We are so pleased to toot our horn about being included in the current issue of Austin Monthly Magazine! We are listed as number 5 in the article, “112 Fun Things to Do in the Summer.” HOT DOG! Awesome sauce! We hope you’ll include us in your to-do list for summer and take a class, by golly!

Current Issue of Austin Monthly.

In other news,  we were recently asked to participate in a grassroots campaign featuring local craftspeople, artisans, and business owners by our neighbors – tech/media software development gurus Red Method. Sprucettes and our class-goers were featured in a video to promote hand-made, American-made efforts. You can check out the video below:

Isn’t that special?!! You can see more footage of Austin locals by visiting the Red Method site here. Great mission from those folks: they are using current technology via apps to urge and enable us to buy local, create domestically, and pay it forward to ourselves and our neighbors. Great job Red Method! Thanks for thinking of us here at Spruce! We’re pleased to be included. Here’s a pic from the event…

Spruce girls at Red Method.

That’s that for now. Come on by the shop and reupholster local! We appreciate your support always.

Check out this month’s Upholstery Basics column on Design*Sponge! We’re transforming spaces wall by wall. Click HERE for other Upholstery Basics posts.

In this episode of “Before and Afters,” Spruce brings you some pointedly unique creations. We have had a slew of client-designed furniture that speak to the designer/clients’ personal vision and individuality. We applaud you! If you’re going to spend the money on a project, why not do it big and bold and fearless as these brave hearts have done? Eyeball feast ensues…!

I will announce simultaneously this first piece of furniture with the coming of a new life in the family. Our fearless leader Amanda has a twin sister that is delivering her first baby in coming months! Yaaaay!!!! (Congratulations Jennifer and Justin – you can do it! Amanda becomes an auntie!) Check out this rocker, a gift from Amanda to sis that was rehabbed to FAB!

Blah old rocker from whatever store or garage sale it emerged from. The inspiring factor: comfort. There's the potential!

Rocker re-made for mom and baby. Moms: jealous? So am I!

The next is so cute. A couple came in to design this chair several times, selecting the perfect vintage sari to work around. Pink velvet and yellow chenille to complement. Here’s the before:

An antique chair and ottoman that will be a zinger...just wait!

Come on! Notice the attention to detail. Each individual surface of the chair has been designed and considered. An antique sari adorns the inside back, cushion and outside bottom perimeter of the chair as well as ottoman.

Here's a shot of the outside bottom arms and outside bottom back to use the remaining sari. Interest and attention is given to the outside back with yellow. Wow ya'll! Very unique chair. We hope you love it. We have had many other customer comments and interest to the positive on this piece. You have certainly made a statement. Kudos!!

Okay next, next, next….this one’s close to my heart. Tell you why in a minute. The client brought in a perfectly clean and lovely chair that obviously needed some pizzazz.

No problem, just not enough interest for our fun client.

Get a load of this! (I love this: it reminds me of fun beach living in one of my favorite silly places on earth – Florida! This is not for everyone – but I LOVE it! Ms. J – I will come looking for this chair someday!)

There is a stinking new fabric on every part of the chair! So fun. They threw that caution right into the warm Gulf of Mexico! YEAH!

Be so endeared by what’s next. It’s a sweet, spicy Valentine’s Day present. (Nice job to you gentleman for thinking ahead! We hope you’ve delivered ’cause here comes the reveal!)

Yep - it gets better.

BAM! Red and black snakeskin embossed vinyl. Boudoir behold!

Finally there is only an after as we share a custom creation for an Austin iconic businessman. This was designed by the client and created from scratch. With much work and button-tufting we finished this 170-plus-inch lovely headboard in stark white vinyl. CHIIIIC.

This headboard could happen to you. Just ask us!

We hope this encourages you to say to yourself, “that idea for my sofa wasn’t so unattainable!” If you can design it, we can do it! Trust yourself, and trust us to deliver. Happy Valentines Day lovers!

February’s Upholstery Basics column is up on Design*Sponge. Click HERE to learn how to transform your plain-Jane coffee table into an upholstered beauty!

Take a look at these previous posts to learn tips and tricks for other upholstery projects:

• upholstery basics: boxed cushion sewing
• upholstery basics: picture perfect backs
• upholstery basics: leather bookshelf

December’s Upholstery Basics column is up on Design*Sponge. If you want to learn how to complete your chair that has a picture-back, click HERE!

Take a look at these Upholstery Basics tutorials below to help you complete your redesigned chair:

• upholstery basics: coil seat finale
• upholstery basics: constructing coil seats — part 2
• upholstery basics: constructing coil seats — part I
• upholstery basics: dining chair do-over