Tuesday, September 9, 2014

64 Studio Chair - Take 2

After my studio didn't work out as planned the first time {or the second or the third}, I gave it a blank slate and have been slowly working on bringing it back to life.  And yes, I apologize that it has been a slow process, but rushing it clearly didn't work for me the first few times.  Rooms need to evolve over time with pieces you cherish and love, so that has been my goal ever since.

I loved the previous space because it was happy and colorful.  I didn't love that it was cluttered and the teenage bedroom I never had.  So now the challenge is to bring in the color, but keep it a little more classic and clean.  I started this process by painting the focal wall the same color as the rest of the walls, creating a more classic gallery wall of my favorite images and removing the too small workspace and building a new larger one.  So far, I have nailed the simple and classic boring stuff... now it is time to bring back the color.

Here is a hint!


I have loved our thrift store chair since the day I brought her home.  And when I say I loved her, I mean like really, really loved her.  But after I started blank slating the studio and placed my desk facing out, the front of the chair was just another colorless item.  Sure, the back had a little life, but it was never visible with the layout of the studio.  Even with a small lumbar throw pillow, the teal-blue fabric was all that could be seen.  The studio was shaping up to be solid on solid on solid and I knew I needed more.  I needed life and pattern and pizzazz.  I needed that pop of color that makes me happy.  The chair would need to stay, but it would also need to be redone because a patterned chair was the missing link.  Here is a reminder of how she looked after her first makeover.


Loved the nailhead trim, loved the painted frame, loved the floral pattern on the back of the chair.  Wasn't crazy about the blue fabric front as it was sort of a micro-fiber finish you could write in with your finger, it showed everything and never looked clean.  Lesson learned I suppose! 

So, I decided to take what I loved about the back of the chair, and do the entire piece in a fun and vibrant floral.  Unfortunately, the fabric I used for the back of the chair was no longer available, so I started my search from scratch.  I searched for weeks and weeks and found nothing I loved within my budget.  Sure, I found amazing fabrics in the $200 / yard range {seriously, people pay that at a two yard minimum?  Sticker shock happened big time}.  No way would I be covering my $15 thrift store chair in $400 worth of floral fabric.  One day it finally hit me, the fabric I was desperately looking for had been in front of me the whole time.  It was hanging in our guest bathroom as a shower curtain.  No joke you guys!  The colors, the pattern, the everything that makes my heart race a thousand pumps per second.  I knew it was meant to be.

When I initially purchased the shower curtain for our guest bathroom makeover, I had purchased two curtains with the intention of using them in our dining room and living room {banding the bottom of solid colored drapes}.  My husband challenged me on that and had no interest in floral curtains front and center of our home.  Understandable. 

So I returned one and used the other for the guest bathroom we were planning on renovating that very week.  The curtain became the inspiration piece for the entire bathroom which is still my favorite bathroom in our home.

But the guest bathroom is in the most tucked away corner of our home and is only seen every other week during bi-weekly cleaning sprees {and by the occasional guest of course}.  It was a shame that something I found to be so pretty and inspirational, was not being given the attention it deserved.  So, I took it down and draped it over a chair in my studio.  In that moment I knew it was meant to be.


The thing is, I know that the pattern and colors and fabric are not for everyone and that some of you may even think that I am driving the crazy train.  But in a space that I need to work within each day, and that should reflect my personality and brand and vision, this chair was just what I needed.

The re-upholstery process went down just like it did during round one.  I removed the nailheads and fabric and used a staple gun to upholster the chair with the shower curtain fabric.  The fabric is thick and nice and stronger than typical shower curtains, so I am feeling quite comfortable with the material choice.

I really like the look of nailhead trim, but it can be fussy and the first time around we had a few challenges following all of the natural curves of the chair.  My perfectionist side didn't love when the nail heads would fall out of line {even the slightest bit} and thought that this time around a nice and clean double welt would serve the chair better.

My neighbor is a sewing wiz {like it is her day job}, and she whipped up a double welt within 10 minutes which is far less time than it would have taken me to thread my own machine.  I am sure I am annoying her with my immense gratitude, but what a gift she has.  For those that have sewing skills, you can find a double welt tutorial here.


I used my fabric shears to cut the excess fabric, and attached the double welting with a hot glue gun.  I have to admit, I was skeptical that it would stay, but that cording trim is not going anywhere!


I just followed the curves of the chair with the hot glue gun and slowly pressed in the double welt cord.  I began and ended at the bottom where it would be least visible, folding the fabric over the cord for a nice clean starting edge and finishing point.


