We need a couch, and I have been shopping for one and am so annoyed by the poor quality of everything affordable. I love a rustic look and would love to build a sofa that resembles a lodge pole sofa, though doesn't have to be completely log. I found the neatest 1800's sleeper sofa that was only $150, but I didn't feel like it was sturdy enough for my 2 boys. We like blocky, clompy wood type furniture.

And the puffy huge sofas in the typical furniture stores are cheap and ugly. I do want comfort, but I feel like I can build it myself. My husband thinks I am a dork, cause I built our kitchen table and benches, and have refinished pretty much everything else in the house. But, I can't see the point in buying new, and yet everything used - even the interesting stuff in junk.

Yes, I know for $4000 I could buy a lovely comfy sofa, but I also can pay for a large portion of my well for that. So anyway, do any of you have any ideas on a nice loggish sofa. Are there any resources you know of online that can help me out? I have the tools, or access to what I don't have, so with my dh's help I should be able to do most anything fairly simple. Also, the cushions aren't an issue - that will be easy, I need ideas for the frame.

I would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks.

-- andrea smith (a-smith@mindspring.com), December 08, 2000

Answers

iuf you can do a chair,, dont see why you cant a couch,, just wider, maybe a few extra legs

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 08, 2000.

Andrea, I'm the handy person around my house too. At the moment I'm installing a plywood floor in an 800 sq ft room. I plan to build our living room furniture too. I did a little searching on the net and came up with this address. http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/homei/2HHIFMP.html I looked through some of their plans and they look pretty good...including one for a very nice sturdy looking sofa. It isn't made out of logs but it doesn't look that expensive to buy the required lumber. I have been planning one of those great plank old tyme farm tables for a while and I should be able to build it this next year.....just as soon as I have a floor to put it on :o). Good luck

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), December 08, 2000.

Have you checked log home magazines ? they do have some log furniturein them that can give you ideas. If you were to look in the nov/dec issue of back woods home mag. on page 39 they show a bed that could with a few changes make a interesting couch. and not be hard as you should have the basic skills. Had to build our bed as we could not find what i wanted And will be finishing a book case / display case this weekend . these days they just want to make it cheap and fast. It is better to build a well made unique piece that will be a family hierloom than a cheap piece That will be sent to the dump a few years later. So just keep on doing what feels right and you enjoy crafting. And happy holidays.

-- Anthony J. DiDonato (didonato@vvm.com), December 08, 2000.

Did a search (using www.metacrawler.com) on the phrase LOG FURNITURE. Got lots of hits. Didn't look at them all, but they seemed to be furniture to buy, not instructions. However, if you look at them, perhaps you will get ideas of how to proceed with your own.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), December 09, 2000.

Here is a good book, lots of photos, some detailed information but no plans for a sofa. Making Rustic Furniture by Daniel Mack.

-- Terri Perry (teperry@stargate.net), December 09, 2000.

Ok, I'm a bit off topic here but I'm a scrounger. As I drive thru the city(my pt job) I see all manner of furniture on the curb---evictions and such. Amoung these "set outs" I have witnessed a lot of what I call sloppy joe furniture. Basic pine 2"x 6" frames with cushions. Mostly the wood frame is indestructable and if you could just sew some new cushion covers and stain the wood you would have a nice rustic den set. Possibly you could just use one in poor shape for a pattern. On any given day I could come up with at least 3 sets as they seem to be everywhere. Even Goodwill sells them for peanuts. Just an idea --hope this helps !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), December 10, 2000.

We have a fella at our flea market that makes swings and rockers out of poplar saplings. Seems the same would work for a couch.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 10, 2000.

Andrea, I just got my new Countryside, and on page 23 there is an ad for plans for building log and twig furniture. They do have a website -- www.windspire.com Worth looking at, anyway.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 11, 2000.

hey, this is what I do for a livin' now! I used to wonder that too. here's what you do: START! get some pole type logs, look at the pictures in the log home magazines, and go for it. cut saplings from the forest and dry them, peel them or not, be creative. A few simple hand tools is all you need. Cut extra logs in case you mess up, then do it over; you will learn from your mistakes. good luck on your new furniture!

-- maureenb (firegirl102@hotmail.com), January 20, 2001.

Lots of great log furniture to copy around, I want my next bed to be of that style. I would definetly start with the cushions and build the couch to fit the size of the cushions you find. Not a lot of reason to build a couch (like our window seat) only to find out how expensive the cushions will be! Even covering them yourself is a tidy sum if you don't find the fabric on sale, and the cushions themselves even in bulk/cutdown material are expenisve. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 20, 2001.