A Chair Affair – thrift store dining chair makeovers

Just a quick “after” of the chairs my sister Patti got for around $2-3 each for her dining room (she just moved her family back and is on a tight budget for furnishing her new home). Shopping was done at thrift stores, 2nd hand furniture store, yardsales and auctions.

thrifty store chairs

A little clean up and all chair cushions were re-upholstered. Patti chose coordinating royal blue floral and paisley patterns.

  • Remove seats from wooden chair base.
  • Remove old fabric (usually stapled on)
  • Lay out new fabric with seat upside down in the middle of a piece of fabric (about 1/2 yard should be more than enough). Cut fabric to size (a couple of inches larger all the way around).
  • I fold my unfinished edges under while working my way around the seat, stapling as I go.
  • Start with the center of one side, fold fabric under then pull and staple to the under side of the seat. Do the center of each side, pulling tight as you go.
  • After each side center is stapled, I move the corners. Taking the corner of the fabric, pull tight and staple. I wrap the corners the same way I wrap a gift.
  • Staple the fabric all the way around (fabric folded under) the bottom of the chair seat.
  • Reattach the seat to the chair frame with screws.

reupolstering chairs

We love the dark stain on these and that they’re all different but all coordinate now…

dining room chair seat makeover

Click the pictures below for original links to more beautiful dining room chair makeovers by some super talented blog friends:

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Fab Two Toned Furniture Makeovers

furniture collage

Martha from Leone Design is a mom, graphic designer and new blogger and I think she can add furniture fairy Godmother to her list.  Take a look at what she’s refinished and selling while I pretend this is my shopping cart.

This two toned dresser with hepplewhite pulls is gorgeous and such an inspiration.

dresser makeover

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DIY Chair Makeover – before and after x 2

Think a thrift store find with a little DIY love can’t be every bit as gorgeous as a high end find? I beg to differ.  Meet:  Kristen from 

Farmstyle Studio

Kristen often says that design wouldn’t be a challenge without a budget. What fun would it be to walk into a high end store and say “I’ll take it!” without even so much as glancing at the price tag? 

But it’s not nearly as interesting or satisfying when there isn’t a bit of a challenge involved. At least that’s what we tell ourselves when the budget is tight. 

Kristen scored these thrift store potential beauties…

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and now prepare to be amazed…

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