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Kilim covered ottomans are hotter than August in Istanbul but the idea of upholstering other furnishings with carpet is also catching on like it’s 1799. This past weekend at Toronto’s Horsefeather’s Home (1400 Castlefield Ave.) I spotted some handsome and remarkably comfortable Georgian-style library chairs (above centre, $4,388 pair) and wingbacks (below, $5,480 pair), ottomans ($1,575 – $1,837), even a sumptuous pillow covered in carpeting (above left, 20” x 20”, $375). The chairs are somewhat rough to the touch, while the ottoman is soft and plush; the cushion falls somewhere in the middle but the carpet makes it substantial, as well as beautiful. And Horsefeathers is currently knocking 25 per cent off the price of all upholstered furniture (quoted prices include discount).

At Yorkdale Mall, Crate&Barrel is featuring the enormous (60” x 36” x 16”) kilim covered ottoman, above, for $1,999. And when a mass market retailer like C&B gets in on the act, you know a trend is full-blown. The Horsefeathers ottoman, below, is nearly as big (53″ x 30″ x 16″) and just a little less expensive at $1,837.50.

If you fancy one of these tribal footstools, which can also double as a coffee table with the addition of a tray, my recommendation is to visit Toronto’s Kilim Crafts (401 Richmond Street, ground floor) where beautiful pieces like the ones below are selling for less than half the price of those uptown, $850 for a well-made 48” ottoman.

If this is a look that appeals to you, consider buying a carpet at auction where worn or damaged rugs sell for next to nothing; buy a library chair at Moveline Liquidations where they’ve been discounted even further to $100 each, and then have an upholsterer put it all together for you at a fraction of what you’d pay retail.