I finished re-staining and liming the new farmhouse table desk last night {yes, I had to stain twice, story to come soon}, so I brought the chair up to our bright living room to shoot some of the photos for today's post.  I can't wait to bring the desk back inside and start using it again with this beautifully re-upholstered chair!

Here is a look at the back of the chair.  I mean seriously, my keyboard is covered in Jen drool.



My husband and I are not huge fans of doing things twice, but sometimes it is that second time that really takes a project from good to great.  It is like the thrift store chair is getting better with age...


It is officially my favorite piece of furniture in the entire house.  Now, to find a new bathroom shower curtain....

64 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! It's just the perfect amount of girly, but so clean looking!! Can't wait to see the rest of the space!

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  2. Looks fantastic! I'm starting to think about redecorating my home office and looking for some inspiration, the colors of this fabric are beautiful! :)

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  3. That chair has seriously made me drool and now WHOA BABY! You do amazing things and then you take that amazing thing and make it even better! SUPER WOMAN!

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  4. I love it! Looks beautiful - great job :)

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  5. I love the fabric you chose! Very light, clean, and Anthropologie-ish

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  6. I actually gasped at that first photo! I just checked to see if that shower curtain was still available because I have two thrift store chairs that would look great with it as well. It isn't! Boo. Absolutely gorgeous job on that chair - I can hardly stand it!

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    1. Ugh, I know! I have been searching for it on Ebay because I just love it that much.... Wish they would bring back something similar soon! It is just so good!

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  7. I love your Jen drool comment. The fabric is not something i would have chosen but seeing it WOW. I love it.

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  8. I love that pattern. I understand that its bright, but it looks so right! It would make me happy to go into the room and see that chair. Good call!

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    1. Thank you so much! Now that I have it in our living room, I sort of want it to stay! Wish I could put it in every room... It really does liven up a space!

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  9. I love it; and you're not on the crazy train, I take forever to make decor decisions too. You have to look at it and live with it so you should love it. Good things can't be rushed. Awesome job on the upholstery, btw.

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  10. Hey, I don't know if you actually have OCD... But if you don't, I just want to say it is quite offensive to people who actually suffer from this very serious illness when you use OCD as an excuse to like things neat and organised. It is happening more and more lately and the term is becoming sort of trendy so I get it when you picked up on that.

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    1. Hi Ilse... I do apologize if I offended anyone by using the term. I find myself to be a little too particular about things at times, but never intend to offend with the improper verbiage. The post has been edited, thank you for the polite reminder.

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  11. Inspirational amazing you have so much talent you really inspire me, to go beyond my beige safe colors!
    Your blog never fails to deliver it!!!

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  12. I use shower curtains in place of regular fabric all the time! Window curtains, upholstery, throw pillows...The choices are really good and can be a lot less expensive than some fabric. Looks great Jen!

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  13. I love the fabric and the chair looks so great! I have a chair similar to this that is on my list of makeovers to-do. One day!
    Have you considered (if you have enough fabric) to do a single cording around the bottom of the cushion? I think that would finish it off nicely.
    Love your blog, so much amazing inspiration!
    Betsy

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    1. Thanks so much Betsy! I definitely considered it but decided to sacrifice it to do a throw pillow for our sofa instead. I can't get enough of the pattern and want to spread it all around our home. :)

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    2. I was actually going to post here to say that if you had extra fabric you could make a throw pillow for the bench next to your desk, tie the two areas together nicely. But you were one step ahead and had already thought of that!

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  14. Jen, that chair looks absolutely AMAZING!!! I can't wait to see your desk :)

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  15. I absolutely love how the chair turned out, gorgeous fabric!

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  16. No, I certainly DO NOT think you are crazy....I think one would be crazy not to LOVE the chair! It is beautiful and I would enjoy having one just like it. Can't wait to see the whole reveal with the chair.....Toodles, Barbi

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  17. I love the fabric choice! Sure, it's not for everyone but I think that's the beauty of it. It's different! And so lively. Perfect for sparking some creativity in a studio. Can't wait to see it all come together!

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  18. I love a punchy, patterned upholstered chair. Beautiful! Not crazy train ;)

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  19. I loved that shower curtain in your bathroom makeover and love it even more here! It's going to be the perfect pop of color in the office - can't wait to see it in the studio space!!

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  20. I love that fabric! It's beautiful!

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  21. Oh, the chair looks great and I love the fun pop of color that it will add to your studio! The fabric is absolutely gorgeous!

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  22. I tend to steer away from floral patterns but this chair is gorgeous! I might have to reconsider nice I find a chair to repurpose!

