alamode Stuff: reupholster

I'm itching to update some of my old upholstered furniture. I do this every now and then just to change things up. Simply updating a piece of furniture with new fabric can give it a completely new life. You can find very inexpensive furniture at local thrift stores and garage sales that can be easily updated. If you have a staple gun, you're golden.

I recently slip covered the cushions of a great mid century modern chair for my friend of mine, Diana Brennan. The fabric is fantastic with its bold colors and floral motif. Here is the chair in the corner of her office.

photo by Diana Brennan in Living Handmade Flickr group

I've reupholstered chairs, benches, and even made headboards (which are actually very easy). Here are some of the projects I've done in the past, several of which need to be re-done again.

I've had this chair since college. I used a glue gun to attach the trim and cover the staples on the back.

This piano bench was a $15 thrift store find from several years ago. Although I like the fabric I used initially, it is time for a brigher pattern. [BTW, a piano bench is great to use in a mudroom or near a door. We throw hats and gloves in it.] I just bought some fabric from Daisy Janie and plan to re-do it in the next week or so. I'll take some pics and share with you how I do it.

I made this headboard for a friend's son. I just used plywood, foam, batting, and attached cover bottons. The headboard simply hangs on the wall much like a picture frame.

I recovered this stool my friend found at a local thrift store. I made the top removeable so she could throw it in the wash.

Here are some great reupholstered chairs I found on Flickr: