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Free CL 'office chair' re-do, just for fun!

My3dogs ME zone 5A

11 years ago

Yes, I even check the free section of CL at times to see what might be lurking for a fun project. I saw this office chair listed a few weeks ago, and the frame looked great. It wasn't far away so I picked it up from the environmental agency that was giving it away to be re-cycled.

As I stripped off the fabric, foam, etc, I saw that it was made by Hickory Business Furniture and extremely well made. I also found a shipping tag stapled inside, where one would never find it unless they were removing all the original coverings. Come to find out, it was originally made for a large multiple eye doctor's practice - MY eye doc's! The practice apparently gave some of these chairs to the agency, so it's now been recycled twice!

Got the Kravet Lutron or Lorton (have seen it listed both ways) fabric on eBay for about $2.60 a yard, and had some buttons to cover in my stash of supplies. I mixed some colors of Annie Sloan chalk paint together, and today did the re-covering. This was a fun, very inexpensive project!

Here is a link that might be useful: Look at the price of the fabric here!

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Comments (26)

beeps
11 years ago
Wow. That looks great! What do you do with all your recover masterpieces?
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Some will go to my favorite local shop on consignment, and I may give this one to a friend. I'm just enjoying the creative process, and seeing how something can be changed.
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Thank you, my3dogs! My daughter is living in a semi-furnished apartment this year (it came with sofa, chair, coffee table, but no accessories or decor). Last summer, I made a lot of pillows, window treatments and several other projects for this apartment. I've included the link below. Next year, she will be living in an unfurnished apartment, so I'm trying to find bargains to coordinate with what she already has. The plaid CL sofa won't work for her with the check, since I want to use the things she already has. My plan was to slipcover the sofa with painter's drop cloths, however, I may take the plunge into upholstery. She won't need the sofa until August, so I could start with a smaller project to build up my experience and courage! Being a fellow cheapskate... I am an accountant by day, and one of my clients is a fairly high-end interior design store. One of the perks of doing their books is that I get dibs on discontinued samples. All of the fabric that I used for pillows for my daughter's apt was free - either samples or leftovers from their client projects. They use a lot of their samples themselves (have their workroom create pillows for their store) so I don't get many samples, but they have helped me with fabric / trim for my daughter's projects as well as my own home. They are way out of my price range for their custom things, but they do give me free advice and opinions on my projects! Here is a link that might be useful: Daughter's Apartment This post was edited by Sugar-Plum on Tue, Jan 22, 13 at 21:31
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Ladies, you are pumping me up with happiness. I can't tell you how much I enjoy working with these chairs and my beloved fabrics. Allison, there was about a 6" long chunk of wood gone from the upright support of that broken arm in the 'doggie chair'. That 2 part product is mold-able like clay and I just got it as close to the shape as I could, pressed it onto the arm, and let it set up overnight. I then sanded and carved it down a bit to match the other arm. I'll have to see if I have a before pic of that and then take one now. Oh, I also plan to use that product to make new tops above the arms where you see the holes in the natural wood in the 2nd pic below. That's where the original horizontal top was attached. (a bit cut off in the CL ad pic) Part of that top is now mounted inside the upper back, padded and covered with fabric. Sujafr, here is the blue one a bit further along, although I just propped the being re-glued arms in place for this shot, which I sent to the seller. I found a solid Waverly twill that matches the darker blue in the fabric, and will have welt outlining the upholstered parts for a crisp definition. You can just see it at the top where I pinned it. patty-cakes, I'll keep them for a little while, just to enjoy the fruits of my labor/fun, and then try to find good homes for them. I might list a few on Craigslist!
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I apologize - I didn't mean to imply that what you and your husband have done with the chair isn't absolutely great, because it is. :) Just that years ago, I did a replacement rush seat on a small rocker that turned out pretty good, just by following the instructions. So I was excited to see this style of chair, which I really like, and such a simple and pretty version of it. It looks perfect with your table.
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I found this one to be quite funny. This guy hopefully didn't quit his day job to become a salesman!! Really, really ugly coffee table - $5 (77065 Cy Fair) Okay, this coffee table is ugly. It's REALLY ugly. I can't even believe I'm trying to sell it, it's so ugly. But it's also VERY sturdy. You can sit on it without even worrying about it collapsing beneath you. It'd be really a great thing for someone who just needs SOMETHING to put a big TV on, who wants to bedazzle furniture, or who doesn't want to send the "good" old coffee table to college with her son. I mean, hey, we all need some utility furniture at one time or another, right? Maybe you even want it to refinish it and sell it for megabucks... I promise I won't judge you for buying it if you won't judge me for having it to sell in the first place!We will be home tonight (Sunday) between 6 and 8 if you want to come see it. If you can't come then, just drop me a line and let me know whenuld be a better time for you, and we'll work it out.Ã¯Â¿Â½Disclaimers: As is. Cash money only. No refunds. No phone calls, please; email contacts only.Ã¯Â¿Â½
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beeps
11 years ago
I used to redo "antiques" but just worked with wood pieces, nothing with fabric. You are starting that itch in me up again. =) And my mom used to have fun reupholstering things, and I know how to sew well - although don't do it much at all anymore. Had to make a soft dog collar for one of my kids recently and wasn't sure I would remember how to thread the machine! I did. I found it was like riding a bike. Maybe when I get some time I'll take an upholstery class.

