Loves Me Like A Rock-ing Chair

This is my absolute favorite project yet!! As you know, I love knowing a chair's history and seeing it get a second chance at life, instead of being tossed out to the curb.

 

I chose this post title 1. because I liked the way it sounded, and 2. because the story reminds me of Paul Simon's song "Loves Me Like A Rock". Above is a link to a youtube video for your listening pleasure.


This retro rocker originally belonged to my friend Brandi's great-grandmother. Brandi remembers her great-grandma rocking in this chair. She even found a picture.

Great-grandma, the original owner of this recliner.
My eyes spy cool drapes and awesome lamp shape! A mid century MUST! 

At some point in time, the retro rocker moved to Brooklyn with another family member. She knew she was a keeper and her family really wanted to recover her. Her family bought her a flowery dress, but never had time to finish the rest. After a few years of neglect, retro rocker was adopted by Brandi, a soon to be mama, to be used in her new baby boys nursery. I was assigned to bring Ms. Retro into the 21st century. And lucky for me, she was a willing participant!

Deconstruction of Ms. Retro was quite different than the my past chairs. Figuring out how to disassemble her parts was the most challenging part! Her back attaches with 2 levers (1 on each side).  You can find the release levers on her sides between her back and her frame (she came with instructions! See below).

These levers were really stuck in place, and needed
a good WD-40 treatment!!

Once I removed her back, I first prayed that I would be able to reattach it when I was done (it's hard to rock back and forth with out your back!) I was able to remove her coverings. I must say "coverings" in the plural form because there were 2 layers of fabric...orange + flowers= double staple/tack removal! : ) Here are some more before pictures before her makeover.

The moving mechanisms all needed a good cleaning and
treatment with WD-40 to reduce the squeakiness.

Original materials removed. A small bit of orange had to stay because
I was not able to remove the wooden arms...they are glued down tight with wood glue,
and I did not want to risk breaking them! 

Brandi chose to have Ms. Retro recovered in a durable cotton-duck fabric, in gray. 

Welting attached to the unmovable wood arms, covering the old orange remnants.

Suddenly Chic!!

                                                               Showing off them legs!

looks so funny as a base alone...reminds me of the Headless Horseman!

The back of her consisted of two attached cushions...this was also a first for me!...They turned out great!!

Attached cushions prior to stuffing.

Attached cushions stuffed with new foam core cushions
and Dacron wrapping.

Retro Rocker got all new digs: custom cut foam cushions for her seat and back, new Dacron wrapping all over, and a full covering of Force Field Fabric Protector (an invisible barrier to repel water, spills, and stains)...uber important while rocking around those kiddos!! 


Here's another look at her before and afters:

Before.

Thanks Brandi and family! I hope you enjoy rocking for years to come!!


Until next time,


Jess

Ladder Back Dining

Happy Monday everyone!

Today I want to share another project from the archives... These small, ladder back chairs have been worn with love from a family of four. Now, the kids are all grown up and the parents were ready for a dining room re-do. 

Before.

Before.

These chairs received a much needed extra 2" of medium-firm seat foam and new batting to improve the "bum" comfort! The family chose to use a faux leather fabric, in a neutral camel color for a more traditional look. This fabric choice is durable and very easy to clean...the perfect choice for a busy dining room or kitchen set. The wood also received a much needed cleaning and a good polish.

Front, after the re-do.

View from the back.

Side view.

 

Family photo!!!

What about your dining chair experience? Have your chairs been overlooked, or seen much better days?

 

-Jess

Chocolate, Chocolate

I don't know how I made it all day long without realizing that today is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY!!! I learned of this national day of recognition of one of my most favorite desserts while driving home from work today and listening to the radio- now I have a strong desire to make one tonight...I'm quite sure there will be no objections!

Feast on this beauty, from none other than Martha Stewart!

Sorry, I had to do that. I'll only post one picture.

Well, I'm off to share some fabric samples and pictures with one of my best friends...she has a large overstuffed type chair and huge ottoman that need to be recovered. Can't wait to see what she picks for the re-do!!


Enjoy your weekend!

Jess

For the Head of Your Bed

I'm a sucker for anything upholstered, and upholstered headboards are one of my favorite things! I love the warm and welcoming feel they bring to the bedroom. One of the great things about upholstered headboards is that they are so versatile and can be incorporated into many different personal design styles. They can be calm or bold, girly or masculine (that's right guys!), traditional or modern. These headboards can also be a good weekend DIY project!


Here are some of my favorites right now:

Pottery Barn- Raleigh Upholstered Camelback Bed & Headboard with Nailhead.
I really like the classic camelback shape with the masculine nailhead trim and exposed block feet.
Shown upholstered in camel colored twill fabric. 

Close-up of nailhead trim around the outer edge.

 Pottery Barn- Georgetown Tufted Headboard. Clean, straight lines. Need I say more?

PB Georgetown Tufted Headboard, again.

Close up.

West Elm- Diamond Tufted Headboard

Close up.

Furniture Envy- Venice Bed

DIY tutorial for this headboard found on Pinterest from Southern Exposure blog.

DIY tutorial for this headboard found on Pinterest from the Hunted Interior blog.
...so pretty! And I really like the skinny neck on that lamp : )

Bright yellow & white headboard from Better Homes & Gardens. I really like the shape of this one too.
Tutorial for this headboard.

Bold headboard color and shape with simple white bedding.
Source: decorpad.com via Grograin Fabulous blog

Colorful custom headboard in chevron, with nailhead trim.
...I would LOVE to make one like this!!!
Source: 6th Street Design School

I've made a few upholstered headboards in the past, but they were nothing fancy...I think I'm going to figure out how to make a king size wing back headboard for myself! 

Any favorite How To's out there? Has anyone made their own wing back headboard? I'm sure the construction would be similar to a GIANT chair back! Ha ha..That would be one huge chair!! Speaking of big chairs...

World's Biggest Rocking Chair just happens to be found in Cuba, MO

Let me see what you got, folks!

Jess

Classic Wingback Re-upholstered

Another chair from my archives:
I recovered this chair last spring/summer for a friend. She wanted to have this chair recovered as a gift for her Mom.

Before.

After.

The frame of this chair was is very good condition. It had previously lived in a home with someone who smoked, so the fabric and inner stuffing had some lingering smoke smells. I replaced all of the padding and made a new seat cushion....so fresh and so clean! (that makes me start singing Outkast's So Fresh, So Clean...."Ain't no body dope as me, I'm just so fresh, so clean (so fresh and so clean clean)..." It's been a long time since I've heard that song!) Anyway, back to the chair. Here are some pictures during and after the re-do.

During deconstruction

Removing old stuffing during deconstruction

Starting to place the 1st layer of new padding.

Finished.

With arm rest and head rest covers.

The new fabric is traditional and neutral--much better than the orange stripes from the '70's. The new look will work with many different design situations and can easily be dressed-up or down with accent pillows and room accessories.

-Jess