Monday, January 12, 2009

A Little Project...

I went looking for an armchair to use in our Dining & Living room. I found this one in an antique store for around $65. It had a pretty carved back and was nice & sturdy..but the finish was kind of worn, the upholstery a bit stained and the "fruit wood" tone wasn't what I had in mind..



Neither was hand-sanding for about an hour! But I had a burst of energy & sudden urge to start this project late on Saturday evening and didn't want to venture out in the dark in search of the electric sander. At about this point, I was questioning my sanity...Why did I want to do this again?




But after a coat of Mahogany stain, my faith was renewed in what I was doing....(*note to self - buy more latex gloves & hide them even better than the last time so kids don't find them and use them as balloons and you don't walk around with "mechanic's hands"* yes, I have pretty grimy fingers!)



Then on to the upholstery. I didn't want to take the time to undo 500 staples on the old fabric and I was a little leery of what I might find underneath in lieu of padding. (One antique bench I had reupholstered had horse hair in it! Ick!) Don't think this chair is all that old but I wasn't taking any chances! I just applied a new layer of cotton batting over the old upholstery.






And then my new fabric ...





After allowing the stain to dry in the sun the next morning (we had 70+ degree weather in CA this weekend!!) I re-attached the seat and Voila! My kind of project!



I have been playing around with its placement in the room and found it to be very versatile!





Over here by the window bench...




Or brought over for Piano enjoyment....





Or neatly tucked away....



What do you think......? Oh and since you are already here ;) let me show you just one or two little things that I added to combat the "No More Christmas Decor" blahs that I had previously mentioned in another post.


The black rectangular tray on the end is new. Who needs food on a buffet when you can "feast" your eyes on this? ;) (Doesn't work so well on my husband...)




And it's smaller companion on the piano...




And that cute little rose plate for $5!


That's it! Thanks for stopping by.....





43 comments:

"Blossom" said...

This old, new chair is awesome.
I just love have you used the color scheme of the chair material and how great that pillow gave it a little more punch. I've never tried o finish old furniture but some items here the ladies have done a beautiful job; you included. I am trying to incorporate some black pieces into my decor, we'll see how this comes out.
Blossom

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

You did a great job on the chair and I love the pillow on it!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Laurie, :)
The chair is just spectacular!
You are one talented lady my friend.
Love the striped fabric you chose.
I spy many pretty tables at your home as well.
Thanks for coming by.
~Melissa :)

Wendy said...

You did a great job on that chair, it looks amazing. It looked good in every picture you posted, but my favorite was next to the hutch.

Like you trays too.

Wendy

Linda said...

Everything looks gorgeous! What a great job you did on that chair...makes me think I could tackle a little project like that!

Glenda said...

Gosh I love looking at your home. You make it look so easy. The chair turned out wonderful.

Ciao

LillyB said...

You did a great job on that chair!! And everything looks beautiful!

Bo said...

Your home is just beautiful...
everything looks so well put together...I really like the vignette in the next to last photo...and that chair looks like a very high dollar one now...you must be so proud of yourself!
;-) Bo

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

I was so busy "window shopping" in your home and looking at all your lovelies, I had a hard time focusing on the chair. :-) It turned out lovely!!! I know it was labor intensive but your results could not have turned out better. Now you've got me looking and reconsidering some things in my own basement. Great post! Thanks!

Salmagundi said...

Love the new stain and cushion fabric - great choices! Your house looks lovely, as always. Sally

Nina said...

I have a similar chair so you have inspired me to redo it. I'd like to know more about your room dividers (screens).

nikkicrumpet said...

Nice job on the chair...it looks great in one of my favorite rooms!!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The chair is just gorgeous and such a versatile piece. You did a wonderful job refinishing and reupholstering. Your fabric choice is stunning. I agree with Barb, it's hard not to get distracted by looking at all the wonderful things in your home. Hugs, Marty

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Laurie, I love how the chair turned out! Looks just perfect! Your dining room is just beautiful. Kristen

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Laurie, your chair turned out beautifully! Your work was really worth it, imho. What a beautiful chair, and how smart of you to know you could make it into what you wanted. All of your new black colors look so elegant. I need to try to do more with black in my decor. the other laurie

Picket said...

Girl I love what you did with the chair! Your whole house is just so beautiful with all that pretty eyecandy! Hope you have a great week my friend!

Unknown said...

great job on the chair. And love those trays.. mishelle

Unknown said...

Your project turned out great! Thanks for sharing the details!

Anonymous said...

