The closest words I can use to express the feeling we have to finally share the before + after of this room would be beyond joyfully grateful. It has taken us so long to finally share the reveal properly for so many reasons. Let us tell you…
Before & After
The before was what the previous owner had left behind. We walked into a house full of old furniture we needed to donate. And the sofa you see there was an old pull out couch that weighed about 200lbs! It was so big and heavy. There was also a random old stove pipe still in the ceiling.
However, the layout used by the previous owners was on our minds. It wasn’t until we got our things inside and placed them in their positions did they feel out of place. The living space is a long rectangular shape and has the entryway door opening right into the room. Also the gas stove was sitting right in the middle of the living room layout. Being people who love to entertain, listen to vinyls, watch movies + football games, having the gas stove be the main focal point did not work for us. It was at that point we knew we would need to build some new furniture + install a wood burning fireplace. One handcrafted queen pullout sofa, new area rug, change of accent chairs, hand sewn leather chair cover, new wood-burning stove installation and one new handcrafted entertainment system later …we have our living room!
The Wood Stove
The first thing we tackled was installing the new wood-burning stove ourselves at the beginning of last August. We wanted it in before the fall. We ordered the stove online the Efel S33 Wood Stove, and then talked with a few installers to see what all we would need to install the stove. Thank goodness for E fireplace store they walked us through everything we needed plus how to install it ourselves. We ordered everything we needed for the install right from them. Once everything arrived it took us about two days to do the entire install. Brandon did most of the work while I held the ladder.
Before + After Entertainment Center
Up next was the new entertainment center, this came at the end of August 2018. We both wanted a clean modern design that still made the room feel open and spacious, which is a must in a tiny house. I came up with the design and Brandon came up with the build. This too took us about 2 days to construct. That seems to be the norm for us. We went for a white painted finish on the front and the top we left natural wood using a 1 qt. Clear Matte Water-Based Interior Polyurethane to finish it. Below is a photo we took the day it was completed.
DIY Sofa Couch
We were then ready for our last build. The all wood handcrafted queen pullout sofa. As per the usual this was a 2 day project. Brandon’s parents were coming to stay with us for Christmas so the push to get it done before they arrived was on. After culling though so many designs we loved on Pinterest we decided to do something totally custom to us. The entire sofa base is 3 pieces of plywood and the inside finished wood is beautiful birch. For the inside finish of the couch we used the 1 qt. Clear Matte Water-Based Interior Polyurethane to match our entertainment center. The outer dark stain is 8 oz. Black Cherry Premium Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain which matches the rest of our home.
For sofa cushions we went with a navy indoor outdoor fabric cushions. We have two dogs who love getting up on the sofa which meant we need a color that does not show dog hair and is durable. These have been amazing. Sloane Dark Blue Indoor/ Outdoor Corded Sofa Cushion Set. Eventually we will get an all organic set of cushions but these are wonderful for now. I may even just switch out the stuffing for something organic, we will see. I was then on the hunt for throw pillows that fit our Scandinavian/boho design. The two main pillows are Danmitex Set of 2-20×20-Down Feather Throw Pillow Inserts-Cotton Fabric with pillow covers so I can wash them – TreeWool Decorative Square Throw Pillow Covers – Kaleidoscope Accent 100% Cotton.We went the same rout with the two side pillow. Hypoallergenic Lumbar Stuffers Pillow Inserts with cover Accent Home Printed Cotton Cushion Cover.
Several people have asked how we built the entire sofa in 2 days. We did a time-lapse of the build which I have included at the end of the post.
Well there ya have it, our happy little living room. Now, we’re ready for a party!
Here is the build time-lapse
Sofa Build from Horn Photography & Design on Vimeo.
Want to see more Before + After of our DIY House? Here is our kitchen.
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