Wednesday, July 20, 2011

not too shabby

I got these beautiful antique chairs at a garage sale.

I was intimidated to work on them as they seemed out of my league. I know how to paint and cover seats... but I've never had to reappolster the tops of chairs before. They sat in the shop forever and then my husband finally talked me into giving it a try and he lovingly REFUSED to help me in any way:) Thanks babe... you're a gem!

Well, I gave it a go and for my first time I thought, "not to shabby"
Here's how they turned out.




I think they are the perfect chairs for a little tea for two!



I love all the little details...

a very soft blue color...

the hand carved flower...

a slightly distressed finish...

and my mom helped me sew the perfect little seat cover:)


For those of you who are interested... here's how I did the tops of the chairs.
My supplies:
fabric, "sew perfect" batting, "sew perfect" nu-foam, trim, staple gun, glue gun, scissors
(burlap...not pictured)


First I used the old forms to cut out mine... I cut them out larger than the originals.


I applied the back fabric first with my staple gun and then trimmed the edges.

Then I turned the chair over and applied the burlap to the front with the staple gun.


Next, I trimmed a piece of the "sew perfect" nu-foam and placed it on top of the burlap.

Then I added some of the "sew perfect" batting.

Here's the layers...


Then, I applied my fabric to the front of the chair with the staple gun and trimmed the edges.



After that... all I had to do was glue the trim on (both front and back) with the hot glue gun.

Easy right? It did go much better then I had anticipated. I learned a lot and hopefully I will get better at it each time.


Linking to {primp} for her party:
http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/
(I couldn't get her button....I need some directions as to how you do that)

Linking to French Country Cottage for her party:
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Linking to The Shabby Nest for her party:
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

Knick of Time
at

26 comments:

  1. Tricia @ Vintage No. 35July 20, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    What a transformation! Great job! I have always been scared to start a project like that.

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  2. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsJuly 21, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Gorgeous! You did a great job on them! Sometimes you just gotta have a little faith, right? : ) Love the fabric you chose.

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  3. L'Heure Bleue At HomeJuly 21, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Absolutely amazing transformation! The chairs look so pretty now.

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  4. CynthiaJuly 22, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    Just beautiful! You did a really good job on these. Love the skirts!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Oh these are just so sweet! You did a fabulous job :)

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  6. ScribblerJuly 22, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Fantastic job! I have always been curious how to do the top.

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  7. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Just Gorgeous!!! You did so well meems! I love that Brett didn't help you on these. He knows you can do it. You just needed the gentle nudge!

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  8. Donna, The Decorated HouseJuly 22, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Very pretty. Love your choice of fabric!

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  9. foreverdecoratingJuly 22, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Your hubby was right...you just needed a push and I think you did a fabulous job. These look so good and so today's French.

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  10. Restore and RenewJuly 22, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    They are great!
    I am a new follower

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  11. MaureenJuly 22, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Awesome! Isn't it incredible how we get 'stuck" on things that are perfectly do-able? I used to do it all the time but over the last few months I've been pushing myself and things have become much easier.

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  12. Courtney ~ French Country CottageJuly 23, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    These are fantastic! I am in love with how they turned out!! Well done! Shared this on Facebook~ thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  13. CourtneyJuly 23, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Wow Mimi! You certainly have a gift for this and an eye to spot the diamonds in the rough. :)

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  14. PamelaJuly 23, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    How beautiful!!! You did an amazing job!!

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  15. CherylJuly 24, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    These look like a shoot from a magazine

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  16. MelissaJuly 26, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    wowzers- they are lovely!!

    i understand that initial hesitation- and then once you get going it's (hopefully) easier than you thought...

    the fabric is just gorgeous too...

    melissa- miss sew & so x

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  17. AnaJuly 27, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Oh my, they turned out beautiful! And for being your first time...well, it was just an awesome job. Love you fabric choice. Have a wonderful day.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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  18. Urban FarmgirlJuly 28, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Mimi...these chairs are FANTASTIC! I love, I love!

    Ok, and I gotta know...where in Iowa are you?? I am there all the time...I have fam around the Dubuque area. Just curious...

    Mary

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  19. UnknownAugust 17, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    oh wow you've made these look amazing! Love them!

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  20. Miss Gracie's HouseAugust 18, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    These are beautiful...thanks for the step-by-step...I have some I need to tackle!
    Rene

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  21. The Rooster and The HenMarch 21, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    They turned out so wonderfully and I'd join you for a spot o' tea anytime! Thanks for linking up to the Repurpose-Remodel-Reveal Transformation party!
    Whitney - The Rooster and The Hen

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  22. Angie @ Knick of TimeApril 30, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing your chairs at the "Back to the Past" link up at the Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Party.

    I'm featuring you at the party this week and there's a button waiting there for you. Please update this post with a link to the party - Thanks so much!

    I look forward to seeing what you share this week!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time

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  23. AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    these are fabulous! I am working on a French style chair right now and heading in a totally different direction than my original plan..... :)

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  24. karen@somewhatquirkyMay 1, 2012 at 8:45 AM

    Wow! They look great! I just did a re-do of this exact chair - http://www.somewhatquirkydesign.com/2012/04/cece-caldwell-paint-debut-after-my-road.html Great minds think alike!

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  25. farmhouse-storyMay 1, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    thanks for the tut--these chairs are just darling!!

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  26. Vickie @ Ranger 911May 3, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    Your chair transformation is wonderful! Your fabric choice and paint color look amazing on those chairs!

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