White Fitted Slipcover (Deployment Project # 53)

This project was another one of those where I had it mostly finished, but it still had some work left on it.  It has been gracing my living room for about a month now in a 75% done state!  So, this past week, I decided it was time to finish up this slipcover and post the completed project! 

As part of my “lighter and brighter” look in my living room, I definitely had to either re-upholster or slipcover these chairs.  The fabric on these chairs is still in fabulous condition and I knew that I wanted to go with white, so a slipcover was the obvious choice.

 

I’ve had white maltese bedspreads draped over them since we moved.  That is actually a really good way to have a “trial run” to make sure that it is the color and feel  you are wanting.

This is a very complicated slipcover.  With fitted arms, the fitted curve of the back, a button closure down the back of the chair, and a sassy little pleated edge around the bottom, it has tons of details to give the chair plenty of charm while still remaining neutral and bright.

I am in LLLLOOOOOVVVVEEEE!!!!

It is one of those projects that just makes me happy!  Every time I walk past, I have to take a second and look at it and smile!

Now….. all I have to do is make a second matching one for the other chair!  Yikes!!

One Chair - - Two looks (Deployment Project #51 & #52)

This was a very productive weekend for me!  I got so much done!  I re-upholstered two chairs, made 2 slipcovers and a set up curtains!  I have so much to post about this week!  I usually try to write all my posts on Sunday night so that the rest of the week, I can focus on homeschooling, my kids and projects.  Tonight I have too many projects to write the posts for - - so it’s looking like I will have to be writing some tomorrow night!!

The first project I’m going to share with you is actually a pretty fun one I worked on this weekend.  I had two of these chairs that I used in our previous house, but they just are not the right color, size and shape for my decorating style here.  So, I decided that I would show you how re-upholstery and slip-covering can change the look of a piece of furniture.

First, a simple re-upholstery.

This is a very simple chair to re-upholster.  The seat actually separates from the chair.

The back rest of the chair simply takes two pieces of fabric, so there isn’t a lot of work involved here either!!

A simple clean lined re-upholstery, but the black and white toile completely changes the look of the chair without changing the shape.

Second, a slipcover.

The back is completely fitted with a Velcro closure under the backrest.  Cording was added to define the shape of the back.

 

The seat cushion is a little bit trickier than re-upholstering.  Making the cushion fitted is nearly impossible, but by adding a skirt, the shape is defined. 

The skirt has deep pleating all the way around.  It completely changes the look of the chair, giving it a graceful, girly feel!

So, which one do you prefer?  The clean look or re-upholstery or the new girly shape of the slip cover?

Maybe seeing them in use will help you make your decision!!

 

Or maybe just my little man showing off his muscles?  :)

The Best Comment Ever!

I think that I am pretty normal - - I think, that like most bloggers, I love to get comments from people who read my blog.  It is great to get feedback about projects and to know that people I don’t know enjoy what I do!

Sometimes comments are just to share how much they love or adore a project.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/13000425734975510352 said...

Hmmm. Love seems too weak and overused a word for how I feel about these chairs. ADORE!! Yes...I adore them. Fantastic job!!

Sometimes comments encourage and thank for you for introducing something new, but also give suggestions or safety ideas.  And that’s a good thing!

Michelle said...

Love all of your creative ideas! What a great way to add some style to that corner - did not know they had such things (conversion kits). Just a note on the idea of hanging one over your tub...just make sure that whoever is able to stand in the tub can't reach the light if you are changing it to the hanging one...water and electricity...not a good combination! Love your blog! especially the pillows fantastic idea!

Sometimes comments let me know that there are more people like me out there and we have more in common than we thought!

The Grandy's said...

