Reviving and Antique Fainting Couch
5 Materials
I picked up this antique fainting couch with all the gusto I had. I look forward to a good challenge, but I must admit, it was nerve wracking. Here is my journey to reviving this great piece.
Here is the before. Good bones, but the fabric was worn and ripped.
I stripped it down to the bones and springs. This sat like this in my garage all winter while I found good deals on foam and fabric. I had to retie the springs as well.
Once the springs were all set, I put on the base fabric.
Next came foam and batting.
The hardest part by far was the tufting. I've done quite a bit of tufting before, but this is the first time it required an extra set of hands.
I revived the dry wood with hemp oil and it brought out some beautiful wood!
I'm happy with the results. The project was worth it!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 of 86 comments
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Fantastic re-do!! Love it!
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Just a bit of interesting trivia about fainting couches: during the Victorian era, they were very popular because the ladies' corsets were so tight that they restricted the blood supply. Ladies frequently felt faint and would pass out, not knowing that it was because of their corsets!! They would lay on fainting couches and breathe "vapors" which they carried with them in small jars, usually menthol. Thank goodness we got rid of corsets!! Haha
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You did great job. My question is how did you replace the spring part? I have a very similar project in mind.
I looked closely at what I saw of the wood. It looks to me to be Tiger oak, Like my Grandmother's server. Is it Tiger oak???
Is there a good place to learn how to tie springs & learn the tufting process? I have an old chair and ottoman I inherited from DH parent 44 years ago I would love to revive them as a surprize to him but on a budget that rules out a professional upholstery job... Plus I find it deaply satifying to doing it myself! Thank you in advance!