Remember the chair I showed you yesterday? One of Jamie’s recent finds at the Goodwill outlet for $5.00. When I asked Jamie “what is the Goodwill outlet” she replied “it’s where Goodwill things go to die”.
We don’t have an outlet here in Louisville. In fact the store closest to me is the smallest Goodwill I have ever seen. Imagine the size of a convenience store gas station. In this picture you can see that it had arms at one time.
I had thought about making some kind of shrug or cover for the back. I haven’t upholstered many chairs, so I just sort of started on it and kind of “winged” it.
After lightly sanding it, I used some spray paint to primer it.
Upholstering Caned Chairs
While the paint was drying I worked on recovering the seat.
Painted it black.
I decided it would be best to remove the finials and take a little “off the top”.
I fell in love with the jigsaw from Black & Decker. Jamie’s dad bought me one for my birthday. However our Home Depot didn’t have the exact one. Mine doesn’t have the line finder on it.
However, I really loved how easy it was to operate to remove that little piece of this chair.
At my house, I have lots of random stuff. At Jamie’s I had to be resourceful! She recently got a new cable box, and this paper is the “quick start” guide. I used it to make a paper pattern of the back.
Jamie recently started selling Pampered Chef. They have awesome boxes! Because some of their products are so heavy, their boxes are extremely durable. Jamie had many boxes set aside to recycle, so I had a lot to choose from.
Jamie had purchased some batting for this project, but while I was staying in the guest room, I noticed several bed pillows strewn around. I stapled the pillow to the chair.
I gave it a new “neckline” in order to spread the “fluff” all the way to the top edges of the chair back.
I used my staple gun to attach the fabric.
I covered the cardboard with the fabric. I used my Elmer’s Spay Adhesive to attach the front of the cardboard. On the back I used some E6000 and tape. As you can see, I left my mark for anyone else who may tackle this in the future. The seat of this chair had already been covered twice before.
Looking pretty good eh? Especially for someone who has no real clue what she’s doing!
Voila!
Ain’t she pretty?
I used Gorilla glue to glue the cardboard in.
It’s going to look great in Jamie’s office/sewing room!
gail
get more chair ideas here:
Kristi K says
June 22, 2012 at 7:53 pmWhat a great idea! We aquired some cane back chairs that came with a dining table off of craigslist and now I know what to do with them! Could you let me know about how much fabric you used for this project? Did you use upholstry fabric or just plain cotton? Just wondering. Thanks!
smile says
January 27, 2012 at 8:12 amwhat a wonderful idea thanks i have an old chair i did not no what to do with it….
Tonya says
November 14, 2011 at 3:47 amWow! I love this chair. I have an old cane chair that I wouldn’t let my hubby throw out (haha). Now I know what to do with it!
allenaim photography and design says
April 17, 2011 at 7:09 pmlove love love this one Gail! YOu and Sarah are so the upholstery QUeENS!
Andi @ Potential Treasures says
January 1, 2011 at 3:43 amI love this idea! I’ve been wanting to find a chair like this. Now I know what to do if I can’t find the one I want to reupholster. You have just given me some great ideas. Thanks!
Dani says
September 4, 2010 at 4:55 amI love this idea!! I have cane back chairs where the cane has completely come off and was looking for a way to recover them…i’m very happy i found this! One question though….any ideas of how to make the back a little stronger than cardboard? I basically have bones to work with lol
Thanks!!
Funky Junk Interiors says
August 15, 2010 at 6:31 amWOW!! This is major surgery! The outcome is outstanding. What a beauty. 🙂
Donna
Lafe's Hidden Treasures says
March 18, 2010 at 11:01 amAwesome makeover! Thanks for letting us know how you did it! Have a nice day! http://lafeshiddentreasures.blogspot.com/
Miss Mustard Seed says
March 18, 2010 at 2:35 amYou get a big round of applause from me on that one. I’m not sure I would’ve tackled a piece like that, although it had some good things going for it. You made it look totally fabulous. Great work!
alwayslearning says
March 13, 2010 at 5:05 pmjust beautiful. I’m gathering so much inspiration today!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
March 12, 2010 at 10:50 pmWow you sure did repurpose that chair! From trash to treasure… thanks for linkin up again to POPP.
xinex says
March 12, 2010 at 4:57 pmWow! I cannot believe how you transformed this chair. It is gorgeous now. Who would think that it used to be real ugly. You are good!…Christine
Tara says
March 12, 2010 at 4:43 pmThis is totally awesome! I love it!
michelle b says
March 12, 2010 at 7:45 amlove that sooooo much!
who knew!!
you made it look so easy!
i am for sure a new follower! you rock!
michelle…xoxo
http://missbblogs.blogspot.com/
Sunny Tuesday says
March 12, 2010 at 4:35 amYou sure look like you know what you’re doing to me! Lurv the chair!
Teri says
March 12, 2010 at 4:23 amGorgeous! Great fabric choice! 🙂
Laney says
March 12, 2010 at 3:12 amLove the fabric! Great job!
