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A Thoughtful Place

A Thoughtful Place is a Tennessee based lifestyle blog about design, fashion, gatherings and the occasional from the heart post.

Dining Room Chair Makeover

October 17, 2011 by Courtney 39 Comments

Well it has only taken me months to make a decision on my dining room chairs! I posted about what fabric I should use. I took all of your advice and bought this fabric. I then bought two more after that. I have a very nice selection of green fabrics in various patterns! Oh, boy. And after purchasing all of these fabrics, it finally hit me that I wouldn’t be happy unless I did something very neutral. I realized that with how much I love entertaining and setting tables, I really wouldn’t be happy unless I kept the color to a minimum. So after months of purchasing fabrics, bringing them home, and not loving anything . . . I went with the old standby. The drop cloth. I am pretty darn proud of them so beware. . . photo overload! IMG_4705 I am really happy with how they turned out and appreciate the contrast with the dark wood table. They started out as very sadly painted chairs {they were my very first DIY straight out of college}. The chairs were handed down to my sister and then passed on to me. I love that they have a history and have had many lives. I knew I wanted to give them a new life. The plaid was what I had used many many years ago. Then they sported some floral chair covers for years. IMG_0057 IMG_0056 IMG_0059 Do you see that egregious crackly paint job! Ha! What was I thinking? Now you know why they were masked in floral goodness for so many years. I originally posted about them here. Step 1: I removed that chair cushions and sanded the heck out of the chairs Step 2: I painted the chairs using a cream colored Rustoleum paint. Step 3: Recovered the cushions. IMG_4679 Cut a generous amount of fabric so that it is easy to pull tightly and staple on to the frame. IMG_4681 After cutting four pieces of fabric, I ironed each one. IMG_4685 I have an unusual fear of staple guns, so my very wonderful hubby endured the pain of stapling all four chair cushions for me. Thanks, honey! IMG_4686 IMG_4725 IMG_4689 The jewelry I added is from here. I have been hanging onto these cute pulls for so long and am thrilled that they are now on the chairs. I used them in my son’s room as well which I will show you soon. IMG_4727IMG_4730 IMG_4742 IMG_4732 IMG_4733IMG_4737IMG_4741 I will show you later in the week how I solved the problem of my messy three year old on these newly covered chairs! It may have taken me a very long time to get these babies finished, but I am thrilled with how they came out. What about you? Are you taking your sweet time on a project these days? Sharing the Chairs with: Between Naps on the Porch My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Filed Under: before and after, decorating, dining room, Do it yourself, furniture, tutorial, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Pine Tree Home says

    October 17, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Drop cloths totally ROCK, especially for someone like me who can't make a decision. They look great.

    Reply
  2. Girlie Blogger says

    October 17, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Gorgeous makeover. You are so talented!

    http://www.geekettegazette.com
    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

    Reply
  3. courtneyoutloud says

    October 17, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    They look great! I am afraid now that the manufacturers of drop cloths will hike up their prices with some many people using them in DIY projects!

    Reply
  4. Gail @ Sophisticated Steps says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Smart move considering your love of entertaining. It won't trap you into a colr scheme or look really a.w.k.w.a.r.d.! Lol.

    I can't wait to see what you do with the little chair jewelry…but it's sure to be cleverly spectacular.

    You really want me to tell you about my on-going, or should I say on-pause, projects? How long of a comment is legal?

    It's embarrassing, really. I mean, you'd think I was busy or something. Ugh. 😉

    Reply
  5. Lili says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    they are beautiful!

    Reply
  6. Bernadette {Chic Spaces for Little Faces} says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    That is a good idea since you like to change things up. They look great!

    Reply
  7. Amanda Hill says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    The pull on the back is such a great idea for added detail! Love!

    Reply
  8. pam {simple details} says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    So pretty, Courtney! Your idea for the detail on the back makes all the difference! And, I think you just saved me a lot of time looking for the perfect fabric! Thanks!!

    Reply
  9. Allison says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    You and your hubby did a beautiful job on the chairs! I think going neutral was the perfect choice. You can have fun with different colors in linens and your tablescapes. Great choice! Your table looks beautiful, Courtney, with your autumn runner and pumpkins.

    Reply
  10. Megan {Honey We're Home} says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    You can't go wrong with a neutral! Good for your hubby on the staple gun:)

    Reply
  11. Simply LKJ says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Love them Courtney! And, you will be glad you stuck with neutral. Same reason I replaced our chairs in the dining room…I love changing up the decor.

    Reply
  12. Jennifer (Moonpie Dreams) says

    October 17, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    They look gorgeous!!!! Great job!

    Reply
  13. Joyce says

    October 17, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    They look great. I want your apothecary jars- very cute!

