We’re thrilled to share this amazing chair makeover from Vanessa. Here’s her note:
I read your blog daily and wanted to share a project I just finished. It was inspired by your recommendation of a Target chair during their Home Design Event…
Some months later I found a chair at my favorite secondhand shop, Second Thyme Around in Manhattan, KS. I liked its lines and thought it could be my first reupholstery project. I read tutorials online, then bought the chair for $25. Using coupons at Hobby Lobby and Joann’s, I purchased all the supplies I needed. Nearly every item was at least 40% off, except the staples and spray paint, which I bought at full price from the hardware store.
Here’s the chair before… Then the deconstruction began. I took lots of photos so I’d remember how everything fit back together.
I removed hundreds of staples and ended up with a small abrasion on my thumb from needle-nose pliers, so I recommend gloves if you try this.
I discovered the back cushion was faux, so I left that piece in place after removing the buttons. The frame, however, was beautiful solid hardwood and very sturdy.
Here I began attaching the new fabric, using the old fabric pieces as templates to cut the new material. Some of the original foam had decomposed into a fine yellow dust that coated everything, so I replaced the foam where it was too far gone.
By this point the fabric was nearly attached. I hadn’t done the button tufting yet…
The legs were pretty beat up, so I gave them a fresh coat of paint. Krylon spray paint adheres to everything!
Here the button tufting on the back is finished. Reese seems to approve — he sat in the chair while I worked on the tufting and played with the waxed twine, and didn’t get up.
And finally… the finished project! It’s not perfect, and the pillow cover needs ironing, but I’m really happy with the result.
Thanks to coupons, the entire redo — including the cost of the chair — came to $73, and I enjoyed five evenings working on it. I wanted to show you how your blog inspired me to try something new. Thanks for the terrific blog! Best regards, Vanessa
Isn’t Vanessa’s DIY story inspiring? We love that her first reupholstery attempt was rewarding. Thanks for the photos, Vanessa — we hope your cat gives you plenty of cozy chair time!