Thursday, February 24, 2011

Before & After: DIY Upholstered Cane-Back Chair

This 'ol gal is probably one of my biggest personal *high-fives* to date. Here she is all done, currently occupying a lonely corner of our guest room. Let's take a journey back to what she used to look like: 
The picture doesn't show it very well, but the caning in all three panels was busted through in different places- hence why it was F-R-E-E on craigslist- SCORE. I loved the silhouette, but I wasn't about to try fixing that caning. I love the look of upholstered panels and parlor chairs, so I figured I'd give it a shot (not using a sewing machine, mind you). 

Here she is primed
Painted 

And Glazed 

Now, for the upholstering. For the back I cut 3 pieces of sturdy poster board to fit inside the back panels and upholstered them using batting and my fabric of choice. I then used a needle and thread and sewed them through the caning, securing the thread on the other side with super glue. And the back will look like this: 

For the front you just need quilt batting, a rotary cutter (HIGHLY recommended) and your fabric/ trim of choice. I cut my pieces of batting and fabric as close to size as I could, and just hot glued the batting directly on top of the caning. Then, using a scissors and a rotary cutter, cut the fabric as close to the shape of the chair as I could. 

I know, the unfinished edges look AWFUL. Never fear, trim covers a multitude of ickyness.

This picture above shows the 3 panels in 3 different stages. The far left has batting and fabric but no trim, the middle is just the batting layer, and the far right is the finished panel with trim. I attached the trim just with hot glue. 

See? That wasn't so bad! And we wind up with....
yay! 
P.S. Don't forget to follow me for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Pottery Barn! You have to follow me publicly by clicking that "follow" button over there on the left. Right above the pretty faces of all your other soon-to-be new friends!

P.P.S. Between me and you, I would REALLY like to get to 100, so come on- you want a $100 gift card, right??  :D

This post linked up to:
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive and Proper
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed 
Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals


xo,
Posted by Margaret at 10:58 AM
Labels: , , ,

28 comments:

  1. A Vintage VineFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Beautiful...love it! The fabric fits that chair perfectly!!

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  2. MargaretFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Thanks, Lisa! The best part is I got it on sale from $25/yd to about $7/yd. Double score!

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  3. LBBFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    I'm in love with your chair!! You did such a great job !!!

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  4. Cassie BustamanteFebruary 24, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    gorgeous, margaret! i looove the fabric you used- it's traditional but fun and vibrant!

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  5. jandjhomeFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    It looks awesome! I love the white with that fabric. Beautiful.

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  6. Allison@FabRehabFebruary 24, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    That is so gorgeous!! I love it!

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  7. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    I love this chair. I am always proud of a good upholstery job, its hard to do!

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  8. Lou Cinda @ Tattered HydrangeasFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Margaret! This is gorgeous! I LOVE IT! The fabric is just gorgeous! I take an upholstery class and can so appreciate what when into this!

    Great job!

    Just found your blog and I am a follower!

    Lou Cinda :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Adventures of Ordy and JoonFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    stopping by from Vintage Revivals- this looks AMAZING! i'm so jealous!

    ReplyDelete
  10. oops!February 25, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Oh My! I love what you did! The fabric with the white is perfect!

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  11. Inspired by youFebruary 25, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    I love it! The fabric is such a great choice!

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  12. Emily [On the V Side]February 25, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    This turned out beautifully - great job!

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  13. Nicole Joelle February 25, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    I love the fabric! It definitely adds just the right touch to the chair. Lovely job :)

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Amazing! You had a great vision for this piece!

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  15. UnknownFebruary 26, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Stopping by from Vintage Revivals- Your chair transformation is so great. I love it. I am totally up for a chance to win a gift card, so I will definitely follow ;)
    Jennifer
    http://www.alwaysinwonder.com
    Oh and I am having a small giveaway too, over on my blog if you want to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  16. driftwoodesignFebruary 27, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Very adorable redo. New follower.
    Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

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  17. UnknownFebruary 27, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Beautiful i would love to have a Chair like that, great job!! audistreeblogspot.com

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  18. Dominique@Delightfully DomesticatedFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    You make that seem oh-so-easy! Hmm...time to check Craig's list!!

    Have a great week!
    Dominique
    (New Follower!)
    http://gnarlynotes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. April and HollyFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Super cute! You have a lot of great idea's on your blog, adding them to my list of DIY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Holy goodness, I am in LOVE!! The fabric! The outline of the back! Awesome job! I'm your newest follower and would love it if you came and checked me out sometime!

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  21. MandiFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Love, love, love it!!! :D
    -Mandi

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  22. UnknownFebruary 28, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    Amazing makeover--poster board! Who knew?

    ReplyDelete
  23. sheerserendipityMarch 2, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    What a great job! You make it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  24. nickys nookMarch 2, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    this chair is beautiful you did a great job i love the fabric

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sophie@dwellingonadimeOctober 10, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    love this makeover and the fabric is so perfect. great job, very jealous!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Farmers WifeJanuary 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM

    Inspirational for something I have been scared to attempt. Now to convince myself to finish the project :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. CatherineAugust 13, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    What did you do for the trim? Gimp trim or is it cane?

    ReplyDelete
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