    Erin
    Upsideofchaos.com

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  23. I love it! Double welt is so much easier than nail heads too!

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  24. I love the way the chair turned out. It looks amazing! :)

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  25. The chair is AWESOME!!!! I love the floral print. I don't normally comment on many posts but I HAD to let you know how great this is. I reallyreallyreally wish I had one like it!
    Charli

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  26. Great post! I love that this is an evolving process for you. Taking the time to make a space "yours" is one of the best ways to be creative and ultimately get in touch with everything you need to make yourself happy :)

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  27. Hi there! I've been following your blog for a while now... more like a couple of years but never dropped a comment :))) HAD to comment on this though. Can't believe that awesome fabric came from a humble shower curtain. I think the transformation looks like a million dollars!

    Melanie

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  28. I LURVE IT! I don't think I would pick that fabric on my own....but it looks phenomenal!

    We are getting ready to move, and I can't wait to start with a brand new slate in my new home. Thanks for all you show us!

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  29. Amazing...LOVE that fabric and the fact that it was a shower curtain makes it even more amazing...that little thrifted chair is living big these days!!

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  30. My husband doesn't understand that sometimes things need to cook a little while in your brain before they're done... and sometimes they NEED a second take. Love the re-done chair. Not very efficient to have to re-upholster it twice but worth it to be happy every time you sit down in it. But sometimes you have to sacrifice efficiency to make it perfect!

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  31. I am hoping that color is the next big 'trend'! LOL I am slowly getting over white, on white, on white....and I even have it in my own house! :) But am craving fun color combos again! Gorgeous chair!!!!! Rosie

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  32. I loved the first makeover and I love the new one. You have such an eye for choosing fabrics!

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  33. Jen, the chair is BEAUTIFUL! I would pay you a lot more than you paid for the whole project to get a hold of something like that :) Great job!! A perfect addition to your office...

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  34. Absolutely gorgeous!! Love thefabric and that you re-purposed a shower curtain! :)

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  35. I absolutely love it! I liked the blue too but I think this really suits you.

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  36. I adore the fabric that you used! Thank you for sharing this how to!

    xo Rachel

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  37. It's beautiful ! Wish I was bold enough to cover my chair in floral!

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  38. Love, love, love it! I liked the fabric that you used for the back of the chair originally but this is even better! It is absolutely gorgeous! If you ever find the fabric or the shower curtain again, please share. Again, it is just beautiful!

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  39. That's gorgeous! I'm not a big fan of floral prints but that one is lovely! So colourful!

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  40. I love the fabric, the colors, the double welting.. all of it! I recently bought a rocker from the early 1900's that I'm going to do over and you've just inspired me to finish the edges with double welting. Just beautiful!

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  41. OMG, I love it! It looks great!

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  42. This is stunning! So pinning right now :)

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  43. Gorgeous fabric, I never thought to use a shower curtain to cover a chair.. you've just opened up so many possibilities for me :)

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  44. LOVE the chair- everything about it! I couldn't help but notice the curtains in the background, it all goes so well together. Where are they from?

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  45. Thank you Christi! We sewed the curtains from Premier Prints fabric. You can find all the details in this post here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/03/hooked-on-navy.html

    xoxo!

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  46. The fabric is just lovely and attractive. You sure won't miss it when you walk in the room!

    XOXO JuJu
    http://www.jujusmoments.com/

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  47. Love, love, love it! What a great statement piece for your studio! And as a sewing novice, I love that you used hot glue to attach the welting-- girl after my own heart! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Jen!

    ~Abby =)

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  48. GORGEOUS! I really wish I had the guts to reupholster something. Maybe someday! For now I'll drool over your work. ;)

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  49. I'm a sucker for a good reupholstery project. I love that print. I have two accent chairs in my house that I reupholstered and both are in prints so I have to say, I love chairs as a way of making a statement. And I hear you on upholstery fabric being expensive! I definitely discovered that when I went to do my chairs. And cost aside, I was also really worried about potentially screwing up and ruining expensive fabric. So the first time I went with some Waverly Fabric from JoAnns on sale to be safe (although admittedly it is still pretty light weight and I probably should have gone with something a little more durable) and the second time I splurged a bit more. It definitely seemed worth it though because the second fabric was actually, much much easier to work with. I'm not sure I'd use a shower curtain for a chair that I used regularly, even if it was heavier weight, but for an accent chair it's perfect. I also love double piping over nail heads myself.

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  50. I love the nailhead trim as well. The fabric that you picked looks great with the white.

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