Old Chair New Life

What do you do with a chair no one wants?  Well ask me that question and my answer is keep it!  That’s exactly what I did with my new addition.  Like an unwanted puppy, I decided to be her new owner.  Give her love and affection and breathe new life in her just like I did Clarissa (and still working on Don).

I decided to do some research on this chair and found it’s a Louis XV style Fauteuil armchair.  These chairs were beginning to be made in the 1600’s and were considered French by Royal Design and was designed with a woman’s figure in mind, by having delicate curves.  The backs were round for the softness of the woman’s shoulders and the carvings were considered the ornaments (like a woman wears jewelry).   This particular chair was made during the turn of the 19th century (between 1880 – 1900).  The chair had it’s original needlepoint fabric, however, as you see, it pretty much took a beating.  But, one thing for sure, she’s a real McCoy, a Louis XV french chair.  So, I’m thrilled that I couldn’t sell it for the mere $25.00 I was asking for it at the yard sale.    The average price for these chairs is $500.00, so yes, she is definitely worth investing in.  I’m going to name her Kittra.  Luckily, the frame was strong, but the wood stain was a bit drab.  I decided to paint the frame using Martha Stewart antique gold (please don’t squeal 🙂 )

The gold paint gives it a new look, without taking away from the beauty and not making it gawdy.

For the fabric, I chose a soft chenile pile white fabric and wanted to incorporate cheetah print with it.  I also wanted the authenticity of the chair to remain intact, so I had the upholsterer keep the straw stuffing but add enough cushion for a better seat.  Keep in mind that if you ever get a chair or sofa and discover it’s an antique, it’s always best to preserve some of its history.

Here’s Kittra’s new look

kittra

Time to bring her home and find a space for her.

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I’m in the process of making a few changes in the living room, nothing big, but changing up the wall color and adding a few reupholstered items.  But for now, she’ll rest here.  I was just so excited with her new look I wanted to share it with you.

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I’ve never used white before on furniture, and now that we’re empty nesters and no little ones around, I thought I’d give it a whirl (for at least one piece) and the cheetah print has always been my fettish.  I plan to add a bit more of that around.  I hope you like Kittra’s new look as much as I do.  Have you done a makeover lately?  I’d love to hear all about it.  Until next time, Happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your house into a home!  Smooches

Jamala

 

 

Off my Rocker

Sharing this throwback from when I first started blogging 🙂 – It’s a Rocker-Redo … And they’re still in great shape.  So next time … don’t pass up the rockers without a seat

A Quick Fix

It was a hot, hot, hot day and I decided to work on this “whatever thingy”  I  found a while ago.  It was a dumpster dive found item.  I’m guessing it was once a bar stool –  what do you think??

 

I figure…why let it go to the dumpster.. ???  It’s got good bones so I’ll give it a new look..  simple, quick & cheap.  So here it is with a new look as a new function.   Ohhhh the power of paint!!!!

Pretty simple and now I have another plant stand (for now)… Who knows what it will be later.. I love the triangular shape of the legs.   The tips received a dip in gold.

After painting it I added a pretty tile for the topper.  It’s not grouted yet. I found the tile at Lowe’s on the clearance rack for $2.50.  It was pretty enough to use.  I may grout it later, I just didn’t want to buy any grout for this small project and it sits around collecting dust – never to be used again.  But, in the mean time.. It’ll do just fine like this.

 

I’m sprucing up my porch and it sits perfect in the corner

 

I’m glad it didn’t make it to the dump. :).    Have you saved anything from the dumpster pile lately?  If so, share your story.  Until next time.. See Ya!

$2.00 Tuesday #7

Is it me or is it that these $2.00 items are just making themselves be there for me.. lol.. because I declare..  they’re popping up all over the place.. (it’s like they’re saying – here she come- oooo -pick me, pick me..)… Unbelievable.. but it’s true and here I was thinking it was’t going to last long because there aren’t a lot of things worth blogging about for $2.00.  Well, I’ll ride it as long as I can…  I just hope you enjoy the ride with me.. and if you don’t, feel free to say “Hey Kim no more..”.. until then.. here’s the next $2.00  post..

Ok.. Goodwill is the source.. I know you’ve seen these vases all over.. well.. it’s $0.50, the candle (still wrapped) $0.50 that only equals $1.00.  But I did pick something else up for $2.00 which I’ll show you in a few..But first I want to show you what I did with these two items, because the other item is a no-brainer.

Keep in mind that I’m making use of the items and not spending  anymore money to  use it.  I sprayed painted some leaves for the silverleaf effect (my attempt at a little pun)

I inserted the candle into the vase.. Using a pair of stacking trays I already had, I flipped the larger one upside down and placed the smaller one on top,  added some live pine stems .. then made a seasonal arrangement with feathers (which I love) pine cones and this is my $1.00 finished product. …

                  

It looks pretty good on top of the little cute cabinet I refinished back in the summer

Ok that was my first dollar spent .. ..  moving along..  This is what I bought for $2.00

not bad right???   I could use it as the typical book stand for when I’m cooking to hold the book..

But it’s more useful for me as my charging station

now all my electronics are in one place without having them at different areas charging..  See… like I said, a no-brainer…

Have you had any luck with finding a $2.00 item and would like for me to post it.. let me know.. I’d love to hear about it.

A $2.00 Tuesday

Hey there! This is a quickie that I have to show you.  Last Tuesday I was headed to lunch and passed this little thrift shop – I’ve been meaning to stop in there but every time I passed – it was closed. Well, I got lucky, it was open.  So I walked in (and for the life of me- I can’t figure out why do they all have that same “old” smell..chuckles.. oh well.. moving right along…I did my usual eyescope around the store.. Nothing caught my eye. Just as I was about to head out the door I looked up and caught this plant holder. Remember these..
                   
Well needless to say it was $2.00 and you know it came home with me.  I spruced it up and hung another one of my babies in it.   Love the  shells..  I had a little left over from the plant stand and decided to use it on the pot.

Avocado

And now comes the plant….

              

not bad huh?? for $2.00 .  Did you ever come across a $2.00 fab find..?  If so, please share.  I would love to hear about it or send me a picture so I feature it on the blog..  till next time…. ta-ta..