Our ottomans are falling apart. Or, should I say, the children are peeling them apart, strip by pleathery strip.
They were originally from Crate and Barrel eight years ago and they weigh a ton. If it weren't for my children actively and intentionally destroying them, they have actually held up really well. I like their utility--they store all our blankets, you can flip the top over to use as a tray, and they are very heavy and well built.
I would just buy another pair from Crate and Barrel, but I would like the new ottomans to be either white or navy blue, and they aren't currently offered in those colors. I also don't want to spend $300 on new ottomans. I've been looking for something similar on craigslist for months, but no dice. I've attempted a slipcover. However, the indented lid makes it difficult to make a square slipcover, and recovering the pleather is difficult because of the tight fit of the lid.
So, my requirements are 1) either navy or white, 2) it can be used for storage, 3) I'd prefer that it have feet, and 4) not too expensive. I've looked at a few possibilities, but nothing is really jumping out at me.
1) I am kicking myself for not buying this discontinued nailhead ottoman from Target last year. I loved them, but told myself at the time I didn't need new ottomans, and thus I should keep my money in my pocket. Fast forward six months, they are all gone, and I am super annoyed at myself, because it is exactly what I wanted.
2) This blue or white pleather box is from Walmart, but doesn't have feet. Also, its from Walmart. But it is in the price range I'd like to pay.
3) This white leather ottoman from Wayfair is exactly what I am looking for but gets terrible reviews about cracking, peeling leather, which I already have.
They were originally from Crate and Barrel eight years ago and they weigh a ton. If it weren't for my children actively and intentionally destroying them, they have actually held up really well. I like their utility--they store all our blankets, you can flip the top over to use as a tray, and they are very heavy and well built.
I would just buy another pair from Crate and Barrel, but I would like the new ottomans to be either white or navy blue, and they aren't currently offered in those colors. I also don't want to spend $300 on new ottomans. I've been looking for something similar on craigslist for months, but no dice. I've attempted a slipcover. However, the indented lid makes it difficult to make a square slipcover, and recovering the pleather is difficult because of the tight fit of the lid.
So, my requirements are 1) either navy or white, 2) it can be used for storage, 3) I'd prefer that it have feet, and 4) not too expensive. I've looked at a few possibilities, but nothing is really jumping out at me.
1) I am kicking myself for not buying this discontinued nailhead ottoman from Target last year. I loved them, but told myself at the time I didn't need new ottomans, and thus I should keep my money in my pocket. Fast forward six months, they are all gone, and I am super annoyed at myself, because it is exactly what I wanted.
2) This blue or white pleather box is from Walmart, but doesn't have feet. Also, its from Walmart. But it is in the price range I'd like to pay.
3) This white leather ottoman from Wayfair is exactly what I am looking for but gets terrible reviews about cracking, peeling leather, which I already have.
4) Another option from Walmart that I really like is the Aria ottoman, which appears to be in a copycat Annie Selke fabric, but again, doesn't have feet and is a wee bit expensive for a Walmart item.
I wan storage, so these aren't going to work, but all of these non-storage ottomans would be nice on my tender ankles.
1) blue pouf 2) morrocan style cut-out ottoman 3) octagonal ottoman 4) love this fabric 5) X benches
I've been wanting to replace our ottomans for years, but keep telling myself that they work fine as ottomans, even if they are ugly mangy brown. I don't need ottomans, right? They fulfill their function just fine, even if their form is unattractive.
I've had a hard time in the last few years reconciling my interest in minimalism/frugality with my interest in decor. Does one replace functional but ugly things with newer, more attractive items, just because you want to? When do you elevate want over need?
I've had a hard time in the last few years reconciling my interest in minimalism/frugality with my interest in decor. Does one replace functional but ugly things with newer, more attractive items, just because you want to? When do you elevate want over need?
This is my first time commenting. I love your blog and have gotten some great ideas from you.
ReplyDeleteCould you paint the ones you have now? http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/painting-vinyl-upholstery-215327
This is my first time commenting. I love your blog and have gotten some great ideas from you.
ReplyDeleteCould you paint the ones you have now? http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/painting-vinyl-upholstery-215327
Hi Tara, thanks for commenting :-) I have considered painting them! However, I think to get the best results I'd have to finish stripping all the shaggy bits off the ottomans (or set the children on them). Also, the ottomans receive rough use (lots of feet, sitting on them, moving them around), and I'm afraid that a painted finish won't hold up. On the other hand, they are in such poor shape I don't have much to lose if I want to try it.
DeleteIf it's about minimalism, then yes: I think you get to replace ugly things with things that aren't. For me, minimalism is about having fewer things AND loving the few things I have. It is not about deprivation. As for frugality, I've come to realize that I've wasted quite a bit of money in the name of being frugal. If I'm getting fewer things, I do better if I get quality that will last. When I buy cheap, I replace more often--either because it wears out or because I can't stand it. Of course, another part of this is knowing what you like. Less expensive stuff is good when you're still figuring out your style/needs.
ReplyDeleteAm I perfect in this? Oh, heck no! I don't know that I'm even good at it. If storage ottomans are in your long-term future, I'd say: Yes, get some new ones. (If you are like me, and your physical surroundings affect how you feel.) And I'd get the best I could afford, if you know that you will like it for a long time.
My two cents. Might not be worth even that much. :-)
I value your two cents! I feel like I want SO MANY THINGS. All the decor things. I've stopped buying most of it, but I am easily seduced by big lamps and pretty textiles. While I'm trying to not buy as much crap, I keep *wanting* the new crap. I've begun to question the moral implications of wanting and having so much stuff. Marian's blog delineates this line of thought much better than I do.
DeleteI do agree on spending more on the things you love. I bought two more chiang mai dragon pillows in the white colorway, and I love them to death and would save them if the house was on fire. (After the children, of course.) (And therein lies my problem.)
I could be a textile whore. If that makes you feel any better. And if I didn't read Marian's blog. :-)
DeleteRita --- I'm not sure if I should feel good or bad that I'm somehow keeping you from being a textile whore, but it sure gave me a laugh this afternoon!!! FWIW, I could *totally* be a textile whore right along with you two ... if only I didn't hate shopping so much ;)
DeleteHa--I'm already there.
DeleteBuy #2 and then put feet on it. (Maybe from the old ones?)
ReplyDeletethat is a possibility!
DeleteI agree with what Rita said about minimalism and frugality --- it's far better to buy quality over quantity and I don't think frugality which is taken to the point of deprivation is healthy. That being said, given how you are now beginning to feel about the implications of buying so much stuff, I personally don't think the Walmart ottoman is a great option, given the fact that it's unlikely that it'll hold up any better than your current ones have. If I were you, I would be inclined to save the purchase of the good-quality "these are the last ottomans I'll ever need" (whatever those turn out to be) until your kids are a bit older and are less likely to cause damage to them. But I don't think that necessarily means that you have to live with them (as they are) until this time finally arises. As I was walking this morning I was brainstorming ways you could recover the top parts of your current ottomans with fabric, so as to extend their useful lives, and I think it's totally do-able ... but now that I've had a chance to look at the photos of them again I see it's not just the tops which are peeling, but also the base parts, which does make things more difficult. Not insurmountable, I'm sure, but not as easy as just having to re-do the tops :( . Another idea ... perhaps the replacement for your ottomans could be something made of wood (so more indestructible ... say, a trunk with storage or a coffee table with a lower level which could hold a basket for blankets) and then when you put your feet up on the table/trunk you rest them on a pillow?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll be buying any ottomans anytime soon, unless something shows up on craigslist. I also don't think my ottomans are fixable without a LOT of effort. I'll just live with the ugly ones till something right shows up. :-)
Delete