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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What was I thinking??!!!


Well, first I must tell you that I have been on the hunt for chairs just like these for a long time. There seem to be plenty out there but none in my price range! Anyway, while out thrifting the other day, I came across these and they were $30!! They need some new upholstery but I thought, "Hey, how hard can this be?" Famous last words! Now I know why it costs so much to have chairs re-upholstered.
It's the taking apart of the fabric and the staples that's so time consuming.


These chairs also have lots of upholstery tacks to remove - all 6,000 of them!! Ha ha, just kidding. Probably not that many of them but it sure seems that way.


I finally got all of the tacks out of one of the chairs and now I'm removing the old leather fabric. I was thinking of painting them a creamy white color and then antiquing them a bit. I'll probably cover them with a natural colored linen. I was even thinking of possibly a monogram on the fabric that covers the chair back. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts/suggestions on colors and/or fabric. Thanks so much!!
Have a wonderful afternoon!
xo,
Kathleen

19 comments:

DesignTies said...

Great find!!

What about doing a solid fabric on the seat and a patterned fabric on the back?? Or, cover both the seat and back in a solid, and just the back of the back in a pattern.

I'll see if I can find some inspiration pictures for you and if do, I'll come back and post the links for you...

Kelly (one half of DesignTies)

DesignTies said...

I've only been able to find one of the pics I have in mind -- but it's a start!!

Check out www.designinc.ca

Click The Rooms, and under Season 3, click Margo's Dining Room.

I also came across a chair similar to yours covered in a striped fabric. It looked really sharp :-)

Blue Muse said...

What a find!! I love the idea of an antiqued creamy frame with unbleached linen fabric. Deeeelicious.
xo Isa

DomesticDivasFancy said...

Wow! What a great deal. I agree about the creamy white color...I think that would look fabulous.

Inspired Kara said...

Oh my word I bet they will end up looking LOVELY!!!

Quite the daunting task though :)

Good luck!!

The Willow Rose said...

Great deal....Can't wait to see the finished project. What ever you do it will be beautiful!

Cindy J. said...

Oh that sounds wonderful! I am so crazy about anything monogramed especially linen with just the slightest contrast in the monogram thread. Not to make things more complicated but I think that pickled things are coming back. I've always loved that look where the wood shows through just a bit with a whitish/gray/beige wash.. What a fun project and I can't wait to see it complete. I sure enjoyed your comment and it was so nice of you to drop by. Hugs, Cindy

Laura said...

I love the thought of creamy white and monogrammed backs as well! They will be beautiful!!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Oh I can't wait to see them finished.....got your note,made me laugh!! Talk soon...

savvycityfarmer said...

I've been dreaming of chairs like this in a very Swedish dirty gray-white with a muslin-burlap like fabric.


please keep us posted whar your choice is

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I wouldn't think of advising you. But I certainly look forward to seeing photos of your 'journey'... of refinishing and reupholstering them.

Please share with us.

Aunt Amelia
"All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon the sand."
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Stephanie said...

I like your idea on the paint, linen and monogram. I am crazy about linen. Good luck with the project!

Anonymous said...

Those chairs have great bones. $30 is a steal. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Helen said...

YIKES! What a gutsy undertaking. I can't wait to see the amazing result!!!

Meg said...

How lucky are you?!? What a fabulous find, indeed! Congrats and I wish you luck with the apolstering, although I know you will do a terrific job. Wish I could have such luck finding furniture.

Whispering Pine Cottage said...

I love these chairs and I think the off white linen would be great or something a little wild, off white burlap without gimp or trim just frayed edges! Angie

Anne Marie said...

I am new here, and hope I don't overstep my bounds by giving you my advice on the first post!! :)
I would choose a natural hemp or heavy linen and maybe even stencil your initials in black on the front, either that or go totally comfy with fringes....
can't wait to see the finished product.

Melissa Miller said...

Very nice!
I have always loved that style of chair! :)

Grandma said...

I JUST FOUND YOUR BLOG. lOVE THOSE CHAIRS!!! THEY ARE SIMILAR TO MY FIRST UPHOSTERY PROJECT. MY ADVISE IS TO TAKE IT SLOWLY. I KEEP A NOTEBOOK OF HOW I TAKE THEM APART AND THEN WHEN I REUPHOLOSTER I JUST GO BACKWARDS. PULL THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC TIGHT WITH NO WRINKLES. IT IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK.