To those of you who emailed ... Is it done? To those of you who asked ... Did it work? To those of you who commented ... Will we ever see it?
The answer is yes. I got butt implants, they totally worked and maybe a lucky few of you. Also I finished my hack of the Restoration Hardware Aspen Collection. Just in time to pack it away for winter!
I'm not going to interrupt your scrolling with too many words in this post.
Because the clumsiness of my words will only detract from the beauty of my hack.
Although I should mention I haven't actually finished the coffee table yet. I still need to chamfer the edges (I'm holding out until someone decides to give me a router and chamfering bit).
It is not a lightweight collection. Knowing I'd have to move it around eventually I decided to put it on casters. The only casters even remotely strong enough to support it were appliance casters. I wouldn't say it makes the sectional exactly slip across the backyard like a letter carrier on ice, but ... it can be done.
That chair there? I have relaxed in that chair. Not for long, but long enough to be able to claim I've relaxed in that chair.
There were more than a few hiccups along the way. Which could have been due to the wine now that I'm getting a good look at the whole picture.
The chair's seat and back are at what is considered the perfect sitting angle, 100 degrees. So the seat of the chair slopes towards the back a bit and the back is at a similar angle, making you feel cradled.
I wanted to have the same angles for the couch and built it that way until I realized that you can't have a sectional couch built like that because once you get to the corner your angles are going all sorts of different directions.
DAMN YOU MATH.
So I built the seat straight on the sectional and fiddled around with it by adding extra bits of lumber here and there to sort of fake an angle. More on that in a later post where I focus on how I actually built this thing.
Bread, olives and wine. The PERFECT snack ( if you replace the wine with Diet Coke).
The next step is to make or buy some sort of cover for the whole thing. A pergola is out of the question because that'll be just a bit too much going on in this little backyard of mine. My choices are either a couple of those sail cloths or one of those massive cantilevered umbrellas.
I might get a few weeks of sitting out here if the weather cooperates. And the butt implants.
Lynn Splendid Light
Hi Karen, Just found you... such amazing stuff! I do have one question on your heavy wood beam (restoration hardware) furniture. I'm attempting something similar and also looking at the Aspen cushions. Can you please tell me the height measurement of your back cushions? In your photo they look considerably higher up the back than the Aspen collection shows. The RH Aspen dimensions I'm looking at says the back cushion height is only 10 ¾ inches?
Seat Cushion: 75"W x 30½"D x 6½"H
Back Cushion: 37½"W x 5¼"D x 10¾"H
Would you kindly share the height and dimensions of your cushions? Thanks!
Karen
Hi Lynn. The height and overall dimensions of your cushions depends on the size of the furniture you make. I didn't make my furniture the same size as the RH collection. I made it to fit my space. So I just had the cushions made to fit my setup. ~ karen!
Lunn Splendid Light
Yes, I'm doing the same. But as a visual reference, can you share the height of your back cushion which you indicated was Aspen, right?
Jason
Hello, I am now copying your copy. Ha. I was wondering where you go the cushions for your sofa? I cant seem to find anything one piece with that thickness. Your rendition looks great btw. very inspiring.
Karen
Hi Jason. I had my cushions made. There's no other way to get that thickness and look. I cant' remember but it was around $900 or so to have them all made I believe. ~ karen!
Jason
Thanks!! What color stain did you use? I love that color.
Jason
Karen
Hi Jason. I didn't stain it, I used a chemical reaction. https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/even-arent-tree-hugging-hippie-great-way-stain-wood/ ~ karen!
Rebekah Register
Karen - Do you have a list of materials or measurements on the furniture that you built? It is absolutely to die for!
Karen
Hi Rebekah. I don't. I have the general tips on building in in the few posts I wrote on it, like how to age the wood and the size of the wood beams I used, but not a complete list. Whenever I build something I do it without plans, and to fit whatever area I have. :/ I should really look into having plans made up. ~ karen!
Lance Kelly
This is EPIC!!!
Could you please discuss how you connected the back rests at the corner! Maybe post a picture?
Thank You!!
Karen
Hey Lance. Thanks! I know, I know. I keep meaning to have someone do up some plans for other people. Basically the corner is a post (same size as the arms) that's the height of the back with the back boards attached to it. ~ karen!
Chelsey
How lovely! Do you mind me asking how you’d secured the back and seat to the arms? Your yard is looking stunning!
Marilyn
Your backyard looks beautiful. I noticed the funky-looking ‘fireplace’ - it reminds me of an adobe hut - and was wondering if you made it or where you bought it. I love the look of it.
Karen
Hi Marilyn. That's my pizza oven. I built it with cob. You can read about how to make one yourself in this series of posts I did on it. :) ~ karen!
Mary Wagner
Absolutely beautiful! Do you have the plans available for this?
