When Anne and I went to the local charity shop a few weeks ago we came across this. We were both immediately drawn to the round shape.
We were also drawn to the fact that there are storage facilities inside. Not that I really need any more but the potential is there! We discussed making it into a drinks storage unit but alas it’s not tall enough, unless I start buying half bottles only. Originally it was probably used for sewing supplies.
I had to strip that nasty red vinyl off pretty immediately and for a while I kept it nude in the living room where I draped various fabrics over it to try and figure out what to do with it.
One thing I did know was that I wanted it on casters so I removed the little elephant foot shaped wood feet (which I’m saving as they might come in handy elsewhere) and bought the lowest casters available so I can potentially slide the ottoman under the coffee table.
In the end I chose to cover the ottoman with the Josef Frank fabric Windows which I had originally intended to use for a pillow. I just loved it on the round shape.
Staples all around, casters on (I used five so it would be stable) and ready to turn over and staple the top end of the fabric to the top if the frame.
Unfortunately I didn’t have enough of the super expensive fabric I used on the base for on the top but I did have some green linen. I used the top as a template and traced the shape onto the fabric using a fabric marker and adding seam allowance.
Then I stitched a strip of the Josef Frank fabric on to the round shape, making sort of a tray shape.
I ended up not liking the sharp contrast between the green linen and the Windows pattern so I cut one of the sheep skins I have into an uneven round and popped it on top.
Now I love it! It’s perfect for resting tired feet on in front of the TV at night. As for what will go inside, I still don’t know but I’m sure I’ll think of something and when I do I’ll tell you about it,
just another yummy post...can i ship you over here to vancouver,canada to help renovate my house!!
Posted by: kirsi | July 17, 2012 at 02:45 AM
Du är ju helt fantastisk. Men det visste du väl redan. :)
Posted by: Sarah | July 17, 2012 at 03:07 AM
great job. I think the cover will look as good in grey/taupe fabric ;-)
Posted by: ed | July 17, 2012 at 03:18 AM
It looks great. You definitely need to keep some hand sewing supplies and projects in there; perfect for hiding away when un-needed!
Posted by: Hxx | July 17, 2012 at 03:25 AM
That is gorgeous fabric, and you're right about the round shape. Oddly enough, I liked the footstool stripped down in its bare naked state, too, though I'll bet it was a bit less pristine and minimalist up close than the photos show Is that birch?
Posted by: A. | July 17, 2012 at 03:26 AM
I love the Josef Frank material. I think the sheep skin is perfect for the top, and it will wear much better than the linen. I love all your little projects. You have inspired me to tackle many projects around my home.
Posted by: Jill | July 17, 2012 at 03:29 AM
I also thought it looked cool nude but the fabric was a bit to stained for my liking and the wood a bit too rough. Not sure about the type of wood.
Posted by: Carlos | July 17, 2012 at 03:35 AM
I did not see any potential on the round ottoman on the first photo. Gaa! I need to broaden my mind.
You made it beautiful. I like the sheepskin too. That is not from Ikea?
Posted by: Leena | July 17, 2012 at 03:50 AM
No, it's from a sheep farm on the isle of Gotland.
Posted by: Carlos | July 17, 2012 at 03:57 AM
Oh, like to find something like that. Would be perfect at home or at summer cabin...
You have ideas which inspire a lot - thanks!
Posted by: Susanna | July 17, 2012 at 04:02 AM
I just knew it would look great after that woodo that you do so well!
Posted by: Anne | July 17, 2012 at 04:27 AM
Great! Except for the sheep skin on the top.
Posted by: jja | July 17, 2012 at 04:29 AM
Love your ottoman makeover - the green and white fabric is so fresh!
Posted by: Bee | July 17, 2012 at 05:36 AM
I just love it! Just a question, Benita: do the staples on the side still show? Did you cover them with any trimmings? Thank you :-)
Posted by: amycapdet / May Zaragoza | July 17, 2012 at 05:40 AM
They're actually still showing but now that you mention it I may cover them with some white trimming. Haha, I forgot! I guess I rolled it in place with the staples facing backwards and didn't give it any more thought.
Posted by: Carlos | July 17, 2012 at 05:54 AM
A great find. Love the fabric.
Posted by: Zosia | July 17, 2012 at 06:25 AM
Did you secure the sheepskin in any way or does it just rest on the top? Love your creative ingenuity!
Posted by: Valerie | July 17, 2012 at 08:14 AM
what a great idea! the green adds a nice pop of color.
We recently refinished a dresser where we considered casters.
Posted by: Julia @ life on churchill | July 17, 2012 at 09:52 AM
as always...well done! this inspires me to recover our round ottoman! lots of nifty modern patterned shower curtains at Target that i've been wanting to use for projects around the house since i had my banquette cushions made out of them - http://blondemafia.blogspot.com/2012/07/cushion-for-tush-ion.html. you just gave me my next quickie project!
Posted by: DeNacho | July 17, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Haha! That's very ME!!! I'd love to see it in case you do it someday :-)
Posted by: amycapdet / May Zaragoza | July 17, 2012 at 11:29 AM
I didn't secure it, it stays put on its own and this way I can remove and shake it every once in a while
Posted by: Carlos | July 17, 2012 at 11:34 AM
I have never seen an ottoman like it - Your special fabric looks WonDErFul on it!
Posted by: Vicki K | July 17, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Hejhej! Så fint det blev, tyget är ju fantastiskt. Och häftpistolen är ett helt fantastiskt verktyg.
Posted by: Magpie | July 17, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Wow! What a great find!
Posted by: Lisa Flaherty | July 17, 2012 at 01:09 PM
I love looking at redone thrift-store items. You did a fantastic job with this...it's so pretty now!
And, oddly, I had to look all over for a square ottoman. I like squares and rectangles in my home because, for me, curved pieces take up more space and have less storage. You've totally inspired me to keep hand sewing supplies in mine, too.
Posted by: devil | July 17, 2012 at 05:07 PM
I love how you see the potential in things, Benita! Inspires me to head over to our local thrift store this weekend. Maybe I'll find a gem. :)
Posted by: Marjorie @ One Parade | July 17, 2012 at 05:08 PM
that's a fabulous shape, and of course the casters are inspired. x
Posted by: elisa | July 17, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Why do you use white primarily.for everything you do inside and outside the house?
Posted by: Goddessphx | July 17, 2012 at 07:21 PM
The fabric is great and the whole thing turned out very nicely!
Posted by: Annika | July 17, 2012 at 08:35 PM
Because I like how light and fresh it looks and feels.
Posted by: Carlos | July 18, 2012 at 03:12 AM
Så snyggt! Blir avundsjuk på dig. Du tycks hitta "guldkorn" i Secondhands affärena.
Lotta
Posted by: Lotta | July 18, 2012 at 08:19 AM
What a great make over! What I love about this is that you can store items inside it! Lovely fabric. Your projects are very inspiring.
Posted by: Mona | July 18, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Love it and everything you touch! maybe some grosgrain ribbon attached to the stapled seam would be an easy fix?
Posted by: melissa | July 18, 2012 at 07:37 PM
What you did with this ottoman is fantastic, love the pattern, so cheerful! Janell
Posted by: Janell Beals | July 19, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Love the find and would love to see what it looked like with the green linen. The sheepskin is interesting (and probably super comfy!).
Love thrift shopping.
Bernadette
Posted by: Bernadette @ B3HD | July 19, 2012 at 02:33 PM
I love that fabric. Where did you get it?
Posted by: Jenn | July 20, 2012 at 08:24 AM
There's a link in the post :)
Posted by: Carlos | July 20, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Love it!! Where'd ya get the sheepskin!?
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jasanna | July 28, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Here's one of the sources I've used for sheep skins; http://www.gotlamm.se/sv/english/
Posted by: Carlos | July 29, 2012 at 05:23 AM
I was at the WalMart last night and they had an ugly loud round ottoman (think teen girl's room) on deep clearance. I thought of this post and was verrrrry tempted to buy it. Alas, there was no storage in it!
But... I could have remade it to look better, now I know it!
Posted by: -Michelle | September 25, 2012 at 11:09 AM