Sunday, July 19, 2009

From " 80's Granny " to " Coastal Glammy "




One of my proudest achievements as an" amateur upholsterer" is the makeover I did on this wingback chair. I got two identical "mauve" wingbacks at a garage sale a year ago and transformed one from " 80's granny " to " coastal glammy " by recovering it with a beautiful fabric with blues and tans and then punching it up with a co-ordinating solid blue. The "fun" part was when I decided to use shells instead of piping.





Here's a close up of the shells:





Next week, I'll share the room that I transformed using this chair and a chaise lounge I also recovered.
That's really my style............BUT...........




These funky and colorful chairs make me smile. They seem to say, "Color Me Happy"! I would love to create one of my own.











The question is: Where in the world could I put one of these? My home is Old world/Traditional in almost every way possible, plus the fact that I have run out of room for more chairs.





Squint upholstered chair by mike.pevsner.
Squint opened in East London at the beginning of 2005, it was started by Lisa Whatmough a former Sculptor and Painter. Her initial desire was to showcase the antique textiles she had been collecting and found that a fusion of period furniture and fabrics made for unexpected one off pieces.

The range comprises of items such as Victorian chaise longues and iconic Egg chairs and includes all types of upholstered furniture as well as mirrors and lighting, each piece bespoke incorporating a mix of contemporary and vintage fabrics.

As Squint has grown it now makes to order, classic designs meticulously made in England and upholstered traditionally, with tied springs and hand stitched seams. Each design is priced individually depending on the final mix of fabrics used and a selection of sofa shapes can be made as bed settees.

Website: www.squintlimited.com














I have turned my finished basement, much to my husband's discontentment, from a nice entertaining suite to a "chair orphanage" of sorts. The abused and unwanted chairs that I have picked up in garage sales and on street corners , line the walls of my former respectable pooltable/theatre style room and are waiting patiently for their second lives to begin.

















I found this "beauty" on Craig's List. The add title was, "Ugly Chair....Cheap". Well! I just had to run out and grab it! I think it has a lot of potential, don't you?








Maybe soon, I'll go down to the basement, and one of those orphans will stick out her leg and trip me, so that I can stop and realize that she is the chosen one!?!


Run..........don't walk to Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch for some awesome transformations!

38 comments:

abeachcottage said...

I can't believe how you did that, errm not at all amateur looking I have a real amateur one! lol

Sarah

bj said...

Oh, Rose...all these chairs are great...but the ones you've covered...they are 10 times better. i LOVE your work. And, are those real shells on the arms or some kind of shell trim? I have 2 little club chairs that I want to cover so bad I could just spit but I don't have A CLUE ONE how to even began. My machine doesn't do the cording thingy, I don't know how to make the little button puffy thingys, I could cut the pattern from the original but then...I would be lost. Maybe duct tape and hot glue ??!! hahaaa....
Great post, friend.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

That wing chair is absolutely gorgeous. It is so pretty. I love the fabric that you chose. I think you've done a wonderful job on all the ones that you've redone. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

What a fantastic idea. with the shells. You should do this for a business. Love all those funky chairs too. But I have no room either. One of these days I will do that to a chair. lol. Mishelle

Tootsie said...

I am loving that patchwork wing back!!! the first two are gorgeous!!! the shells!!! I never thought of that...I have an unfinished wing chair under my bum right now!!!.....hmmmm what do I have....hmmmm


thanks for the inspiration!

Sami said...

Please redo more of your forlorn chairs. I just picked up two wing backs for a song and am searching for ideas. Love the seashells for piping - so creative!

Samantha

Unknown said...

That has definitely gone from bland to absolutely fabulous! I love the seashell detail instead of the piping. Amateur?? I say very creative and very professional! I can't wait to see the whole room!

Loved seeing the inspiration behind your creativity! The Squint chairs are fabulous! I am also a big fan of Mackenzie-Childs.

I'm not doing the Morph Monday. Just wanted to pop in and say hello! Have a great week!

Tina

Tina

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

What fabulous chair makeovers! You have quite the talent of turning an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! Cindy

Unknown said...

You are fantastic! You know, I would love that look on a sun porch. How cute would that be? Have a great week.

Charla

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I love that wing chair makeover. Fantabulous!!

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh the chair with the shells is to die for!!! How adorable is that! I love them all, but that one is my fav! Nancy

parTea lady said...

Nothing amateur about the look of that chair. I really like your fabric choice and the shell trim is wonderful.

Your santa with shells in your header is fabulous. Can you tell I'm a beach person?

susan said...

We have self-professed dish addicts; maybe you are a chair addict. I can see why..I think it might be the fabric! Those shells as trim were genius! I can't wait to see the room and the chaise. I have always wanted a chaise. I love that blue and brown slipper chair--again the fabric. So many chairs; so little time :)

Signing Out said...

I love what you did to that wing chair. The fabric is beautiful, and I love the shell detail!

