Two Tone Wing Back Chairs

These chair were a test of patience for sure. These were for a friend of mine and they were actually the first job I lined up to a paying customer. Fabric selection was tricky though, she knew what she wanted and had a really hard time finding it. 8 months and what felt like a million samples later she had found the perfect combination.

They started out as this blue/green velvet

They were in really great shape except some wear on the legs, check out the difference a little gel stain makes.

I only had one glove and it was really old so it broke when I put it on, my thumb ended up as a stain covered casualty but it was better than nothing.

Here are the finished chairs. And they're really lovely right? Very classy and understated...

Until you flip them around. I love the surprise of the pattern around the back.

These chairs were such a hit I think I have some similar ones coming soon.

Reclining Wing Back Chairs

Boy did this summer ever get away from me. I've done a ton of upholstery and an equal amount of fun summer playing which means I've done zero blogging. So you can expect an abundance of posts in the next couple days.

 These chairs I finished an embarrassingly long time ago (I started this blog post in May) but since they were for me I forgot to take a picture of the finished result.

So I recovered this awesome couch and then they wanted some wing back chairs to go with it so I started scouring Kijiji and I found these two reclining wing back chairs. They were free because a cat had scratched up the upholstery (couldn't be more perfect hey?). So I showed them to the client?? (ha, that sounds ridiculous :) and they didn't love them. They wanted the wings to be a little more substantial but I  just couldn't pass up free chairs so I went and got them anyway (or rather I sent Brad to go get them). The more I saw them the more I loved them and wanted them so I proposed that they buy my already upholstered grey chairs (they were going with grey anyway and it looks amazing with their couch) and I would keep the new ones. The upholstery was fine but I was excited to choose something perfect for me.

Cat scratches pictured below. They were actually pretty serious in a couple places, going all the way down to bare wood.

At one point in their decision making they decided maybe they should at least sit on the cat scratched chairs to help them decide. But I was so in love with them by this point I wouldn't let them have them anymore :)

Theses chairs were amazing to work with. They're La-Z-Boy's and the back is removable.

As I was taking out staples I discovered that I would need to unscrew the bottom portion as well. I was initially nervous but in the end it made the whole process so easy. Every piece could be upholstered on top my kitchen table meaning I didn't have to awkwardly sit on the floor.

I did one at a time with some different projects in between so they sat like this for a while. It makes a handy before and after though.

Here it is reclined.

I did eventually get around to the second chair though and now I have this beautiful set that I'm loving.

Dining Room Chairs

It became clear to me recently that I'm developing a reputation for upholstery. A friend of a friend on Facebook asked who they would contact to have some dining room chairs upholstered and three different people tagged me. I was happy to respond. When I asked what sort of fabric they wanted they said they didn't really care as long as they were no longer fuzzy pink. I don't blame them. There were 6 total, 2 with arms and 4 without.

We went with a really dark black/brown, super soft and rich faux leather that was a lot nicer than I expected it to be. Here are the seats all stacked together, ready to be reassembled. 

And all 6 of them, lined up. 

I love the way they turned out, it really updated the whole look of the chairs. I always feel like a broken record because every time I finish a job I can't help but proclaim, "it looks brand new!"

And a couple before and after pictures, because everyone love a before and after.

Chaise Upholstery

Well this chair was my first job that was for what can only be called a client. It sounds a little silly to me to say but it was too arms reach to call them a friend. They brought me the chair and the fabric and I got right to work. Here are the before's.

It was fine but dirty and torn and in definite need of updates.

 I took all the fabric off

And then started putting it back on.

Here's the back on

And the finished chair.

A side view. The chaise has legs but the client didn't bring them to me so I popped my couch legs on for some pictures.

and everyone likes a good side by side.

Retro Vinyl Chairs - Part 2

Anyone remember the cute vinyl chairs? They turned out great but I knew I had 4 more coming my way, plus two little kids sized chairs to go with the set. They were finally delivered and it turned out there are 4 like the previous ones, two different styles and then the two little kid ones.

I was already familiar with one style, they were no problem. The kid's chairs were easy and fun but that third style, it was a puzzler.

So here's the first style, no big deal.

And here's a before of the kid chairs. They were in pretty rough shape but cleaned up to be so cute.

And then like a bad blogger I forgot to take a picture of this third style. I do have this picture from behind. The problem is the curve. If I were using a traditional vinyl it would be no big deal, you heat it up and it stretches and it's fine but I used a faux leather instead which doesn't have nearly as much stretch.

Attempt number 1 was so bad it went undocumented and made me question my abilities but let's recap all the other attempts this chair took.

1. 1. I tried sewing a cover and this attempt made me at least convinced that I'd be able to figure something out. There was some hope. In fact it would be perfect if not for all those wrinkles.
2. Less wrinkles but sadly they're still there. Check out how those seams aren't actually where they're supposed to be either.
3. Number 3 was the winner. It was my last idea, if this one didn't turn out I didn't know what I'd do. In fact, as I finished the last chair I used up my very last bit of fabric, if I made a mistake I don't know what I would have done. I love how the trim on these two matches the other 4.

So here are the three styles together (pardon all the background mess, just keeping things real).

And all 6 (there are two more of the squarish style but they'd already been delivered)

And how cute does it look with these chairs around the table

Tall White Stools

A friend of mine has these great tall stools that are unique and the frame was looking great but the poor upholstery had seen better days, especially the one with the big tear.

I took them apart and replaced the upholstery with some really nice white faux leather.
Here's a side by side of old and new.

I couldn't believe what a difference just cleaning the frame made, they really do look like brand new stools.

One last picture of all three updated stools

Retro Vinyl Chairs

Guys word has got out that I like to do upholstery and the jobs are pouring in. I'm loving all the projects that are coming my way.

These chairs belong to a friend of my parents that I've known forever, and if I'm not mistaken I think they belonged to her husband's parents so they're legitimately retro. For how old they were they're in surprisingly good condition and they have been a super easy job. I've only done two chairs and I think I have 4 more to go but I'm waiting for the chairs to be delivered. That original pattern is pretty sweet hey?

I think the red was a great choice.