The DIY trend is growing stronger every day – design shows and glossy magazines are everywhere, telling us how we can do this so easily and that so handily. And sure, if you’re of a crafty persuasion or you happen to have all the necessary tools lying about, it’s all doable. But sometimes you need a little more direction than a ripped-out page can give.

South House has begun a series of classes for those who have a project in mind, but who are lacking either the know-how or the machinery (or both) to get it done.

The whole concept is still in an experimental, seat-of-the-pants phase, but our students are eager to create their masterpieces, and we’re thrilled at the chance to help.

Current projects:

Emily and her adorable armchair.
Ryan and her excellent vintage sofa.
Monica and her slipcovered headboard.

Check back for updates on their progress from start to finish!

A lot of what we do here at South House is traditional reupholstering, but occasionally we get the chance to go under the padding and get creative from the ground up.

Several months ago, we began building a series of child-sized couches, which we’ve come to lovingly call Itty Sofas. It all began with a prototype that was donated to a local preschool. It was so popular with the little ones that four more were commissioned by the school, and yet another by the father of a particularly pleased student.

These orders have allowed us to really refine the process, so that we’re offering something built to be enjoyed by tots for years to come. The slipcovers have also gotten a fun, frilly upgrade.

Each Itty Sofa is rock-solid, built with wood, screws and jute webbing. The padding is mostly cotton, with a splash of poly fill in the cushions for easy washing.

The slipcovers are not only wash-friendly, but we’ve standardized their size,  so they can be easily and affordably replaced.

At the moment, these are custom commissions, but we’re busy working out the details of possibly making a bigger go of the whole idea. We just think these are so much fun to make, and it’s always great to bring happiness to the smallest of discerning customers.

We’ve all heard that daunting statistic: one third of our lives are spent off in dreamland, fast asleep. So why is it that so many of us ignore our bedrooms when it comes to design? Sure, we want to make sure our communal spaces are staggeringly fabulous, in case we’re in the habit of throwing lavish dinner parties, or, you know, if the UPS guy happens to take a peek over our shoulders. But our personal spaces should get just as much TLC.

Luxury is what we dream of for our bedrooms, as we should. Besides, we don’t just sleep there – we relax, we read, we watch TV, we…well…we enjoy the space, let’s just leave it at that. A beautiful, plush headboard is an instant upgrade that adds style and elegance with little effort.

Now, we aren’t all living in master suites with room to spare, so making a statement without going overboard has its difficulties, but with so many options out there, there’s no excuse for ignoring this anchor piece.

Built from scratch to your specifications, your imagination sets the limits for what can be done. They can be attached to the wall, free-standing, tall, short, paneled, wood-trimmed, bejeweled, fluffy, not fluffy, and of course, covered however you wish. Not only that, but they’re often easy to re-cover should you have a change of heart or sudden urge to go from orange to lavender.

We recently did a project for two girls’ twin beds:

The small size of the headboards also allows for the bright color to make a statement without being too overwhelming.

The splash of color is lively and full of personality, while the nail head trim and simple regtangular shape are a nod to more traditional styling.

This is another we did. The shape and tufting are a great cross between whimsy and tradition:

Plus, the color is neutral enough that you can get away with strong bedding prints.

Flip through your favorite design magazines and you’ll see these beauties everywhere. The best part about going custom is that you can have designs this gorgeous for literally thousands of dollars less. Not to mention bragging rights when people ask who designed it.

These are some of our favorites…

The bamboo trim and soft wave shape come together with the aquamarine walls and summery fabrics to create a clean, beachy look.

Note how the shape of the headboard mimics the crown molding in the room. The gold hue brings warmth where the white walls serve as the ultimate neutral palette.

Featured in Southern Living

Love the height and splash of color!

Designer unknown

The wingback styling on this bed is fantastic. Definitely a must for bookworms whose mode of relaxation involves lolling around in bed all afternoon.

Design by Nickey Kehoe

Love the contrast of the tufting and the brick wall! The wealth of texture works beautifully because the wall and fabric are within the same color palette. Don’t you just want to touch it all??

What are some of your favorites?

Room makeovers are always fun. A new coat of paint, a spiffy new rug, plus a few fancy throw pillows and you’ve got a whole new look! And while slipcovers can do a quick and dirty job of revamping that goldenrod-yellow sofa or winter-plaid wingback, a lot of the time a full-on reupholstering is what you really want to get clean lines and a fresh start.

