Let’s just roll back in time a few days to Saturday…after two weeks of being stuck in the house with three sick little boys (and being sick myself) I was, oh let’s say, a little cranky. So my husband did what he knew would cheer me up-took me to the Habitat ReStore for a little chair hunting.
We had spent Friday building a new outdoor dining table (I’ll show you that tomorrow!) and were in search of some vintage-y chairs to pair with it. We had the cranky little guys in the van with us when we pulled up to the ReStore so I hopped out real quick to do a quick recon inside. I saw a few possibiliies but nothing that screamed “buy me” so I reported back to my hubby that we were out of luck. He decided to run in himself to take a look and called the entire crew inside to behold this beauty:
I was not impressed. I mean, sure, the bamboo bones of the chair were pretty awesome. But do you see all that upholstery? And, well, it was a little smelly. And pink. And did I mention smelly? It was priced at $35 but the store was 25% off so he convinced me it was a DIY goldmine-it would be a practical DIY blog crime to pass up a chair like this. So into the van it went.
This could have easily been one of those projects I shove into the depths of the garage for months except that my husband had a long weekend off work and he’s no procrastinator (like me) so this little baby got a fast makeover. The first thing to be done was strip that nasty pink upholstery off.
Then it got a coat of white spray paint. I bought some foam to replace the bottom cushion which was too nasty to save. Because the chair will be outside (although in a covered area) I used plastic to cover the foam just in case. It was looking much better already but the real excitement came when I started to reupholster it-I bought this awesome shower curtain at Target just because I loved the pattern so much and knew it would look amazing on this chair.
I can’t say it was the most fun process of my life but the end transformation was 100% worth it. To upholster the back of the chair I first stapled the fabric to cover the back. Then my husband cut some plywood to the size of the opening (the original has just some cardboard inside) and I used more foam to upholster the plywood. Then we screwed it into the back of the chair. To finish it off I used some braided turquoise cording to cover the staples around the bottom cushion.
Do you love it as much as I do? It’s going to look amazing in our new outdoor patio dining area…we’ve been working so hard on it and I can’t wait to show you the rest. Tomorrow is the DIY dining table so check back!
Kristi says
The white version totally looks like PVC pipe.
alax says
Great chair and fabulous idea to use a shower curtain! LOVE that Ikat style pattern.
Sparkle On!Homedecor ideas
Tiffany says
I have the placemats! Hehe. Love the idea how you used a shower curtain! I’m totally PINspired!
Hilary says
Omg. Shower curtain for an outdoor chair – genius!
Melissa Riker says
lol Thanks so much Hilary!!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Love this Melissa!!! The fabric you chose is totally perfect! Definitely no longer “tiki” or whatever I said originally. 🙂 I’m gonna pin this and share it to my FB wall this week, thanks for linking it up to my party!
Kathy says
Great chair and fabulous idea to use a shower curtain! LOVE that Ikat style pattern.
Sparkle On!
Jenna says
Love, love, love the chair! You did an amazing job! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! https://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/04/give-me-goods-monday-3-link-party.html
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Heather says
How clever to use a shower curtain – this is amazing Melissa! Pinned to our group party pinboard – thanks for sharing at project inspired!
Melissa says
Thanks Heather!!
Megan@JustForMeAndYou2 says
I can’t believe that is the same chair! Looks so fabulous! I love your fabric choice. So awesome!!!
Melissa says
Thanks so much Megan!!
Evelyn @ My Turn for us says
Just dropping in from The Creative Headquarters and saw this awesome chair!! Pinning!!
Now following via Google+ and Pinterest!!
Hugs
Ps Would love to invite you to join Lets Get Social Sunday and link up all your social sites to meet some totally awesome peeps!! Live right now:))
Melissa says
Thanks Evelyn, I’ll stop by to link up this evening! Have a great night!
Lauren says
Stopping by from The Creative Headquarters blog hop. Love your chair… such an improvement. Love the fabric you chose.
I’d be thrilled if you’d link up at this week’s Off the Hook!
Melissa says
Thanks! I’ll hop over this evening!
Ahna @ Easier Than I Thought says
It looks fantastic!!!
Melissa says
Thanks do much Ahna!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
I LOVE how it turned out! What a great fabric too!
Krista @thehappyhousie
Melissa says
Thanks so much Krista! I thought the fabric colors were perfect for out in the yard with the blue and green!
Kim @ Too Much Time says
This is an awesome before and after! That fabric rocks, girl! If you get a sec, I would love for you to share over at Get Schooled Saturday #71 at Too Much Time On My Hands. The party is open all weekend.
xxx
Kim
https://too-much-time.com/2013/04/get-schooled-saturday-71.html
Melissa says
Thanks Kim, I’ll hop over and link up in a few minutes, thanks for stopping by!