A Zappy Zebra Eastlake Settee!!

In addition to the Victorian furniture I recently purchased 

(and blogged about the chair makeover,)

I also picked up this Eastlake set.

 A settee...

 …and two chairs.

 The wood is gorgeous…….it almost looks like rosewood.

Just beautiful details.

So for once, I decided NOT TO PAINT.

Drop dead, I know.

 The fabric was dated though.

I decided to tackle this today.

I started by pulling off all the gimp.

 After using Howards Restor-a-finish in Deep Mahogany on the wood,

I went to my fabric stock pile……….

and decided on this awesome thick linen in an indigo and tan zebra print.

(Thank you my bud, Bonita, for sharing another great fabric!!!!)

 I started with the seat and added a layer of batting.

Then I cut and while pulling tight, stapled the fabric all along the edges.

 Next I did the chair fronts.

First I filled in the tufting indentations with

polyfill. And then i added and stapled a layer of batting,

and then the fabric.

 I decided to use twill tape and bronzed copper nail heads to edge the front

 In order to keep the wood unpainted, 

I felt like I needed a fabric with some weight…in texture and color.

I think this is just perfect.

 Here's the back.

It's in my car ready to go to RVA Antiques tomorrow.

$399

And here's another piece I did today:

 When I bought this piece, 

it had a shiny red finish.

 And although I didn't like the finish,

I liked the red color. 

Time to cozy things up for autumn!

So I sanded down all the sides and edges...

 Next, I added a stain layer to everything,

 to pop the details and "knock down"

that bright red finish.

 A little toile pillow, 

and it's perfectly perfect.

The seat top lifts for storage.

This is going to RVA as well.

$125.