These are a few of our recent projects. See how fabric can be the same as some fresh paint?

Before...

After.

Look at that difference! When it came in, it was austere and uninviting. The cream color didn’t do the wood any favors and really took away from the beauty of the chair itself.

The sassy green damask, on the other hand, brought out the warmth of the wood, along with in a wealth of personality without overshadowing the craftsmanship. The chair now has a distinctly island-colonial feel, and that pineapple says it all: welcome!

Before: Sunken, sad...and plaid.

After.

This is a great example of redecorating AND salvaging. This sofa had clearly seen a lot of love and was showing some wear and tear. Rather than ditching it, we gave it a second life by rebuilding the insides and re-covering it in a lovely neutral tone.

Hint: sticking with neutrals on your big furniture pieces makes spur-of-the-moment room re-dos a heck of a lot easier!

For the second year, I was invited by Vivid Design group to participate in the home design challenge. And, for the second year, it was a last minute, down to the wire production.  This year the apartment to be furnished was for a young single mom and her 2 month old baby.  Vivid asked me to build an ottoman and maybe make some pillows.  The budget was exceptionally tight and time, well… watching designers run around always makes me appreciate my job. Stress is unavoidable in most work, but the running around and pulling together so many different pieces into one cohesive vision is impressive(especially w/out much money). I must say Vivid Design Group is really good.

I was really proud of the ottoman and how the mixed remnants came together so perfectly. When I went back to see the completed apartment (after the award had been given- second year they won) I had the opportunity to meet the young women whose apartment had been laboriously furnished ( I would say re-furnished, but I don’t think she had anything before)  She had just returned to her new home and baby was on the new beautiful bed talking that sweet baby cooing talk that melts me.  The apartment felt so warm and comfortable and really was beautiful.  I knew exactly then why I had stayed up all night mixing fabrics to get the perfect blend of bright color and soft texture.  To make a beautiful home for a family that most likely would have never had anything close to safe, happy, soft space. Oh, that ottoman… soft all over so when that cute baby starts cruising- he won’t bonk himself and when he goobers it all up, his mom can wash the slipcover. All mom’s deserve beautiful and functional.  I think that may be one of my underlying themes to my business- beautiful AND functional.

Look up www.lifeworksaustin.org for more info on how they help individuals and families.

Also www.vividdesigngroup.com to learn more about the designers.

My “official” professional trek began a little more than a year ago when I committed to continuing with my upholstery practice but with a new face and vision.  I had been working for years always out of my house and juggling babies in between, which needless to say, had caused some deep seeded frustration.  Honestly, I quit after a very frustrating job involving out of state cushions and cow hair (all over the house.)  I decided to pursue a culinary career (I was always cooking anyways) and it satisfied my need to create in a purposeful way.  This lasted three months. I prep-cooked part-time and loved it.  It was like a vacation, away from kids, 8 hours of focus time and task after task that I was able to complete.  Unfortunately (we all know the story) the economy tanked and the restaurant whacked half the staff including my part-time self.

This was when an all-knowing family member basically said I was an idiot if I didn’t continue with my upholstery career.  Clients had been calling with projects and I finally got the hint.  It needed to be different this time and with a plan. South House Upholstery was set up and I was determined to find a way to use sustainable, organic, and recycled materials and all I needed was a lot of money.

Magically, the money didn’t come and I had to learn the real way. My clients had lots of work for me but no interest in spending the extra dollars on ingredients for their furniture that they didn’t know was there. So, I began recycling all that I pulled off of the furniture and even enlisted other upholsterers into my “program”

Disaster.  I was burying myself in remnants, dirty cotton and poly fill that nobody wanted to recycle but me.  100’s of pounds of it-really, so I panicked and stopped.  Freecycled what I could and…. with great guilt…threw out the rest.

I have not given up but am approaching sustainability with a new understanding.  To me, it means it needs to last for now and later.  My daily practice, my space, and the products that I create need to last.  I save what I can, ever sorting (Montessori kid) and distribute to those willing to take a load. The rest I let go… while I wait for the brilliant idea that will solve this daily mess of stuff.

Interview by Dag Nybo, Business Coach. Gives you a little

 sense of  who I am and what I do…