This chair was a monumental find for me.
It was my first roadside find. I found it even before I found my metal cabinet that I turned into craft storage.
I was just, ummmm, slow, very slow about getting around to fixing it.
I think the wait was worth it though – I love how this chair makeover turned out.
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Where I live, there just don’t seem to be many roadside finds. I’ve been on the lookout for the better part of ten years and have found two to date.
I was so excited about this that I had my friend snap a picture when I was picking it up.
I’m a dork like that.
As with all things that seem too good to be true, this chair did have a flaw. The back legs looked to be missing their feet. They were both angled off.
To fix them, I chopped them off to make the back legs flat, then drilled a hole and put in feet from a table I had bought at a yard sale that I didn’t need.
After I fixed the feet, I stripped all the fabric off the chair, then gave it a coat of primer, then a couple coats of Dragon Fruit by Behr in a gloss finish. I used my HomeRight Finish Max Pro to do all the painting.
Next was the fun part, upholstering. I was really excited about the fabric I chose – Houndstooth Black Fabric.
However, I was worried about upholstering this chair – perhaps why I had put it off for so long?
If you noticed the back of this chair was tufted. I was terrified of tufting. I had never once attempted it.
Now, I am so mad at myself for not trying it before – it was so easy!
Before attempting the actual tufting, I took the old buttons and wrapped them in the houndstooth fabric with hot glue.
‘Cause I’m a professional like that.
For the tufting:
First, I cut a piece of fabric that was about double the size of the back. You don’t need that much – I was just worried about not having enough. Then, I poked my buttons through, starting in the middle and working my way out.
You can see in #3 how it looks on the backside. You put a little disk through the metal prongs, then spread them out. After I had all the tufting done, I trimmed the fabric and stapled it around the edges, then trimmed it out, like I did on my Jonathan Adler inspired chair.
Next, I started on the seat. You can see the layers of everything below. Because I hate to sew anything that isn’t a straight line, I used the old seat cushion to trace out a new piece of foam and just made the whole seat one piece.
Before doing any of the main seat upholstery, I did these little patches on the side.
Then, I just cut a large piece of fabric, pulled, and stapled around the bottom of the chair as necessary.
I love the combination of the pink paint with the houndstooth fabric. I think it would be perfect for a little girl’s room.
I kept the trim a simple black just because there was so much color going on with the pink.
Have you ever done a chair makeover with a roadside find?
More Chair Makeovers & Upholstery Posts You Might Want To See:
How to Waterproof & Repel Stains on Fabric
How to Upholster a Cane Chair (Jonathan Adler Inspired)
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Lindsay says
I’m so torn because I’m so proud of you and how gorgeous the chair is…
But it’s houndstooth!
*vomit*
But it’s pink!
*yay*
But it’s houndstooth…
A nice tiger stripe would have been pretty.
Love ya friend 🙂
Tammy says
Wow that looks awesome.. why can’t I be creative like that…!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh, Tammy, you can be! Just try something different!
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog says
This turned out gorgeous! And yes it would be perfect for a little girls room!!! That is exactly what I was thinking when I read that line! I have a rescue chair ($5 from a thrift store) which I’ve had since last summer. It’s bright/burnt orange and in need of a desperate makeover, but I haven’t done that yet since I’m waiting to see how I paint my living room & dining room so the makeover will go with the rest of it.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You found a chair for $5 at a thrift store?! I NEVER find good deals like that – prices are so much higher here! Ugh! Have fun making it over! Can’t wait to see!
Dad says
Great taste in the houndstooth…Is the trim Crimson?! Roll Tide! Love You! Dad
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Dad!
chris aka monkey says
congrats on your find, fun ain’t it lol, i haven’t found anything in a long while bummer you did a bang up job on her xx
Lisa says
I have almost an identical chair (tufted back but sides on mine are also upholstered) rescued roadside just days ago. I have 5 yds pale aqua houndstooth wool fabric bought at a thrift shop for $3 and pale gray chalk paint. **serendipity** Sweet!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Ahhh!!! Lisa, its going to look amazing!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
I love happy chairs! I know this one is so glad you rescued it! 🙂
Selene Galindo says
Awesome!!!!!!!! I love that pink against the black and white fabric!! I was nervous just looking at your step by step pictures…reupholstering anything that isn’t exactly a squared or rectangular shape terrifies me!! But you did an awesome job! I looks flawless 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Selene! Really, upholstering isn’t a big deal, it just takes time – and usually more of it than you think!
Patty says
Wow, I love it, you did a great job. I love the colors and you can’t go wrong with houndstooth. You have such a flare for decorating I would never think to put the two together. That is why you blog and I don’t.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Patty! Honestly, halfway through I was wondering if I had made a horrible choice on the colors! In the end though, its just paint and can always be changed! Luckily, this one worked out!
Debora says
Oh my goodness! I have a very similar story:) My son found two fabulous vintage cane upholstered chairs – they were Henredons. He actually pulled them out of the dumpster! I also bought my fabric from Online Fabric Store – great source:) I wish I could attach photos … I am also so proud of my chairs:) Yours are lovely and its fun to find a “kindred spirit” through Pinterest.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You found two chairs??!! I’m jealous! Isn’t Online Fabric Store just great for fabric? They have an awesome selection and great prices! Email me photos of your chairs! My email address is on my “about” page! I’d love to see ’em!
Sonnet @ SohoSonnet Creative Living says
Ahhhhh I love this! You must must must come and share at Link it or Lump it if you have not already…
Paige says
I love this makeover! In fact, I love ALL of your posts. I only wish 1) you lived in central AR, 2) we were good friends, 3) you helped me come up with house decorating ideas, and 4) {as besties} you helped me do the work. Thanks for blogging! 🙂 Paige
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hahahahaha, Paige! You have me smiling from ear to ear! You are too much. If I am ever in central Arkansas, I will be sure to let you know! Thank you for being such a sweet follower!
Carmody says
Great Job!!!! I love the fabric that you chose to reupholster.
Rachel Kathyg @ onlinesisterhood says
This chair really turned out cute. One of my favorite projects. I really love the hounds tooth fabric. pinning it. Have a great week:)
Laura @ Over The Apple Tree says
Great job! I have a chair makeover that I’ve been putting off for the better part of a year now, I guess I should just go for it. Yours turned out awesome!
Krista @the happy housie says
Roadside finds are THE BEST and you did this one some serious justice!! Love it!
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista says
Jenna, unlike Lindsay, I say Oh Yeah to the houndstooth! I think its a perfect fit with the pink. You did an awesome job and I would be happy to have that chair sitting in my home 🙂 Visiting from the From Dream To Reality Party.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Marie! I love the houndstooth. Lindsay is an Auburn fan so she is against anything Alabama related, which would include houndstooth! 🙂
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
i think pink and houndstooth go GRAND together! great job, as usual! 🙂
Bharati says
The chair looks awesome, you did a great job in giving it a new life.
Ginnie says
This turned out so cute! I love the pink so much, especially with the houndstooth. Here in NYC people dump lots of furniture on the curb when they more, so I always have my eyes peeled around the beginning of the month;)
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
WHAT?! You lucky, lucky girl!
The Style Sisters says
Seriously this is so cool! You did an incredible job on this chair! I love it…great tutorial too! I would love to have you join us for Centerpiece Wednesday linky party where tons of bloggers share their creativity, recipes, DIY projects and more…come on over and see and share with us.
Karin
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Love the chair! What a fun combo of color and pattern. Great job!
Christine says
Gorgeous roadside find! Love the choices of color you used and fabric!
Barbara says
I love it! thanks for linking up to Fluster Muster where I like to party!
[email protected] says
This is such a great makeover! And you are so funny 🙂 Thanks for breaking it down and making it look so simple! Totally pinning 🙂 Have a great day!
Andrea Virnau says
I about fell out of my chair when I saw your pin!!! I rescued the same chair, albeit with ugly burgundy fabric, from a neighbors trash pile! I live that my teenage son was with me and was mortified! Lol the chair is in my daughters room with a throw on it- because Im scared to upholster. And..I had thought I would do the same thing with the seat. Thanks for the tutorial! I’m gonna get over my fear and go for it!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You can do it, Andrea! It does take some time, but its not too hard!
Christina @ I Gotta Create! says
What a dashing little houndstooth makeover!
😉
Thanks for sharing at the linky party,
Christina @ I Gotta Create!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners says
Wow, Jenna, that is a beautiful transformation. I love the style of the chair and the colours and fabric you chose are perfect. I agree – it would be fabulous in a little girl’s room. Great job!
Mindie Hilton says
Oh if it’s possible to have a crush on a chair, I have one on yours. I actually own a blue velvet old chair, that looks very similar, that totally needs a face lift like this. I love the bright color with the black and white. Great work!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks so much, Mindie!
Rita Yates says
I LOVE this! I love the pink and the black, so classy! You did a great job. Now I need to start looking for something like that to do!
Mindie Hilton says
Featuring tomorrow!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks so much, Mindie!
Lindsey says
Hey Jenna! Wow, it’s been wayyy too long since I have taken the time to visit your blog (darn grad school). So I know this is probably very belated but I love all the design changes you have done to your blog. But back to the post, absolutely LOVE what you did to the chair! It’s so bold, fun and funky now, while still being totally diva-ish! What a great transformation and I can see and appreciate all the hard work you put into it. Kudos! 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Kudos to you for doing some grad school! I’ve been there – its rough! Thanks so much – I just put up the new header yesterday, still can’t get it centered just yet. I really can’t believe the chair turned out as well as it did! Thanks!
Gwen says
I have almost the same project to do. I am terrified! How did you get the black trim around the fabric? Did you staple that? Thanks for any help!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hey Gwen! Nope, didn’t staple it – I just hot glued it on there! You can also use fabric glue, I think. If you go the hot glue route, just glue a small line to the back of the trim or onto the chair / fabric wherever you want it and securely push it on!
Kim says
Wow just saw your gorgeous chair makeover on pinterest! I just finished my Makeover on the same exact chair! I found it at my local thrift store for $5.99! I love it … You did an awesome job 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Kim!! I’m sure that your chair makeover rocks!!