged to be sat in.
but the time in that household was met and the next chapter was to be written. so they made their way to my storage loft. that was four years ago. guess you could say i suffered from some "writers block"...as i didn't crack that story back open until recently. when i decided i had admired the photo long enough and it was time to continue the legacy.
now. slipcovers and sewing are not my strong suit. but i was referred to a gal who did excel @ this craft. i had the picture...thus vision...but needed fabric. wanted linen. but was stopped short when the gal quoted me the cost of such an indulgence. enter in the lowly pile o' canvas dropcloths.
had {3} of them that i bought for next to nothing years ago intended for another project. read enough on them to feel they would produce a casual + cozy look i wanted. and no shortage of burlap in this household.
so i gathered the goods and was on my way to the upholsterer. she was very receptive to my ramblings and notes. taking on my ideas & experimenting w/ techniques unfamiliar to her. {self flange edge here...piped here...you want the wrinkled burlap as the finished COVER on the ottoman??} i'm giggling right now @ her face. but she was a genius. and darn fast one @ that! because only a hair over a week after i dropped off everything...i got the call that she was done!
i could hardly make tracks over that direction fast enough. and when i walked in and caught a glimpse...if i could have done a cartwheel i would have done 10 of 'em. because look @ these lovely ladies cloaked in their next generation of finery sitting in the corner of our bedroom {below}
and because i get pretty excited about the smallest of details...here is a little closer view {below} of that "wrinkled" burlap cover. with the cutest darn ruffle trim i've ever laid eyes on!
so you'll note this monkey did indeed "do" what i had beeing "see"ing on an inspired page for years. i still have the photo. though it is tucked away w/ the rest of the gang in the mentioned basket. because i have my very own 3-d "image" to enjoy every single day! and i'm in no hurry to hand 'em down!
enjoy the little things, my friends!
