Remember this sofa??!?! Well....

Some of you may remember my Fabric Search post back in July of 2008- where I was searching for fabric to upholster my French Provincial sofa. The same sofa I bought on Craigslist! Well, thanks to everyone who suggested a fabric back then, but I went with Mrs. Limestone's suggestion about how a patterned fabric may get too old, too quick. It made sense, so I chose white. I know some of you may think this is NUTS....

and even though I don't have kids, I have DOGS. For now, it will sit covered in a see-through plastic (so I can at least see it)...and then unwrap it on special occasions or when guests come over! I'm quite happy with it and it looks even better in person! So, Mrs. Limestone from Brooklyn Limestone Blog wins this long & forgotten GIVEAWAY!!

Here is the breakdown of the costs:

*Sofa : $125 Craigslist
*Fabric: $4.99/yard (I know, it was on sale) $60 total in fabric from Home Fabrics in Las Vegas
*Upholstery/Labor/Staining of the wood: $ 700

*Upholstery by Alex Rivas Upholstery in Las Vegas, Nevada


In the end, I guess I just couldn't get this sofa from a Domino magazine issue (above) off my mind!

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82 comments

  1. i say great choice!!! you go girl! looks gorgeous.

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  2. Love it!

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  3. Wow, very nice sofa!! I like your blogg! Here in Stockholm its christmas weather....
    Best Regards Ulrica

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  4. Gorgeous choice of fabric. I think you ended up with a gem!

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  5. I love, love, love your new sofa...

    so much that I named it as one of my TILT this week.

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  6. OMG That's gorgeous and even more beautiful than the Domino sofa.

    Viv xx
    www.ishandchi.com
    www.ishandchi.etsy.com

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  7. That's gorgeous! I love white upholstered pieces.

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  8. Wow! A brave but beautiful choice. It looks fantastic.

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  9. Oh I love it. Was the wood stained darker? I think you made the right choice over the pattern.

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  10. I love it! You did an amazing job. You're very inspiring!

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  11. Jennifer, you cannot imagine how I envy you... I've been dreaming about a sofa like this for a long time, but I have two little kids and there's no way to put a white beautiful sofa at home. Snif, snif. Enjoy it, you lucky girl. Did I already said that I envy you?? ;)

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  12. i like the white and your throw pillows are soooo cute! the sofa is so perfect with the table too!

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  13. i like the white and your throw pillows are soooo cute! the sofa is so perfect with the table too!

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  14. Amazing transformation - it turned out beautifully! I love crisp white couches.

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  15. You have made my day...in such a great way....wow...everyday I am online searching and searching for fabric..I am tired! If it wasnt for my granny loving her furniture, I would have kicked it to the curb a long time ago..but I love it because it meant so much to her, but redoing it is hard because I dont want to mess up...my aunt in ATL is sending me fabric that she found, its that bad! I agree with the white..looks great..

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  16. I absolutely love it! It came out so pretty!

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  17. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

    You did the right thing. I actually have that same sofa, from that issue saved because it was one of my favorites. I see those sofas on CL near me as well. I was just really curious as to how much it would cost to reupholster. Now I know. Thanks so much. About as much as you would pay for a nice sofa in a store, on sale. Good for you! Great style.

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  18. My sofa is white too. I don't keep plastic over it, but I'm not sure I would have gotten it if I would have known I would be dating the man that I am... :)

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  19. Lindo!!! incrível. Adoro seu blog. Beijos.

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  20. That's wonderful!!! I love it...

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  21. Where are the three pillows from on your new couch? I love them!

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  22. Wooowww!!!
    I love your "new" sofa!

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  23. Well done! I don't blame you for choosing white - it would have been my choice as well. It is so down to earth yet sophisticated. The day I can finally get our 100lb chocolate late to stop getting on the sofa is the day I will get a white couch!

    Your blog has become my new ritual in the morning, thanks for all your hard work!

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  24. wow, perfect! great choice! How "grown up" do you feel when you have white furniture in the house? Someday.....sigh .... someday it will happen 'round here! Great choice! Love the cragslist *steal*!!

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  25. Well done!
    Love the modern look of it now.
    White is not crazy...especially if you have a little Tide- to Go pen for little marks---no I'm not a spokesperson I just love white too!

