Remember I mentioned in the previous post that I was going to start making August’s living room furniture & the roomset? I’m happy to say that I’ve made some progress with it (although not all of it has been good). Here’s a mini update.
First off, I had to pick out what kind of furnishings would really go with August’s personality. He’s obviously a modernist/contemporary kind of guy so that’s what I realized I had to make for him (even if it doesn’t totally appeal to me). His personality is very dominant (and selfish).
Modernish design? Check.
What kind of fabrics did I have on hand that I could use for said furniture?
Of all the stuff I had the only thing that really struck me as right for it was some black leather. I’d gotten a leather pair of pants at the rag market in Birmingham for £5.00 which seemed like a good deal at the time even w/o knowing what I’d do with it. ( FWIW I don’t really like using animal products in my customs but I don’t mind as much if I’m recycling stuff that’s already out there. The ethics of it are fuzzy for me.)
And the Roomset– how did I want to design it (with what I had on hand) to reflect his personality & tastes?
Well I’d already decided I was going to try to use this wall (cut down to fit the now standard large roomset base)
I figured that the wall could work for a living room provided I set the rest of it up right (and managed to make some decent window treatments) I’m thinking possibly roman blinds.
Ok, so we can figure that I’ll use the matching wall opposite (nothing to go wow about, just a white wall w/ skirting-board), and of course the door with the “apartment door” that makes its way into most of my sets. This makes the room pretty sterile IMO. And not as dramatic as I think someone like August would want it.
So, what am I going to do?
I’m experimenting with making brick for an exposed brick wall. For the feel that will be kind of like this:
I have a plan. I’m working on the wall today as well as another couch. I obviously need practice, and if the one I make today comes out a bit better then I’ll be happy (and it’ll go on etsy to help pay for the visit to the Vet that Max is in need of).
Annnnnnnnnnyway, yesterday was the first time in more than a year (almost 2) that I sat down with the intention of making furniture and nothing else. As usual the whole process became one long learning experience… I’d do it differently next time (if I did it at all). :dizzy:
I don’t find leather as easy to work with for furniture as I do regular woven fabrics. I’m guessing that with more practice (I didn’t have much so I tried really hard not to screw up and did anyway!) I’d probably get the hang of it and end up with something that looked better than “sub-par” for my efforts.
I know, the whole set isn’t finished & I really shouldn’t judge it yet–at least not until it’s in the roomset & being used. The legs need doing, the table finishing, I need to make the side tables (need to get supplies for that ran out), chairs need doing, floating shelves, and of course the incidental “decor”.
Unfortunately for August, he’s stuck with what I’ve made because I don’t have enough leather to try again. I should probably explain that his sofa went from being a sectional to a single because of the aforementioned screw ups which required more of the leather. *sigh* So I am going to scrounge a bit and see if I can find something to use for the chairs. The lame-ass coffee table started life as an ottoman but I couldn’t get the top cushion to look right so I said screw it and made it into a low table. I’m not 100% certain that it works….but for now, it stops me from throwing the whole shebang into the trash and saying “No furniture for you!”
6 Responses to “August’s living room (pt 1)*pics*”
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Wow, this is looking good. I can’t believe you can work so quickly! I wish I had your fast fingers, lol! Definitely looks modern, and he looks pretty comfortable in his new digs. Although Imogen looks pretty UNcomfortable.
Ugh. I hate working with leather too, but nothing screams bachelor pad like black leather. I actually like the table a lot. And being able to see her reflection is a pretty cool trick. Sometime you wind up with a happy accident. If it’s bothering you, maybe you could make a second one to put beside it. (Hipsters do that
) Though I’m guessing you probably don’t want to put yourself through that, lol.
Like you said, you can’t really get a full sense of things until they’re finished. I can’t wait to see what else you’re making!
Thanks C!!
I’m a fairly fast worker when I’m “in the mood” although I have to say that I’m rarely that inspired to go forth and do it all in a day! :cheerful:
“Ugh. I hate working with leather too”
But I think I would have given it another go if I’d had more of the leather to spare *shrug* well that’s part of being a scrounger (and part of my fabric commitment issues LOL) :biggrin:
Oh yea–if I’d realized how difficult it was I’d have managed to find something else. Maybe that old polka dot & striped fabric? NOT!
Yea the reflectiveness of the table top was unintentional but I have to agree it does work. So who knows, maybe it’s not that bad I dunno yet. Maybe by the end of next week I’ll have the majority of the room done & mostly ready to go (or view). :happy:
And thank you for taking the time to comment–it means a lot to me when people do. :wub:
I love August’s taste in furniture. You did a great job on the sofa and table. I like the table as is. If it bothers you, make another one and make them side tables.
But I think it works just fine. Can’t wait to see the brick wall and everything else you have planned. 
Aww Chelle, I’m glad you like it! :happy: It’s good to have a 2nd opinion about it! And thank you for taking the time to comment & give me your feedback on the project–it does help me to keep from getting discouraged!
I’ve still got to get some of the things I need to make the side tables for the roomset (we’ll have to see though). I’m working on the wall for it right now & talk about a lot of hassle! :w00t: I’ve cut all the bricks to size and am texturing them so they’ll look right once I paint them. I’m really, really, reaaaalllly hoping they’ll look good with the furniture for the room. Keep checking back here for updates on it!
Looking good:) I agree, nothing says batchelor pad like black leather. Personally I’m more of a tan / brown / beige or sage microsuede kinda guy…lol
But the couch looks good. I think its fine even if you dont have enough black leather to make matching. He just didn’t buy the pieces as a set, maybe bought the other pieces seperately from diff companies, therefore, the exact textiles don’t have to match.
I like the choice of the exposed brick, thats kinda what I would like to do for when I can eventually make my scale apartment.
Keep it up, I’m sure you’ll have the place looking perfect for the character soon enough
Thanks Will! :cheerful:
Black leather wouldn’t be my first choice either–but you know different people have different personalities & tastes
I’ll try micro-suede next time I make some furniture & see what happens.
I’m thinking that the exposed brick should look halfway decent–at least it’ll give the room some character and make it different than the others. :happy: