Furniture redesign: Replacing upholstered seat with woven rush

Rush seat weaving is really becoming one of my favorite things to do for a couple reasons: ability to restore something to it's original form, accessibility of materials... But what really appeals to me is the ability to create something completely new using time tested materials and techniques. In this post, I'll share how to find, clean, and re-imagine a vintage upholstered vanity seat or foot stool into a classic farmhouse chic accent for the modern home!

DIY project: tufted high back chair

Upholstery projects are some of my favorite these days... they're lots of work, but reward you with a one of a kind custom piece of furniture for a fraction of the cost of buying retail! (What's better than that?) This time I'm updating a thrift shop find that's perfect for the *tricks or treats* season: A high back chair with a bit of a Gothic vibe! I'll take you through the whole process, including the key steps to create this professional and timeless look... But fair warning to you all; this is the piece that got me totally hooked on tufting... so proceed at your own risk ;D

DIY upholstery rescue: biscuit tufted ottoman transformation

So sometimes I just get this bug... the urge to pick up one of those wayward projects and get it done. This was one of those weekends! It all started few months ago (yeah, I said months), I was up at the Elephant's trunk flea market in CT. It was not the best day, and as I was preparing to leave almost empty-handed I saw this sad little foot rest. When I asked about it, the seller said she had tried (unsuccessfully) to re-upholster it, but was ready to see it go to a better home. Being a sucker for sad furniture, I happily took it home with me dreaming of the beautiful accent piece it would one day become... And that day is today!

How to re-upholster a chair in 2 weekends: part 2

Well, here we are... back for part 2, and ready to get this project done! In this post we'll take this piece from a bare frame to a completed chair. From paint to padding, piping to pillows, let's get it done ;D

How to re-upholster a chair in 2 weekends: part 1

Recently I've been inspired to upholster everything I see... especially chairs! Why chairs? Well they're versatile; can be used alone, in a group, in any room. They're low commitment; inexpensive, quick to finish. And they're easy to find; estate sales, thrift shops, flea markets. I've done 3 in a row (each project lasting about 2 weekends), and so now that I'm starting to get into a real rhythm I though I'd share my process!