Spruce » Sprucette Stories

Class is back in session!

Katherine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:52:16 +0000

Now that the madness from the holidays has subsided, Clar and I are ready to get back to teaching classes! We’ve got a variety of courses that are sure to excite you. Back by popular demand we will be hosting a BYCB (bring your own chair) classes, bench classes, a lampshade class and even a headboard class. We still have a few spots open but I suggest you hurry because they fill up fast. If the class you fancy is full…don’t fret…we’ll gladly put you on the waiting list. These classes are so much fun and I am not just saying that because I help teach them. Not only are they informational but it is such a fun activity to do with your friends or a family member…or you can make friends with other do-it-yourselfers in the the class. Oh and might I add that it has become an unofficial tradition of mine to make a special confectionery treat for each class.

We had our first class of 2012 a couple of weeks ago. It was a BYOC class and it was delightful. We had a lovely group of gals that brought a variety of different chairs that were in desperate need of a makeover. Take a look at our students in action.

Oh and the dessert of the day for this class was a pastel de tres leche. I topped it with a bruléed Italian meringue instead of the traditional whipped cream topping.

Tip: Get your Supplies at Capital City Upholstery Supply!

Clar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:06:27 +0000

This tip is appropriate for Austin-area residents and non-Austinites alike. Our “old faithful” upholstery materials supplier has been bringing provisions to us for 4 years plus and has locations in Austin and San Antonio. They also have an online catalog presence for your DIY needs. How do we love “Capital”? Let us count the ways!

Front desk at Capital City Upholstery Supply

Capital City Upholstery Supply runs like clockwork. If we order our supplies by 8:30 am, our materials are delivered to the shop by 9:30am/10:00am latest. For a full-tilt shop this service is key and vital to our functionality. We rely on and appreciate their punctuality! We enjoy the option of ordering supplies a second time during the day, allowing us to have supplies delivered sometime in the early afternoon. They are truly there for us all day, every day.

Tool and supply case at Capital City Upholstery Supply

If you have ever taken any of our classes and think, “how can I repeat this in my home space/garage/kitchen, etc.?” I highly recommend getting supplies from them for your home projects. Simply call them at 512.326.9968, order, and pick up your goods! They have everything: foam for seat and back, dacron (batting), cotton sheeting, tools, staple guns, tacks, staples, materials for automotive upholstery, leather, vinyl… I urge you find your materials here. They really do have everything you’ll need. If you have any questions, call us or Capital City Upholstery Supply for inquiries. Additionally, we at Spruce are happy to be a receiver or a “go-between” for your goods!

Upholstery supplies at Capital City Upholstery Supply

“Capital” offers leather in a gazillion colors, vinyl in even more colors, some canvas, as well as auto supplies for those of you who are brave enough to tackle a vehicle.

More vinyl and material than you can imagine...in stock!

Wide view of the back supply warehouse. Foam, cotton, dacron, oh my!

Another practical plus…if you plan to take on building new cushions, re-padding your dining chairs, creating a window seat cushion, etc., you’ll need different sizes and densities of foam. Have no fear, “Capital” can provide any amount and density or thickness that you desire (even down to 1/2 inch thick foam – they’ll slice it for you!!!!!) Check out their high-tech foam cutting apparatus below!

That bar extending vertically from the table is a huge blade that cuts the foam. Wow! Industry.

Get it together here ya’ll! Just to re-inforce the recommendation, there are some lovely, professional gentlemen who run the joint (Randy, Carlos, Dustin – you know who you are!) They are endlessly patient and helpful, and keep the place more clean and more organized than any other supply warehouse I’ve seen in my days. “Capital”, YOU’RE THE JAM!

Click the text to visit Capital City Upholstery Supply‘s website. Catalog, contact info, hours of operation, and location are contained within. Don’t be afraid to call us if you need any ordering advice! We’ll be happy to help!

The Price is Right!

meredith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:06:58 +0000

Fabric. We all love it, can’t live without it. There is the occasional experience when you see a fabric across the room, you lock eyes, and you’re in love. I mean TRUE love. I see it every day at the shop. Our clients come in, start to wrap their head around all the options, and spot that perfect fabric. If all goes according to plan, that fabric makes its way to their redesigned furniture. However, tiny details can create a few speed bumps. One of those details…you guessed it…price! Most everyone has a budget when it comes to their furniture, and sometimes that first-love fabric just isn’t going to fit in it. Luckily, this isn’t the end of the road! Very often a particular print is redesigned in various ways and at various prices. You see it all the time in fashion, why not in fabric!? Here are a few fabrics we have found that make for a great substitute when faced with a price predicament.

