Revoa

From the page: The tire has incredible second lives

Idea 4

Rope-wrapped tire ottoman

Medium 6 h

Covering rigid structures with woven fibers is an old craft technique used by artisans who needed sturdy seats without spending on upholstery. The tire works because its steel-reinforced rubber carcass distributes the sitter's weight without deforming, and the wrapped rope creates a firm, comfortable surface on top.

What you need

  • 1 clean, dry tire (a mid-size one, like a 175, is the most comfortable)
  • Sisal rope or thick cotton cord (about 50 to 80 meters, 6 to 10 mm)
  • Hot glue or contact cement
  • Strong scissors or utility knife
  • One plywood or MDF disk for the bottom and another for the top
  • Short screws and a drill (or silicone glue to attach the top)
  • Gloves to protect your hands while weaving

How to make it

  1. 1

    Wash the tire with water, soap and a brush, and let it dry well in the sun — the rubber releases soot and residue that would stain the rope and attract dust.

  2. 2

    Cut a wood disk to the inner diameter of the tire and screw it to the bottom, closing the base — this keeps the rope from sinking inward and gives the ottoman stability.

  3. 3

    Apply hot glue at the starting point, press the rope end against it and start wrapping firmly along the outer sidewall, gluing every 10 or 15 centimeters — constant tension is what keeps the weave from getting loose later.

  4. 4

    Keep wrapping until you cover the entire sidewall and the top, closing the tire's "hole", keeping the loops snugly side by side, with no gaps between them.

  5. 5

    Cut the wood top to the diameter of the upper circle, wrap it with rope the same way and attach it on top with short screws or silicone — a long screw would go through the rubber and could pierce the rope.

  6. 6

    Run and re-run your hand over the whole surface, pressing the loops and fixing them with small dots of glue wherever there is slack — the seat stays firm and does not sink with use.

Finishing touches

If you want a taller ottoman, stack two tires before wrapping — just make sure the bottom one is the wider one, so the base is more stable than the top. A sealer or matte varnish sprayed over the rope helps protect it from moisture if it will live on the porch.

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