Creating A Life Studio: desk chair

Friday, February 15, 2013

The Little Bitty Chair Makeover

A few years back, one of my all-time favorite stores in Glenwood Springs was preparing to close up shop. I knew I was headed for an "economic downturn", and I was determined to pick up one last treasure from Annie K. & Company while she was there, and I was able!
There was no question that I would find something, she always had something I loved.
On this farewell shopping trip I came upon a charming chair and a darling vanity desk and vintage mirror. I don't think they were officially a "set", but they were definitely a sweet match!
The desk and chair had obviously been painted several times, and the previous owner had stripped them in preparation for refinishing.

Little hints of previous colors still showing, I thought I could easily repaint these, but I kind of liked they way they looked as is.
Several years in the presence of a house full of kids, and my sweet little chair was in need of a little help. The fabric was torn off the seat and a small wood trim piece needed to be reattached to the back.

As I've mentioned (maybe too often?) I have no budget for any serious projects right now, but when I came across a small square of this fabric for 50 cents at a shop recently, I thought I could at least replace the seat fabric on my little chair! As I'm thinking into Spring, I've been really drawn to blues and greens and for this price I couldn't go wrong.

source

A few days after I purchased it, I saw Miss Mustard Seed post about receiving the fabric she was going to be using on her bedroom wall, and was pleasantly surprised to see it was the same pattern! If you haven't seen the gorgeous changes she's making in her room, go check it out here and you'll see what this fabric really looks like!

This makeover was pretty simple. I used wood glue to reattach the small piece of trim that came off the back. I clamped it and let it dry while working on the seat fabric.
I removed the old staples from under the seat, tossing the old shredded fabric. I re-used the same batting (pesky no budget thing). I wrapped it around the seat and secured it underneath with a bit of hot glue. Then just wrapped the fabric around, stapling along the edges while holding it taut.
I didn't do the greatest job of documenting each little step, but after stapling and trimming the fabric, I needed to make a small hole in the fabric in the spots covering the screw holes.

Guess what? I can't find the seat screws! I know they're around here somewhere.....

I'm so happy with the new life this fabric gives the chair!

Someday, when finances allow, I'll probably work on the wood finishes. There's alot of old purplish color showing from previous finishes on the desk. But for now I feel pretty happy with my little bitty chair makeover.