We all know how popular Ikat is these days, and I am on board! An embroidered Ikat is certainly something to behold. Martin Lawrence’s collection from Schumacher offers this style of fabric for $205 per yard, while B. Berger has created a similar look for $120.

The newest collection from Dwell Studios has brought in a similar yet affordable alternative to Studio Bon’s “Fuzz” ($149) at $50 per yard. Great substitute!

If a Chinoisee is what your heart desires the options are plentiful! Quadrille has created “Lyford Pagoda” that is a stunner ($141 per yard), while Duralee offers an affordable option at $45 per yard.

Hable’s newest collection offers a great ethnic woven at $147. In similar fashion, Robert Allen has come out with their new collection of value fabrics that can serve as a fantastic substitute! This print “Gila Mountain” is affordable and durable at $40 per yard.

A new modern classic out there is a trellis pattern. It can compliment all kinds of prints! Celery Kimble rose this style to popularity with her “Imperial Trellis” from Schumacher at $141 per yard. In similar fashion Windsor Smith for Kravet has used this style at $70 per yard.

What beauties, you can have your cake and eat it too! However, something important to note is that price is definitely one of the indicators of quality. So your first-love fabric is that price for a reason. Artisans all over the world can spend hours making one yard of fabric, depending on how it is made. Often times, you get what you pay for. But if finding the look for less is what you need, it can be done!

Come by and check out all our lookalikes if you have a piece that needs to be “spruced”, but on a budget. We’d love to help!

January Upholstery Basics is Live!

amanda — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:22:20 +0000

Check out this month’s Upholstery Basics on Design*Sponge: Boxed Cushion Sewing!

Have a great weekend!

Inspiration: Ruché by Inga Sempé

Katherine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:47:34 +0000

I recently revisited an Elle Decor magazine from many months ago, and as I was flipping through, my eye caught this little beauty. It was so simple….yet so complicated and intricate. The design is by Inga Sempé, a French designer from Paris. She began her design career with intentions of designing casters and screws, hence her utilitarian aesthetic. More recently her focus has been on designing furniture, lighting, objects, and fabrics. One of my favorite tidbits that I read about Inga Sempé is that she cringes when asked what inspires or influences her. She simply says, “My aim is to do things I’m interested in.”

I really like her no-nonsense approach to design, she simply wants to create things “that don’t bore her.” My favorite pieces would easily be her ruché sofa and bed for Lignet Roset, but I certainly wouldn’t say no to her lovely lamp plate.

Enjoy her remarkable creations!

Spruce’s Top 10 of 2011 and Annual Discount!

meredith — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:43:56 +0000

Hello, hello! Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend. We came back stuffed beyond belief with delicious food, and no thanks to Amanda’s mom, we will continue to overeat sweets. Not gonna complain about those treats making it up to the shop! It’s that time of year again where we take a look back and remember our most exciting projects of 2011. Whether it was your grandmother’s chair, an upholstered bathtub, or a candy shop, it has been a blast! Take a look at some of our favorite transformations of 2011.

More exciting news, we are having our annual 10% off when you come in and book your project between now and February 15th. Re-imagining your furniture is a great way to start off the New Year, and we would love to help!

Who knows, maybe your furniture will make 2012′s list of favorite transformations! The offer expires February 15th, so be sure to come by before then. Thanks to all our clients who let us take some fun risks with their furniture; it definitely paid off. Have a wonderful New Year; here’s hoping 2012 is fantastic!

Before and Afters!

Clar — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:15:33 +0000

Happy Holidays one and all! We have not been holding out our spectacular makeovers from you on purpose, we’ve just been BIZ-ZAY! We know you have been too! It’s long overdue for us to share with you another round of successful makeovers – they happen daily! Check out some of our recent favorites below…

First in line in before-and-after heaven is a piece found down the block at Corner Collector’s Market. Needs some serious TLC. Just a dirty little thing.

A shabby old chair needs some loving!

For the makeover, this chair gets a black gloss lacquer and an equally rich black velvet to match (Duralee‘s solid velvet in onyx). This is a retail piece still available for sale in our showroom. Versatile, rich, a generous seat. Will work with any interior!

A sweet makeover!!! Good as new!

Another retail piece we’ve madeover is this number. An armchair old, full of dirt, and originally had a cane back. We found the caning underneath when we stripped it!

Oldie but goodie - time for a change.

