We took a couple of days off recently and had intended to work around the house. Intended to…
On Friday we went to a local festival. The entire village has individual garage sales and a massive flea market too. Of course, sausages, deep fried onions, elephant ears, local sweet corn and fresh lemonade are callling to you the entire time. We call this “fair food”.
We picked up a couple of nice, old Singer sewing machines, a model 15 and a model 27. I’ll post those photos after I clean them up a bit. I also picked up a super cool vintage bun cutter – which I intend to try out soon. Dennis got a great deal on a railroad lantern and I picked up a 1930-ish cookbook.
On Saturday, we decided to take a little road trip to Michigan and stopped at an antique store. We saw this:
Pullman Revolving Seat Bed Davenport
We’d been looking for this type of sofa for a while. We found a loveseat that we purchased from a couple near Cleveland. Unfortunately, the pull-out bed had been removed. Still, it’s beautiful and looks great.
So we happened upon this full-size sofa for a really good price. Again, the bed frame had been removed. (Dang it!) It’s beautiful and in great shape. It needs to be reupholstered (the brown burlap isn’t working for me) but it’s really in great structural shape and the quartersawn oak is lovely.
Here’s my problem. The seat and back of the sofa are wider than the standard 54″ upholstery width. Directional fabric is based on that width so I can’t really turn it 90 degrees and use it that way. I’m not sure that I want to seam it (either down the middle or in two sections), but I don’t really want a solid color either. Anyy suggestions? I’ve never upholstered anything this large before. It’s straight pieces, so it shouldn’t be difficult — it’s just the fabric width that’s tripping me up.
Advice, please!
just wondering how much one of these couches would sell for. I saw one the other day. It was used on a train and it was in very good shape. The bed still pulled out and the leather was still good.
would you have any estimates?
may I ask how much you paid for this peice? (the pullman couch/sleeper)
May I ask how much you paid for your sofas? I have a mission style, old, davenport. It is 6 feet long, with 2 wide vertical side slats (on each side) and 10 wide, vertical slats on the back . It has hinged sides that allow the pullout bed to be unfolded. The works are still in place. It is upholstered in black leather with original springs in the bench seat. Anyway, I want to sell it.
Hello,
I don’t have a response to your upholstery question but, I do have a comment.
I have a pullman davenport sofa. I purchased several years ago at a country estate auction. It is an awesome piece of furniture…weighs a TON though.
It sounds that I am fortunate in that mine still has the bed (unfolded and with a bunch of pillows it is a TV watching machine!). Although very simular to yours (pictured) mine has an arched back (I guess a camel back) and curved arms.
I go back an forth as to sell it or not. Just about the time I think yes, sell I stop and realize how unique it is. However, at the risk of being tacky can I ask what the value of a sofa of this type would sell for…I have researched off and on over the years and can find no comps!.
Have a good day and enjoy your sofa bed!
Thanks,
Jeff
Quality always wins It is understandable if people are worried about the price of a particular piece of furniture. People should however not allow cost become the chief deciding factor of the furniture that they end up getting. Buying well crafted furniture is always worth the investment because they are likely to last for a very long time sometimes as much as 50 years
I sew often and have found some great printed fabrics that would look stunning runnig in either direction. If you do choose to seam the piece, use matching cording and it will be a great accent to the sofa. I prefer a seam in the middle, but a more vintage look would be two seams. Flexsteel has some great fabrics that can be ordered by the yard from furniture stores that carry thier fabrics.
My Mom has one of these sofas in her Estate. It is complete, with the exception of the brass identifier plate. It is tufted leather and has the original mattress. This unit has Brass clawfoot leg caps applied with casters… Very beautiful and versatile piece of furniture for a den or office. I am looking to sell it to clear the estate. This is not your ordinary piece.. it is beautiful… I would like $1500.00 for it. E-mail me for pictures… buckskin49@interbel.net
i would like to know the value of the pullman revolving couch manufactured in Chicago Ill. in 1919. i have one of these couches and it has been passed down through the family , to me it is priceless but just wondering it’s value.