If you follow me on IG, you might have seen my stories on the day that I started ripping apart this settee. I had no idea where I was headed with this piece, nor how much work it would be to complete. A lot of sweat, splinters, and sneers took part in this deconstruction. Sometimes the tearing apart is tougher than the putting back together. I started by tearing off all of the fabric, batting, springs, and burlap undearneath. I used needle nose pliers and scissors to tear everything off and I have to say, at this point I was wishing for combine to back over the darn thing. This was the most grueling part of the entire process.
After everything was removed, I cleaned it off to get it ready to paint. The springs that initially were holding the seat in place were not sturdy enough to hold weight anymore so we removed them and my hubs cut me a seat for it out of plywood. I left a lot of the tack nails in the wood, along with some of the burlap around the edges to give it more of a deconstructed feel.
After two coats of chalkpaint and a little distressing, I was ready to work on the seat. I cut and added 2″ foam to the seat, applying spray adhesive before placing it on the board. The spray adhesive helps to hold the foam in place.
I cut the foam with scissors. The foam edges did not have to be perfect because the next step was to add batting.
I used my staple gun to attach the batting on top of the foam and then added fabric atop the batting. I used a painter’s drop cloth for the fabric. I love the neutral and natural feel of a drop cloth. Prior to adding the drop cloth, I bleached it to lighten it up. Washing and drying a painter’s drop cloth really softens it up too.
It’s done!!! I decided to leave the back open and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! Now to find a place to put it! I thought I was going to add so much more to the settee than I did, but when I got the seat done, I fell in love with the open back and sides.
The rough character has me oooohing and ahhing!!! I have never owned something deconstructed and now owning one that I actually made, makes me so happy!
I’m loving the simplicity too!
Adding pillows was my favorite part, as it usually is.
I would love to hear (in the comments below) what you think of my deconstructed settee! Thank you so much for following along my projects. I just love completing a diy project. Thanks for stopping by for the before and after! I hope we can connect on IG, Pinterest, and Facebook too! Happy Day!
Sooo pretty!!! I’ve been itching for a deconstruction project too. Hmm…
So fun! I hope you do one too!
Just love the sette and will remember your idea of bleaching a drop cloth for a whiter fabric- keep up the good work .. elizabeth
Love it ! Enjoy your Instagram.. thanks for the fun 🙂
Thank you so much Maria! ❤️
I love this!!! It’s gorgeous ????
Thank you Trish!
LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Ummmm gorgeous!!! ???????? Good grief…who knew a deconstructed settee could be even more beautiful that constructed?!
That is so sweet! Thank you, Krysta!!
Absolutely beautiful!!! Loving this piece!
I am absolutely amazed!! I love it!!
Thank you so much, Sue!
It’s gorgeous !!! You know I have my jealousy eyes???? all over this ????. Your pieces you do always turn out great !!!
Thank you, Robin! I love changing up these old pieces!
You are so brave with your projects!! You have a good artists eye! If you get bored with the settee, I think a nice burlap would look good on there also!! Great job!!
You are so brave with your projects!! You have a good artists eye! If you get bored with the settee, I think a nice burlap would look good on there also!! Great job!!
That is absolutely adorable! I love it ! What a good job!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
You never fail at anything! Everything you make/re-do/create is just perfectly amazing! This may be my fav of your projects yet! It’s beautiful!!!!
That is so sweet! Thank you!!
So cute! Gorgeous! You are amazing! It was so fun watching you work on this from start to finish!!
Thank you Debbie!! It was such a fun project but I have to say…I’m glad it’s over ????
Now there’s somebody with vision!! Great job Natalie. I’m going to look at those old upholstered pieces a bit differently. Thanks for the inspo!
Sweet! Thank you, Laura!
Amazing!!! Beautiful!!! I wish i had your talent and vision!!!!!
Jeylan from london x
Thank you so much, Jeylan!
This is so beautiful. Very simple which I love. It turned out very nice. I have followed your process for this piece. I do enjoy your Instagram stories and feed. This is a project in my near future. I am a DIY enthusiast and tackle many projects. Thanks for your constant inspiration. ????????????????????
That is awesome! I love to hear that! Thank you so much!!
It turned out really cute! I have been contemplating a couple of chairs that I have. They are only 5 years old and still sit very nice, but the fabric on the back corners have been frayed by my cats. Thinking of a way to go down to the bones without messing with comfort of the seat.
I can’t wait to see what you decide to do! How fun! ????????????????
You have inspired me to tackle a chair in my stash. Beautiful job Natalie as always.
That’s awesome…makes me happy! Thank you!!
you are the bomb.. I love it so much .. You never disappoint .
Thank you sweet Joanne!
Just lovely! Definitely worth a splinter or two. ❤️
I did have a couple of those ????❤️
Just lovely! Definitely worth a splinter or two. ❤️
Just lovely! Definitely worth a splinter or two. ❤️
Absolutely ❤️It!
I love the doors as well.
Thank you!! I’m in love with old doors ????????
It looks looks great! Best way to cut foam, and save your poor hands, is with an electric knife..cuts like butta! =)
I’ve done that before but mine is not working right now ????
It’s gorgeous! I love how you envisioned the final product and made it happen. You brought that beauty back to life! ????
Thank you so much Polly!
Great job!!! I so enjoy watching your stories. Love the relationship you have with your children!! Keep it up❤️
Thank you so much! Love my little tribe ❤️
Love you and ???? this project!
Thank you sweet Bev! Right back at ya!
Great job, Natalie. I do my own upholstery and I can make a few suggestions. You can use an electric knife when you’re cutting through foam. Also, Arizona Foam on West Indian School in Phoenix (I know you live in Tucson but there might be a place like this in Tucson.) sells the greatest foam in the world. Many options for different density. Much better quality, density and price than what you might find in a big-box sewing goods store. I love the deconstructed look. Just beautiful!
Thank you, Mary! That’s so good to know about the foam! I have cut it before with an electric knife but mine isn’t working right now ????
LOve I’m gonna look for me something to do like that …you are so funny ; sweet love watching you…
I am so inspired by this piece! I have a rocking chair that once belonged to my mother-in-law’s brother who passed away at the age of 21 from cystic fibrosis. It is a cherished family piece. I have been told that I can remake it however I choose, but I’ve always been afraid of ruining it. I have heard that the chalk paint is more durable than the chalk spray. Do you know this to be true? And do I need to sand it before applying paint? Oh, I wish I had your confidence. Better yet, I wish you lived in Indy so you could help me do it.
Great job! Looks beautiful and what a transformation! Inspires me to get after some of my projects! Thanks!
I can’t even….what an amazing transformation. Love it!
Oh my gosh Natalie! You never cease to amaze me. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love following you (and your sweet very entertaining family) on Instagram. You always inspire me and make me laugh out loud. I’m going to be looking for something to deconstruct now! Thanks for being adorable you!
Love it ???? What paint and color and what did you cover the foam and batting in, what material ?
It looks awesome, yes an electric knife is easiest way to cut the foam also once you have stapled your fabric on the bottom, if you take duct tape (there are all kinds of colors so whatever blends the best) and tape the ends of the fabric down over the staples, It gives it a cleaner finish and you won’t be able to see your fabric hanging down from under the seat. (The parts that are in between the staples). I make all sizes and shapes of ottomans out of shipping pallets so I do this all the time. It looks so professional when it’s cleaned up a little tidier!
Oh I loooooove it!!! Love how you saw something and had a vision of how much “better” it COULD look……and then you made it look like that. Just gorgeous. I have a place for it!????????♀️
That’s just amazing! You’re amazing! Wow! Love everything about it!