Sunday, June 2, 2013

Settee Remodel

Before and After

If you have this same sofa model (mine came from this set) here's a way to de-Barbie it.


Those emblems in the rings are thin enough to be cut out with whatever cutting tool you have, even a toe nail clipper.


The seating is a little low for my taste so I added this 1/2 inch piece of foam and scissor cut it to shape.


The sofa can be taken completely apart if you want to get into all the crevices or remove the "cushions" in case you want to paint or put fabric on them.


I sealed the magic marker with satin varnish, covered my foam with fabric and I now have a cool piece that has successfully been de-Barbiefied.


Since I had some of that foam left I also went ahead and made a cushion for my (Just Dreamz) lounger.


I have no idea how to make upholstery corners, but eh, it looks okay.

This is going to be my last "remodelling" post for awhile because these are the last premade pieces I needed for my dio.  Besides, I'm so over smelling magic marker, lol.  Now I can get to work on crafting some things from scratch.  Cardboard here I come!

37 comments:

  1. You made the sofa look fabulous! *.*

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  2. It is great! i love this sofa!

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  3. Came out great! Love your work there Muff :-) awesomeness as usual!

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  4. Wow, they both look more than adequately de-Barbiefied.n Did you actually sew to cover the foam or is it all glue and staples (like real upholstery)?
    ps. Are you in the area that is currently being affected by tornados?

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    1. Hi, Carrickters! I tried to use hot glue at first to put the cover on but it was a mess so in the end I stopped being a punk and just got out the needle and thread.

      No, I live in Florida. We are more hurricane than tornado prone.

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  5. Great job, Muff. I love your clever ways of de-Barbie-ing stuff. The new color and the added seating height are quite appealing.

    Your upholstery corners look fine.

    dbg

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    1. Thanks a lot, Debbie! Those corners gave me some trouble. Both sides are different because I didn't know which one was the correct way to do it and looking at photos of settees didn't help.

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  6. The glam pink is so hideous I would never have considered that settee but your de-Barbification job brings out the underlying quality of the design. Now I love it!

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    1. Hi there, Limbe Dolls! Mattel has some nicely designed stuff. If they didn't insist on making everything pink or glittery, they might sell more products.

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  7. Good job. Seeing this reminded me that i haven't deboxed that couch I think I will as soon as I find it. LOL

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    1. Hiya, Mustiwait and thanks! I like having some things boxed up. They stay pretty that way, lol.

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  8. Wow, now it looks simply wonderful!! In 60's style, very beautiful! I simply adore the way you're changing Barbie furnitures :) You made me regret that I didn't buy this sofa when I once saw it on sale once, haha.

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    1. Hi, Jewel Snake! I try to look beyond all that pink and see what's underneath when I buy the Barbie sets. Sometimes it's hard to do, lol.

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  9. Hello from Spain: I'm looking forward to seeing your work with cardboard. This work with the chair is awesome. I really like the end result. You are a great designer. I also like the styling of your doll. I like the scarf on her head. Keep in touch

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    1. What a great compliment, Marta! Thank you very much! ^__^

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  10. Muff, I don't know why but I imagine you having a hip holster for your magic marker and when you pull it out to re-create, you do some fancy finger spinning with it right before the aim and Dirty Harry's theme music is playing in the background, LOL. But...seriously, that's how good you are at using simple materials and making something look chic. This is totally cute! I sooo didn't like this sofa/settee before and thought it was lazy of Mattel but you changed my mind about it. I hope we get a glimpse into your cardboard magic. :)

    Getting excited for the next post...

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    1. Hahaha, Tracy! I will pull out my marker with a quickness, I tell ya! So far I haven't told any of the furnishings to make my day, nor have I asked them if they were feeling lucky, lol. I try to add more surrounding colors so all that black doesn't seem so heavy.

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  11. Awesome post Muff! I have this settee and had no idea as to how to make it over with the Barbie items in the circle. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this makeover. Now I am looking forward to customizing mine. Hugs))

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    1. You are very welcome, Georgia Girl! ^__^ It's a pretty simple piece that people can turn into their own creation.

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  12. Hi Muff :) I love the way you're changing Barbie furnitures (now and before)!!! Especially I like a couch... Is beautiful.
    Greetings from Poland :D

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  13. Fantastic remodel!... and I can't believe you didn't want a huge ol' pair a lips on your couch? XD Oh Barbie, sometimes I really wonder wtf they are thinking????

    Your improvements are a million times better than the original!

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    1. LOL, Heather! Yes, something must be wrong with me to not want a lippy sofa.

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  15. ^ Uh. It DOES look cute. I have no idea why I typed >does not<- Freud would say something about it. Oh well- I also like the pattern, very chic and retro.

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    1. LOL, MM! It's okay, I know what you meant and thank you very much! ^_^

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  16. Love them both! Tasha's place is going to be fabulous. Can't wait to see it finished.

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa! I'm almost done with it.

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  17. WOW, you're becoming a professional of debarbieing! You did a wonderful job and yours by far is better and more stylish than the Mattel proposal. I wouldnt have bought the pink one as it is, but now that I know how to change it I'll buy it if I find!

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    1. LOL, thanks Rossetti! Professional of Debarbieing is another title I can add to my CV.

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  18. So lovely! I love the outfit:)

    bloglovin.com/blog/3880191

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  19. You know I saw the (Just Dreamz) lounger in the thrift store a while back. Prior to your post I might have left it there but I snatched it up! It is not as nice as yours. It is turquoise. I haven't used it yet but I am thinking! Great Job On The Sofas!

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    1. Thanks, Ms. Leo! Given that they are a nice solid wood, those Dreamz loungers are a pretty good deal and easy to remodel. I would have snatched it up too.

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