Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Winter Pinterest Challenge: A Fabric Ottoman

Ok, today is the day - time to share our Pinterest Challenge projects!  I'm so excited to see what everyone has done!  We totally took on something we have never tried before so let me get to sharing..


At first I was totally focused on doing some sort of organization type project - since we have been all about that around here lately.  But then, we got a wild whim and decided to just try something we have never done - build a piece of furniture....a fabric ottoman to be exact.  It was actually a lot of fun, not too difficult, we learned a lot and I enjoyed working on the project together with Justin.  This was totally a tag-team effort...with a lot of the effort being on Justin's end of things :).  Someone has to pick out fabric though right?



So here are my pinspiring pinspirations...

I totally love both of these!  The first one is from West Elm and its awesome but I don't have $400 to spend on an ottoman right now.  I love the idea of using an old coffee table for the base of the ottoman done by Meredith from the Not So Newlywed blog but we didn't have a coffee table or have time to try and find something that would work for our room.   So, we just decided to build it from scratch. I feel like we kind of just made this up as we went along but somehow it worked out - thank goodness.  I would not say our method was perfect or the outcome was perfection but like I said, it was fun tackling something new together.

Here is what we did:

First we determined the size we wanted to build our ottoman...I needed visual aid for sizes and laying out tape on the floor totally helped me.


Next we purchased our materials and began measuring and cutting. We bought a heavy duty piece of reinforced plywood and measured and cut it to the right size (this was going to be our base).  We made ours 3'x3'.  We used a laser level to get our edge straight and Justin cut everything off.


Then we used two by fours and cut those into smaller square blocks to add a little extra height and stability to the legs and base and nailed those to the plywood.


Next came the cutting and glueing of the foam down to our plywood.  We bought our foam at Joanne fabrics.  We laughed because they cut it for you at the store with what looks like an electric turkey carving knife.  So when we got home the best we could mimic was a bread knife - and it worked.  After the foam was glued down we covered it with fabric batting - stapling it around the entire base and then covered that with our fabric.  I just used a staple gun and made sure everything was pulled tight and even and that the fabric was straight.  Oh, the fabric I used for this project is actually a shower curtain that I found at Target!  I loved the ikat print so I went with it and its a pretty durable fabric as well.
I think one of the toughest parts of this project was keeping Silas from jumping/sitting on it while we were working.  He was so excited and enjoyed helping.  I think all of his cars and animals also had an adventure on it during the building process.  I have a feeling this ottoman will be used for many more car and train expeditions.


Ok, back to the project - we nailed another block to the corners base to give it more height, drilled in the holes for the legs and screwed the legs in.  We were getting close to being finished.  Next, we added a piece of trim around all of the edges to just finish it out a bit.
Finally, I remembered that I needed to paint the legs - so I actually did this last, which worked out fine.  It might would have been slightly easier to do this before you screw them in.

We love the result!  We also love that it only took us a day - and that was including shopping for all of the materials.



We have small house and limited seating so adding a few more spots to sit when we have a big crowd is nice.  Our students come over a lot and usually end up on the floor so we are hoping this will give us a few more spots for group time, bible studies and whatever else. Plus Silas has been calling it his big chair so it has already gotten plenty of action.  We loved the feeling of accomplishment after we finished.  Justin declared that he was going to build a sofa next - I said maybe we should try something like shelves.  This has definitely got us ready for the next project!

Don't forget to check out Katie, Sherry and Michelle today!  They have some awesome projects they are sharing - you don't want to miss them!!


Now comes the part where you share your amazing projects too!

- If you have already blogged about it just link up your projects below! 
1.  Click on the "add your link" button
2.  Add the url of your specific post
3. Type in the name or description of your project in the "name" blank

We'd love for you to link back over to our projects within your own post- (here's Sherry's, Katie's and Michelle's)
*Also remember to link back to your inspiration project found on pinterest and to link back to the original source so they also get some love too!

We can't wait to see the amazing projects you guys have been working on!





104 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting this challenge! What fun to see all the great projects and find a new blog to read (yours).

    I love the fabric you chose for your ottoman. So vibrant. And those legs! Fab-u-lous.

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    1. Thanks so much Kim!! You are so sweet. I have loved checking out everyone's amazing projects! So fun!

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  2. Oh man! I have been itching to try one of these! Yours turned out awesome!

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  3. Pretty! I LOVE that fabric!

    Thanks for hosting!

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  4. That's so adorable! I love how it turned out!

