My brother’s pair of retro sling chairs needed some serious TLC. Since I appointed him host for our family Thanksgiving, I agreed to reupholster these as well as his dining room chairs. This pic doesn’t adequately demonstrate how desperately they needed a redo. The chairs had come from another relative …
Once upon a time, there were two sad little vintage chairs… Fortunately, one of my clients adopted them, and they’re going to a good home. But they’re going to need a lot of TLC before heading out the door. Twice the work this week means twice the blog posts, so …
This sofa table was being used as a TV stand in a college apartment. The guys were unloading it since they were graduating, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. In fact, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to take my usual “before” pic. Here’s what I …
I found this footstool labeled “FREE” outside a home in the neighborhood. I don’t usually grab furniture roadkill, but the owners were clearly in the middle of a major move and giving away tons of good furniture. Who am I to pass that up? This gem had potential for something …
A client brought these patio loveseat cushions to me for reupholstery. I don’t typically take on projects that are solely reupholstery, but the wrought iron loveseat these belong to was lovely and deserved great cushions. The years had taken a toll on these. They were faded and discolored and had …
This accent chair needed perking up. The intricate back was lovely, but the seat was pretty muted and dull. Fortunately, this vintage reproduction was structurally in great shape. I had originally planned to paint this but decided I really liked the wood stain. I have to remind myself sometimes that …
My dad’s stepstool desperately needed a makeover. The paint was tired and the steps were worn, but this vintage piece was still a clever design worth saving. It functions as a seat when the steps are retracted. When the steps are rotated downward, it becomes a stepstool. The bulk of …
I seem to be collecting sewing tables! Last week’s post was an upcycle of one into an entry table. This one was brought to me on commission to redesign into a desk with laptop storage. We could have replaced the top with a solid piece of wood, but why waste …
The adorable bowtie drawer pulls on this sewing table caught my eye right away. This vintage sewing cabinet no longer held its machine. Instead, it held a lot of potential. These cabinets are gems — built well to withstand the weight of old sewing machines and chock full of upcycling …
It’s time for the big reveal of the vintage dresser I’ve been working on for the last few weeks. You’ve already seen hints of what’s to come in two previous posts about the trim repair (Vintage Dresser Makeover: From Missing to Mended) and the hardware polishing (Vintage Dresser Makeover Pt …
