How to... Recover A Chair Seat (The Late Night Version)

I have a confession.  I am a project addict; the type of person who always has to have something "in the works" to occupy my mind and focus on.  So the other night...at approximately 11:30 PM..I got the urge to recover my desk chair seat...and I didn't find this to be odd. 

 

1) We start with the chair.

 

 

2) The chair gets flipped over and the seat is removed.  On this chair, this is done by removing screws in the corner brackets.  

 

 The seat cushion is free!  3) Remove the old fabric cover by prying up the staples.  Depending upon the condition of the cushion beneath the fabric, you must either decide to keep the existing foam/batting/etc or replace it with new.  In this case, the old will still suffice. 

 

The chair stands alone.  The chair stands alone.  Hi-ho-the-dairy-oh the chair stands alone.  Yes, it is late at night and I am getting quite tired.  

 

 

Now to break out the new fabric, caffeine, and staple gun.  This is where the focus is necessary 4) I usually start by stapling one corner in place, then moving to the opposite corner, then the other two corners.  Then I staple one side before moving to the opposite side...and so on and so forth.  Note: Be aware of where your screw holes are to put the cushion back on the chair while you are stapling.  Another note: Pull the fabric tight enough to avoid wrinkles and leave the seat smooth, but not too tight. 

 



 

5)  Any excess fabric can then be trimmed off... just don't trim too close to the staples. 

 

6) And the seat cushion can be screwed back on.  



 

 

The transformation is complete. 

 

I have a big ole thrifting post in the works that I will hopefully get up soon...it was a very nice week at the thrifts, flea markets, and antique stores for me.   

 

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

Framing Fondness

As you may recall from my prior post, "It all started with a desk.", I have had a new project on my mind.  Although I was loving all the new improvements to my room (and am sleeping better), I have been facing an empty expanse on my far wall.  I wanted something that I could easily change up on whim, used some of my vintage goodies in a more modern way, and didn't weight the wall down (if that makes any sense). 

Well it's time to reveal what I came up with.     

I love how amazingly simple it was to make, yet meets all my qualifications as listed above.  All it took was a vintage wooden picture frame (minus glass and back), hot glue gun, scissors, and jute twine. 

I hot glued one end of the jute twine to one edge, then held it to the other edge for easy measuring and cutting, and finally glued the other end in place. 

Although, I just randomly guessed the placing for my twine, you could easily measure out perfect intervals, criss cross twine, or more frequently place the twine to create a more solid look. 

Finally I used paper clips to attach some of my vintage post cards to the twine. 

Now only one more frame to go...hmmmm...

It all started with a desk.

I accidentally started out the New Year with some big changes.  To begin with, I have to mention that my room used to be horribly outdated - and by outdated I don't mean classically vintage - but stuck in my tweeny decor from 6 years ago when we moved into this house.  It was getting old and I longed to change it, however I was completely aware that it was to be a big job so therefore I kept putting it off.  Well, on a recent trip to my grandmother's, I came home with a beautiful antique spindle writing desk.  You can bet your bottom dollar I wanted this lovely in my room.  So it began. 

Apologies for the awful phone pic.  Thrift finds include the trash can, blue jar holding pens, saltine tin, chair, and bucket beneath holding magazines.  None of which cost above five dollars. 

 

I had to move out my old computer desk as well as my ancient desktop computer.  Taking advantage of the opportunity, I rid out all my clothing and sent two full bags off to Goodwill.  In addition, several other bags were sent off in the trash of things which I at present have no clue why I kept so long.  After the long and agonizing clean out process, I finally got to move on to the fun stuff. 

Keep in mind, this all had to be done on a small budget.  I worked with all my existing furniture aside from the desk switch out.  To begin with, I purchased new curtain rods as well as some sheer panels.  Then in an effort to save money, I made some rough curtains using unbleached muslin.  By taking this option, it cost me about a quarter of what it would have to purchase them. 

I splurged on some small details including a new switch plate cover, coat hook, lamp, and shade. 
In order to wrangle some of my random clutter, I purchased some wooden crates from The Home Depot for around $8 a piece.  Not too shabby all stacked together in my opinion. 

All the vintage pennants were flea market finds for under three dollars a piece. 

 

My biggest purchase involved new bedding.  Although I was hoping to put this splurge off awhile in order to save, after checking online, I decided that this was definitely the bedspread I wanted and I didn't want to miss the opportunity and have them discontinue it.  Therefore, I gathered some guts and got the bedspread, shams, bed skirt, a new sheet set, as well as a couple new fluffy pillows.  Now that's it's all in my room, I'm happy with my decision.  The sheets perfectly match the curtains and the flecks in the muslin are also reflected in the comforter. 

The best part was that I was able to accessorize with some of my accumulated thrift finds. 

The crate was amongst my junking finds from my mom's and the basket was a two dollar flea find. 

The last thing left on the to-do list is to come up with some awesome wall art...and this is what I'm working with.  Hmmm, I think it has possibilities. 

 

Overall I have to say I'm quite pleased with the transformation.  It definitely is more fitting now!   

