Thursday, November 3, 2011

Gramps' Chair

I inherited an old chair from my hubby's grandpa, who we all lovingly referred to as Gramps.
Let's take a moment now to see how it went from the brown faux leather to fun colors and stripes!

We ended up peeling the slippery fake leather fabric off rather than going on top of it.  There was another layer under it.  Mom helped me.  I had no clue how to accomplish this reupholstering job and thought I could learn some tips from her.  Pretty much all I got was a massive headache from the hammer she threw at me in frustration and scars on my heart from all the choice words that were exchanged between us during those hours of reupholstering.  Just KIDDING, of course!  We had lots of laughs.  She did order me out at one point, which was fine with me.  I had other projects needing my attention ANYWAY.  We love each other.  She wouldn't have "helped" me if she didn't, right?  So here's a thrifty trick for ya:
She cut a strip off this brown paper roll that had once held wrapping paper,
folded it over three times, and we stapled the fabric to it on the under side.  Did that make any sense?
Quite the interesting stuffing we found in this seat!  Squares of green carpet, and old carpet padding.  We decided to add to the interesting padding collection.....
and cut up a bumper pad.  One I got free I might add. :)
The chair desperately need a pillow to set it off.  So I dug out some drapes that Marie had given me not too long ago and the green was a perfect match.  I sewed it on an old round pillow I had, while mom laughed and shook her head cuz I was doing it all wrong.  I told that woman who gave birth to me that I don't do things the conventional way, and she wisely gave up.  I used white fabric that I chopped off the bottom of a white sundress I wore for my graduation open house.  Yup, that's right.  12 years ago, and I'm still wearing that dress, just a short version of it now, as the bottom of it is on this pillow! :)
It ain't perfect, in fact that's why the pillow has to be there.  It's second job (the first being to smile and look pretty) is to hide a small flaw where the fabric went around the arm....  ahem... mom....  I LOVE YOU, MOM!! :)
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6 comments:

  1. Beautiful piece Kammy...LOVE the white!!

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  2. Aww I love this!! How funny with the padding!! I thought it was Astro Turf at first!! lol xxxx

    http://nikki-perfectlypink.blogspot.com/

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  3. You should see my mom and I when we craft! She takes over EVERY TIME, but I still love her :) i love the striped fabric and the pillow is darling!!

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  4. I am totally guilty of taking over for my kids. It is terrible! I have to really restrain myself or I will not have any creative kids and that is not good! L.O.V.E. the stripes. It looks so modern but feminine. Great job!
    Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com

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  5. What a great way to update a family piece! Sounds like my mom & I in the kitchen ;-)

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  6. that is awesome! i love the fabric on a diagonal!

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