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  26. i've been wondering what fabric choice you went with....oh i could never do a white sofa but this just looks fabulous! i so love it. and it will be a great back drop for all of the colour in your pillows, artwork etc.

    what a great price for a total custom piece that is all your own.

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  27. Think you chose wisely, the white is gorgeous! Well done!

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  28. Beautiful sofa! I love the colorful pillows on it. One thing about white that works is that if you do get a stain - you can be more aggressive at cleaning it and you won't wait because it's so obvious. Great prices all around too!

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  29. OH MY GOODNESS, this is fabulous!! You are one talented woman :)

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  30. Fantastic. You're a visionary woman.

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  31. Looks lovely! I have a similar sofa that I would love to do in white also, but have decided to go with a durable navy canvas for now-until the kids (and dogs) are gone.

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  32. It's so pretty and I love the white!

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  33. Great Job! Sofa looks Awesome! I love Mrs. Limestones blog...she's very crafty :)

    -Myisha
    www.braceyourselfboutique.com

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  34. FAB U LASH!!!!!!
    looks great, just find a few cool throws for the sit down area and you are good to go, if you do get any stains...
    Spot Shot at your local supermarket will be your bff;-)

    btw, I am going to email you in a bit, about one of your other indugences.

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  35. Awesome! Such a nice job and great success story.

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  36. it looks absolutely stunning! i love white/cream it's just so chic and elegant!

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  37. It really looks wonderful and the pillows you added look perfect with it!YAY...for things that make us happy!!

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  38. I love the sofa, that fabric is the best choice, my sofa is white as well and I don't regret it, but have to be very careful with it. I still own you a cushion, it will look gorgeous in your new sofa!!! I will email you soon so we can arrange delivery.

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  39. VINTAGE+CHIC:
    awww...I think if I had KIDS...I wouldn't have gotten it white. It's just one of those things you do before all that...just in case you won't get to do it later...that's how I see it. Either way, I still have to keep it covered, because you never know when one of my boxers may want to put their mouths on it!

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  40. BRANDI:
    Your right...it costs just as much to buy a new sofa on sale. So it's totally worth it, and it's custom. : )

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  41. I love it! I'm a big fan of French decor and little by little I am transforming all the rooms in my house to French Country. I also like white as a base color that I can then add accent color to.

    Great choice of fabric!

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  42. AMANDA:
    The CUSHIONS: the middle on is from IKEA and the outer 2 are from Pier 1 imports. :)

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  43. TREVOR:
    Yes, the wood was darkened to match the wood on my coffee table. Also to match the one in the Domino picture below. I actually brought that pic to the upholsterer. : )

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  44. Thank you everyone ! & LETICIA...i'll look out for your email.. : )

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  45. what a fantastic upcycle! i LOVE the white it looks very chic

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  46. As you know... I Love White! Amazing transformation. And it looks so good with the dark wood.

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  47. I love with couches and I am thinking of buying one... I dont have children but I do have a cat that loses hair every now and then and comes in the house with muddy paws...

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  48. Uau! Perfect. Congrats Jennifer!

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  49. Oh Jen I love this pic from Domino it's one of my favs! I can't believe that the couch isn't the same one from the mag...I love a bargain and have wanted to have two chairs upholstered myself but I thought that it would be better to just buy new for the same price! Not after seeing your sofa and the cost breakdown that turned out amazing without costing a fortune!

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  50. Great choice!!!...simple & easy to change the look too. Now you can play it up with all those pillows you found at Pier 1, then change them whenever the mood strikes you! Enjoy!

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  51. Beautiful. The stain on the wood is a major improvement as well. Man, I never find cool stuff on craigslist.

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  52. Jennifer, your blog is just wonderful. I really like your work and your home too!
    Brazil loves you.. I've been seen a lot of things about your blog in other blogs - you can also find something in mine too.
    www.followthecolours.blogspot.com

    Taís.

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  53. Jen - the sofa is absosolutely gorgeous. I LOVE seeing before and after photos :)

    Karen O.

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  54. GORGE!!

    This is totally inspiring me to pick a fabric already and get mine done! I am no kids/2 dogs and already have ivory colored furniture so I totally feel you on that point :) You're not crazy, it looks amazing in white!

