Welcome to another edition of Trashy Tuesday! Remember the Ottoman Empire? Are you envisioning lots of soft low pieces of furniture to lay around on? Kind of like Ottomans today. Ever wonder how these pieces of furniture got their names? We can probably thank Suleiman the Magnificent for that one. He ruled the Empire in the 16 and the 17th Centuries. Believe it or not, the Ottoman Empire was the biggest and most powerful empire in the world during this time.
Etymology of an Ottoman:
The first known use of the word ottoman was in 1605. The ottoman was brought to Europe from Turkey in the late 18th century. In Turkey, an ottoman was the central piece of family seating, and was piled with cushions. In Europe, the ottoman was first designed as a piece of fitted furniture that wrapped around three walls of a room. The ottoman evolved into a smaller version that fit into the corner of a room.
Now that the history lesson is completed, let’s move on the JUNQUE! I have a thing for ottomans and small benches. A thing maybe, but so far, I seem to be collecting them and then not doing much with them. I hope to “conquer” this problem soon. Hopefully I will be nicer to my Ottomans than Suleiman was to his. (There is a reason the Ottoman Empire didn’t last). I found this one just last week on trash day in my neighborhood. It even opens up with nice hinges to store stuff inside! Nice legs too, (not pictured well), they were camera-shy:
This Ottoman I shared a few weeks ago. I spied it when driving a large group of girls home from a dance after midnight. I had to resist the urge to grab it then and risk permanently scarring my teenager with embarrassment. Instead, I raced over to where I had seen it right after church, (STILL THERE!). In heels and skirt, hoisted it into my van! 
This Ottoman, it has been with me in my “smalls” and re-upholstery pile for some time. I know I picked it up off a curb somewhere, I just can’t remember which curb. They all look the same sometimes! 
This last one may not be considered an “ottoman” in the traditional sense, but it was FREE! When my neighbor moved last year, she was not interested in taking this with her. I happily obliged to give it a new home, (whereitresideswithgreencurbsideottoman….) Hopefully they will meet my new friend Staple Gun and its partner Air Compressor in the near future. 
This concludes our history lesson today. The Ottoman Empire may be something we only read about in history books. The Ottoman itself will be with us and evolving for many generations to come. As long as someone wants to put their feet up, the Ottoman Empire of furniture will stay strong. Happy Junqueing friends.
I never knew the humble ottoman has such a rich past. Thanks for the history lesson. Can’t wait to see how you revive these.
Hugs
Sumaya
Oh so very jealous of your ottoman stash, well, I should quit coveting yours and do something with the two that I have. After that I will probably covet yours again, but for now I will give you a break and just be happy for you and your lovely junk pile. 🙂
Faye (MacGIRLver)
I too have a “thing” for ottomans and low stools. I have a few waiting for treatment. Here is one I completed. http://birdbrainvintage.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/before-and-after-a-little-footstool/
How funny! I, too, have a “thing” for ottomans and also have four in my stash. I also have a couple of curbside finds that will shortly become ottomans. Be sure to show yours when they get a redoux!
Any chance you have a post on the what, why, how, and wherefore of compressors? If I have one, what kind of staple gun should I buy, your fave paint gun, etc and so-forth. If I had compressor I could use for stapling upholstery I’m rather certain i would actually reupholster the loveseat, ottoman, and all 6 of my dining room chairs. The last are in various stages of undress in the dining room, so we have to eat in the kitchen. It would be so great if we could “pick your brain” on the topic. Thanks for considering this.
I LIKE ottomans, I LUV benches!
Totally luv’n the one your frmr neighbor abandoned!
Catherine
I love ottomans too. I usually slip cover them and they seem to sell well!
If I had seen your post yesterday, I would have picked up an ottoman off the curb. It’s still there, but it’s been rained on for a day. Now I won’t fear next time ;D!
Great finds Karen and thanks for the Ottoman Turks history lesson! I have not tackled a major upholstery project, but an ottoman seems doable.
Will you be giving them a makeover in heels and a skirt – now that I’ve got to see?!
Kelly