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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Take A Load Off

| By Sherry Petersik | August 14, 2009 | 61 Comments

Reader Redesign: Take A Load Off

Alison’s gorgeous chair makeover had us green with envy. We love that she noticed the stellar lines of these formerly mediocre pieces and transformed them in a big way. Here’s her letter:

I thought I’d send over the before and afters of a pair of awesome chairs that I got at an estate sale for $5 each and repainted, recovered, and now have in our living room! I saw one of the chairs first, liked it, was interested, walked away, and found another tucked away in the attic of the house. Half price on everything — SOLD! I got them home, dusted them off and spray painted them with some Satin Black spray paint and was off to find some fabric! I live near Minneapolis, MN and there is this awesome little fabric store hidden away called Crafty Planet and they had just what I was looking for: zebra animal print in my favorite yellowish green color. A few staples later and I had myself a set of awesome awesome chairs! Hope you enjoy! I sure am. Love the blog! -Alison

Zebra Chair RR Before 1

Zebra Chair RR After 1

Isn’t that one fabulous double chair makeover? You can’t beat the DIY affordability- and they look like a million bucks! Thanks so much for sending the lovely and inspiring photos our way Alison! And if anyone needs a chair upholstery lesson here’s the play by play.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for michellemichelle says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:06 am

    wow that is amazing! i love the ransformation.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Alicia H.Alicia H. says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Holy cow! These are gorgeous! Seriously green with envy!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for ChristinChristin says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Wow – that really is an incredible transformation. Very insipiring to keep my eye out for good deals like that. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for CandaceCandace says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:24 am

    AMAZING! I love it!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Annette SAnnette S says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Those chairs are fabulous now. LOVE them!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Jenny @ Words On WendhurstJenny @ Words On Wendhurst says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Love the curvy lines of the backs, and they look so great freshened up!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Melanie SMelanie S says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:34 am

    All I can say is WOW….GREAT JOB! :) I’m a wee bit jealous :)

    Reply
  8. Avatar for CarmilCarmil says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:36 am

    LOVE IT!!! And thanks, Alison, for giving us the Crafty Planet resource– I’ve just spent half an hour on their website looking at fabrics!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Laura@JourneyChic[email protected] says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:47 am

    What a wonderful transformation! The lines on those chairs are indeed great – and I can’t believe she got them for $5 each. What luck!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for KKKK says

    August 14, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Those look gorgeous. The woodwork is amazing. And $5 each?! I want to run out and hunt for some myself. Bravo!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Jill@nokoikonomia[email protected] says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:06 am

    The chairs are so much fun now! Great job. I’m from Minneapolis and looking for some awesome fabric for curtains. I’ll have to check out this Crafty Planet. Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Sugar CookieSugar Cookie says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:07 am

    These are beautiful! I was recently given an old wingback chair (can’t beat free!) for which I have high hopes. I’d like to paint the wood black and upholster it with a rich microsuede fabric, but upholstering a whole wingback chair seems a lot more intimidating than upholstering a cushion. Any advice? Or should I just turn it over to a professional?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 14, 2009 at 12:54 pm

      Hey Sugar Cookie,

      Beyond upholstering a seat cushion you’ll probably need to do some heavy duty research. We would probably call on a professional, but the good news is the chair was free so it’s still a heckuva deal.

      xo,
      s

  13. Avatar for rondaronda says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Gorgeous!!!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:20 am

    These are so cute!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for ErikaErika says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Awesome job on the chairs Alison. I have an old chair that I plan on transforming myself…thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for KarlaKarla says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:28 am

    These are AWESOME!! I cannot believe that they were $5 each!! Now I’m green with envy too. ;) I hope to find something similar, but many of the estate sales in my area ask far too much for items. Congrats to them-love the zebra fabric too!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for renee brownrenee brown says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Hey Alison –
    Wanted to give a shout-out to a fellow Minneapolitan! (I’m in Minnetonka) …you did an amazing job! I love Crafty Planet also.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Sarah (Matters of Style)Sarah (Matters of Style) says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:42 am

    AMAZING!!! The chairs look awesome!!!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for JennaJenna says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Those are fantastic!! Great job, Alison! I’m really loving the zebra print.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Love love love. Especially the fabric choice. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for KyleeKylee says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:49 am

    those are amazing!!! great job!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Susan the shoppe ownerSusan the shoppe owner says

