Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Chairs....Six Months in the Making

Back in September I traveled to Round Top, TX for the semi-annual antiques/junk fair. I have searched high and low for some cheap Louis salon chairs to redo. I looked on craigslist and at garage/estate sales. Even frames for these suckers are usually about $300. And they usually need reupholstering. I wanted to try to salvage something and use some new painting techniques and I didn't want to sink a lot into them in case it turned out to be bad.
Imagine my surprise when I am browsing at Round Top and I see these two little ladies sitting battered and bruised (VERY bruised).






Let's just say "filthy" is a polite word to describe these things when I picked them up. The pictures don't do them justice. These things were so bad I wiped my entire car down with lysol wipes after transporting them.

The seller wanted $40 for each and after inspecting the chairs and realizing they were wobbly and needed frame stabilizing work and serious reupholstering and major cleaning I offered $25 for both chairs not really thinking he'd take me up on it.
before I knew it.....SOLD! gasp. what did I do?
Oh right, $25 on 2 chairs. If it's a bust I will trash them for that price. My friend, Emily, wasn't even with me when I impulsively bought them. As I walked her to the vendor booth I felt I had to prepare her before she saw my purchase and I said "don't laugh at me but I have a plan". Famous last words, right?

Removing all the staples and upholstery tack strip almost drove me insane
(this is only a fraction)


The stripping got pretty nasty. Lots of mess.


I got so fed up with the gooey mess at one point that I just power washed the chairs with my garden hose nozzle on the "jet" setting. After the chairs dried and I regained my composure, I started to see the nice natural wood show through and they drew me back.


Then I was paralyzed for WEEKS on how to paint them until I got some inspiration and guidance from Miss Mustard Seed. I finally decided on a nice grayish white. After my first step with the paint I employed child labor to help me wipe the chairs down.

Don't worry. They're using baby wipes on latex paint. No chemical exposure here.

Then I had to tackle the dang webbing! What did I get myself into?

Oh, but here is the "after"....ahhhh....the after is what we live for, right?
I'm in luuuuuv....$25 bucks, I mean REALLY?!?!?!



And another before/after shot


So worth all the work! I think I'm going to add some little burlap bolster pillows for an accent??



Linking to:
Furniture Feature Fridays
Transformation Thursday
Frugal Friday at










UndertheTableandDreaming




SAS Interiors




35 comments:

Tammy @ Type A said...

gorgeous! i love how they turned out. you did a fabulous job!

Tammy @ Type A said...

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-7.html if you have the time link to my party it's up for another 45 mins.

Chrissie said...

Just beautiful! What a lot of work with a big pay off!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

WOW! They are gorgeous! I really admire you taking them on. I'd have no idea how to work with upholstery webbing.

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

So beautiful and that was funny about blasting them with the hose. You did a really great job!

Sommer said...

These are to die for! You have a talent my dear. These are over the moon! I would be delighted if you would link these up to my VIP party Friday at www.designergarden.blogspot.com

Oh and I'm gladly following you! Can't wait to see what's next.

Sommer

Victoria said...

Oh wow, they look gorgeous! That was a lot of work, I don't think I could ever take a project like that on and with little ones too...amazing!

I added myself as a follower, can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve:)

Faith said...

Wow! What a great find!!! I've been looking for the same type chairs for a while...guess patience really does count! Awesome job.

Emily@LovelyBeasts said...

Amazing job on those chairs and great job negotiating the price! :) Do you currently live in TX by the way? I'm originally from TX, but was living in the Boston area for the last 10 years. Now I'm in Houston near downtown. I've been looking for someone to go to flea markets with or at least get some tips on where to go in the area. Maybe you can help?! :)

Also, we both joined linky parties with french chairs. This was my first chair redo but definitely no my last. If you're interested, here's my link. http://lovelybeasts.blogspot.com/2011/03/la-bete.html. Just like you, MMS inspires me to get things done too!

Joyce - Quilted Nest said...

Oh my goodness! You put an incredible amount of work into these. I am beyond impressed. They are beautiful!

lucy said...

wow. so gorgeous!! what a reward for all your hard work:)

Decor To Adore said...

Fantastic find and redo!

I am having an antique auction on my blog. All sorts of lovely and romantic finds looking for a new home. I hope you'll stop by.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

I absolutely LOVE them!! You did a fantastic job!! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday!! :)

lvroftiques said...

They look SOOOO great!! I'm doing the same project and I'm tellin' ya my hand is bruised from pulling out all those stinkin' staples! After reading your post I'm seriously thinking I'll leave the finish alone!*winks* I hope mine turn out a fraction of how well yours did. Vanna

Robin Johnson said...

WOW! I can't believe they are the same chairs. They look amazing now. Very well done.

Ashleigh@Sincerely said...

I can't get over these. They are perfect!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

I think I'm in luuuuv too! These turned out beautifully! I soooo want to luck across a find like yours! I had to laugh about the power washing! Sounds so much like something I'd do!

Nikki @ the ambitious procrastinator said...

These look beautiful. I just love these chairs. Now craigslist needs to find some for me.

Kate Fredrickson said...

Wow- I'm so impressed! Great work!
Kate @ welcomedtempest.blogspot.com

Cassie Bustamante said...

oh my goodness!!!! those are STUNNING. wow. what more can i say? wow.

Tammy @ Type A said...

i would love it if you shared this at my party, it goes from tues-thurs. http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/

oops! said...

I am in Love too!

Tammy @ Type A said...

thanks for sharing this at my party! i'm so glad you did! i just love these.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Just came over from Courtney's. These turned out wonderful! you did a great job!

mybelleepoque said...

Love this... You found a new follower here!

morethanthestarsinthesky said...

Love your blog!!! Those chairs look fabulous! Great job. A friend of mine is wanting to recover her chairs that are very similar. I will have to share this with her. Thanks.


Amanda

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

What gorgeous chairs! You did an awesome job transforming them. Just found your lovely blog via Feather Your Nest. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
Tammy

Julie said...

Great job! Sounds like a bit of a nightmare getting it all done, but the results look fantastic. :) This is the second blog I've read this week on reworking a pair of chairs like this, and I must say- I'm so jealous! The thrifts and antique shops around here have yet to yield anything so great for me.. But then again, I don't think I'd have the finesse to pull of a project like this anyway! I'll keep on dreaming though..

Caroline (Piorra Maison) said...

What a fantastic job you did on the chairs. I have a few just waiting for me.. daunting. I am your newest follower. please drop by
bon weekend
Caroline

Cindy said...

Awesome!

Cindy

Green Door Girl said...

I selected your awesome chair makeover on our Saturday Spotlight - feel free to grab a button! :) Great job - I am very impressed!

http://www.greendoordesignsblog.com/2011/03/saturday-spotlight-4-features.html

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Beautiful job on those chairs! Really love how they came out. And what a deal too!

Debra Lea said...

I just found your blog thanks to Lisa at fern creek cottage :0)..You did an awesome job on those chairs, and that is an amazing price! Your home is beautiful:0)

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful - what type of glue did you use for the wobbly joints?

Lori said...

To Anonymous: I actually took these to an upholsterer for a quote and he knew a wood guy who fixed the frame. That was a part I was willing to pay for since I didn't have clamps that would work well. The frame turned out nice and sturdy so I could do the rest with confidence the chair wouldn't fall apart!!

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