Ottoman Reupholstering -Part 1

I still have my furniture from when I lived in my apartment. It's still in pretty good condition...I got it from a friend from work who had dogs that scratched up some of the cushions. I took the set home, took off all the cushions covers, washed them, put them back on the cushions, and turned the cushions over...you would never know there were any blemishes on my couches.....except the ottoman. 

They way they put the ottoman together they  attached the top cushion to the base so I couldn't take the cushion off to wash or even flip so you wouldn't be able to see the scratches. I was at the point where I was just going to put it out front for free or for trash, but then the light bulb turned on! =) Why not reupholster it!? 

Notice all the scratches?

Another thing I didn't like about the ottoman is when I had more company that chairs I would use it for extra seating...the only problem was when you sat in it you sank. The reason being, it only had these giant elastic bands (which would sooner or later give out) to hold the cushion. I have devised a new plan for this ottoman.

I took the whole ottoman apart and saved what materials I could. The next step would proof to be the most annoying part...removing all the staples. My husband is amazing and he took most of the staples out...I helped a little bit. =)

The elastic I'm going to use for another project. The batting I can reuse for the ottoman. Some of the fabric was salvageable and the foam pieces will go back onto the ottoman.

My new plan for the ottoman is to make it into storage for blankets and to make it sturdy enough to where you sit on it you won't sink. My husband and I bought some plywood pieces and measured what we'd need to cut off.

Haahaa! We use our basement and our ping pong table as our work area...since we don't have a garage. =) Branson is securing the wood so he can cut it to size.

This 2X4 is for the center of the box to give it more structure and stability.

Sanding it down...we don't want to get splinters!

Center board is cut to size and ready to be nailed in place.

Plywood base is cut to size and ready to be nailed into place as well.

We got this new electric staple/brad nail gun and let me tell you....IT'S AWESOME!!!! It's so much easier to use!! I can't believe we didn't buy one sooner!!

True love!! =)

Branson is screwing the hinges into place. Once we begin upholstering he'll remove the hinges and attach them again over the fabric. When the lid is closed you won't even be able to see the hinges.

We added a left and a right lid hinge...they assist in lifting and they will hinder the lid from slamming down.

We reattached the foam around the edge of the lid. This is to help the cushion stay in place while upholstering.

There you have it. Part one to my ottoman reupholstering....stay tuned for Part two! =) I think maybe the hardest part about upholstering is picking out the fabric. I was thinking chevrons....oh how I love chevrons!!

Wouldn't green look amazing in my living room!?!?! =)