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Friday, May 21, 2010

Oh My! What Have I Started!!

I mentioned in my DIY project post that I had two small projects, the frames, and one bigger project, the can of worms. Well, I decided I could freshen up an antique rocker in my living room. Eventually, if I ever get to do my living room I would like four matching chairs with a large table in the middle. This room was called the quiet room when my boys were growing up. It was used for reading and playing the piano. My lady friends and I sit in there and have had great conversations. Back to the rocking chair. I sat in this chair and rocked each one of my Grandbabies and we have read books in that chair. I checked on having it re-done, but it would cost more than the chair was actually worth. It looked like a simple job, NOT!! Here is the chair………..

living room and family room 030
You can see it is mahogany and it is a simple upholstery job. There are  springs in the bottom and one had broken through the bottom, time to do something about this.

Hubby and I flipped the chair over and took a peek inside to find old springs and webbing that was coming loose. We proceeded to replace the webbing and sew each spring to the new webbing. I will not even bore you with these details but let me say three trips to the store and two days later, the chair has new insides.
We proceeded to strip the fabric and stuffing. Inside we found old cotton batting and even horse hair, so we know this chair is really an old rocker. We proceeded to paint the chair in a gloss white to freshen it up ala Brocade style………….

my projects 008 (600x800)
How do you like my work bench? It actually worked quite well. You can see the old burlap backing and the cotton wadding. They had taken an old piece of fabric to cover the springs. It still had a covered button attached to it, which I thought was kind of funny. There were three different fabrics on this chair. The gold damask that you saw and a soft pink embossed fabric that looked like it was from the forties, and than a tiny floral print on black, I bet it looked really pretty in that fabric. Here are a few more pictures of what was inside……………..
my projects 009 (600x800)
There were a bazillon tacks and staples to be taken out of the rocker, borrrrrring!
my projects 010 (600x800)
You can see just a bit of the pink fabric and below is a bit of the small floral print.
You must understand, Hubby and I do not know what we are doing at all on this chair. At this point we are both wondering what the heck have we done!! Now on to the fun part, choosing the fabric!!! To be continued……..
“ Enjoy the Process” Of: Taking apart an older piece to try and make it new and fresh!
Kathysue

20 comments:

Allie and Pattie said...

Oh boy, do I know what you went through! Our first upholstery project was a couch and 2 chairs! We were clueless! I could not believe the number os staples! Can't wait to see what you did
xoxo Pattie

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Good luck with your project Kathysue. I would not have dared to tackle that one!

hugs

Sissie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What have you done is right. Have fun with that one. I am sure you will make is look beautiful. I will be here painting walls this weekend. Three trips to the paint store yesterday before I got the right color. Ugh!@ Have a great weekend, my friend.

Design Esquire said...

I can't wait to see how it turns out!! I'm glad you're keeping it, rather than tossing it out. It sounds like you have a lot of fond memories in that chair.

Gwen Driscoll said...

I am so impressed! I'm not very good at stuff like this. So, I admire your efforts. Thank you for always stopping by RHS. I really appreciate it. You're the best. Have a great weekend and don't work too hard on that chair.

Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy said...

Oh this is the chair that you mentioned in your posting on my blog! I'm kind of nervous to take mine apart now after hearing about your "can of worms". I'm really looking forward to seeing it all finished!

Cashon&Co said...

I am SO impressed with you and your husband! That kind of project overwhelms me a little bit. I like the direction you took with it by painting it. But I love the idea of you sitting in it reading to your grandbabies best!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

I feel your pain. I have a little chair I'm (still) working on that is much tougher than I thought! Do they really need all those staples??!?!?

Jules said...

Oh Kathysue we got this far with a lounge! It has been sitting in the garage now for 5 years!!!! I just know you won't be like us and I look forward to seeing the finished chair...SOON!!!!!

Leah said...

You guys rock! Way to tackle a cool project, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Unknown said...

Oh my...good luck! Show us your fabric choices, that is really the best part!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Kathysue, I know it will look absolutely stunning when you are finished with it. You are always so right on with your fabric choices and colors. Can't wait to see the finished project. Hugs, Marty

koralee said...

Just think what it will be like when you are all done...beautiful...good luck with it. xoxo

vignette design said...

Hey Kathysue! I have a great upholsterer! He is very reasonably, works out of his garage.....think about it! Just kidding. Seriously though, you can do this (I couldn't though) and I'm sure it will turn out fabulous!

A Room For Everyone said...

It's going to be wonderful when you've finished. I do that all the time..start something I can't finish! Not with little ones anyway..Rachaelxx

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Kathysue! I know you so I know it will turn out to be FABULOUS! I can't wait to see the finished job! But I must say...I admire your courage because I don't thnk I could do that! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie
PS...Loved the damask post! I have been eyeing that a lot lately. Hmmm...

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Kathysue, I admire your spunk and diy attitude... I'm looking forward to seeing the completed chair.. it was already a beauty. Thank you for always swinging in with wonderful words of encouragement.. you are a sweetie..
hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

How fearless you are! What an inspiration!

xo
E + J

Bring Pretty Back said...

holey moley! That looks like quite an undertaking! I give you so much credit because wouldn't have even started that project!
You amaze me,
Kristin

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I agree, YOU ROCK !