The Fabrics I Selected to Reupholster Our Thrift Store Furniture

I’ve spiraled on all the options, made AI “reupholster” the sofas a million times and now I’m finally ready to share the fabrics I selected to reupholster our thrift store furniture finds.

Backing up just a bit for those of you that don’t follow me on Instagram. My husband and I recently scored some amazing high end furniture pieces at our local thrift stores for a steal!

We didn’t go with a specific goal in mind and honestly we almost didn’t go at all. But at the last minute while driving aimlessly in the direction we thought we wanted to go, we decided to head to Medina.

There’s quite a few thrift and antique stores out there that I love to hit up any time I’m in the area. One of my favorites is Life’s Treasures Thrift Store and right next door is the Medina Habitat for Humanity.

The High End Furniture Pieces We Found

The first piece we found was a 60″ CR Laine loveseat for $250. It’s in great shape and actually was one of 2. We debated buying both but decided we really only had room for the one. I plan on using this in our back family room.

Next, feeling like we had already hit the jackpot, we headed over to the Habitat Restore. As soon as we walked in my eyes locked on an English roll arm sofa. The size and shape was exactly what I wanted. It is 83″ long and has a super deep comfortable seat. The cherry on top was learning it was a Sherrill sofa when I lifted the seat cushion.

While I was oohing and awing over the beautiful rolled arm detail, Mike was scoping out a piece behind it. It was a chair and a half that he was quickly falling in love with once he sat down. Once again I lifted the seat to see the maker and sure enough, it was Henredon. Another high end furniture brand made in Hickory, North Carolina.

Now, we had ZERO space for these pieces in our home and even less room in our storage unit. But, we couldn’t leave them behind. Not when the total cost together was less than what we had just paid for the CR Laine sofa.

The fabrics on all 3 pieces are in decent shape and we honestly could make them work as is in our home. But. Mike’s not a fan so sourcing fabric to reupholster each furniture piece was my next goal.

Finding A Reupholster

We have a handful of upholstery places near us but there’s one I follow on Instagram and I’ve loved seeing their work.

Unsure of the process and what the first step was, I gave them a call to get some info. They were super friendly and the process to get started was easy.

They asked for basic measurements and pictures of each piece to be sent via email. Then, they would send labor costs for each piece and the fabric yardage needed to reupholster. If all looked good, I could set up an appointment to look at fabrics.

Sourcing Fabrics

When the day of my appointment finally came, I was a bit nervous. Wondering what kind of selection they would have and if I would find anything I liked. Also, would they give me the time to spiral or would I need to decide that day.

Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. They have a great selection and they were wonderful to work with. I will say it was helpful that I had somewhat of an idea of what I was looking for going in. It made it easier for them to hone in and pull books they thought I might like.

Finding the Perfect Ticking Stripe And a Cozy Velvet

We worked on looking for the ticking stripe first and they pulled a few books for me to review. I originally thought I wanted a classic navy so that was where we started. They also pulled a book in the taupe family and another that had various colors.

Once we found a few we thought could work we moved on to looking for options for the loveseat and the chair and a half.

For the chair in a half I knew I wanted to do something cozy like a velvet for Mike in a solid color way. I wasn’t too worried about nailing this one at the moment. I knew once I had the stripe and whatever I was doing on the loveseat I would just coordinate the velvet to work with them.

In my head I was thinking something in a rich deep brown or burgundy. They pulled a couple of books for me to review and flipping through them I saw quite a few I liked.

Hunting for the Perfect Pattern

Finding something for the loveseat was a bit more tricky. The only thing I knew for sure is I wanted a pattern of some sort. I had brought some inspiration photos with me and the paint color of the backroom for reference.

We looked at some plaids, buffalo checks, gingham, and a few block prints. There were a few promising options but nothing was really grabbing me. Until I saw a Cowtan and Tout book.

Right a way I spied my dream fabric. Langham Check by Colefax and Fowler. It’s a mix of a horizontal stripe with a small check that looks almost like a gingham. So much texture and pattern in one print. I LOVED it. I knew it would probably be out of budget but I couldn’t help asking for them to check the price per yard anyway. You never know until you ask, right?

By this point it was almost 5 and my hour appointment was up and they were ready to head out for the day. I was able to take a few books home with me to mull over the options and see how the fabrics looked in our home under our lighting.

I also took pictures of the different brands we’d looked at so I could do a deep dive on their websites on my own time. The one thing I know about myself is I need to see ALL the options. I won’t be able to make a selection until I feel like I’ve exhausted what’s available. Some call it spiraling I call it being thorough.

Narrowing Down The Options

I really put ChatGPT to the test over the next couple of weeks. Even upgrading my account so I could do more than 2 renderings a day. I was having a hard time visualizing what some of the patterns would look like once they were on the loveseat.

While I was at it, I tested out some patterns on the sofa for kicks too. Did I actually want a floral this whole time instead of a ticking stripe like I thought?

ChatGPT got so confused at one point and that’s when I knew I needed to take a break.

This along with really studying the details of my inspiration photos and the scale of those patterns and prints is what helped me to hone in on what it was I wanted.

Once I had refined my list, I set up another appointment to see them in person. Everyone I’ve met has been so helpful and terrific in helping me find what I’m looking for and feel comfortable in my selections.

We had a blast (or at least I did) at my second appointment. Pulling some of those patterns I loved online to see in person and playing around with different ways to customize like adding contrasting welt details and throw pillows.

There was one floral print I had in mind that Mike didn’t love but I secretly adored and thought could be really great. Seeing it in person really sealed the deal for me but I pulled a couple of additional options just in case Mike really couldn’t stand it.

By the time we got to the end of my appointment, I was giddy over the patterns and color story we had pulled together for each piece. Here’s where we landed.

The Fabrics I selected to Reupholster our Thrift Store Furniture Pieces

I’m debating on adding a contrasting welt in a dijon mustard color that matches the deep yellow in the print. I know I want to add a contrasting welt on the chair and half so thinking maybe just a self welt on this one. Which would be using the same fabric for the welt that the sofa is covered in.

While shopping the fabrics, I fell in love with this flame stitch print in berry tones. We have an ottoman that I’ve been dying to reupholster and I’m thinking this fabric would look great on it.

It’s not in the plans to do it right now, though. I’ll see how these other pieces go and what the budget looks like.

The ticking stripe and block print fabrics have been ordered and should arrive in 1-2 weeks. Once they arrive we’ll haul our pieces down to the shop and try to patiently wait for the estimated 6 weeks it will take to complete them.