Spring Before and Afters at Spruce!

Hello, hello! We’d love to show you some neat pieces that we’ve completed of late! Want to see? Scroll away!

We recently worked with a favorite Austin designer on her client’s project. The frame was requested to be stripped, painted, and some clever additions and subtractions were made to the sofa! See it below in its  “before” position.

Hulsey bailey kickpleat sofa before blog

The Duncan Phyfe-style sofa, in need.

The client’s sofa had busted springs, so its owners were employing a plywood board for structure and support under the cushions. If ya’ll are sitting on plywood and cushions, please give me a call at 512.454.8181. We can help you. It’s not your fault.

The Duncan Phyfe-style sofa, after!

Wowee! Can you handle it?

Here’s what’s new: the sofa frame was painted a great neutral grey satin, upholstered in Magitex’s Gun Leather in Ivory, and channels were added to the arms and inside back! The client streamlined the look using one single seat cushion without piping and removed the nail head trim. We finished the edges with double welt cord and brad nails instead. What a transformation!

The next makeover involved frame refinishing, as well, making quite an impact. Take the next little chair. No really, take it! (Just kidding!)

Sanders Before blog

A vintage chair in need of new clothes! Before…

After! A luxe lodge look for a clever update!

After! A luxe lodge look makes for a clever update!

Sanders after blog

Per our client’s request, we refinished the frame and reupholstered the seat and back cushion with Robert Allen’s Aztec Pathway in Pomodoro. The combination of the deeper, richer finish and the cool ethnic-inspired textile is right on! These two simple actions update the chair all the way. I could see this working well in a casual bohemian or Mexican-motivated interior, or a kooky, fun ski lodge abode, among many others! Cute, fun, well done!

We worked on another truly antique sofa recently. This client is always adventurous with her upholstery! She’s been saving this renovation for years in her garage. See the before:

Haug sofa before blog

A time stained and battered family relic.

Haug sofa after blog

After! Dual fabrics were applied to make the look super custom!

Here again the frame was stripped and restained a deep brown. Fabrics used were Robert Allen’s Folkland in Admiral, and the solid was Magitex’s Belgian Solid in Sisal. Unique and playful – this is a great example of really taking the opportunity to customize your piece! We wish this piece a hundred more fruitful years with your family, dear client!

Another antique made its way into the shop and was lovingly reworked in just the same style.

Dodge slipper chair before blog

Before: an old plump slipper chair in red wool. Great materials through and through that look great today, considering!

After! Fresh, clean, and ready for camera!

After! Fresh, clean and ready for another epoch!

This slipper chair, according to our client, resided in a Hollywood Hills celebrity home of yesteryear. The family’s housekeeper kept the occasional chair in the family, and 60+ years later it surfaced here at the shop for its new dress. Dear client, if you care to refresh our memory of who the original owner was, please feel free to comment on this post and tickle us with the actor’s name. We’d delight in remembering the provenance. Fabric used to reupholster is Robert Allen’s Avalon Bay in Zest. I’m so fantasizing about this piece’s former life seen through a Vaseline lens!

Lastly, my most favorite in recent history! These chairs came a long way. Here’s the before:

Schrab chairs before blog

A pair of antique Gothic chairs. These are said to have been in the Lincoln household at some point in history. Lincoln as in former historical figure and American President – type Lincoln. Yeah!

You could tell these chairs were OLD! The wood was brittle and chewed under the upholstery. There were some places where the upholstery was literally the only thing holding the wood pieces together! The legs looked to have had a space where casters once were, and some pieces of decorative wood were missing.

Schrab wood damage blog

Wood missing from the antique chairs. Perhaps some casters from the period once resided here?

Schrab wood damage blog 2

Wood repair: just one of the many patches added to the pair of antiques before refinishing.

We worked with a talented local wood repair person. Be warned that this is no small feat of work and resources! This was a labor of love and restoration for our client, and she was willing to see it through. Check out the fantastic AFTER!

The antique Gothic style chairs after!

The antique Gothic style chairs after!

Here’s the punch list: chairs were stripped, wood-worked, refinished in a deep espresso color, and reupholstered using Boussac’s Lady Bird in Gourmandise (pink) and Exotisme (green). A manufactured trim was selected to finish – Samuel and Son’s woven double welt in color Acier/Grey. WOW!

Here they are again!

Schrab chairs after blog 2

We perform miracles daily! Stay tuned for more, and let us know if you need help with your family’s jewels!