Wait! Don't throw out Grandma's old chair!

 Wait!  Don’t throw out Grandma’s old chair!!

I know you may look at those heavy antique chairs you inherited from your grandma and think there is just no way they will ever look anything but old and frumpy, but that's just not true.  There are so many beautiful fabrics available, and many different ways you can choose to refinish the exposed wood, either by painting or sanding and re-staining, that it makes sense to re-purpose that well made piece of furniture.  You can bet new furniture, in most cases, is not as well made.  So go green, and help save the planet by getting creative and repurposing those old pieces.  You will be suprised at how cool and unique they will look, and each will have a story behind them!  I will be re-upholstering this old wing chair in two different fabrics, and painting the legs to use in the bedroom I am designing for the 2018 New Hampshire Designer Show House.  https://www.hhhc.org/how-to-help/events/designer-showhouse/​  Look for the reveal in a future blog. 

Love the light gray painted wood, it makes the orange patterned fabric pop!  SASInteriors.net

This chair was refurbished by an Esty shop called WildChairy, ​www.wildchairy.com.  The use of two different fabrics and the placement of the pattern make it really stand out!

These chairs are by Chair Whimsy, chairwhimsy.com

Multiple ways to use fabric, you can't go wrong!

The black finish and use of french grain sacks on the pair of these chairs by Chair Whimsy is very classy.

Use of one simple patterned fabric on the front with a more detailed pattern on the back is beautiful on these chairs by ​https://missmustardseed.com/

thirdandgrace.com added drama with selective positioning of the geometric patterned fabric and gold painted frame.

Cowhide never goes out of style, chairwhimsy.com/

I love color!  These really speak to me and the shape of the chair legs accented by the gold add dramatic flair!  http://latapicera.com

Be Bold, Go Wild!!

MIXFurniture.com

Red Lacquer with dramatic black and white print makes this chair pop!

Nina Burke wing chair.

Another great example of how placement of fabric really makes the chair.

This before and after photo helps you see the amazing transformation, by www.chairloom.com/

Don'f forget settees, http://latapicera.com

​   A vintage settee custom upholstered in the @madcapcottage for @robertallendesign 

Fabric choice and placement is important!  For me the top two chairs work, and the bottom two, not so much.  What do you think? Leave your comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You can attempt to reupholster yourself, but I know from experience it is a steep learning curve (no that's not me).  I once decided to reupholster an old wing chair I found at a garage sale for $19, myself, while I was 7 months pregnant!  It was fun, but it took me quite a long time, and I made mistakes along the way that I had to correct.  So, I decided after that experience that I would hire an expert for any future reupholstery needs. 

​However, for those of you who would like to give it a go yourself I found this tutorial on how to do it yourself, http://modestmaven.blogspot.ca/2011/04/vintage-blossom-wingback-chair.html?m=1

Are you ready to save Grandma's old chair, settee, sofa, or ottoman, and all the wonderful history behind each piece by reupholstering? 

AND, have fun with fabric choices and fabric placement?

GO for it.....

Be Bold, & Get Creative!

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