Prest-O Change-O Grey to Gold

In my house, procrastination knows no bounds! Shortly after New Years, I found a dining set on Kijiji and posted about it here on January 31st. At the very end of that post, I wrote the following:

"The chairs will need to be recovered in a new fabric,

and I'm obsessed with the idea of using a deep yellow velvet.

Can you picture it?" 

Fast Slow forward to March 1st, when I purchased 3 yards of fabric for this little project (keeping receipts helps to keep track of spending and project timelines), spending a lavish $36.36. Then life happened, and I tucked that bolt of fabric into a corner for more than 7 months before rolling it out in preparation for cutting. I removed the existing covers from the best fitting seat and chair back to use as pattern pieces to cut the new fabric.

There was some sewing and some stapling involved in this project, but I won't go into too many details, it's fairly straight forward. The trickiest part was avoiding wrinkles in the fabric while stapling and I didn't do a great job of that, but oh well. Despite the telltale DIY signs, I'm happy with the fresh new look:

I love the contrast of golden yellow against navy blue. What do you think?

Seeking Armchair $20 or Less?

I have a good imagination. My mind's eye can see how a room will look finished, even when it's completely empty and void of all personality. But one thing I do have trouble with is mentally converting a "vintage" (aka crappy) piece of furniture into a beautiful new heirloom piece. But it's been done time and time again, and the results never cease to amaze me!!

Here are a few inspirational furniture makeover projects completed by my style hero, Eddie Ross:

Shield Back Chairs BEFORE

Shield Back Chairs AFTER

Greek Key Chairs BEFORE

Greek Key Chairs AFTER

As you may recall, I'm in the market for a single armchair to tuck into the living room, which can also be pulled up to the dinner table. I have checked several shops, and it seems the chair I have in mind runs about $700 once sprayed white and upholstered in a custom fabric. Seriously????? For one chair?????? I'm determined to complete a DIY makeover...now I just need to find the right chair...

HGTV Shoestring Makeover Feature

BEFORE
($9 Value Village)

AFTER

A Craftster.org Makeover

BEFORE
($4.99 Thrift Store)

AFTER

For those who can afford professional reupholstering:

Featured in Dominomag

BEFORE

AFTER

Featured on Casasugar.com

BEFORE

AFTER