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    Furniture Makeover » antique rocker makeover

    antique rocker makeover

    Published by Gail | Published October 5, 2011 | Updated June 24, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A couple of years ago my mom’s cousin Kay Lee asked me about redoing an antique rocking chair she has. Last Spring she brought it up again. I told her I would be happy to do it. Then I see her again at our family reunion in June and we talk about her chair one more time. Finally late in the Summer she brought me the chair.

    img005

    The chair belonged to Kay Lee’s grandmother,  Mae Elizabeth. This is a picture of her grandma in 1951. She was 82 in this picture. Mae Elizabeth passed away in 1962 at the age of 92. Kay explained to me that her grandmother lived with her family for as long as she could remember. Everyone called her “mom”. Even Kay Lee referred to her as mom, while calling her own mom “mother”.

    antique rocker

    This is how the chair looked when I got it. I did a little more sanding on it, then I worked on repairing some of the webbing. Kay Lee brought the original seat padding, but I didn’t get any pictures of it.

    antique rocker

    rocking chair redo

    upholster antique rocker

    stain antique rocking chair

    When Kay Lee and her husband Bill dropped the chair off to me she had said she wanted a simple tung oil finish. I didn’t have any, so after several conversations we decided on a dark walnut finish.

    antique rocker makeover

    I applied one coat of stain with a soft cloth, then put on one coat of wipe-on poly. Love the results!

    recover antique rocker

    Here, you can see the original fabric from the chair. I laid it out as a pattern for the new pieces.

    recovering antique rocker

    I got the seat done relatively easy.

    how to upholster antique rocking chair

    I added two new pieces of webbing on the back.

    makeover on antique rocking chair

    Okay, I have NO in progress pictures. This was not an easy makeover. I told Kay Lee that I felt like Mae Elizabeth did NOT want me to recover this chair. I struggled quite a bit.

    upholstery with nailheads

    I used the nailheads that come in strips with a nail every 5th spot.

    nail head trim

    reupholster rocking chair

    antique rocking chair redo

    grandma's rocking chair

    I delivered the chair to Kay Lee and I think she is really pleased with how it turned out. She said the finish is exactly how she remembers it being originally. Whew! I was sure glad to hear that.

    I have a rocking chair in the basement that has hideous material on it. I blogged about it here when I first started the blog and redoing furniture. I plan to tackle it this winter, probably with some drop cloth material. It will look a LOT better the next time around!

    Have you upholstered something lately? Any tips for a novice?

    gail

    see more chair projects here:

    [categorythumbnaillist 102]
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    1. I'm Busy Procrastinating

      October 10, 2011 at 1:01 am

      It must have been so stressful trying to bring back a family heirloom, rather than just some ol' chair you picked up for a few bucks at a yard sale! I would love to watch someone do a reupholstering project, but I'm nowhere near being able to tackle on one my own. Upholstering scares me!

      Reply
    2. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      October 09, 2011 at 1:07 am

      I've only upholstered one thing in my life, and it was such a paint that I never did another! I think the rocker turned out beautifully, Gail! Not the work of a novice at all.

      Reply
    3. Artsy VaVa

      October 07, 2011 at 2:28 am

      WOW! You did a great job redoing the rocker. I'm not sure I would even know where to start with a project like that! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. alida

      October 07, 2011 at 4:29 am

      You did an awesome job! I not brave enough to tackle reupholstering something that difficult yet. The farthest I've gotten is a seat cushion. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Erin

      October 06, 2011 at 11:47 am

      You did an amazing job on the rocker...your friend must be so pleased. I think I'd be more than a little nervous to take on such a meaningful project. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    6. Kat Bennett

      October 06, 2011 at 11:46 am

      You did wonderfully! I have my great grandma's rocker and have thought about stripping the gaudy green paint from it, but I just can't seem to get up the ambition needed to tackle it, therefore, I'm happy looking at your fantastic job. The seat & back material are perfect!

      Reply
    7. Dawn

      October 06, 2011 at 2:51 am

      you are an inspiration... I have an old rocker very similar to yours... You have given me the bug to finally start on it... thanks
      Dawn

      ps.. I'll send you a link to my in progress photos

      Reply
    8. Good Time Charlie

      October 06, 2011 at 1:52 am

      The end result is just gorgeous! I love the fabric and I love the stain on the wood. What a good and sweet friend you are! Now it can go on for a long time in a new life.

      Reply
    9. Katie

      October 05, 2011 at 10:48 pm

      Phew! I bet that was difficult to reupholster! It looks wonderful though! Love the final finish on the wood! It looks brand new again!

      Reply
    10. Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

      October 05, 2011 at 10:46 pm

      I agree with everyone else, it looks beautiful and like a professional did it. Nice nail head trim ;).
      It's so much harder when the piece in question has sentimental value, isn't it?