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  5. I love the fabric that you chose! Way to go on building your first piece of furniture. This was my first Pinterest Challenge, and it was a lot of fun. Very good motivation to get moving on a project. Mine was nowhere near as complicated as yours, but a last minute glue gun emergency meant I was down to the wire last night in getting everything finished and photographed. Thanks for hosting!

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    1. Haha - well I took my final pics this morning! We have been a little pressed for time this week but thankfully it all got built, photographed and blogged about! Thanks so much for linking up!! I always love these challenges - totally motivates me to try something new :).

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  6. Great project! I love how it only took a day and the pattern you chose is perfect.

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  7. I love that fabric! Plus that's pretty genius that it's a durable shower curtain. The ottoman looks fantastic!

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  8. I love that you used a shower curtain for the fabric... that's brilliant! I have such a hard time finding fabric I like, now I will just have to take strolls down the bathroom section of stores to find something I like.

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    1. Thanks so much Kimberly! I love checking out the shower curtains and also the tablecloths to find something different. Sometimes you can even score one on clearance at Target! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. That ottoman looks great! It's a great punch of color in there, and using a shower curtain is super smart - it was probably cheaper than that much fabric and should be much more durable.

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    1. Oh my gosh, fabric can get sooo expensive! Thanks so much for stopping by Samantha!!

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  10. Your ottoman looks great! I can't believe you built it in a day! I love the fabric you chose :)

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    1. Thanks so much Caitlin!! Well - props to the hubs for during the hard stuff :).

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  11. Shower curtain fabric. Good move. Good move.

    It's so pretty!! And functional. And your child is adorable.

    ~Fellow blog celebrity ;)

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    1. Thanks Michelle :) Hope you had fun today!! I enjoyed hosting with you!!

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  12. Awesome job on your ottoman! I think it's great that it can also double as seating. And I ADORE that fabric and can't believe it's a shower curtain! I have been desperate to add some ikat in my life, but my husband doesn't really care for it. So I'm going to have to sneak it in somehow. Ha!

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    1. I'm am all about some ikat right now haha! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment :).

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  13. This is such a great project! It turned out so good. GREAT fabric choice.

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  14. Using tape on the floor to see the size is so smart! I'll have to remember that! And your ottoman turned out super cute. Thanks for a fun challenge!
    ps - I use the plastic shower curtains as tablecloths all the time. Just cut off the top and bottom... the shower curtain prints are so much fun!

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    1. Seriously - I have to visualize everything haha! Thanks so much Carolina! What a great tip about using one as a tablecloth!

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  15. I absolutely love this! I'm going to do a bench in our bedroom and this is a great tutorial! I also love that you used a shower curtain!

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    1. Thanks so much Julie! You should definitely go for it!!

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  16. I totally love that you used a shower curtain! :) Great job!

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  17. This is really cool! I've been thinking about DIYing a boudoir bench, which would be a similar process. I love the legs you chose, and was happy to see Silas's toddler toes this morning too! :D

    I linked up! Thanks!

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    1. Aw, you are so sweet! Aren't baby/toddler toes the best? Thanks so much for linking up!!

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  18. Oh! I've been wanting to try making one of those for forever, and I LOVE how yours turned out! Great colors, great size, it's perfect!
    Thanks for hosting the party today. :)
    Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont

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    1. Wow, you are are sweet! Thanks so much Meredith and thanks for linking up :).

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  19. You did a great job. I love the fabric choice. Thanks for hosting.

    Lura
    x

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  20. Thanks for hosting! I love your ottoman and the fabric your used. So funny, I recently saw the most beautiful shower curtains at Marshall's and I was thinking they'd make great pillows. Looking forward to following your blog!

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    1. Thanks for linking up Michele! I was totally thinking of making some pillows out of the remaining fabric! Now I just have to learn how to sew, haha!

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  21. Way to be clever with the shower curtain! I think it looks awesome! Way to go!

    Thanks for hosting!

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    1. haha, thanks so much Ashley! Can't wait to check out your headboard!! Thanks for linking up!

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  22. I love the fabric you guys chose! And using a shower curtain is genius! It should hold up really well.
    Sarah

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah! I hope it will hold up to a toddler who is already obsessed with playing all over it haha!

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  23. That ottoman is ah-mazing!! Well done :)
    --Elena
    acasarella.net

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  24. love it! the colors you used are so fun!!!

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    1. Thanks so much Cassie! I love that we finally have some color going on in there :).