I LOVE that I found your blog. You and I have a LOT in common. My husband is also deployed and I'm racking my brain trying to keep my mind off the fact time is crawling along. We bought a new house and moved in a month before he left so I had a blank slate. I love your chair you just reupholstered. I tried to reupholster some wingback chairs a while ago and it almost killed me. So kudos to you. You should check out my blog www.4sweetpeasinapod.blogspot.com. My sisters and I started it so some of their projects are on it too. Keep up your great projects and I hope time flies by so your hunny will get home faster! I feel your pain!

But, the absolute best comment I have ever received has to be this one…  I just wanted to share it with you all!!!

Dear blog land-
I do not know who all will read this, but I must tell you how fortunate you are to visit this page. I am Handsome Hubby. I affectionately refer to Ms. Design Intervention as "Mrs.. America." I wish you all could see the things she does not post on this blog. She is the most sincere person who is absolutely loving and creative doesn't begin to say what she is. She is everything a man could hope for in a wife. She is fun and brave and supportive and challenging. She also happens to be good at Scrabble! I am glad to share her talents and our various home shots with you. But this summer she is going to disappear for a while. Do not worry... I will loan her out to Blog land again! She is my soul-mate and means more to me than words can express. I pray the Franklins can be a blessing to you through this site. Mrs.. America is truly awesome and I am proud to say she is my wife and the love of my life. 
~~ Handsome Hubby from miles away.

You probably don’t care one bit about what Handsome Hubby thinks (but I do!)  And, I’m sorry if you were hoping to see some new project and now you are disappointed, but I guess that is the joy of having your own blog - -I can put what I want on here!!  And today, I wanted to highlight those of you who take the time to leave comments, to encourage,and to thank - - I think your awesome - - all of you!!  But especially Handsome Hubby!!

Re-upholstery - - Two Matching Chairs (Deployment Projects #49 & 50!!)

Can you believe I’ve reached 50 deployment projects already?  Crazy!!!

Here’s the craziest part - - Easter Sunday is our half-way point.  Half-way done with this deployment!!  Woohoo!!  Not quite there yet, but getting close!

Remember me talking about how I had made a rule for myself that I cannot post a project unless it is completely finished?  This is one of those projects.  I have actually had these chairs mostly done for awhile, but I had not actually finished them.  I still needed to put the backs on them.  They have been sitting in my hallway, gracing it, with unfinished backs!!

So, today’s task was to finish these chairs up.  You know, what, it only took me 15 minutes.  Why didn’t I just do this earlier?

These were another Craigslist find.  They were in really bad condition.  The previous owner had cats and these cats used the chairs as scratching posts.  They were ripped up and NASTY!!!!

I gave the chair bases a coat of heirloom white and then  roughed them up a bit with some sandpaper.

I love the fabric I used for this chair.  It is a natural cotton background with a white damask printed on it.  It is a very neutral, light fabric that gives it an unexpected element of drama!!

Aren’t they pretty?

Pillows, Pillows, and More Pillows!!

Wow!  What a week last week was!!  I guess I didn’t realize how much I relied on my sewing machine and when it breaks down, we all break down!!  I have finally gotten a loaner machine that works – long story there!  So….what have I been busy with? 

Pillows!!

Remember my post about my version of the Pottery Barn Nest Pillow? 

Big news… they are available on Etsy!!!

There are actually three different options for customers to choose from:

The whole shebang:  100% cotton canvas pillow cover with the definition of nest embroidered in your choice of thread color, with self-cording trim and a collection of vintage buttons closing up the back.   $25

Happy Medium:  100% cotton canvas pillow cover with the definition of nest embroidered in your choice of thread color, with an envelope closure back.  $18

Make it Yourself:  100% cotton canvas fabric with the definition of nest embroidered in your choice of thread color.  You also get a piece of cotton fabric for the back, but you make this pillow yourself, or use the embroidery for some other creative project you think up!!  $10

I also have some other pillow covers available, just jump on the etsy shop and check them out!! 

I’m working on some other designs and some really exciting printed pillows, but before I go into this whole hog, I thought I would do a little trial run and see how it goes!!

  

Are you as excited as I am?!!!