Make your own furniture?

I got totally inspired by Amy Butler’s gum drop pillows…

But her print patterns don’t really fit into my thrift-store-meets-west-elm sensibilities, so after watching the Threadbanger make you own bean bag video idea, I decided to make my own ottoman pouf!

I used polystyrene beads (bean bag fill) so it firms up when you sit on it but squishes when you lean against it. By far the best piece of furniture now in my home!

All I did to get my ottoman shape was choose the circle size and then did a little high-school math to get the circumference. The only challenging part is adding the piping, which is totally optional but really makes then design (in my opinion at least). As much as you may want to, don’t cut corners and skip making the inner bag…you’ll love yourself more when you can throw the cover in the wash.

The awesome apholstery fabric came from tonicliving.com and the piping and snap tape from Winmill Fabrics in Boston. They don’t have a website, but if you’re a native definitely check them out.