We reupholstered in a large scale houndstooth chenille and plain weave (Duralee‘s houndstooth pattern number is hyperlinked for your convenience.) Visually striking while keeping it neutral. Comes in a black and cream and red and cream as well!

Great chair that can stand out or blend in at your whim. For sale at Spruce!

This next job was for a client – possibly one of the most fun moms ever! She had this killer kids recliner upholstered in a graphic cut velvet that she picked up at the infamous Mood fabric retailer (I’ve hyperlinked to the fabric itself – comes in 5 colors!) Check it out!

Baby recliner before...

Baby recliner after!!!

Wow! Adorable, hilarious.

We reupholstered a trio of chairs that are now the epitome of opulence and glamour. See below the two wooden side chairs and arm chair using a hand-printed Galbraith and Paul fabric. (Again, hyperlink is to fabric page; “ovals” on pewter velvet, color berry. Plain pewter velvet used for the insides on armchair.) Absolutely beautiful.

Antique chairs before.

Antique chairs, refreshed, restyled. Notice the alternate treatment of the seat and backs!

Beautiful side chair to coordinate with the antiques!

We worked out a fabulous large ottoman with a cool design. The customer supplied us with an amazing embroidered Madeline Weinrib suzani (called “Pink Sommers”), and we filled in with a white and black canvas. Drab to Fab!

So unique! Now it's a statement!

Lastly, we created a custom headboard based on one our client saw out and about. No before – because we made it from scratch!

She's a beaut!

The client chose this romantic large-scale Quadrille printed cotton (print “Henriot”, color Lilacs on ecru.) Just beautiful.

As always, if you have a hankering for a makeover or a fabrication – give us a call. We can do it 99% of the time (we’ve even upholstered a bathtub!). If you’re lost for ideas, Spruce will be happy to help you with inspiration and direction.

Happy Holidays again! Be safe and well! We’ll see you after Christmas!

A very “Spruced” Christmas!

Katherine — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:13 +0000

As one would expect, we have been very busy little elves pumping out furniture just in time for your holiday parties but we haven’t been too busy to do a little celebrating ourselves. Last Thursday Meredith played hostess for our annual Spruce Christmas party. It was a delightful evening. We had a delicious feast of bruschetta, honey ham, rolls with a homemade mustard, roasted potatoes and brussel sprouts, chesse grits (my favorite), and a cream cheese apple tart….oh and wine of course. Earlier in the week we pulled secret Santa names and exchanged gifts around the fireplace. Yes…it was as awesome as it sounds.

Dinner is ready!

Time for gifts!

Truly, I had a wonderful time. I am so happy to be a part of this family. Merry Christmas…and Happy Holidays!

Spruce Goes Extreme!

meredith — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:57:23 +0000

As the year winds down the work to get done by the Holidays always seems to wind up at Spruce! We have been busy little elves finishing our client projects, but have decided to take on a few side projects as well. Those of us in Central Texas are very familiar with the devastation the fires this year have caused for thousands of people. Well, the wonderful people at ExtremeMakeover Home Edition decided to help out and offered to rebuild the home of a family in need of a Christmas miracle. A few weeks ago we received a call and were asked to see if there was anything we can do. We took at look at what they needed and decided yes, we could help! So, in a matter of a few short days Amanda and Katherine spent extra hours and their weekends up at the shop creating one-0f-a-kind Spruce Originals for the new Smithville home. It was certainly a labor of love, and we couldn’t have been more pleased with how it all turned out. We are glad to have been able to help some deserving folks rebuild their future. Take a look at a few photos of the Spruce Originals for the home. We are so happy with how they turned out!

For awhile now we have wanted to get “Chair-iot”, the Spruce VW Bus, tricked out with decals and all our information. Finding the time to do it was harder than we thought ha! With all the excitement of EMHE furniture getting done, we decided to go ahead and take Chair-iot in for her own extreme makeover. With the help of Austin Budget Signs (Barbara you rock) in just one day Chair-iot’s cool factor bumped up big time. Take a look at our gal now, she’s a beaut!

Come by the shop this weekend and grab a few Christmas gifts for those you love, we hope to see you there!

Fall Class Transformations!

Katherine — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:36:01 +0000

We have had such a busy few months so please forgive me for the late posting…but better late than never. They came, they created, they conquered…and they had fun while doing so. These classes are so much fun because the gratification is pretty much instant. Goodwill worthy chairs become unique treasures in the matter of a day or two. Take a look at our most recent transformations from our bench and chair classes. If you get inspired you should take a look at our newly posted classes for January through March.

Bench class:

Chair Class: