I have written from time to time about a family project to restore the antique
fainting couch that my Mother gave me. My last update was on
September 21, 2008. This late 19th century backless couch was in our family
cabin at
Elkmont, in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, probably
starting around 1912. We have seen a similar item called a “Turkish Couch” in
a furniture catalog dated 1875-1905. The original couch was stuffed with
horsehair and upholstered in leather. My Mother had it re-upholstered
in black Naugahyde (artificial leather) over foam about 20 years ago.
Today’s news is that the fainting couch restoration is almost complete and the
couch itself is now in WP668, the 1916 backyard
caboose where I have my home office. We bought two whole cow hides to cover it.
There is one just button that needs fixing before the couch is done. Other than
the window seat that my husband John is building now, the fainting couch is the
last major piece of furniture to go into WP668.
Who did the work?
John Gibbs of The Workshop (500 E Mcglincy Lane, #G, Campbell, CA 95008-4919, Phone: 408-371-7166) and Tom Malloy Upholstered Furnishings worked together to restore the fainting couch.
Fainting couch restoration pictures
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June 2008 View from the foot 
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June 2008 Head carving 
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June 2008 Foot carving 
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June 2008 View from head 
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July 2008 Upholstery removed 
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September 2008 Wood repaired, refinished, braced 
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February 2009 Foam with tufting diagrammed 
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February 2009 John and the hide 
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February 2009 Upholstery partly done 
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February 2009 Upholstery almost done 
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February 2009 Head carving 
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February 2009 Foot carving 
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February 2009 Fainting Couch foot view 
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February 2009 Into the truck 
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March 2009 In WP668 Caboose 
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Images Copyright 2008-2009 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher
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