Digging in December

Hello all and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!  In amongst my Christmas shopping and wrapping and visiting and baking I have managed to do a bit of thrifting/junking.  First up are the thrifty finds. 

I have been checking the Christmas section of Goodwill a little more close lately hoping to find some new ornaments - preferably Shiny Brite ones.  I was able to find a box of them as well as a few other boxes of different brands that still had Shiny Brites in them, go figure.  While most were solid colored, I found a few of which were a little special: two striped and one indent.  Also, I found some new Jadeite goodies, one saucer and a creamer.  Ironically, I also on the same day found a red striped Pyrex sugar bowl - with lid!  Squeee!  Speaking of Pyrex, I also picked up the Town and Country divided casserole.  In case you've lost count as to how many divided casseroles I have...well so have I.  My mom also picked up the canister for me as well as the turquoise handled silverware. 

 

 

As for the junking side of things, currently my mom is in the middle of a move - and she had a lot of neato goodies amongst the true junk above the garage.  More neato goodies than is average since her house used to be a little grocery store.  Many thanks to my momma and brother for passing these on to me and helping to unearth them!  

 

To begin with: Cool old crates.  One is a dairy one with the town name on opposite side, the other was a meat crate.  

 

The meat crate even had some really legible writing on them.  It apparently held smoked hams in December 1953 - just in time for Christmas!

Although most of the branded signs had previously been removed, I did find this folk like hand painted sign.  This is especially interesting since after showing my dad he mentioned remembering when it used to hang out on the front sign post. 

 

 

Other random goodies unearthed included an old industrial style chair with adjustable height and back as well as metal bucket and wooden planter with an awesome painted patina.  

 

 

At this point, I was already excited.  But then...there was this.  Even though this is the same as the chair above, it is in much better shape and raised to stool height.  I think I'm in love with it.  So now the goal becomes to make chair above look like chair below.  I got this.  

 

 

 

Speaking of chairs.  My mom also gave me this one.  It's quite sturdy, children's height and had been slip covered at some point in time.  Now I just need to devise a plan with it too.  I see my project list for the summer is growing.  

 

 

So what do you think, would you have saved all the goodies I unearthed from the garage too?  Well that's all for now folks.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Pyrex and Jadeite and Hoosiers - Oh My!

Hello all and many apologies for being slightly MIA as of late.  As a college student my semester is beginning to come to a close bringing with it many fun finals and term projects.  Trust me when I say I would much prefer thrifting and blogging to this alternative...not that I wouldn't prefer it to most other alternatives, but especially so in this instance.  In fact right now I am stuck on campus, coffee in hand waiting for my next class - a perfect opportunity to play catch up.  The upside to this arrangement is the amazingly quick upload of photos. 

 

First up we have some goodies I found a while back.  Remember the yellow folding chair I mentioned I found at a rummage sale, well it decided to cameo as a prop in these photos.  On the top are four floral pillow cases I found ranging from 25 cents to a dollar each.  Oddly enough three of these match and were found at separate Goodwills.  I also found the metal canister with darling flowers printed on it for a dollar.   

 

 

 The two plates were found for less than a dollar each.  One is a Pyrex dinnerware one with a neat-o gray with green style design. 

 

 

The other is this snazzy McKee jadeite saucer.  It has a laurel like design around the edge and although it does have a small chip, I adore jadeite and very rarely find it in thrifts.  

 

 

Although somewhat unrelated to the thrfting share time I'm in the middle of, I did make some more progress on my Hoosier cabinet.  The top section of it is now fully reassembled aside from the back panels and doors.  Once it and these pieces are all stained, they can be put on and the top section will be completely done.  I can't begin to explain how excited I am to have made this much progress on it.  It's to the point now where you can really begin picturing it as an eye-catcher. 

 

Also, when moving this piece around, I found the original label nailed to the bottom.  Fantastically enough it survived since the 1920's to still be readable and I was able to find out it was originally sold in a near by town as well as the company who sold it.  



 

 

Okay, now it's the Hoosier's turn to be a prop.  My dad was a lucky duck and found me some good Pyrex lately (which is good considering I've been lacking).  He found the Early American mixing bowls, casserole, as well as the Federal Eagle bowl all at the same shop for really good prices and in excellent condition.  Thanks Dad!  Meanwhile, I found the Pyrex salt shaker.  Hmmm...he should share some luck with me.  

I did find the adorable McDonald's Peanuts glass from the Camp Snoopy collection though.  It makes me smile.  

 

To be fair, I also found a major score with this Pyrex Percolator.  I just about did a happy dance in the store to be exact.  It's in good condition, one hundred percent complete...and was less than $3.  Okay, so maybe my luck is on the rebound.  I hope.  

 

Well that's all for now folks, off to class I go.  Happy thrifting!

Also, I'm linking up over at Thriftasaurus!