      Reply
    11. Sylvia

      October 05, 2011 at 10:43 pm

      All the way from Washington State: you rocked the rocker. The fabric is perfect for the style and era of the chair. Another great make over from Gail.

      Reply
    12. Toqua's Crafts

      October 05, 2011 at 7:19 pm

      Gail, it looks GORGEOUS! I know it is a frustrating job to reupholster.

      Kudos to you!!

      Reply
    13. pedalpower

      October 05, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      It might have been a struggle, but you did a beautiful job!

      Reply
    14. Marla and Steve @ Always Nesting

      October 05, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      Amazing makeover. It's beautiful!

      Reply
    15. Love Of Quilts

      October 05, 2011 at 3:45 pm

      It looks great! Trish

      Reply
    16. Just Stuff From a Boomer

      October 05, 2011 at 3:36 pm

      I never had any doubt you would do a fabulous job. Mom's chair has been brought back to life. What wonderful memories it holds. "If chairs could talk"....

      Reply
    17. Proper Prim

      October 05, 2011 at 2:36 pm

      Wow, you did an amazing job on that Gail. So nice to see it brought back to life again. I am sure Mae Elizabeth would be so thrilled. I love pieces with a story... and a sentimental one is the best.

      Can't wait to see what you do you your other one.

      Have a great day.

      Hugs, Deb

      Reply
    18. Shannon

      October 05, 2011 at 2:31 pm

      WOW, it looks GREAT!!!
      So, let me know when you're ready for me to load up the wing back chair I've been avoiding for over a year that desperately needs reupholstered (and all new foam/padding) and we'll head your way 🙂
      This really looks great! I like the nail head trim!

      Reply
    19. Sandi @ The Primitive Skate

      October 05, 2011 at 1:53 pm

      Awesome job, Gail! I Love how the chair turned out. Have a great week!

      Reply
    20. Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama

      October 05, 2011 at 1:46 pm

      the chair looks really good, you did a great job. How lucky she is to have such a treasure from the past.

      Reply
    21. Connie Eyberg Originals

      October 05, 2011 at 1:39 pm

      You did do a beautiful job on that rocker! I am in awe. I am in the process of redoing a rocker - first time. I have my MIL to fall back on if it is a failure. As it turns out there were slats under the back upholstery so all I have to do is cover the springs of the seat. If I finish it successfully I will post photos. I was hoping for tips from you!
      Connie

      Reply
    22. Korrie@RedHenHome

      October 05, 2011 at 1:16 pm

      I used that SAME fabric on a nasty reupholstery project I did for a friend! Upholstery is NOT easy; you did a beautiful job!

      Reply
    23. Eileen

      October 05, 2011 at 1:03 pm

      What a fantastic job you did on that chair. I don't think that I could do it! I was looking at your coffee pot lamp, I have a pot very similar to that one, I paint on all my finds, but making that into a lamp was a fantastic idea, I love it. Keep up the great work, I enjoy seeing it!

      http://paintingbyeileen.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    24. Suzie

      October 05, 2011 at 12:47 pm

      Amazing job! What a treasure!

      Reply
    25. Terri

      October 05, 2011 at 12:24 pm

      Wow, I can see where you would be a little apprehensive to tackle such a project...especially considering all the personal attachment that your cousin had with it. You "nailed" it, girl! I am totally impressed with your recovering job...it is not easy.

      Reupholstering is something I always wanted to try and when I picked up two cane back chairs super cheap, I decided to give it a try. I have never seen so many staples in all my life. Keeping the original fabric for a pattern is definitely the most important part. Then it is just a matter of a lot of "pulling and tugging" to get the fabric on there tight. I would not want to do it for a living, but I am sure I would do it again just for fun!

      Reply
    26. Lesley

      October 05, 2011 at 11:48 am

      You did a great job. A novice? Really? The chair looks great! I have done some upholstry work....I find it too difficult and leave it up to the professionals!! lol

      Reply
    27. Susan

      October 05, 2011 at 11:26 am

      That chair is beautiful!! What a wonderful job you did with it.

      Reply
    28. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      October 05, 2011 at 11:17 am

      it looks beautiful! i have yet to try upholstery.... one day!

      Reply
    29. Sharon

      October 05, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Gail! The Chair turned out beautiful. Just stunning! You did a wonderful job on this.

      I love the color, its perfect and the new fabric is perfect as well.

      I have only recovered one Chair well it turned in to 6. LOL. I guess I need to post that.

      Sharon

      Reply
    30. aimee

      October 05, 2011 at 8:18 am

      it looks great, you did a really lovely job xxx

      Reply
    31. Dawn

      October 05, 2011 at 8:17 am

      Ohmigosh Gail, you did such a good job on that chair - I would have had a heart attack doing a recover of a chair with that much history, for a friend! I'm applauding you all the way from Texas on this one!! Super job!!!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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