Tag Archives: reupholstery

Lovely Lavender

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Although it’s not Pantone’s color of the year, I’ll say that Lavender remains one of those soothing colors that makes any year a good color for me.  With hues that reminds me of the aromatic scent of wisteria, it simply entices the eyes and create a relaxing effect.  Through its gentleness – it packs a powerful statement in a room.  The softness makes it versatile and blends with almost any color.  When my mom asked me to help her decorate her living room, that was the color that immediately came to mind.  It simply reminds me of her personality.  My mom is a gentle woman who doesn’t speak in high tones but her volume speaks through her softness.  This post showcases her lovely, lavender living room, designed on a dime…featuring vintage re-styled furniture.  Welcome to Mommy’s house…

The furniture pieces are vintage french provincial items that have been loving restored.   All of which came from yard sales, thrift stores and roadside finds. The pair of chairs were purchased from a moving sale for $40.00.  I had them re-upholstered with this lovely lavender damask fabric.

The upholsterer did an absolutely a fantastic job making them new again.  Completely tufted and well cushioned, these chairs are so comfortable.

Her sofa, purchased at the same moving sale for $50.00, was upholstered in an ultra-suede deep plum. This sofa was a true bargain (the cushion is 100% goose down feather stuffed)  and completely comfortable.

With catching fabric on sale, buying the furniture and paying the upholsterer, her set was under $500.00.  The frame for this artwork was a flea market find for $25.00.  The lithograph by artist Ellen Powell-Tiberino, was professionally matted.

The ottoman – another yard sale find for $5.00 – reupholstered using leftover fabric from another job was an added bonus with the complete set.

Her coffee table – found as is – on the street…(it was great night of bulk day hunting treasures) $0.00

It was a miracle finding all these pieces (made of fruitwood) in such great shape but at different times.  You know my motto – Patience is a virtue..  eventually it’ll turn up..

The space is accented with vintage crystal candy dishes, thrifted candle holders and other thrifty finds to create the finished look.

Visiting mom is always a joy, and her living room gives everyone a welcome feeling.  Her heart is just as sweet as the candy she keeps the candy dishes  🙂 .   Since I welcomed you into her home, I’d like to introduce you to my Mom… (picture taken 2 years ago when we celebrated her 75th birthday and I love this picture- she was so surprised)

By looking at her, do you think her living room reflects her style….   🙂

 

 

 

 

Time for Lessons

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I hope your new year has been going great.  I pondered doing something and finally decided to take heed to some advice that my dear friend Joyce gave me years ago when we first opened Pieces of Time.  She always said.. “Honey, the only way to make money in this business is to learn to do it yourself”.  It was procrastination at it’s best.  Well the procrastination has ended and the lessons will begin.  My upholsterer who did Clarissa – has graciously said yes to teaching me.  When I asked her about it.. her reply was not what I expected..she said “Sure, I would love to teach you… because someone taught me and I’d love to pass it on”  Wow!  Honestly speaking, I thought she would say “No” for obvious reasons and I’m very grateful about that. This is going to be a long process and I’ll share what I’m going through along the way.  I hope you’ll follow along.    This is the chair we are working on for the first lesson.

It has a small tear in the fabric and needs to be re-done.  The simple lines along with a sleek look is perfect for a starter lesson.  The style is mid-century modern Eames chair  and reminds me of something you’d see in Mad Men – doesn’t it?

http://www.rrherman.com/mid-century-modern-chairs/mid-century-modern-chairs-color-green/#page

VIA

Very similar huh??

VIA

blue chair

It’s a very popular style and I can’t wait to see the finished product.  I picked a sleek fabric and will refinish the wood.  I think I’ll call this piece Don – Looks sleek and casa-nova-ish.. like DonJuan.

So everyone.. wish me luck, on this new venture I’m taking.  I just hope my hands hold up for the journey.

Make Me Over

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I’ve had a love of make-overs for quite some time. For the next few weeks I’ll be featuring “make me over” Mondays, which is paying tribute to the lovingly restored items found along the way. It’s  an intriguing feeling when you see a once lovely piece of furniture thrown away without regard or care and thinking can it be revived.  I remember how we use to get anxious about bulk trash night wondering what will be the next trash to treasure we’ll find.  There have been many long nights spent cruising neighborhoods looking for things thrown away because they no longer want it, or it’s broken down or things that they believe are hopeless.  Such is the story of this antique slipper chair.  It’s apparent this chair has been stuck in someone’s attic for so many years and the family finally decided to let it go and decided to trash it. Well as fate would have it.. it was destined to be mine.  I looked at it  and tried figure out what happened to it… why would someone mistreat it,  or to even say  why would it be so black and blue.  I know  people thought I was crazy out my mind for thinking about putting this in the backseat of the car.  But I couldn’t resist.  It was love at first sight.  I could clearly see the beauty this chair once had.  So, it was scooped up by me.. and  when I brought  it home.. All my husband and sons could think was…”She’s really crazy”..  but.. I shrugged them off and said, now just wait and see..”

                

I know you’re probably saying the same thing ….chuckles…. but look closely at the chair.. .. do you see – what I see???  notice the wire springs, the detail of the shape.. and look at the back.. it was stuffed with horse hair and cotton fiber.. which means this chair has quite some age on it.. probably turn of the century.  It’s clearly this darling little chair has suffered quite a bit of abuse over the years and is screaming  “HELP!”  for some loving soul to save it.

I figured this was going to be a tough job it restore it back to its original beauty.  I had to recruit the best upholsterer in town and had to find the best fabric to really enhance  it’s beauty.  Since I wasn’t  in  a big rush I took my time.  After months of searching, I found the right fabric that would enhance the beauty of the chair.  Now comes the feeling of excitement .. knowing she’s getting ready for her new look.  When I got the ” your chair is ready” call.. my heart became overjoyed and asked “how did it turn out?  He replied.. wait till you see it.. with a smile..  I rushed over to pick her up and needless to say he got a big hug!  What a wonderful transformation. I brought her home and here she is:   Isn’t she lovely… made from love..  This was her place in my bedroom to complete the vintage look.

 

Since this picture we’ve moved and she still looks just as wonderful in my vintage bedroom we now have

                

 

 

I am truly happy with my little slipper chair.. It’s a great feeling knowing she didn’t wind up in the dumpster waiting to be destroyed.

It was well worth it..