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Reupholster leather sofa seat cushions in different fabric?

14 years ago

We have a more than 30 year old Classic leather sofa with removable seat cushions. The leather overall is worn but generally in good condition but the cushions have begun to crack and rip. DH and the rest of the family threaten to disown me if I even think of getting rid of the sofa---they all love taking naps on it and think it is the most comfortable thing they've ever sat in. I know I won't be able to match the color of the leather exactly (dark blue)because even if I found the exact same type and color of leather as the original one would be new and the other would be 30 years old. Have any of you ever used a different but coordinating fabric on seat cushions that on the rest of a sofa? I once saw a sofa in a store done this way and I thought it looked okay but DH says he thinks it sounds awful. In case it has any bearing on your answer, the style of the sofa seems rather traditional. It has rolled arms with buttons, 3 seat cushions, and the back has "flip up" cushions (a lower and upper cushion) above each seat cushion section. Sorry I can't post a picture since I don't know how but any ideas you have are appreciated.

Featured Answer

postum

14 years ago

Hi flseadog,
I think it's a great idea! I've always liked the look of this sofa (see link below.) Maybe it'll convince dh :-)
Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: Victorian Cottage sofa

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Comments (9)

threedgrad
14 years ago
Back in WI, I had an all fabric sofa which the cats ripped up. I had the torn parts replaced with leather. I no longer have the sofa but I do like the mixture of fabric and leather.

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Thanks, collector. I'm not hoping to restore the sofa to its original state but just to make it less unsightly. The plan---well my plan but not DH's---is to refurbish it and move it into his office. Then I'll get a new one for my family room. Anyone who wants to take a nap can snore in the office. We definitely got our money's worth already but when I was in a very high end furniture store recently looking for a replacement the salesman advised me to hang on to this one even if I completely reupholstered in fabric. In his opinion new sofas were not being made as well as the old ones. Also, DH just won't give it up so I have to do something to make the best of it so I don't go nuts every time I look at it.
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we have a sofa from almost 20 yrs ago with fabric cushions and a leather base- i really liked it, because it had the leather look with the comfort of the fabric- warmer in the winter and didn't 'stick' to bare skin in the summer! i think it would look fine if you reupholstered the cushions in a fabric- esp if you put a couple/few throw pillows on it too! (another advantage of cloth seat is the throw pillows 'stay'!) i thought mixed pieces like that were 'coming back' anyway- i think i've seen some again in stores at least!
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flseadog
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you both for the support. The sofa I saw in the store was a similar leather to the one you linked to, postum. The cushions were a very dark paisley and I thought it look quite nice. I know I'm making this old sofa sound awful but I'm sitting here looking at it now and it's not that bad. I have a throw over it that covers the cracks in the seat cushions and throw pillows at each end. I'm just thinking that if I get a good coordinating fabric on the cushions it would eliminate the need for the throw that I'm constantly readjusting after DH has his nap.
barb5
14 years ago
I almost bought a recliner from Stickley that was leather and had fabric cushions. I thought it looked fantastic, but the chair was too big for the space I have.

I wish I knew how to copy a pic from a website and put it here, but if you go to the Stickley website to "our products", then upholstery, then chairs, and scroll down, you will see it. You could show it to your DH so that he could visualize what your couch might look like. IMHO it is very handsome.

I think you are on the right track. Go for it!
barb5
14 years ago
Here is the link to the recliner

Here is a link that might be useful: leather and fabric recliner
newdawn1895
14 years ago
They have been doing leather and fabric for years, it's a good look in my opinion. And it would be a great solution for your problem.
pattyk_64
14 years ago
I think if you make sure the fabric matches the leather as far as depth of color goes (not lighter or darker) it will look fantastic. In the link that postum posted, you can see that there's no real color change between the couch and the cushions, just a difference in texture and pattern.
flseadog
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, everyone. Tomorrow I'm going to start the fabric search. I hope to be able to post before and after pictures soon.
onerenovator
13 years ago
What did you decide to do? I'm having the exact problem with the same reservations about the fabric seat cushions. They can look pretty good -- or really bad. I don't know that I trust my own judgment on this score. Would love to see a pix if you can manage it.

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