Jane

Sharlotte said...

Wow Wee!! I love your "new" wing chairs! The colors are so cool and the seashells are a bit of the unexpected! Can't wait to see the room!

Lady Katherine said...

I love the chair, adore you using the shells!

The Bloom Girls said...

Your chair is beautiful; the chairs are very cute. I love your mission to save orphaned chairs...bravo!!!! I think the 'ugly' chair is actually beautiful; it just needs a little tlc. I can't wait to see it after you've made it some new clothes.

Happy Monday!
Nola

Domestic Designer said...

You did a wonderful job! TALENTED!!!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Those other chairs were fun and funky...but I love your coastal chair the best! The shell piping was a stroke of genius...love it!

squawmama said...

Hi Rose, What an original idea... Loved the transformation and especially the shells... I didn't care for the fabric on any of those chairs but the chairs themselves were awesome... Have fun picking your next victim... I know it'll come out just gorgeous. Have fun!!!

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Jane said...

You had me at Hello with that shell trim! Amazing! Thanks for sharing all those patchwork chairs. They would never work in my home, but I sure admire them from afar!

Justine said...

OMG, I remember when you posted your room on RMS with that gorgeous chair. I was nearly speechless when I saw how you used the shells. Still love that chair soooooooo much! But Squint? That furniture MADE ME squint! EEKS, I hated every piece! LOL
I'll stick with your stuff!

Justine :o )

Millie said...

I love that gold chair, it definitely has lots of potential. You did a nice job on the upholstery too.

artis1111 said...

Love the crazy chairs!!! I have to cover two ,and I think I am going to do slipcovers on these. Great job with the shells. Pleas stop by a blog I am hosting . appalachianarts.blogspot.com Thanks Kathy

Kammy said...

I love your chair with the shells - very pretty and oh so coastal !
The pics of the other chairs are neat too...maybe you need to buy another home - super large so that you can have more rooms !!!
Hugs ~ Kammy

Kammy said...

I love your chair with the shells - very pretty and oh so coastal !
The pics of the other chairs are neat too...maybe you need to buy another home - super large so that you can have more rooms !!!
Hugs ~ Kammy

Blondie's Journal said...

Wow!! You've got some talent girl!! I place people who can sew right up there with surgeons (and not because both sew!!) because it is difficult (to me) and you have to have a lot of patience (not me) and you have to follow some rules (nope!).

Like everyone...I am really loving that coastal chair!!

Happy Met Mnday, a bit late!

xoxo
Jane

EmBee said...

Funky chair placement? How 'bout near the pool table?
:-)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your talent is amazing girl.. which we lived closer together.. then again we might be in trouble all the time.. lol..
OK>>> I missed the ending to Design Star got a phone call and didn't get to see who got booted off..bring me up to speed darling.. another one is coming up on Sunday I've got to be up todate..lol.. hugs ~lynne~

Cyndi said...

WOW!!!! You are one talented lady! These are just fantastic,the job and all the artistic creativity you put into this.Ummm,have you ever thought about selling them?I am 100% positive that you would do well.OUTSTANDING!!!!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Rose, you are brilliant! Love the idea of the shells. Your chairs are always so wonderful! You have such an imagination and knack for making them look wonderful. I've got some chairs that could really benefit by tripping you in your basement! laurie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Rose, I do remember the gals with the torn bedspreads. I wondered when they did that if it was going to hurt them. I also felt the floor was going to be some major points off. It amazes me they come up with some of the ideas they do. I felt like some of the rooms were "way" over the top..you always hate to see an up and coming design let go..guess they all can't stay.. this week should prove to be interesting huh?? Thanks for the update darling..
hugs ~lynne~

imjacobsmom said...

I'm playing catch-up today - and I'm glad I didn't miss this one. Your chairs are fantastic! I wish I knew where to begin with a project like that. You have every right to be proud of those wingbacks - they turned out so cute! You're right the shell trim was a great idea. I'm all for a "fun whimsical chair" in the room, too. I have planning on re-doing my living room for years now and I'm looking for something vibrant to brighten it up. Hmmmm! I'll have to check those out. ~ Robyn

Diane said...

I have never seen such delights! Thank you for showing the before and afters. Love the shells!

Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing said...

You know I love those chairs. It's nice to see someone with the same passion.
Kelly

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I love that shell trim! That's not something you see every day. How clever! That whole chair just looks amazing! Those patchwork chairs are so cool but I'm not sure where I would put one!

Manuela

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your did a fantastic job on the chair. And as far as the multi fabric one...do it..just use old world looking fabrics. I think that would be fabulous!!

bj said...

Good morning, Rose, and thanks so much for stopping by.
I'll never forget the first time I saw your beautiful porch on RMS and HAD to put it on my blog. Your chairs that you reworked just blew me away and threw me right smack dab in the middle of COVET !!
You are an awesome decorator and I am about ready to see somemore of your house. Hope you'll show us more soon!!
xo bj