Thursday, September 16, 2010

Upcycled Chair : :

My chair is finished and we are thrilled!
 
 Here's the before picture from last week, my $7 yard sale find...
It's a very dark day today...
So, I am taking photos with every light on in that room, because I just can't wait! Unfortunately, it's making everything look a little yellow-y.
I was hoping to just recover the old cushions, but when I started stripping the chair I realized right away that the cushions were broken down to orange dust. It was a HUGE mess! I decided then just to make a fluffy, pillow cushion for the seat. I overstuffed it knowing that in the next few weeks my three little ones are going to want to sit in it (jump on it) and it will most likely (hopefully) flatten out quite a bit.
See the orange piping. I wasn't sure what I was going to use at first? I was leaning towards this fabric to make my own piping, inspired by this chair by guess who. Then, while searching "drawing room fabrics" via Google images, I saw a sofa recovered in the same fabric I bought and followed that photo to this blog....I was in love! Especially when I realized I already had in my possession enough store-bought piping, in a very similar color. Yay!
This cushion is made up of the many colors and fabrics I plan to use for all the new pillows in the works for our living room. Since I have a few different curtain prints going on, I used the tie-backs from these curtains and these, to tie everything together and make it "flow" a little more. I have never been a "matchy, matchy" person -- I usually just buy what I love, believing that because I love it, it will fit in well with all the other things I own/love, too. Well, lately I think it's looking a little drab...actually, ever since I made my new drawing room curtains I have been wanting to redo everything! Isn't Fall just the most perfect time to take on a project like this? I think this Fall(ish) weather has influenced my color scheme. I like the warm colors and how cozy they make me feel...
Thank you to everyone who rooted me on --- I'm glad I gave it a shot and hope that you will, too!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend! ~ Maureen

41 comments:

  1. Wow, amazing transformation. Well worth all the time and labor. Great job !!! :)

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  2. Oh.. Maureen... this is FAB! I have 2 chairs just like yours and it never occured to me to cover them... I throw a blanket over them. Was it hard to do?
    Wow.. I am excited.. for you.. the job is done and looks beautiful.. and for me.. maybe I can do it!

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  3. Oh.. Maureen... this is FAB! I have 2 chairs just like yours and it never occured to me to cover them... I throw a blanket over them. Was it hard to do?
    Wow.. I am excited.. for you.. the job is done and looks beautiful.. and for me.. maybe I can do it!

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  4. Beautiful work! Isn't is great fun to find something old and refesh it? I wish someone would come find me! Hehehe.
    Debra

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  5. You did an amazing job! It looks awesome! I really love the patchwork cushion you made for it - so cute! :)

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  6. Thanks everyone!

    acarolegrant -- You can do it! Prepare yourself for some rambling here...

    I spent one evening stripping it, outside. I had to remove (just guessing here) about a million staples or so! (there was a point when I almost quit, so glad I didn't!) I was very careful to remove the old upholstery in full pieces to use as a pattern for my new pieces. I payed careful attention to how I could tell it was put together and then just went for it. The second evening I recovered the body of the chair. Using a staple gun and reusing the original upholstery strips. The next morning I made a cushion and last night after the kids were asleep I made the pillow. Basically, a three day project (if you have children. : )

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  7. wow, this is amazing...I luv it!

    enjoy *~*

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  8. Oh my gosh- it looks fab! Well done! I love that fabric- and it looks spectacular on the chair. I can't believe that it is your first time doing that- you did a great job!

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  9. Your chair looks incredible - nice work!

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  10. Holy Cow! That's fabulous! What a fun transformation. And loove that colorful pillow too! Great job!

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  11. It looks absolutely gorgeous! Great job!

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  12. OH wow! Thats lovely!! I love how people can turn something ordinary into some magic! Great job, and beautiful blog! :)

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  13. omg.. I cannot believe you did that!!!! I don't think I'd have the guts. Actually, I KNOW I wouldn't have the guts. It's too bad, too, because I am always running across chairs I would love to buy if I knew how to do such a thing!

    It looks amazing!

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  14. Fabulous job! The patterns and colors are just beautiful! I applaud you!!!

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  15. It is amazing to have such a wonderful, down home, do it yoself crafty chick to call my wife. Great job babe.see ya in the morn.

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  16. Love the colours and the piping is amazing, and what a find in that chair! :)

    Lovely work and a great inspiration :) Cheers, T.

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  17. Oh my goodness! I came here to tell you that your bottle collection sounds so sweet and special, and now I'm thoroughly impressed! BEAUTIFUL chair! The orange piping is darling, and that pillow adds the perfect touch!

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  18. I don't know what's cooler the chair or the fact that Anna Maria wrote on your blog!! Amazing Job...the colors and fabrics look great together.

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  19. OMG! The chair looks amazing!!!!

    Thanks for sharing the amazing transformation!

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  20. what an absolutely amazing transformation! :D wonderful wonderful job. i love the colors you chose.

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  21. Wonderful!!! I know that must have been a lot of work, but look how fantastic it turned out! You've given me inspiration to finish a chair I'm working on. :)

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  22. Oh Maureen !!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this chair ...it even matches my new color scheme.....I am soooo jealous !!! It's awesome : )

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  23. Maureen it is gorgeous!!!!I love it so much, what a wonderful job you did :)

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  24. It looks awesome!! Great job on the makeover.

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  25. Wow what a transformation! Hope you have a good weekend x

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  26. That is seriosuly amazing!!! I am so excited for you!! So so so great!!!

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  27. wow, that was fast! and it looks crazy awesome beautiful! nice touch with the orange piping too.

    well you have definitely inspired me once again and i think i can safely say upholstery does not scare me so much now! you. are. my. hero!

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  28. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I am over-joyed with all of these sweet comments : )! And, I already have my eye out for another piece to redo --- in case you didn't know, Anna Maria is coming out with another home dec line of fabrics in her new Innocent Crush collection this November. I already am so inspired by what she's been doing with them.

    Anywho, before this turns into another blog post --- again,
    THANK YOU ALL! I've been having a tough time lately and this is exactly what I needed to pick me back up!

    much love,
    Maureen

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  29. WOW! Well worth the effort for sure, it looks fabulous! And I love that orange piping, too.

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  30. I love it! I rememebr when you first posted the picture of it saying you were going to redo it!

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  31. Wow! your chair work is amazing. I wish someone around here would create that kind of awesomeness for my house ♥

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  32. Oh wow--that came out perfect! Did you change the batting in the back of the chair itself, or were you able to keep it? I heard you had to change the cushion, but I think it looks much more cozy with the new one.

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  33. Thanks everyone, I can't believe all of your wonderful comments!!!

    Rachel J -- There wasn't much batting left and I'm not sure where it went?? : ) So, yes, I did add a few layers (I just used some of the quilt batting that I had on hand and stapled it onto the chair frame) since I wasn't doing all the smocking and buttons that the original back had.

    There is no way I could do a tutorial on this, but if anyone wants I can add some photos I took during this project if it will help? Just let me know. :)

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  34. amaaaaaazing!!!

    wow, worth all the elbow grease, no doubt!

    i have a 1970s yellow damask LaZboy recliner(awesome mechanics) that i scored for $25 at goodwill-- it needs some serious loving... i think you've officially inspired me. so thank you!

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  35. I just found your beautiful chair via Curbly. SO IN LOVE. Such a nice job!!!

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  36. What a wonderful transformation! Makes me wish I could find a chair like yours and redo myself.Great inspiration,thanks for sharing!

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