re-do

  • Good as Old

    ByHeather Bailey

    Chair_Before_Pixel470T

    I was digging through some old pictures today and came across these 'before' pictures for a chair I upholstered last spring. If Shredded Chic worked in a family environment, I might have kept the chair as it was—it had its own appeal, all shredded and torn.

    ChairSpring470wtOnce I had the chair fully dismantled I learned it was much older than I expected —and really well made. The frame was solid. The whole thing was upholstered with tacks and the arms were padded with horse hair. I had incorrectly assumed that its larger size meant it was much newer.

    This thing was old. Perhaps big-bummed-bustle gowns explain its size.

    Tacks are more of a pain to remove than staples—but more gratifying. Once you get a good purchase on one, it prys out like butter. They aren't so friendly on bare feet though.

    I only had one day to finish the job before photographing the chair for a tradeshow. I was 5 months pregnant so this was quite a task. Upholstering is like wrestling a dusty, groggy bear. Afterward, you're covered with claw marks and you're sore all over.

    Isaac was very attentive that day, fussing over my swollen self, bringing me tools and water, untangling the air hose as needed. He was fascinated with the process and envious of the loud racket I was making. Though I learned upholstery back in college, Isaac had never witnessed me do the work.

    UnsprungCrop470T

    He got involved here and there. He had his first adventure with a webbing stretcher; he tied the springs back into place for me too and made sure the frame was square again—he did an excellent job.

    I'm planning to have him do ALL of the prep work next time. That should save me a few pulled muscles.

    ChairLegBefore470wI have a stack of collected chairs waiting to be upholstered with Heather Bailey home dec prints. More chairs than I have room for really. So, birthday presents for friends? Reception seating for the office?

    I'll post 'before' photos of my next project and get your take on color/fabric combos.

    Truth is, such physical work is a nice change of pace. With gear laid out and a queue of chairs ready to go, the blazing heat of the garage is nothing a freezy Jamba Juice and a run through the sprinklers can't remedy.

  • Smells Like Nobody

    ByHeather Bailey

    FinishedDresserHB

    Drexel Heritage makes a sturdy dresser. When you come across one for $40 bucks at a thrift store with dovetail joints and great lines, you might be tempted to take it home and doll it up with a new coat of paint. I was.

    WoodPuttyW Elijah did the sanding. Who knew a 14-year-old could be so useful?  I made a note. And Isaac used our paint sprayer for a quick and even finish. I had the best job as the lemonade-maker. 

    We’re debating whether to keep the finished piece in our living room or our bedroom. I really could use a new dresser upstairs.  The one I have now is a beautiful, refinished antique, but it’s teensy and smells like old people.

    Below is a glimpse of this spring’s hobo shanty town, though the photo doesn’t do it justice. Think mis-matched tarps tied up with zip-ties and held down with water jugs. Then imagine loosely-wadded tumbleweeds of used masking tape drifting through the scene. It baffles me that the HOA left us alone. (This dusty contraption was up for weeks.) They sure are on top of things when a visitor parks their car on the street for the evening.

    I do think we kept the neighbors entertained.

    StrippedDresser

    I know I’ve been MIA for the last while. I repent. I have a ton going on and it’s been all I could do to keep up with my deadlines and still get some sleep on occasion. Sleep is my new best friend — where has she been all my life?

    With the kids out of school now, let’s see if I can get back in the groove. I have at least two dozen posts scribbled down in my head — and lots of BIG news.