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  55. I absolutely love it!!! Good choice. I like the pattern pillows with it.

    Hope it doesn't get too dirty. Isn't there a scotch gard you can apply to it to help? Or is that not good to do?

    It's just too cute!

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  56. what a gorgeous sofa! you are much braver than me, i have a dog and our blue colored sofa is runied fro him. we just need to not let him up on it!
    looks great.

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  57. Your sofa looks lovely! And I love that colours like in the pillows just look so much more vibrant against the white. Great choice!

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  58. i love it! you couldn't have picked a better color. you are so funny wrapping it in plastic. ;) it's just lovely though. i want one too!

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  59. Your sofa looks fantastic. What a transformation.
    Someone just gave me the greatest idea. She suggested using white Sunbrella fabric on my breakfast chairs that way they are easy to clean!
    Brilliant.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

    xo
    Brooke

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  60. Oh Jen!

    This is soooo up my alley! I LOVE the white, you did a great job and the pillows for that splash of color, just perf!

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  61. THE WAY TO JOY:
    Yes that was the idea - to have a sold color (or non color-white) that I can use all kind of cushions - when I get tired of one set I add another ...good thing to change things up every once in awhile.!

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  62. CAROL:
    That's so nice of you, thanks a bunch! I love BRAZIL too...! I have so many women from there write to me...and quite a few are bloggers... : )

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  63. UNDERFUNDED HEIRESS:
    Yes, the upholstery company already put scotch guard on it..BUT I may put more just for the heck of it. YOU NEVER know...but for now it's wrapped in a see through plastic!

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  64. BRAND-EYE:

    That's too bad about your sofa with your dog..that is what I was worried about in a way. Mostly just my dogs wiping their mouths on it after they eat...etc. LUCKILY my dogs DON'T get on any of my sofas or furniture, that is a huge 'NO' around my house.

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  65. Good work.... I have always always loved that couch in domino too... and the whole apartment. Your couch is lovely and I am with you on going all white!

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  66. Looks great! I have a virtually identical sofa and I had the wood painted black then had the piece upholstered in a vintage black and white ticking stripe. Five years ago. I still LOVE it, particularly since I had one huge, down-filled seat cushion made, too. Enjoy your perfect sofa!
    ps-- mine is also off limits to my two pets.

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  67. jen, it looks wonderful! bravo to you for plunging for white!!

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  68. I remember that picture in Domino and loved her tiny space!

    Your couch turned out so beautiful...
    will have to remember his name for upholstery as it is always better to have a recommendation in this town :)

    xoxo

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  69. Oops, I meant to post that on this one, but oh well, they are both really cute.

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  70. Hi,
    I love your work! You do an amazing job. You are very inspiring!
    you are invited to visit my blog
    www.dinasoker.blogspot.com
    Best wishes
    dina Soker

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  71. It looks great, and the pillows are adorable. You seem to young and fun to keep it covered in plastic "just for guests"...how about some blankets for the dogs, and just enjoy it for what it is?

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  72. wow, that is fabulous! the sofa looks so clean, fresh & happy! I have a white sofa as well...but with a kid and dog it's more of a beige now....

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  73. White was by far a great choice, you can always accessorize with colors- pillows, et c.

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  74. Wow, the sofa is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.
    We tried having a white sofa in our home, lasted about two weeks before we sold it and got another. I am so impressed that you can keep your beautiful with having two dogs. Esp. boxers {oh but i love them so!}
    Love your blog!
    <3,
    Adri

    Dreambookdesign.com

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  75. AMAZING!!! do u have instructions or tips on putting on the new fabric

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  76. Hi Jen,

    I follow your blog and fell in love with your white sofa. Would you mind sharing what kind of fabric you used?

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  77. YOLIE: i dont recall what kind of fabric sorry - but it did have some cotton.. :(

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  78. Just began my search for reupholstering ideas for a similar sofa. Well done! Just a cautionary note, with the plastic cover on be sure to keep it out of the sun. My mother had a plastic cover on ours and the material broke down in the sun. That was the reason for the sofa's first reupholstering, just wish mom hadn't picked pea green velveteen fabric! Thinking I like the clean look of the white as well.

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