When Teresa sent us her before and after chair makeover pics, we couldn’t wait to share the goods. Here’s her letter:
I just had to pass along the story of our $20 garage sale find. My husband hated the patterned Ikea curtains that I had hanging in our living room so I’m happy to share one of the panel’s reincarnation. My husband and I refinished the chair by sanding it and using Kilz oil-based primer and a can of regular old white high gloss spray paint from Lowe’s. We can’t take credit for the reupholstering though, as we had that professionally done. But here she is in all her glory. This is definitely my new favorite nook. I unwind here after long days with my two year old and six month old. Sometimes with or without a glass of wine, but always with the latest book that I am currently reading. Hope you enjoy my special ‘getaway’ as much as I do. Cheers! -Teresa
Here’s Teresa’s chair before the big primer + paint + Ikea curtain makeover:
And here it is after being spruced up with some oil-based primer, some glossy spray paint and some fun patterned fabric stolen from the living room windows:
Don’t you adore Teresa’s creative use of the curtains that the hubby hated? We definitely love her new “getaway” chair as much as she does and we appreciate that she did all of the chair refinishing herself to save some money (while leaving the upholstering part to an expert since she recognized that it was above her skill level). Thanks so much for sending along those photos Teresa! Your “new” chair looks super cozy- and you definitely deserve some reading time after wrangling two young children all day.
So what do you guys think? Cozy? Inviting? Inventive? Who’s a fan of Teresa’s creative thrift store chair reinvention?
beautiful transformation!
That looks so great! Way to think out of the box, Teresa! :) I looked for a link, but couldn’t find one. Does Teresa blog? I loved the styling in the photos, too, by the way. Nice work!
~Jacci
Sadly Teresa doesn’t have a blog (we always include those links in Reader Redesigns if our submitters have one). But maybe she’ll catch the blogging bug soon…
xo,
s
Love the chair! I actually really love those curtains and I’ve wanted to find a way to use them in my home – but they just don’t work for now for us. They work great as a chair too! Kudos to you Teresa! (And the general look of the nook is quite charming as well).
Gorgeous! I love it!
Beautiful. I am so sad that I have to be a full-time working mom because I want to do some projects so badly and haven’t yet found the time. I’m gathering great ideas though!
xo
I have those curtains!
I love it! What a great DIY project!! I’ve always loved those curtains at IKEA, but I think it makes a fantastic chair pattern.
Adorable!
I love it! It’s so fresh and perfect in that little corner. This may be a silly question, but where do you take things to get reupholstered?
Hey Michelle,
You can just ask friends and neighbors for a recommended upholsterer or check out your Yellow Pages, google around or even peruse sites like Craigslist for some great options. You can also visit any fabric stores in your area for a recommendation (the private ones, not chains, are especially helpful). Good luck!
xo,
s
I love those curtains too! What a great chair! So inspirational. I too am a full-time working mom so am just gathering ideas until I can find the time.
Tre awesome!
Good job, Teresa! I think Ikea sells a chair with that fabric on it (or something similar) but it’s like a bazillion dollars! What a clever idea and I have to say I think I like Teresa’s better!
Good work!
Wow! I’m sure the curtains looked great as window treatments but honestly I think it just looks AMAZING! Awesome job Teresa!
LOVE IT! I want one for my house now :)
Oops – here’s the link if anybody’s curious to get something similar. But maybe Teresa will make all of us chairs instead??? ;-)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50103171
Enjoy!
I love, love, love this chair! I am not always able to see the potential in garage sale bargains like yours, but you have totally inspired me to try my own chair for our current bedroom redo on a tiny budget. Brava!
I forgot to ask where you got those great, stacked baskets next to the chair.
Love it! I’m scared of picking out patterns, but now I want to go copy that. It’s beautiful!
Love it!
What a change. I love the new chair! I’m curious how much the upholstering ran. As always, I’m inspired by reading YHL. Thanks S, J & Teresa!
Wow. This looks like it could be in your house, Sherry. Love it.
This is fantastic. What a great idea for a curtain panel.
I’m totally curious: did Teresa also DIY her sheepskin throw since it was a recent post here on YHL?
Hey everyone,
So glad you’re loving Teresa’s chair makeover as much as we are. Here’s hoping she stops in to answer all of your questions soon!
xo,
s
They chair looks amazing! I love when people take something not so pretty and make it look fantastic! Wish I had the eye for it..