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says
March 12, 2010 at 2:03 amThanks for linking up Gail. I am looking for a broken cane chair when I go thrifting tomorrow. Only junkers would LOOK for broken stuff!
Lisa B. says
March 12, 2010 at 12:58 amOh my, that is fabulous. I have seen so many of those chairs and now that I have inspiration on what to do with one, I bet I have a hard time finding one now! lol
Bonnie @ House of Grace says
March 11, 2010 at 3:03 pmThanks for sharing, that was awesome!! Great post!!! I am your newest follower!
Bonnie
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com
Tammy at Tattered and Timeless says
March 11, 2010 at 2:15 pmWOW that is all I can say. WOW.
tammy
Caro says
March 11, 2010 at 1:56 pmpretty good? NO!! It’s AMAZING!!
WOW!!!!! It looks brand new!
I want to recover my kitchen chairs, but upholstering is something that scares the heck outta me!
Denise says
March 11, 2010 at 1:17 pmGreat job! I have one over on my blog we re-did.
Following you over from The Shabby Chic Cottage. I am a follower!
Please stop by!
http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com/
Room to Inspire says
March 11, 2010 at 6:44 amWow guys were really able to see the potential in this guy! It looks great!
Chelsea
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says
March 11, 2010 at 5:39 amWhat an amazing transformation!
Patti says
March 11, 2010 at 2:52 amLove this chair…great fabric, and great idea to recover the back the way you did – very clever!
Frugal Home Designs says
March 11, 2010 at 2:42 amThat looks amazing. Great job!
Low Tide High Style says
March 11, 2010 at 1:21 amWow, what an amazing transformation! And I love how you left your “mark” so that if anyone decides to recover it in the future they’ll have a little peek into the chair’s history!
Kat 🙂
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says
March 10, 2010 at 7:43 pmOM goodness Gail–what a great job you did and a great tutorial–I am remembering this. And how sweet to write a love note inside.
Tonya @ lovinthemoments says
March 10, 2010 at 7:08 pmGreat idea to cover the back! We see these types of chairs madeover all over blogland, but I love how you did it!
Giulia says
March 10, 2010 at 5:11 pmI love chairs and this is wonderfull!!!
Hoosier Homemade says
March 10, 2010 at 2:30 pmWow! That is beautiful! I’ve never heard of the Goodwill Outlet store, wish we had one. Love the fabric you used!
I’m visiting from Tip Junkie!
~Liz
Kate says
March 10, 2010 at 2:22 pmThis is quite possibly the best chair redo I’ve ever seen. Awesome. Great work!
Homemade Quilts by Granny says
March 10, 2010 at 5:09 amI think this chair redo is awesome.Trish
Brass Paperclip says
March 10, 2010 at 4:24 amOh my word! You worked some magic on that baby!! Way to go – looks amazing. xoxo
Nicole@CraftySisters-nc says
March 10, 2010 at 3:45 amGail this is so Great! I think I start every comment like that to you don’t I? Seriously, it’s great and I love that you left your mark on it! The last chair that I recovered had a mark left on it too, to bad it was left by a wickedly destructive cat….
🙂
I Play Outside The Box says
March 10, 2010 at 12:48 amThat turned out awesome…love how you put all the info on the inside too….great idea!!!
Linda says
March 9, 2010 at 9:25 pmWhat a outstanding job you did here on this GW chair…luv the fabric! Come by and enter my CASH GIVEAWAY…it ends 3/10!
Blessings,
Linda
Emily {Frilly Details} says
March 9, 2010 at 7:52 pmThat can’t be the same chair!!!! Wow! You did an amazing job! What a transformation.
Formerly-Corn in My Coffee Pot says
March 9, 2010 at 6:23 pmThat chair turned out so neat!
I love the re-using of all the stuff. The pillow, the cardboard, the chair…some people just wouldn’t have bothered with it. You turned it into a great piece of furniture.
I’m loading up the truck and coming to your house.
Anny says
March 9, 2010 at 6:07 pmYou really had vision for this piece! I would have painted the cane black, recovered the seat and called it a day 😉
That fabric you chose is wonderful.
Leslie says
March 9, 2010 at 6:01 pmOh my gosh! That’s awesome! What a great redo!
judi says
March 9, 2010 at 5:48 pmW O W !!! This chair is gorgeous! It reminds me of the armless chairs that PB use to carry, just a smaller version. Great revamping and upholstering.
~judi 😉
the1829farmhouse.blogspot.com
Craft Tea Lady says
March 9, 2010 at 5:22 pmGorgeous redo!
The Goodwill outlet is actually where things go BEFORE GW SELLS the products to third-world countries. Yeah, sells.
CraftTeaLady (aka Gina)
Proper Prim says
March 9, 2010 at 5:03 pmWow Gail you aced that one… it looks fabulous… I am in love with your fabric… I am sure Jamie is going to LOVE it… great job.
