In a world where the imperfect is often done away with, I find myself trying to save the old and decrepit.
When you first look at this chair, it seems sturdy, but in reality it is coming apart. Rickety and fragile, it will never seat a person again. I had the idea to use it as a table, and started its transformation.
I pulled off the old grungy material, and the padding underneath was still in wonderful condition. The chair still had the remnants of former occupants, if you get my meaning. Let's just say they left behind the signs that they had been there.
The back of the seat looked charming after I pulled off the padding, so I decided not to recover it.
I framed the old burlap, creating a ribbon ruffle with vintage cream binding. Then I redid the seat using a handful of the old nails, and a glue gun!
This lovely chair with its undeniable pedigree will now hold my favorite books. I put the velvet ribbon across to keep guests from sitting in it and splintering it to pieces. That would be embarrassing!
Before and after
You did a great job restoring that share and just keeping its uniqueness. I love the ribbon across the chair saving it from falling apart and the book was the perfect touch. Florence
ReplyDeleteHello, I recently found your blog and I love it!
ReplyDeleteThe chair turned out lovely.
Thank you for sharing, I will stop by often :)
Synnøve
Wonderful idea! I so love the grisaille look with a hint of lavender that you have so beautifully created here, Nancy!!! Anita
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! You have a magical touch...and you know just when to stop...it looks exquisite!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy and relaxed day!
:) Laura
Wow, what a wonderful redo Nancy.
ReplyDeleteIt did turn out very charming; I love how the velvet ribbon gives
it a museum quality.
Louise
OH my goodness Nancy...you are putting your pretty touches everywhere with breathtaking results...your chair looks SO gorgeous with it's mini makeover...and i think the tie across the arms is a brilliant touch...it looks like a museum piece...love love love those ruffles...speaking of ruffles, i am posting my youknowwhats today...so that cat will be out of the bag...
ReplyDeleteI love that chair!! It has great features and it can surely stand on it's own-
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your chair! Nice rescue and repurpose, I'm sure it's breathing a sigh of relief :).
ReplyDeleteDynamite chair - I love it before and after - it just has such a terrific style to it! Thanks, Jennifer
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! You gave this grand dame a new life! Bravo Nancy!! It is always exciting to see what you are working on!! So inventive you are~
ReplyDeletexox
Constance
Oh, my goodness, the chair is gorgeous, and I love what you have done with it!!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteIsabel
You have the French touch Nancy! I told you before that in France everything that isn't maintained well just looks beautiful over there, while here it just looks worn out. This chair is just like a museum piece and I love the touch of 'nonchalance' with the ribbon. The book and the lavender enhance the french feeling! Just beautiful! I happen to see what Lori did and your advice shows! You are such a talented blog friend, I am proud to know you! Hugs LiLi
ReplyDeleteFabulous chair. Too bad you aren't closer, my hubby often restores loose rickety chairs for people. Keep up the wonderful posts.
ReplyDeleteso much nicer as a place to hold love poetry...
ReplyDeleteU.
It's an elegant book holder!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
Rosemary
How clever of you to appreciate good bones. Pygmalion would be envious.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes,
Kay
I love what you did with that chair, Nancy. I'm like you, I don't care if it's rickety, as long as it's beautiful to me. I think it's very "French" to think this way - drives my ("North American") husband crazy :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous! I love it:)! You did a great job! I sometimes believe that the imperfect pieces are the ones with the most character.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim
The chair looks amazing! I love your style and your wee shoes! You have such beautiful taste!
ReplyDeletexxo
Dollybelle
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteOh, this chair looks so lovely. You did a beautiful job restoring this old beauty. I have a friend who can make heaven from old treasures. I love the colors that you chose as well.
Karen
Chère Nancy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your congrats....I am really done, but I am at the moment trying to finish one assignment for my last course that finished last week. I only have two more sources to include in my lit. review and then...FINI!!!! Thanks for coming down for some hoofin' with the greats....
What a great idea and job you did. Beauty and function. To use it as a table is such a great idea:)I have covered furniture with burlap too. I love the look.
ReplyDelete~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
What a pretty little book stand you made. I love the pleated seam binding trim.
ReplyDeletekaren
Fabulous!
ReplyDeletem ^..^
The chair turned out great. I love the idea of makinging it into a book table. Since I'm a "more is beter and many time not" person, I'd add a tassle!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and execution, Nancy. Anita and I have a couple of old chairs that we really like but desperately need recovering / face-lifts. Since I am done with major house projects like renovating bathrooms from the wooden studs on out, I might take a crack this summer for fun trying to redo these wonderful old chairs. I'd like to email you pictures of what they look like and get some ideas from you.
ReplyDeleteLove to you and yours,
Ruben
I love the way you treated this chair! To have a perfect corner for it to be tucked away and roped off... gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kate
imperfection at its most perfect!
ReplyDelete