Hi everyone!
So glad that you guys love my chair!
Lindsay- if only I had the power, I would be more than happy to share the chair love with everyone :)
Jo- the stacked baskets are a Marshall’s find from several years ago. Keep your eye’s out there and at Home Goods.
Beautiful! I’m wondering how much it costs to have something like that reupholstered. I know that I couldn’t do it myself, and I’m always hesitant to buy things that need new upholstery because I’m afraid the cost might be prohibitive.
Absolutely gorgeous and very creative. I’d unwind with a glass of wine and a book here too!
That’s a great idea to use an unwanted curtain panel for an upholstery project that doesn’t require much fabric. I would be willing to bet that curtain panels, single flat sheets, etc are easier to find on sale than the fabric itself.
I love the chair! I’m curious to know how much it cost to get re-upholstered.
Yeah, I’m with Stacy. How much does reupholstering a chair like that cost? I wouldn’t have any idea what was a good price or bad. Teresa, if you don’t mind sharing, we’d love to know what you spent on the upholstering. I love the chair and have a fabric shower curtain that would work perfect for a chair in my bedroom!
We’re sure Teresa will drop in with that info for you guys soon. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Oh my… I love the fabric! And I love how cushy cushy that bottom panel looks now.
Great job!
Love it!!!
Wow-what an inspiration that chair is! I have a glider chair w/a boring brown pattern that I hate. This post has caused me to dream about what I can do to it. It would be super easy I think, since glider cushions can come right off. I’ll keep you posted if I get around to doing it and it comes out awesome!
Great chair redesign! It definitely has taken on a new (and improved) second life :)
What a fab idea to upholster with Ikea curtains. That little chair turned out gorgeous. Love the added texture of the furry throw. Bravo!
This chair is gorgeous and so much nicer than anything with that fabric from Ikea! I too bought the curtains in a fit of wishful thinking and ended up returning them, not having a cute garage sale chair or mad refinishing skillz. Poor Teresa – now we all want to see more pics of her place!
I am really anxious to find out how much Teresa paid for the chair to be reupholstered by an expert. There is a bench at an antique store I want to buy and have recovered but I’m worried it would cost too much…
Thanks for sharing Teresa, it looks great. I’m a little jealous!
Great inspiration for this $4.99 thrift store find I posted about in my blog….
http://decoriadore.blogspot.com/2010/04/thrift-store-find.html
Thanks for posting this!
I absolutely LOVE this! Well done! I just reupholstered my sofa this weekend – it was so much easier than I expected! I don’t think I’ll ever buy new furniture again! Why waste hundreds when you can get perfectly custom, mile-high style on the cheap?
Looks great and perfect for spring and summer!
I love those curtains! I only have one, bought a few years ago in the as-is department for €5 (new, the pair sells for €75). I only needed one at the time, and was delighted to find it!
We’ve moved now, however, and although I still love the fabric I’ve been balking at spending €75 on curtains! I think I’m going to turn the curtain into a throw for the couch and maybe a pillow or two- I love the chair though!
All I can say is wow. What an amazing transformation! You would never guess it was the same chair
It looks great! I’m so sad that her husband didn’t like the fabric as curtains, though! That’s one of my favourite Ikea prints, haha. I’m glad at least one panel was reusable!
I did a quick Chair reupholstry myself recently too! Check it out on my blog:
http://temporary-nest.blogspot.com/2010/03/im-ready-for-my-close-up-mr-demille.html
I’ve found my new love! :)
WOW! Amazing transformation, and way to recycle!
this is fabulous look. i wish i knew anything about sewing or upholstering. sometimes i see pieces with potential but due to my lack of know-how, i usually take a sign and move on. kudos to you teresa!
Gosh don’t you just love the thrill of a garage sale find!? I’m so glad its “garage sale season” again! John & Sherry, be sure to tell us if you’re having another one of your own soon!
Those curtains currently grace my bedroom and I’ve always wondered how my boyfriend really feels about them – oh well, it’s my house and he currently doesn’t get a full vote in the decor decisions!!
I LOVE that fabric. Sure wish it was possible to order curtains online from IKEA…
I have those same curtains in my house, my husband gives me a bit of grief over them too. How funny. Beautiful redesign!
Wow! I love this chair. It really is a dramatic change – for the better. Nice job!
LOVE this redesign! So smart of her to use Ikea panels as fabric! Thanks for sharing :)