Rags to Riches

So I've had a desk chair at my nice little corner desk, in the school room, for pretty close to 8 years. Yes, the same chair.... for 8 years. This chair has served as a "merry go round" for my boys, an anchor for forts, and even, at times, a ladder, for me. It's been loved , and it was evident, from the looks of it, that this chair has been loved beyond measure. As with anything ugly, it was a chair only a mother could love. And I did. Because I am frugal. I honestly could NOT stomach the price of a new desk chair. Forget that the seat was held together by bright blue duct tape, and that the arm rests were missing part of the foam. Forget all that... it was still fully functional, and, it wasn't costing me any money. 

I have looked around, at times, for a new chair... but none were perfect enough for me, to drop close to a hundred bucks on a chair... for my desk.  I've had this toile fabric (central park, is the name of the design)  in my closet, for... oh I don't know... 10 years? BEAUTIFUL fabric.. I bought it on clearance, I remember... I did not have a project in mind, I just knew the fabric was so beautiful, and at a great price, and it must come home with me, so it did. 

Fast forward ten years.... I found the perfect project for this beautiful material. I must recover my loved desk chair... and I MUST DO. IT. RIGHT. NOW!

So, while the guys were watching "Fear Factor", I decided to bring my chair, and my fabric and needed tools, and cop a squat right in the middle of the living room. Because you do understand that family time is essential, right?


I started by disassembling the chair... once it was in several pieces, I realized there was no turning back now. I must push on.... and I did. So, after about two hours, I had recovered all necessary parts, with my spiffy toile fabric. (we can even call it vintage fabric, at this point, I mean, it IS 10 years old!) I used Hubs staple gun and attached the fabric to the seat, and the back rest. I used heavy duty fabric glue to attach the backside of the backrest. (and this covered the staples I used) I let that dry over night.. and reassembled my NEW VINTAGE DESK CHAIR this morning. I must tell you, it was so super easy, and now I have a chair that *I* am totally in love with!!! 

Due to the spontaneity that defines my existence, I failed to get before and during photos. I only have the after... but WOW!!! It's so beautiful. Hubs DID encourage me, and tell me that I should make these, and sell them. I will give that some thought. :) Since he rarely tells me something like that, I know that I did a great job on this project.