I’ve been busily getting ready for the Junk In The Trunk Vintage Market at Scottsdale’s Westworld that’s sneaking up on us on November 9th. Camryn (from Livy Lou’s) and I are bringing down some awesome furniture and vintage finds for the show. I hope you can join us (and the other hundred of so vendors) if you’re in the area!
I was pretty excited about my resourcefulness with this first project. I loved this realistic looking pleather vintage rolling chair when I spied it at the thrift store.
Overall, it was in good shape. I could tell the wood legs needed refinishing, but that wasn’t a big deal to me. What made me stop and go hmmmmmm was the state of the seat cushion.
Not great. And, if you know me, you’ll know that I really loathe doing upholstery. It’s something that I would love to get better at, but as of now, not something I’m good at so not something I like to do.
But it was such a cool chair! It reminded me of an old bomber jacket. I had to figure out an easy way to fix up the seat. So I stood there in the thrift store starting at the chair for way, way too long. I’m sure I was making people uncomfortable. Then it came to me! So I picked up a man’s tweed suit coat for a dollar and headed home.
I cut off the little covered buttons on the seat cushion, then cut off the entire back of the tweed jacket.
The jacket I got didn’t have the center seam on the back of the coat, which worked perfectly for this! I even used the bottom hem at the front edge of the seat for a nice clean finished look.
I got some thin, black, satin ribbon and basically did a big whip stitch to attach the tweed to the top of the seat cushion.
It was tough to get the needle through the pleather and I had sore finger tips for days. Once the tweed was stitched all the way around, I just re tufted the cushion using the same covered buttons in the same place as before.
The legs got a sand and stain and were good as new. (Sorry about the crappy pictures I snapped just before taking it down to the shop. You get the idea.)
I love the manliness of the tweed and the worn leather look!
In my project mania getting ready for the market, I also made over this old, unusable, antique dresser mirror with by stripping off some of the reflective backing with some paint stripper and adding some vintage fabric behind the glass. I painted and distressed the frame and finished it off with some hooks for keys or such along the bottom. The glass makes a great dry erase board for family messages.
Also did up a fun herringbone skeleton shade for a bright yellow vintage ceramic lamp I picked up. Added a new Edison light bulb and this one’s ready to go too!
Speaking of yellow, how great is this gold brocade vintage sofa I picked up? Check out that carving!
I also got a fantastic French Provincial China Cabinet the other day as well. It’s in really great shape, so I think I’ll give a go at selling it in as-is condition first before I paint it.
I’ve also been stocking up on vintage finds as well. Bringing lots of salvage sign letters with me.
I’ll be back soon with a fun little book stand side table I refinished yesterday with some chippy mustard milk paint.
Ann Marie!! I wish I could come get that chair. That is the coolest, coolest thing. How so clever to use a man's tweed jacket. I love this. I love how the creative process evolved for you too.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you with all the cool stuff you have for your market. You are one busy lady!!! I am pinning this chair. I so want to make one like this for my office.
that chair is to die for! one i'd love as my own. oh so creative with that coat, couldn't have picked a better material. now THATS an awesome redo!
ReplyDeleteI love that chair! That was a very smart way to fix the seat and it looks much better than the original!
ReplyDeleteThis is GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteGreat treasures! I love what you did with the dresser mirror.
ReplyDeleteIf that chair is still available, oh my gosh I need it!
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ReplyDeleteI also received a wonderful French Provincial China Cabinet the other day. It's in excellent condition, so I guess I'll try to sell it as is before painting it. Your comment adds another dimension to the conversation. I truly loved the way you described yourself. You have made some really valid points here.
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