I finally completed my first ever real DIY project! Besides some throw pillows here and there, I hadn't done any projects for the house since moving in. I know, I know...what was I waiting for? I had always envisioned a little reading spot in our house, you know for all those times I get to sit a read, with a couple of accent chairs and a cute little table. I started to peruse Craigslist for chairs that I could DIY. I finally came across some that were located in Corpus Christi, 2 and half hours away from us. (In Texas that is practically next door!) They were a great price at $60 a chair, but I bargained them down to $50 a chair! Next thing I knew I was off to Corpus Christi to pick them up. My friend graciously offered to come, and we made a day of it, taking the kids to the beach and the aquarium.
Here they are in all their glory! I'll admit they aren't entirely heinous, but the color and the formal-ness didn't really fit our house. Plus, I had a better vision for them. At least I thought I did!
The first step was to take them apart. Wow, did I underestimate the time that would take! There were approximately 500 staples per chair that had to be pulled out one at a time. It took me almost a week to get them apart.
It was after they were apart, that I had my first moment of doubt that they were going to come close to what I envisioned.
But, I pushed forward and started the sanding, priming and painting phase.
I used an electric sander for the legs and part of the back, but needed to do most of the chair back by hand.
This was tedious to say the least.
Almost as bad as taking out staples!
I used an oil-based primer because that's what my friends at
younghouselove said to do.
Once they were completely dry I started attaching the padding. That phase went really fast and was quite easy. I made best-friends with the staple gun, and relished the fact that I was putting in staples and not taking them out! Sorry for the lack of photos showing the rest of the project, I got too excited to stop and take them! After attaching all of the padding came the fabric. Unfortunately, this wasn't as easy, AT ALL. Nick helped me a lot during this phase and so didn't said friend. (Thanks guys, I owe you both!! Feel free to come sit and read any time!) After all the fabric was pulled tight, had
just a few no wrinkles and was stapled in place it was time for the tacks. I decided on some round antique brass nails. Each nail had to be hammered in one-at-a-time. This wasn't that difficult but definitely tedious.
And, without further ado, here they are!!!
They certainly don't look like they just came out of a show room, but I'm ok with that. Though, it will be a little while until I start my next DIY, I'm really glad I gave it a try.
