Thursday, May 20, 2010

the (possibly too ambitious) chair project

this is it. the chair. the chair that has worn corners, and permanent cat hair {the only cat-hair-covered item we own} the chair that husband loves to read it, and i try to pretend is not there.

and since i'm so honest, and have no shame, this is what it really looks like:
::shudder::
 but did i mention that husband loves it?
so my plan {for over a year now} has been to cover it. but fabric is expensive, and i've never done anything like this before so i keep putting it off. but last weekend when i was home i found this twin comforter my big sister gave my mom, and the colors are perfect! and it's awesome! and i was lamenting the fact it wasn't big enough for our bed. 
{tan cotton heavy twill, corduroy stripes, and houndstooth/paisely wool}
see how well it matches our rug!?

and then i was struck by genius. i'm recovering our chair with it. 
 yup, that's right. i'm covering our chair with a blanket. 
and it's gonna be awesome! {if i don't totally screw it up}
  {matching pillow sham}

i've never attempted any project like this before, so i decided to attack it in steps:
step 1: go to the library and check out lots of books on how to do it.

step 2: look at the pictures {don't actually read anything} and feel confident that this project will be a breeze. {cause the pictures make it look so easy!}

step 3: drink some iced tea, and start tomorrow!
ok no, i've already started, but i'll let you know when {if} i finish. i fully expect this project to take me weeks cause i prefer to learn by trial-and-error. {which can be quite time consuming} but i'm excited! 
wish me luck?

16 comments:

  1. haha! this sounds like my kind of plan for sure.
    good luck!

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  2. We plan the same way! Can't wait to see how it turns out! I have two couches that we love (super comfy, great shaping, wood trim) but that are crazy ugly. I dream of reupholstering them but don't know the first place to stat... yikes! Good luck!

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  3. You are too funny! I can't wait to see it!

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  4. ohhh yay!!! how exciting :) good luck with it...ive been dying to do a reupholstery project but i dont have anything :( maybe its time to go thrifting or yradsales for something thats needs some TLC!!!

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  5. I love your whole creative process...similar to how I embark upon something! The ice tea break is key! :)
    I think it's going to be fabulous and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I've been thinking of making slip covers for our leather sofas and this inspires me to look into that a little more.

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  6. Good Luck! I always go feet first too!

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  7. As a person who learned to recover furniture the hard way... wrecking a few items along with the expensive fabric :(. Make sure and keep track of how you remove the pieces, draw diagrams and number the pieces as you go. Use the pieces as your pattern for the new pieces. Once you have done this, you'll see how uncomplicated it actually is, mostly staples, carpet tacks and cardboard with a fabric shell over the top. If you do this it's really not that bad. But as a disclaimer - every time I reupholster something, I swear I will never do it again... yet I have three pieces in my workshop right now that are in line to be redone...mmm glutton for punishment or crazy person who secretly loves to reupholster???

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  8. Ooooh those fabrics look great...I'm sure this project is going to be a success...cannot wait to see the updated photos of the chair :)

    Laura x

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  9. YOU CAN DO IT! I don't think it's too ambitious and I think it's going to look totally fantastic when you finish. I can't wait to see how it turns out...especially with that blanket you're using.

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  10. Good luck! Don't worry, I have a chair simply covered in cat hair too that I've given up on haha.

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  11. Bah! I love love that blanket! Better than you even described it!!! Josh's favorite chair is going to turn out amazing.

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  12. P.S. We have a slight obsession with lipton cold brew in our house. Just sayin!

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  13. I love that you're willing to try a new endeavor! I try not to let fear from keeping me away from new unknown projects...kudos to you for being "willing to try something new" I look forward to seeing the finish project. Good luck! Kim

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  14. i think i may steal the colors/design off that blanket for the nursery...assuming this is a girl...:D
    Nicki

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  15. I have almost that exact same chair (Ikea?) and I desperately need to recover it (cat, horrible color) I can't wait to see the finished project, will you do a tutorial? please :-)

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