$40.00 sofa

[cherylwaldrop]

I went to Goodwill a week or so ago, and this old camel-backed sofa caught me eye. It was priced at $40.00, and I bought it and brought it home. It''s going to cost me about $550.00 to restore it to it''s original condition, but it''s an 1850''s reproduction of a Duncan Phyfe sofa. The woodwork is hand-carved mahagony, and the sofa will be worth around $2,000.00 when I get it back from the man who''s refinishing the woodwork, and doing the upholstery for me. I''m extremely happy with my $40.00 sofa!

Cheri     

[Good Buddy]

Nice find! Good luck with the re-finishing. There are always books on refinishing furniture in thrift shops. You could do all but the uphostery, or even attempt that..

I''d love to re-do our sofa, I mean world''s largest scratching post.
It used to be great before 4 cats went at it little by little. We''re actually quite embarrassed about it. We just don''t have the money to get it re-done and we havn''t seen a couch that we''d consider replacing it with.

Let''s see a picture, post it in the photo gallery..

[alexandra]

Hmmm... the cure for a cat-scratched sofa -- thrift a large throw to cover it up!!!

And boy would I love that Duncan Phyfe repro sofa!!! We have an old DF repro dining room set and are looking for a sette to put in front of the dining room fireplace (well, once we finish the room and install the gas insert).

It''s awesome that the sofa was there -- that style is very very difficult to find.  It''s even hard to find in reproductions.  I do hope a picture of it can be posted once it is finished! What type of fabric have you picked?

Do lots of folks feel comfortable keeping old sofas? I have some worries about older standards of flamability, etc.  I have not thrifted a sofa -- but have thrifted lots of dining chairs, because seats are so easy to re-cover.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Tammy]

Yes, please post a before and after photo of your sofa. 

I have purchased thrifted sofas/chairs before.  My most favorite was a 3 pc wrap-a-round I got from GW for $125.00.  We had it about 3 years before a puppy shreaded the seat of the sofa.     Then I purchased a loveseat/chair off Ebay for $35 that was close to our house as a temp replacement.  It was very temporary as the new puppy we have now chewed the arms on one pc.  When you have (multiple) pets they''re just too hard on furniture to buy brand new.  (at least in my house  ) 

Matter of fact we''re off to my fav GW tonight to look for a computer desk, bedroom dressers, and more living room furniture.  Wish us luck. 

[cherylwaldrop]

Hi Again!! I haven''t been here in a while. I do have some before pictures, and i''ll post those below. I''ve picked out the new upholstery -- it''s a tapestry pattern with a navy blue background and boquets of flowers. I got the fabric for $12.99/yard, which is a LOT better than the $25/yard the man i''m going to have fix it up for me was going to charge. I have refinished furniture before, but i''m scared to even touch this. I want a professional to do it, and this man''s reputation is great. I''ve seen some of his work, and i''m impressed.

Anyway, the pic''s are below. I''ll post the ''after'' photos as soon as I have the money to get it re-done -- probably as soon as we get our tax refunds.

Take care all and thanks for all the positive feedback!

Cheri

 

[Tammy]

That''s a really beautiful design on the woodwork.  Looks like it''s in great shape. 

Tammy

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Oh, what a FIND. The wood trim on that couch is remarkable. Congratulations, I''m totally excited FOR you! I hope we''ll get to see pictures as it comes along. WOW.

[Scott]

That really is a great sofa! Reminds me of the one my grandparents had in their house, which I foolishly turned down when they moved to a smaller house so many years ago. It too would have been a great piece to have reupholstered. Great find -- especially for only $40!

[kitkat]

That forty dollar buy was well worth it--this girl is seething.  lol

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Whatever happened to the sofa?  Did you get it recovered?  I would love to see some pics and hear about your progress---it's just lovely! And what a price

[Vintage PurseLover]

That is in my opinion...$40.00 well worth spent.What a beautiful sofa.I love it.My 3 dogs use our sofa as a trampeline.Yeah they bounce off it when they run through the house.You are very lucky to have found such a beauty.Wow!!!
Dianne