Take a bow, my friend!!! ~~~ This turned out just WONDERFUL... really stunning!!! You must just be "a smilin' like a cheshire cat" right now cuz "you did goooooood"!!! Big smiles, Linda

Kathleen Ellis said...

Love the chair makeover...great find! The trays are lovely and I love the rose plate...beautiful! Your home is lovely!
Have a happy week!

Brian said...

nice job on the chair.

brian
lawnandhome.blogspot.com

cindy santiago said...

Thanks for you comment! Wow, your home is gorgeous and what a great chair!!!

Cindy said...

Oops that was me that just left that comment!

Shannon @ Silver Trappings said...

You did a great job on the chair! I love the fabric you chose. And the pillow in it. Very pretty.

Shannon

Linda Q said...

Great redo on the chair, love the fabric you put on it!
Your house is great, wall color just speaks to me and with your drapes and all, wonderful!
Like that grouping of the black dishes on the wall.
Linda

MindyMac said...

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. I got a hold of your blog from the blog "Confessions of a Plate Addict" and I just love it! Your home is beautiful and your pictures are so inspirational! I'm trying to find economy-friendly ways to spruce up our new home, and you've given me much food for thought!

Anonymous said...

Oh Laurie,

What a fantastic job and I just love the fabric you used !!!

Kathy :)

Missy Wertz said...

You did a fantastic job! It is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT/////////ANN

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh my goodness Laurie, your old "new" chair looks fantastic. I love the color of stain and the fabric is gorgous, love the pillow.. Your trays are wonderful.. I'm having a thing for them right now. lol. (among other things) can you tell I like it ALL!!.. hugs ~lynne~

Mary said...

Hi Laurie,
I've been catching up on all your Christmas posts. Your decorations are SO beautiful! I'm drooling over all your lovely tole trays, and that sofa table in your header pic -- well, it made me gasp out loud! And the majolica! And the Christmas transferware! And that chair for $65.?! Wow!

I'm waiting for the painter to give me an idea of when he can come for my bedroom and kitchen. Then I'll frantically start stripping wallpaper. In the meantime, you are SO right about being inspired by a fabric. I will try that.

I will definitely post "after" pics of both rooms, but my projects seem to take forever... I don't know how you do it with three young kids. LOL

xoxo,
Mary

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Good Day Ms.Gilroy..girl thanks for coming by and you really should come and see uncle Bill girl..I would love to have you here..that would make my year...of course give me fair warning so I can clean house first ha ha!! love ya...hugs and smiles Gloria

Picket said...

Great find on the chair girl & what a transformation you did on it! I always love seeing rooms in your house...so much inspiration in every little corner! lol I had told Bill I wanted to turn our bed around in the room and he ask what wall I wanted it on and I said welllll actually I don't want it turned just yet because I am gonnna be painting the room (after alittle smelling salts he gained consciousness agaiin)! lol But I explained to him that I felt a change coming on...he said you do know this is the one room that you have NOT painted since we bought this house! I said I know..it's about time! lol lol I am thinking a pretty chocolate brown! lol lol I am too afraid to do blue walls! I got all my toile panels made for the cabinets and Bill got them all in place for me..ohhh I am so loving this look...have a great weekend girl!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Found your blog over at Vannas, so glad I did, it is just lovely as is your home!!

Anonymous said...

Good work! I love work on the chairs and the incredible deals in arranging things.

Thanks,
Lisa

Sandy Morgan said...

Love your blog! Your home is beautiful and so inspiring! The chair turned out beautiful!

niartist said...

Laurie,
LOVE LOVE LOVE the chair project! Great find, and even better end product! Great job!
Artie

Tardevil said...

Nice job on the chair! Your photos are delicious! LOVE those tole trays! Don't know where you guys are finding them w/ the bird. That's the 2nd one I've seen today, and I've never seen them before...even on eBay! Jealous that you've had 70 degree weather. We've been in the teens at night. Will be so glad when spring gets here!

Cynthia said...

Gorgeous! My Daddy is a custom cabinet maker so I've refinished a lot of furniture in his shop over the years. It's definately a labor of love. Everything looks beautiful.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Ms. Gilroy...just popping in to say hi..hope all is well with you girl...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

southerninspiration said...

Oh, it's gorgeous!!!

Suzanne

Unknown said...

That turned out beautifully! I had been thinking about buying a new (gasp!) dining room set, but you have inspired me to see if I can find a used one and revamp it!

Denise said...

I love your chair makeover! It turned out great.