Little Tables Everywhere: Before and After Makeovers

Sometimes it's hard to see the potential in a piece…

so take a look at some of these "ugly duckling" tables

I've painted over the years.

You may see something that strikes your fancy

with that particular piece you've been wanting to redo!

This could go on and on,

but I've got to stop somewhere!!!!!!!!!

So there.

A Zappy Zebra Eastlake Settee!!

In addition to the Victorian furniture I recently purchased 

(and blogged about the chair makeover,)

I also picked up this Eastlake set.

 A settee...

 …and two chairs.

 The wood is gorgeous…….it almost looks like rosewood.

Just beautiful details.

So for once, I decided NOT TO PAINT.

Drop dead, I know.

 The fabric was dated though.

I decided to tackle this today.

I started by pulling off all the gimp.

 After using Howards Restor-a-finish in Deep Mahogany on the wood,

I went to my fabric stock pile……….

and decided on this awesome thick linen in an indigo and tan zebra print.

(Thank you my bud, Bonita, for sharing another great fabric!!!!)

 I started with the seat and added a layer of batting.

Then I cut and while pulling tight, stapled the fabric all along the edges.

 Next I did the chair fronts.

First I filled in the tufting indentations with

polyfill. And then i added and stapled a layer of batting,

and then the fabric.

 I decided to use twill tape and bronzed copper nail heads to edge the front

 In order to keep the wood unpainted, 

I felt like I needed a fabric with some weight…in texture and color.

I think this is just perfect.

 Here's the back.

It's in my car ready to go to RVA Antiques tomorrow.

$399

And here's another piece I did today:

 When I bought this piece, 

it had a shiny red finish.

 And although I didn't like the finish,

I liked the red color. 

Time to cozy things up for autumn!

So I sanded down all the sides and edges...

 Next, I added a stain layer to everything,

 to pop the details and "knock down"

that bright red finish.

 A little toile pillow, 

and it's perfectly perfect.

The seat top lifts for storage.

This is going to RVA as well.

$125.

A Victorian Parlor Chair Gets a Flirty New Look!

Wow, 

thanks Mary Mayo for turning me on to this 

incredible set of Victorian parlor furniture 

that a dealer was selling.

Don't you know this was a stunning set back in its day.

But that was long, long ago.

The velvet tufted upholstery had actually disintegrated.

 Stuffing was coming out……

but check out the detail on the wood back!!!!!!!

 Here you can see a close up of the tufting,

and the general condition of the fabric.

 I couldn't stand it!

I started ripping apart the chair within the hour,

and it took hours….

OMG, the things that came out of this chair!!!!

I removed all the trim and fabric and tacks……..

I stripped off all the stuffing: 

Horsehair, straw...

you name it, it was in here.

Yukko...

 I left the burlap, springs and webbing  - 

all were still in good condition...

 Next, I painted the frame in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.

Here's a close up of the detail after painting.

Next,

I set about rebuilding this chair.

I added chunks of foam and batting to the seat.

 And I decided to recover it in this natural/soft blue wide-stripe linen ticking. 

This chair took some time. 

I learned a lot!

The main thing about reupholstery is that 

you must do things in a particular order.

Very important, Grasshopper!

Here you can see how I stapled the fabric along the edges,

before trimming off the excess fabric.

 Here's the chair with the body and sides covered….

 And here it is all completed.

It's so beautiful, 

I can't stand it!

I must sit in it!

 And you know me, 

I like to add a little bit of the unexpected…

So where I usually use nail heads, 

on this piece, 

I used a variety of vintage white buttons.

 Here's the back.

I trimmed most of the edges in natural gimp.

 Except I used small strips of fabric for the back sides and bottom edges.

 And then I decided to add another little whimsical feature:

This little pocket, edged in more buttons.

 I finished the wood trim by dry brushing some Old White on the details and edges,

and then I waxed and buffed.

 Here "she" is in my booth. 

(She's definitely a she!)

See? 

You can use the pocket for a book, 

or a remote….

Or in my case, 

a price tag.

It's for sale for $299

at my space at Greenwood Antiques and Uniques.

Hmmm, this one may take a while.

The pain is still too fresh….