Your friend is lucky. I love it.
Fun2BHere
11 years ago
I love that fabric and your upholstery skills are amazing!
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
11 years ago
My3dogs, can I be your friend???? ;)

The chair looks great. You should take a pic to show to your eye doctor next time you visit!
Jess TKA
11 years ago
WOW.
User
11 years ago
Your talent knows no bounds ! I think taking the chair pic to the eye Dr is a great idea ! c
melsouth
11 years ago
That chair looks great!
(They always do.)

I envy your talent, and your taste is impeccable.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, everyone!

Good idea on the pic! I can scan in the shipping label, which shows 3 of the docs names in the practice, and email that and the photos to them, as I only go every couple of years.

beeps, I have re-done antiques for as long as I can remember, back to my 'youth' when I was relegated to my parent's driveway for projects involving stain. Once you find an inexpensive or free item to recover, I bet you'll be hooked. Seeing the change in the things is what gets me revved up. Being addicted to fabric, and finding great buys on eBay for it feeds the addiction!
beeps
11 years ago
Awesome. You get to accomplish two fun things with one creative outlet - re-doing of furniture and buying pretty fabric. Win-win! (Speaking of fabric addiction - when my mom passed away we took about 4 SUV loads - and I mean filled to the roof liner with the back seat down loads - of fabric to a local women's shelter. My mom lived 30 miles or so from the Los Angeles garment district and there are tons of fabric stores there with crazy low prices. You'd love it there! :) She made tons of stuff, but obviously her eyes were often greater than the time she had available! And I won't mention all the vintage buttons we gave away...)
Sujafr
11 years ago
Love, love, love the fabric and paint and the updated way you did the back of the chair plus the professional looking cording! So talented!
Irish2
11 years ago
You never disappoint, My3dogs! Love the chair color and
the fabric is perfect.
mary_ruth
11 years ago
I agree with everyone, your work is professional and beautiful. You combine your talent with your great eye for good design and now upholstery is part of your repertoire!
Love the finished chair, and the way you lined up the pattern so symmetrical and interesting.
I am an admirer of your work too and watch for updates!
Sugar Plum
11 years ago
Amazing! The double welting on your projects is fabulous!

As another fabric collector... I am beginning to hunt CL for projects to utilize my extensive stash. You are an inspiration!
cat_mom
11 years ago
That is awesome!!!
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
11 years ago
Keep it up and continue to share with us..love all your projects. Also love how you love to bargain brag...me too!!! Treasure finding is such fun.
jlj48
11 years ago
sigh... Wish I could do that. It looks so professional.
livvyandbella
11 years ago
Great job, as always!!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for your encouragement! Next weekend, I'll be finishing the CL 'throne' chair that that started out like this -

which stripped and re-finished became this -

with this fabric, which is not my original pick for it, but I prefer this one. I'll be doing a self welt of the fabric, which I've had for a few years after getting it on clearance from Ballard Designs.
tinker_2006
11 years ago
I wish I could do that, great transformation!
rafor
11 years ago
YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!!

And you are my hero :)
Sueb20
11 years ago
Brilliant, as always!

I have a chair with a similar type of back sitting in my garage right now, with the fabric removed as of this morning. I was thinking of you, because I wonder if you just figured it out yourself or used some kind of online tutorial to re-cover your chairs? The previous owner of my chair nailed the fabric to the back of the chair with the frayed edges exposed. I'm a beginner but I think I can do better than that! I was thinking I'd fold the edges under, then use (what? small upholstery nails?) to attach the fabric, and then cover the rows of nails with some kind of trim.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Sue, are you referring to the Eastlake chair that needs to be finished above?

No online tutorial for that, but I have done two and used gimp to cover the raw edges after I staple the fabric on with my electric stapler. Then I used some decorative nails, as you see the 2nd one had originally. Under the fabric is batting for softness and faux burlap that I got online as it won't rot.

Before, first one -

After -

Before, 2nd one -

After -
hilltop_gw
11 years ago
Wow - those are fantastic my3dogs. The fabric choices fit the style of the chair so well - the animal prints have a bit of whimsy. Looks like quality craftsmanship.
Sueb20
11 years ago
Yes, mine is very similar to those two! Not quite as pretty, which is why I'm jazzing it up by painting the wood a bright color and using a contemporary fabric (both TBD). Okay, so I need to get one of those electric staplers!

The bulldog on your chair above looks a lot like one of my dogs! Thanks for the info and pics!
Laurie
11 years ago
I love your office chair re-do and all your other chairs!
Can't wait to see your finished throne chair : )

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