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  25. Your DIY Ottoman looks great! I love ottomans...they're so functional. :)

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    2. Thanks so much Monica! We have enjoyed it so much in just the few days we have had it :).

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  26. The ottoman looks great! I love that pop of color in your living room!

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  27. It's adorable! I love that your son has already commandeered it for his own use, it's just the right height for him:)

    Jessica

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    1. Thanks Jessica! He is so in love with it haha! It really is perfect for him to lounge on :). Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. What a great ottoman. I love that fabric.

    Thanks for hosting this challenge!!

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  29. Well done. I love the turned legs and the ikat fabric you chose. I'm sure your Ottoman will get lots of use.

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  30. Your ottoman looks absolutely fantastic! I love the fabric you choose!

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  31. Too cool! I've been wondering if those were difficult. Love it!

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    1. Thanks Molly! It was fairly easy - and we are total newbies. Thanks for stopping by!

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  32. OMG, I'm running to Target right now to score that shower curtain to make throw pillows. I LOVE that fabric! Great project, I love the ottoman!

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    1. Seriously though, isn't this shower curtain awesome haha?! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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  33. I love it. I've been itching to do this for so long. Yours turned out beautiful and I love that you used a shower curtain. :-)

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  34. Great job. My favorite picture is Silas jumping on the Ottoman!

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  35. So smart to use a shower curtain! I just found your blog and am so encouraged by your ministry and faith! I'm a new stay at home mom and it's always refreshing to connect with other women like me!

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    1. Thanks so much for connecting with me today Andrea!!

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  36. Such an awesome project! I love that you guys used a shower curtain too! Fun fabric + durability, so perfect. Now, if you can make building a couch that easy... ;)

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    1. Haha, I know right? My husband seems to think he can build anything now after this lol! Thanks for stopping by!

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  37. Thanks so much for hosting!! This was a ton of fun!!!

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  38. Wow...I didn't realize how big your ottoman was until the last 2 pictures. You did a great job! I am so pinning your results on pinterest!

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    1. Haha, it is fairly big, we wanted something we could fit several people on if we need to. Wow, thanks so much for pinning Jamie :).

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  39. This looks really cute, and I especially like the fabric. One question--why did you decide to have the ottoman be so short?

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    1. Thanks Megan! I just wanted something a little lower, it great for our son and I like the lower profile since our room is on the smaller side. It just works for us right now :). Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Your son does look awfully happy perched on it! I was mainly curious about the height because I'm so used to the height of our own ottoman. I never thought about the size of the room either. You're right though--you do what works for you. Otherwise, what's the point, right? Thanks for the response!

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  40. Looks awesome! The fabric rocks, love that it's low profile. :)

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  41. whaaaaaat. are you kidding me? that looks awesome sauce. i'll be bookmarking this to use as inspiration, thankyouverymuch!

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    1. Paige! So glad we have connected! You are so sweet!! Can't wait for our bloggy dinner night :).

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  42. So beautiful and that fabric is just gorgeous! I love this! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  43. This looks GREAT! And you have no idea how timely it is that you posted this! My mom and I have been contemplating re-doing an ottoman like this. We've got the base and the top, but the fabric is ugly! I'll be using this tutorial soon! Thanks again.

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    1. Aw, thanks Chaney! I would love to see how it turns out! Let me know!!

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  44. What a great project! And I love the fabric you choose! A shower curtain makes so much sense! I totally might convince Hubs to do this with me!

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    1. Thanks so much Melissa! My husband and I had so much fun doing this together!!

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  45. Nice! Never thought of making my own ottoman! Very cool idea. Came out great!

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  46. I love the fabric too! I'll have to cruise the shower curtain isle. It turned out great!!

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  47. LOVE your ottoman, Megan! Thanks for letting the rest of us link up, too!

    ~Abby =)
    #91, A Pinspired Baby Gift

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    1. Thanks so much Abby!! Can't wait to check out your project!

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  48. I thought this was going to be a coffee table to ottoman...but you started from scratch!! Love it.

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    1. haha, well I don't know what came over us - we just got a wild whim and went for it. thanks for stopping by!!

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  49. incredible! that shower curtain fabric is fabulous - great choice!

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  50. Great job! I love the fabric you chose, I would have never thought to use a shower curtain- so clever!

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  51. This turned out so great! I love the color and pattern! Thanks for hosting ;)

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  52. I love that fabric! And the fact that it only took one day makes it even better. :)

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