handsome hardcover books are some of my go-to props for styling a hallway tabletop, and they look especially chic braced with these handcrafted leather beanbags. The bookends are inspired by the work of Los Angeles-based designer Sophie Bergé, who I discovered in Domino magazine a few years ago. I love the slouchy yet glamorous allure of her hand-sewn leather goods and found an inexpensive way to re-create the look at home.
Materials and Tools
2 sq.ft. leather remnants
small bag of lentils
sewing machine
funnel
needle and thread
Step 1: source leather
I chose leather with a soft rose-gold metallic finish that adds a hit of opulence to the vignette. I asked for remnants at a local leather shop, but you might also consider recycling leather from an old purse or jacket. You’ll need roughly one square foot of leather to make a single beanbag bookend, but the size of each is flexible: 10″ x 7″ is large enough to support heavier books, while smaller beanbags can double as paperweights.
Step 2: sew satchels
This is sewing 101 — simply cut two equal-sized pieces of leather and stitch them together with a coordinating thread, allowing for a decorative 1?2″ flange. Don’t close up the beanbag entirely; leave a 2″ gap so you can fill it with lentils.
Step 3: fill beanbag
Using a small funnel, thoroughly pour lentils into the satchel until it’s about three-quarters full (don’t pack it too tightly, or it’ll lose its trendy slouchiness). close up the bag with a needle and thread and prop away!
Table, lamp, vase, books (second and third from left), Elte; leather, ideal leather Goods; wallpaper, Thibaut; artwork, young boys by Elizabeth Lennie, Art Interiors; sewing, Blinds, Drapes & Bedding.
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