Hugs, Deb
Donna E. says
March 9, 2010 at 9:58 pmThat chair looks great, and I absolutely LOVE the fabric you chose. I would be so afraid to tackle something like that – you’re amazing!
Mama Thompson says
March 9, 2010 at 4:58 pmOk…that is just ridiculous…amazing job!
The Smith Family says
March 9, 2010 at 4:07 pmOH my WORD, lady! Are you kidding my right now!?!?! You just blew my mind!
You have some MAD skillz!
Bravo!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Shelley Smith
houseofsmiths.blogspot.com
AuroraSuzette says
March 9, 2010 at 4:06 pmLove it! Would never have thought to remove finials. Good job.
Enchanted Rose Studio says
March 9, 2010 at 4:01 pmThat is the best chair redo I’ve seen in a while! Your didn’t just paint it and change the fabric on the seat, you completely transformed it into a fabulous upholstered chair! Bravo! Your tutorial is great, thanks so much!
Cheers!
Tina
My Cottage Charm says
March 9, 2010 at 3:38 pmHEY! Did you mean Louisville, as in KY? If so, we’re neighbors! 🙂 I live about an hour away from there! 🙂
I LOVE the re-do on the chair!! It looks brand new and beautiful!
You’ll have to pop over and see what I got over the weekend. 🙂
have a blessed day!
Marla at Always Nesting says
March 9, 2010 at 3:30 pmYou never cease to amaze me with all your creativity! I love this chair. You could certainly have your own show on TV to teach the rest of us your techniques. You always make it look so easy.
Marla at Always Nesting says
March 9, 2010 at 3:30 pmYou never cease to amaze me with all your creativity! I love this chair. You could certainly have your own show on TV to teach the rest of us your techniques. You always make it look so easy.
Stacey @ Fun to Craft says
March 9, 2010 at 3:25 pmThis is SO great. I love how fabulous it turned out. No one would ever suspect what it looked like before!! SO CUTE!!
I would love for you to link this to my Spring has Sprung Party on Friday. It fits in SO well!
handbags*n*pigtails says
March 9, 2010 at 3:16 pmOh my gosh I am so jealous! Actually, I was hoping you were going to show how to re-cane the chair or something. Theres a great one for sale on my local Craigslist but the caning is “holy” like this one.Ive been eye-ing the chair for weeks in hopes someone in blogland would show me what I could do with it. Now Im drooling over your transformation and I may have to make a phone call.:)
Sarah
handbagsnpigtails.blogspot.com
PS-I wanna win the giveaway so badly:)
Kelli says
March 9, 2010 at 3:13 pmThis is GORGEOUS! I’ve been looking for a chair just like that, and it didn’t even occur to me to reupholster the back on a chair like this to get the effect I want! Thanks for the post!
Pablo (yo) says
March 9, 2010 at 3:07 pmGreat blog!!!!
If you like, come back and visit mine: http://albumdeestampillas.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Pablo from Argentina
Candace@craftysisters-nc says
March 9, 2010 at 2:50 pmGail you made that beautiful! I was wondering how your were going to fix that. I would have been stumped! Nice job with the upholstery.
The note was cute that you left. 🙂
Sue at Serendipity says
March 9, 2010 at 2:31 pmAbsolutely fabulous and now I am REALLY sorry I passed on those cane back chairs the other day. Their backs were a bit torn too. Storing this one for future finds-thank you!
Lee Laurie says
March 9, 2010 at 2:05 pmWow! It turned out so beautiful! I never would have thought of covering it with fabric. It looks like a brand new chair. I bet she loves it too!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
Pam says
March 9, 2010 at 1:47 pmWow, to cute…you did another great job.
Dawn says
March 9, 2010 at 1:02 pmOh Gail, that is the cutest chair ever!! I don’t know why, but I never would have thought to cover the back like that, and you did such an amazing job! What a special piece – thanks so much for sharing with us!
Stella says
March 9, 2010 at 12:57 pmWhat an awesome job. Love the fabric choice and Jamie will appreciate all the love you packed in to it. Thanks for sharing.
Rory -The Greentiques Solution Guy says
March 9, 2010 at 12:43 pmI always love to see people out there saving something from the landfill and making something beautiful out of it. It is a way for all of us to have a much greener planet. Very nice job on the chair. Keep up the good work.
-Rory-
Amy says
March 9, 2010 at 11:36 amWow. That’s beautiful. Fantastic job.
Rose says
March 9, 2010 at 11:14 amWow, that looks great! I got a real kick out of the fact that you reversed what I did to my chair. As a matter of fact I pulled a bedpillow and cardboard out of that sucker to reveal the “bones”. Too bad nobody left their calling card in that one, would have been so cool to know who worked on it and when. Awesome fabric choice too!
Anonymous says
March 9, 2010 at 3:59 pmAwesome, awesome job! You have inspired me to try reupholstering a cheap thrift store find and see how it goes. Thank you for this post!