    August 14, 2009 at 11:52 am

    Why can’t I ever find $5 chairs like that?!?! They are gorgeous. What a wonderful DIY project. Yea for zebra print :O)

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Jen Z.Jen Z. says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Gorgeous! It’s amazing what paint and fabric can do for a piece of furniture. Great job!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for RachieRachie says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    The picture’s not showing up for me…sad.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogKasey at Thrifty Little Blog says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Great job Alison- They look like expensive designer chairs now!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Those are AWESOME! Great find, and great redesign! I also live in Minneapolis so now I’m going to have to check out Crafty Planet!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for natalienatalie says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    this is an amazing transforming – makes me want to go chair hunting!!!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for KaitlynKaitlyn says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    These chairs are gorgeous!! They would sell for hundreds…

    Reply
  29. Avatar for ReginaRegina says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    Love them! I’m so inspired by many of the things here, yet every time I go to an estate sale or antique shop, there’s nothing but junk. :(

    Great work!!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for KBKB says

    August 14, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Okay, I officially need to haul rear over to Crafty Planet; if I can pull off something even half as cool as these, I’m ready for a furniture make-over too!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for JenJen says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    I’d love to know the best way to find out about estate sales! Any resources for the MD area that you know of (or super-fantabulous ones in VA that are worth the drive)?

    Reply
  32. Avatar for :::Lyzz::::::Lyzz::: says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    What a lovely transformation.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for - Sarah :-)- Sarah :-) says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Wow – they look amazing! I’m totally considering recovering our dining room chairs… just gotta convince the Mister, first.

    AND I’m getting ready to “re-do” some candle holders tonight/this weekend. I’ll let you knwo hwo they turn out and if I am brave enough to conquer the lamps, too. Eek!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for bungalowblissbungalowbliss says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Five itty-bitty dollars apiece?? Those chairs are gorgeous, and I love the updated look that the upholstery and paint gave them. Soooo nice!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for RoeshelRoeshel says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Wow – love them! Awesome job!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for City Chic - JamieCity Chic - Jamie says

    August 14, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Wow! Amazing makeover! I love these before and after shots :)

    Reply
  37. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    August 14, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    Loves it! I wish I could find awesome stuff like that at thrift stores hahaha.

    Reply
  38. Avatar for Ellen ColbergEllen Colberg says

    August 14, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Love them! Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this redesign…great motivater to try this myself sometime!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    August 14, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Those chairs are so goregeous!! I wish I had them!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for JacciJacci says

    August 14, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Wow, Alison! Those look fantastic. Straight out of Ballard Designs, but about $300 LESS per chair! :) You rocked it.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for TeganTegan says

    August 14, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    Beautifully done! I wish I had an eye for that kind of thing.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for RedlilocksRedlilocks says

    August 14, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Wow, what a transformation & a bargain as well! Fantastic!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for Amy @ Renovation InnovationAmy @ Renovation Innovation says

    August 14, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Totally jealous that Alison scored those chairs for only 5 bucks a piece! Great transformation.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for SaraSara says

    August 14, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Amazing! I generally think a little animal print goes a long way, so a side chair is prefect. And the colors – really great contrast.

    I’ve seen a lot of interesting chairs on craigslist lately…

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Whitney MeadeWhitney Meade says

    August 14, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Just stumbled upon your blog via Coco+Kelley, and I can already tell that I’m going to enjoy reading along. Cheers!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for MollyMolly says

    August 14, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    INCREDIBLE! I love the before and after!!! :) Crafty Planet is my FAVORITE fabric store! :) For $5 a piece… that beats going out for dinner!!!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    August 14, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Those are DE-licious! Great work Alison!!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for Newburgh RestorationNewburgh Restoration says

    August 14, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    Love the transformation! I’m working on one myself. I hope I can find something similar for $5!!!!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for Kim at Yellow Brick HomeKim at Yellow Brick Home says

    August 14, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Wowza, I would have passed out at the amazing-ness of those chairs, even before the makeover! Alison, you did a wonderful job!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    August 14, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    Wow – I love them.

    I have an old chair that had been left in my cousins house when she purchased it recently. My mother took one, and I have the other. My cousin was about to put it out on the skip with other bits that had been left, but I fell in love. It desperatly needs recovering and re-painting (it smells really old and dusty). I have dusted it down, and vacuumed it for now. It’s sitting proudly in my hallway, where I am leaving it until I feel inspiration as to what to do to it!!

    Yours are fantastic.

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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