    Reply
  14. Workman Family says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    LOVE this!! You have inspired me! I want to recover my kitchen chairs and I got a old dining room chair that I am wanting (needing) to paint and recover for an office chair! I will be going to the fabric store this week=)

    Reply
  15. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    It is so fantastic when you can finally get a project all completed, isn't it? (c: Especially when it turns out so fabulous…and I have to ask, how did you get the pulls on there without having a screw on the other side??? Whatever it was, totally brilliant, because that is the perfect little touch of shiny for those chairs (c:

    Reply
  16. Michaela says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    Look at those fancy chairs! And C is gettin' fancy with the camera! Love all the angles. The chairs look fab!

    Reply
  17. natasha {schue love} says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    The chairs are pure perfection! Glad you followed your gut and went with the neutral palette! They're classic and you will love them for even longer now! 🙂

    Reply
  18. emily says

    October 17, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    They look FABULOUS! Of course, this version of the chair is by far my favorite, but it's fun to see the others along the way. And we need to start an "unusual fear of staple guns anonymous club." I have one too — imagine my fear when my husband brought home an electronic one! Yikes!!

    Reply
  19. Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design says

    October 17, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    Very nice! A great update just in time for the holidays!

    Reply
  20. Tamra {walkswithBella} says

    October 17, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Great makeover!! I love the little knockers you added to them. Such a sweet little detail.

    Reply
  21. Big D and Me says

    October 18, 2011 at 12:00 am

    Our breakfast room chairs are a mess – I bought them second hand and have lived with them that way for over a year – it's the picking of the fabric that's holding me back

    Reply
  22. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    October 18, 2011 at 12:41 am

    Girl I am the queen of taking my sweet time 😉 Love the drop cloth covers! The gold pulls are perfect!

    Reply
  23. Chassity (Look Linger Love) says

    October 18, 2011 at 12:50 am

    So fabulous. And I think I need to put those pulls on something. Hmm….

    Reply
  24. Elaine says

    October 18, 2011 at 12:54 am

    First I have to mention how much I love the backs of your chairs! So pretty! You did an incredible job, and the pulls are such a unique touch!

    Reply
  25. Shelley says

    October 18, 2011 at 1:10 am

    Looks so great, and I think that was a really smart move to keep it simple for your table settings change. I'm so loving those ring pulls – really want some!

    Reply
  26. ...just another preppy shopaholic says

    October 18, 2011 at 1:20 am

    Lovely transformation!

    Be sure and visit my blog for a chance to WIN a monogrammed pashmina scarf from Marley Lilly! So many fabulous colors to choose from, good luck!

    Reply
  27. Blondie's Journal says

    October 18, 2011 at 1:56 am

    This is the first time I have seen drop cloth used to cover a chair and I think it looks beautiful!! Thanks for sharing how you did it!!

    XO,
    Jane

    Reply
  28. 17 Perth says

    October 18, 2011 at 2:40 am

    Gorgeous!! I love the contrast too. Great work–you always have such great table settings so I think this is perfect!

    Reply
  29. Gaby [The Vault Files] says

    October 18, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Love them, great job!

    Reply
  30. Rene says

    October 18, 2011 at 11:05 am

    You know how I feel about drop cloth 😉 Your chairs look great and if they happen to get stained the cost is minimal to recover them. The hardware is the perfect finishing touch.

    Reply
  31. genelle says

    October 18, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    It looks great!
    I'm loving the pulls on the back of the chairs. Will you be putting napkins in them during dinner parties?

    Reply
  32. Cassie {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    October 18, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    those are beautiful, and just perfect with the drapes!!!! Well done!!!!

    Reply
  33. Karen @ THEBUZYBUG says

    October 18, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Looks amazing! TFS.

    Reply
  34. April @ A kitchen table for two says

    October 19, 2011 at 6:55 am

    Those will go perfectly with everything – love me some drop cloths!! =)

    Reply
  35. iheartorganizing says

    October 20, 2011 at 6:18 am

    The chairs look incredible! Love the details! And I have always been such a fan of chairs being a different tone than the table and you show a real life example of how to pull that off perfectly! Love it!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    Reply
  36. HALLELUJAHS by Holly says

    October 22, 2011 at 5:05 am

    Oh my goodness, so lovely! And the sweet pulls are the perfect touch!

    Way to go!

    Reply
  37. Victoria Mische says

    November 28, 2011 at 3:11 am

    I can see that you are are genuinely passionate on making a make over on your chair. I appreciate the the effort you have put in posting the detailed instructions! Keep it up!

    Anyway, I am your newest follower and I hope you have some time to visit my bookmarked site on the net – yourchaircovers.com. This site is very helpful if you were planning to have a party co'z their items like chair covers and tablecloths are very affordable!

    Reply
  38. pendy says

    August 26, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    I used drop cloth to recover my dining room chairs last year, too! Still love it.

    Reply
  39. Jennifer Carroll says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    These are beautiful and I love the hooks!!! Thanks for sharing this inspiration!! I'm about to make slipcovers for 2 wing chairs with drop cloths and for some reason I've been feeling so intimidated about this project so it's taken me ages and ages to tackle it! Hopefully I'll like them even half as much as I love your chairs!!! Great job!!!

    Reply

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