In this post: How to make a round pallet style French industrial ottoman from scratch…including making your own printed fabric!
Our french industrial ottoman is a cute little number, isn’t she?
Okay, let’s begin at the beginning.
Since we didn’t have any ROUND pallets kickin’ around (she says with a cheeky grin), we had to create one. Once again we used up some off-cuts from our headboard project.
Dean laid out the wood on the deck and using a pencil, nail and string, drew TWO 22″ circles. Then he cut each piece with his jigsaw (thanks, Mom!).
Using some thin wood (also leftovers), Dean fastened the pieces together to make TWO circles. He also cut four 3.5″ blocks from a leftover 4″x4″. At this point I stained all the pieces. {If I’d waited until it was “built”, it would have been awfully hard to get a brush in the small spaces.} Once the stain dried, Dean stacked all the pieces like a sandwich – large circle (wood strapping down), blocks and then second large circle (wood strapping up) and screwed them all together (bottom, flip, top).
Dean attached some industrial casters underneath each of the four block for support and function. I used our pencil transfer method to mark some numbers on each block – 04.13.19.96. Our anniversary! Then I filled them in with my trusty black paint marker and gave the whole thing a light sanding to distress.
Then it was on to the fabric part of the project. I marked and cut two 23″ circles, a 70″x9″ rectangle, and two 70″x2″ rectangles.
And after tracing our french script directly off my computer screen (again!) onto some white paper, I taped the paper and fabric to the window and traced using – guesses? – my paint marker.
***UPDATED: We had some questions about which font we used for our french script; it is Before the Rain. Do a google search for it if you don’t have it, k?!
Would you like to know what the french script says? It’s actually part of the lyrics to one of my most favourite old country songs {yes, I said country!} – Little House by Doug Stone. I used google translator to translate it into french and I used only part of the lyrics because I was hand-painting the fabric and didn’t want to be painting for days!
Love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
Anyway, moving onto sewing. Gah, this was a little tricky because I can pretty much sew a straight line. And not much more.
I made the piping by sewing (a straight line) some jute into the 70″x2″ rectangles.
I sewed a zipper (don’t get me started on zippers) to join the two ends of the 70″x9″ rectangle (to make a big circle). And pinned everything together right sides in. Be sure to open the zipper a bit so you can turn it all right side out again after you sew it. Um, yes, I tell you this because I know.
When it’s all sewn up, turn right side out. Using a staple gun or glue gun INSIDE the empty cushion, affix it to the ottoman’s wood top all around the edges especially. Then just stuff and zip closed.
And there’s our French Industrial Ottoman! Any questions!?
Wow, this is amazing! I absolutely love the numbering on the side and dark wood is always beautiful! Thanks for sharing I may just have to incorporate this beautiful Ottoman into my living room!
Ooh, show us pics if you do!!!
At the risk of sounding way too mushy: I want to live in your house! I am crazy in love with your ottoman. It’s perfect!!! So is the staging, by the way. I’m thrilled to have two projects to link up. Thanks so much for hosting!
Ellie you made me giggle! đŸ™‚
Love the ottoman! And thanks for hosting. đŸ™‚
You’re so welcome!!!
You guys are AMAZING!!! I don’t know how you manage to get anything done between homeschooling and activities…how do you do it? The hand painted script is beautiful. I love the fact that you used the lyrics from a country song and translated it to French! It’s no wonder that your project is in the top 3:-)
You know one of these days we should write a “day in the life” post…lol. Then you’d see that some days we let the dishes pile up till dinner time, or that we forget the laundry in the washer and have to wash it a second time or that dinner is occasionally bacon and eggs.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ottoman! As I say to my husband when he makes an out-of-this-world dinner, “A triumph, my dear!”
đŸ˜€ TY Pattie!
Love the ottoman and the step-by-step!!
Question: I noticed in the after pictures that the ottoman has a tufted button (is that correct word?). How do you put that on if the cushion is stuffed after the fabric is fixed to the wood?
thank you for all the wonderful ideas
Great question! You can just sew it from the inside from the top to bottom pieces if fabric, especially if you’ve mostly attached the fabric to the wood around the edges.
I love your ottoman!
You guys are the best!!!!
Jo
Aw thanks, Jo!!
OMG… I thought I was looking at a picture from Restoration Hardware… this is gorgeous. I can’t believe this hasn’t been plastered all over blogland. You guys did an amazing job on this. I am so in love with this.
I just found your blog and I am so happy I did. I would love to make this… thanks so much for sharing the tute.
Hugs,
Deb (another fellow Canadian)
Thank you Deb! When I drew it on paper and while we were building it, I honestly wasn’t so sure about it. But after it was done and photographed, I loved it! Funny! It’s super comfy on the feet too. đŸ™‚
I came across this picture on pinterest, and would love to know where you got that family sign….love love love it!
We love it too! We bought it from homesav – a daily sale site. But you can find similar pieces here: http://etsy.me/tRqRN7. S.
I think this is quite possibly the cutest diy project that I have ever seen! I’m going to run out and invest in a jigsaw! Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
Well thank you very much, Leslie! Have fun with your new jigsaw!
This is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. I have really wanted to make a Coffee Table for my Living Room, but already did the Vintage Industrial look on my Dresser in my bedroom, which I love, but I wanted something softer. This is AMAZING!! I am pinning this, and I can’t wait until I have time to try this out. What a very cool idea, and oh do I have a lot of scrap wood around here. That is the #1 item I find when dumpster diving (which is my #1 passion, after redouxing furniture!)
Well have fun with it then!!! Sounds fabulous!
What color did you use to stain it? My dad and I are building an armoire and this is the exact color I want!
Hi Stephanie! It’s Minwax Dark Walnut – pretty much the only colour stain we use! Have fun with your project!
Shannon, I caught your ottoman in US Somerset Home – you and Dean did a bang-up job! I didn’t catch what you used as your filler.
Hi Mona! We simply used stuffing/batting. The stuff they use in throw pillows. You could use rags or even the stuffing out of an old pillow. The zipper means you can add more if the ottoman sinks or gets a little flat. đŸ™‚
I love your style and am so glad I found you! Can you please tell me where you got the Family canvas? Thanks!
Hmm. Good question! I don’t remember as we got it several years ago. You could try this company though: https://www.alphabetphotography.com/
I love love love this ottoman! The only thing I would do different is to add a skirt at the bottom to cover the wheels in the same fabric as the cushion. Just gorgeous!
That sounds like a fun idea! đŸ™‚
Do you or would you make one to sell?
Hello Ree,
I’m sorry, we don’t currently offer that service.
All the best.
Shannon