Fall Finds

Hello all and I hope you all are having a wonderful autumn.  It's my favorite season and thankfully it treated me well with the vintage finds.  Taaadaa!  First up, I found the Old Town Blue gravy boat, Bromwells, flour sifter, and little tin Jello thingys.  I found the Corning promotional mug from 1974 at Goodwill. The white apple is some type of sugar dish and also pictured is a woodland shaker. The little cook books all cost fifty cents each at an antique store.  At the same store, I found the General Electric clock (which works!) for $5.    The two Pyrex plates as well as fridgie lid all came from Goodwill for less than $1 each.  The pumpkin was an accidental find.  Although not vintage, I didn't purchase it nor did I intend to grow it...it just kinda sprouted up from where I tossed my old pumpkin last year.  I was excited to find it :)

 

 

 

 

On to the utensils!  The three prong fork and spatula were a dollar each at the "Clock" store.  The pizza cutter came from Goodwill and my dad picked up the teal handled "Batter Beater" was something my dad picked up for me at a yard sale for ten cents!

 

 

Now on to the mystery box that I found sitting happily on the shelf at the "clock" store.  Whatever could it be?



 

 

I open it up, and to my delight, mint condition Pyrex.  The FIRST mint condition new in box Pyrex I have found to date.  

 

 

The downside...it was square flowers.  Not exactly my favorite.  But since boxed Pyrex is a rareness around here, even at the $25 price tag, I bit.  I don't regret it a bit.  

 

 

Furthermore, I also have made some progress on my Hoosier cabinet.  The flour bin is now firmly secured and both shelves in the top section are in.  Next up, I just have to secure the trim, put the back on, stain everything, and put the doors on then the top half is done.  The bottom half, well it's kinda just a hollow box still.  I've got to work on it some more.  

 

 

Well that's all for now folks, happy thrifting and hopefully everyone is having a fantastic autumn. 

Baby Steps on the Hoosier

One of my biggest challenges on this cabinet thus far is the decisions.  None that I have made have been clean cut or obvious - which perhaps is why progress is slow going.

Getting it stripped down to it's bones was quite simple so far.  Generally everything except the frame of it needed replaced due to water damage.  Right now I'm focusing on the top section.  

Finally a certain amount of reassembly has taken place.  All the side panels on the top damaged by water have been replaced by quarter inch birch panels.  (Note my cute pink tool kit)

I was unsure of whether the birch would work well since the cabinet is actually supposed to be oak...however I was unable to find any solid oak panels that were only a quarter inch thick.  I think once I get it all sanded and stained the difference in wood will be less obvious and only give it character.  

After making that decision and getting it all sorted out, I moved my sights on to the flour bin.  Since it was in rather rough shape, I wanted to be sure it could be saved before building in the shelving and such on top to accommodate it.  First I tried to remove the rust as best I could...and made little progress.  So leaving it unpainted was therefore ruled out.  I originally considered painting it a chrome to keep it in spirits with it original look.  

But as you can see, it ended up antique white.  I didn't feel that the chrome would look real enough to truly act as a statement piece in the cabinet.  



I also repainted the knob part of the handle.  

Well that's all for now folks.  Next up is getting the shelving in the upper section put in and then I can move on to either sanding or working on the bottom section.

The Power of Spray Paint and Pyrex

Hallelujah!  It's finally my day off!  Therefore, this morning as I woke, I was faced with a difficult choice: be productive or laze around...  I'm sure you can guess what my decision was based upon the fact that I am now blogging as opposed to doing laundry.  It's okay though, I did get some stuff done and I'm sure the laundry will be taken care of later as I am currently out of work jeans and have no alternative choice. 

But in the mean time, bring on the new finds!  This past weekend I was able to hit up my favorite flea market and found some awesome new goodies!

I got the cute tablecloth (42x44) for only two bucks because of some minor moth holes.  The Corning mug with horizontal military green stripes was only a dollar.  I'm wondering if this was in fact part of the military line of Corning.  The red vertical striped mug was a quarter and I thought it had some nice spunk.  I FINALLY found another of the Pyrex teardrop pour spout bowls.  I had found the largest in April and this is the next size down.  Only one more to go!  Last, is the lil pot holder for another quarter that is from a bread company and a simple milk bottle I got for fifty cents.  

I also found two older style Pyrex pie plates (with the dollar sign mark).  And TaDa!  I also FINALLY found the Pyrex double broiler.  I believe this is the last type of Pyrex Flameware that I needed so I was quite excited.  

Even more Pyrex?  Why yes indeed!  I picked up this set of Woodland cinderella bowls for a mere $15.  All of them are in quite good condition except the smaller dark brown one.  It shows some wear around the pour spouts.  For me this only shows that they were used not abused.  

I saw this cute little stool outside the local antique mall for less than $15.  It was in kind of rough shape and needed a little love which is exactly what it received via a can of spray paint.   

So what do you think? 

Happy Birthday...to me!

Okay, well maybe it's not my birthday quite yet...but it is in less than two weeks.  So I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating a little bit early, is there?  Especially when the celebrating is getting a 1920's Hoosier Cabinet. 

Ohhhh, wait!  Here's the rest of it...

Maybe I should have mentioned that it is beyond "a little rough".  And yes, I am planning on restoring it...or at least getting it to an assembled and usable condition.  Hmmm...what did I get myself into.  Stay tuned for the updates on this one.