Suzani and Shell Prints for A Couple of Chair Makeovers

I've been semi-out-of-commission with a bum back......

(probably from all the furniture hauling/body twisting putting up shutters on my deck...)

Aggravating......

Here are a couple of chair makeovers I tackled this weekend, 

in between heating pad stints:

 This little patio/garden chair has a great little metal frame with floral iron details.  

I'm always looking for projects like this, that aren't so labor intensive, to redo and resell in my booth.

Or to perhaps use in my home. Surprise, surprise.

The fabric was rather dated and grungy.

 I found just the thing in my fabric stockpile: 

This sweet little cobalt blue and white shell print I purchased awhile back at UFab.

 I love this........It might wind up on my deck.

Or my bathroom...

This chair was a project for my client, Patty.

 Can't you just see this vintage chair in its heyday at a lake cabin?

Or a mountain lodge? Yes, the lines are a bit dated, 

but it's still got a lot of life in it!

So for Monument Avenue, 

I'm gonna give it a sweet little slipcover with a sassy pleated skirt.

Here's the makeover, in a wonderful suzani print from guess where?

Yep, UFab. 

It's going in a room with this wonderful antique chaise lounge.

So I used some of the leftover fabric for contrasting piping.

Here's the back with vintage buttons down the seam.

(My client was walking through Carytown today 

and saw the very same print on a chair in the window of Janet Brown Interiors.)

What can I say? We're cutting edge!!

(And at 1/5th of the price, we're really cutting edge!)

Spring Fever: An outdoor porch makeover

Since we all have spring on our minds, 

I thought I'd share one of my favorite past makeovers..

..which just happens to be an outdoor one! 

SheShe goes alfresco!!!!!!! 

My client was hosting her family reunion 

and needed help sprucing up the homestead.

 Really not difficult because..........it's the most awesome house ever!! 

Tucked away in a little town in the Tarheel state........

As you walk up the front steps, 

you are greeted by an incredible wrap-around porch.

To the left...

To the right....

No southern porch is complete without a porch swing!

After: And here's what it looked like after a little magic!

I defined individual spaces by bringing in jute area rugs 

and positioning furniture in little groups for conversation.

Before:

After: I repositioned furniture...

Then made various pillows 

to go with the cushions that were pulled out of storage.

Another jute rug defines this space.

I brought out a wicker set, then made cushions and pillows.

Awesome wire settee and plant holder...

...get a makeover as well.

I made the cushion and bolster from an aqua and white striped chintz.

It greets you just to the left of the front door. 

Next, we hit a local nursery and bought lots and lots of plants.

At the front steps, we planted two wire planters on either side 

with lots of variegated elephant ears and vinca. 

What a welcoming committee!

 Then we got to work on planting flowers everywhere!!!

Here's an antique wicker planter before.

And after. The bottom shelf makes the perfect home 

for a collection of sweet little vintage birdhouses.

Potted hydrangeas, geraniums, ferns were positioned everywhere.

 

When the front porch was complete, we tackled the back patio.

 This is my favorite piece! 

A rustic planter made from old shutters.  

It now brims with ferns and geraniums.

 With flowers and the homeowner's decorative items, 

we created sweet little vignettes of wonderful colors and textures everywhere...

 Inside, I put together a collection of family photos and memorabilia in the front hall.

 Welcome, family!

Rehab of A Vintage Office Chair

This office chair had been tossed away....

I've been admiring it for months as it lay upside down in someone's deserted yard.

This is what it looked like when I started:

 Nailhead trim and black leather upholstery.

 To say the finish was a little weathered was an understatement.

 I ripped off the leather, and removed all the nailheads.

 I stripped the finish, mostly with a sanding block. It came off like dirt......

 At first I thought it was oak, but it didn't look like oak after I removed the finish. 

It had a purple tint, but I don't think it was mahogany either.

 Whatever it was, it was blotchy and ugly.

 So i first put on a golden oak stain...

 And then added a walnut layer as well.  

Then I removed all the upholstery, added foam 

and batting and new webbing to the seat,

 And reupholstered in this indoor/outdoor lime green fabric 

and a coordinating gimp that  i purchased at UFab,

The gimp hides all the staples/nails along the edges.

 Here's the back. I love the curvature of the piece.

 Ballard Office Furniture Tag.

 Sturdy as a rock, but oh so comfortable and wear friendly 

with it's new cushiony upholstery

It's for sale at Tuckahoe Antique Mall near Wintergreen.  $185.