I started my new blog series, Reader Questions, with a post on how to pick the right frame for artwork. Although I have privately answered hundreds of reader questions, with topics ranging from help designing a space to suggestions for cleaning hardwood floors, I have yet to answer many on the blog. With a number of projects in a stage of half-completion (including a play kitchen, basement plans and a frame for a DIY painting), I thought I would answer one of my most frequently asked questions: where did I get our ottoman?
Our faux leather ottoman was a clearance purchase from The Brick, the same source as the sofa that disintegrated (so much so we could barely give it away, once we snagged a nicer leather sofa from kijiji.ca). I don’t recommend the brand, but I recommend the item.
A large ottoman in lieu of a coffee table is so comfy and practical. It’s a cushy place to put your feet up, seat extra guests during a cocktail party and kids are obsessed with it. Add a couple of trays, and it becomes a handy place to put snacks or drinks during movie night. Plus, when you walk into it, frantically cleaning before family visits, it won’t hurt like slamming into the edge of a coffee table does (which also makes it desirable for homes with small children, whose soft heads seem to always find the sharpest edges in a home). The tufting is truly optional, but I like the look. However, you should be warned that tufted anything seems to attract lint, cookie crumbs and dust better than anything else in this world.
I rounded up a couple that look a lot like our ottoman:
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| Pemberly Dark Brown Bonded Leather Ottoman (currently about $250); Amazon (currently less than $100) |
But I also found waaaay more stylish versions of the tufted ottoman:
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| Overstock ($344); Ballard Designs ($399-599, depending on fabric choice) |
Ours was very inexpensive, but cost can be prohibitive because some tufted ottomans can be over a $1000. Wow. Luckily, there are a ton of fabulous tutorials for DIY tufted ottomans. I think next time I might try making my own, so I rounded up my favorite projects:
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| Less-than-perfect-life of Bliss; Five Days Five Ways; Fancy Goods; Sheer Serendipity |
I think I am going to like this series! What is Kijiji.ca? I feel like I have seen this site before… I will have to check it out! Still love your sitting area! I look forward to seeing the questions!
Oh… of course it is Canadian! HA!
Yup, it is our very own craigslist but, I think, kinda better. The layout is really convenient.
It's kind of like Canada's equivalent to Craigslist…because Craigslist in Canada is pretty much terrible. Also, I wanted to point out that I have a scar on my eyebrow from bashing my head into the coffee table when I was 9 months old. I whole heartedly support tufted ottomans!
Aww, Ashley, that's so sad! I have a crooked nose from bashing my face on a piano bench as a wee one. That should have been tufted, too, lol.
We sold our big, leather, tufted ottoman because it was just TOO big. I am loving some of these lower-profile tufted ones. Maybe I'll try to DIY one soon!
Ours is a touch big for our space, too. It worked better in our apartment, before we bought the townhouse. But I love it so! I bet your DIY'd version would be gorgeous!
I totally advocate the "turn an IKEA Klubbo coffee table into an ottoman" route (like the photo from Fancy Goods you linked to). We got our table in the as-is section (so it was super cheap), and the chrome base looks fantastic with an upholstered top. It was incredibly easy, too.
Ooo, sounds fun! I'd love to see your version. Do you have a link to a post? Or a photo?
I do like this series already! Tell us more Tanya!
I love the last one 🙂 I'm actually on the look for something similar so thank you for sharing these great ideas.p.s. just got my pillow from your giveaway. it's gorgeaous 🙂 i'll try to post some photos soon
Yay!! So excited to see which one you picked 🙂
i'm just crazy about that picture of the chairs on the wall!
Thanks! Funny story: Shannon, from 8Foot6 (you can find her blog in my blogroll, to the right) has a similar painting. It is from a little market in Paris, France. We bought art by the same artist and didn't know each other. What a small world! Sure makes my purchase feel a little less special, lol.
I think your ottoman is great!
Thanks for the link back! Good luck on your project– your house is fantastic!All the best,Kate