Karen
Hi Mary. I don't. I make things without plans. I just start hammering, and I always make them to fit my backyard or my size. I keep meaning to hire someone to write up plans for the set but haven't had the time. ~ karen!
Jaras Bostian
Greetings! Just saw your Restoration Hardware inspired outdoor seating. Love it!
I'm new to DIY and decided to make my own outdoor seating as well. I was curious, if you had a "how to" doc or video showing how you attached the seating base and back to the arms, if you wouldn't mind sharing. Thank you!
Karen
Hi Jaras! I'm afraid I don't. I keep meaning to write a post on it. The truth is whenever I build anything I just start building. I don't use plans. I don't have the cushions on the set yet because it's still too cold out so maybe I'll go out with a video camera and show what it all looks like while it's naked. That might help a few people. :) ~ karen!
Chelsey
That would be amazing!! I’m so curious how it all fits it looks so seamless!
Carina Criss
Hi! Did you buy the Restoration Hardware cushions for these? If not what cushions did you use? Looks like perfection!
Aleksandr
it turned out very beautifully.
you can photograph the corner from the back. Please, very much.
Jeff
Do you have any pictures of how you connected the corner of the back support of the sectional? I also couldn't find the video with further instructions?
Thanks,
Jeff
Александр
I also do not understand this node. I asked a question, there is no answer. If you find the structure of this angle, I will be grateful for help. :)
gary wardley
The set.
Karen
Very nice, good job! ~ karen
gary wardley
Came across this on pint rest and although the thread was an old one I thought I'd show you a similar hack I did. I live in the UK so we don't have restoration hardware here so that was the driver for making this. Hope someone likes it.
David
Hi,
Great job on this build! What type of wood beams did you use and where did you get them? Also do you have step by step instructions on how to build the furniture. Thank you.
Karen
Thanks David! I don't have plans, although I keep meaning to draw some up. I don't really use plans, I just start hammering things together. :) The wood is ash 6x6. The actual Restoration Hardware furniture uses 8x8 but I didn't want them quite that big. If you read through all my posts on the DIY Restoration Hardware collection you'll see how I aged the wood, stained it and how I drilled the arms together. As far as size goes, you can really do it whatever size you want to fit your space. ~ karen!
linda kelley
Do you have a tutorial on this? Step by step? Would love to see how it came together. thank you!
Dean
Hi,
I love the way these turned out! I am in the middle of a similar project and had a couple of questions. What stain/ finish did you use and how tall are the cushions on the back support?
Karen
Thanks Dean! I'll be doing a post that includes the measurements and how I attached everything in a few weeks. Back cushions are 15" high with an additional 1/2 inch of dacron and fabric bringing them to 15.5". The stain I used is a homemade stain out of vinegar and steel wool. ~ karen!
Dean
Hi!
Love the way these turned out! I am in the middle of a similar project. Can I ask two questions? What stain/ finish did you use and how tall are the seat backs?
Pat
I have been eying that same restoration aspen set. But I wanted a sectional. This is stunning.
Any chance you mind sharing with me how that corner is done? That is the one thing I am wanting to be sure about before I get supplies and start!! Also, the cushions, where did you get them? I want firm ones! Thanks, Pat
Ivo
Looks great! I think I'm going to try to make a set next spring. What is the size of the beams that you used, 15 x 15 x 100 cm ???
Karen
Hi Ivo. I'll be doing a whole tutorial next spring on all the measurements and techniques. I used 6x6 ash for the project and it's worked out great. To do an identical copy of the Restoration Hardware set you'd use 8x8. I preferred the slightly smaller posts for the project tho. ~ karen!
Cam
What a beautiful job! I have been spending hours like you trying to find what I want and have loved this set on RH for quite awhile. Finding your blog is awesome and makes me very happy. Just curious if you will be posting dimensions and details for those like us that would like to also build ourselves. I have the gist but not sure on the seat construction since you did the 100 degrees which I really like as well. Thank you for posting and sharing. Really hoping we can make.
Karen
Hey Cameron! Thanks, I love my set so much! Now the hunt is on to figure out a way to keep it out of the elements. I currently have a band of squirrels running around in the maple tree above it throwing reject maple keys onto it. They're nuts these squirrels. They've gone rogue. I will be posting a more in depth article on how I built it step-by-step including some measurements, angles and how I did the corner of the sectional for instance. But I won't be doing that until Spring! I'll try to get it up early in the spring to give everyone plenty of time to get their own Aspen collections made. :) ~ karen!
Cam
I of course went back to your post as I keep thinking about this couch. I am looking forward to seeing the plans as I am going to try to find some Ash. I normally buy wood from Menards as they have Cedar which I love. I wonder if it would look as good or if I need to find a place to get Ash. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Karen
You can absolutely use cedar and it would look great Cam! I just wanted a certain look and colour that Cedar wasn't going to give me. It also depends on what colour cushion you plan to have made for the couch. ~ karen!