Sunday, May 16, 2010

Refeathering the Nest

I think we all have at least one chair that we love—the one that you go when you really need a rest—the one that has all the same lumps and curves that you do—the one that just fits like a glove.

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Beloved sits on the left. I call it “the nest”. He gathers all his favorite things around him (including the remote )and he NESTS. Unfortunately even the best nests require refeathering from time to time. And these nests had seen better days :). With its library paneling, antique rug, and distressed leather sofa this room has gentlemen’s club feel to it. But it needed a change and I thought I knew exactly what I wanted------not so fast!

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I thought I wanted this houndstooth print in tan and brown. I thought a masculine print would be perfect…and I could have had it….for a little under a $1000! X two plus an ottoman…..maybe not :). So I set out just to find the fabric instead of new chairs. I searched locally and on line. I finally found 12 yards; I needed 20. Time to broaden my horizons.

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I love this heavy brushed velvet look and the detail on the back, but I thought I need a print since the sofa is a solid leather.

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I loved this look and the shape of the chairs is very similar to mine. Maybe it’s time to add a feminine touch. But I thought about it.

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Put a husband and two dogs in the picture and a light colored fabric like this wouldn’t have a chance….not for long. No matter how pretty it is, if it’s not functional, it won’t work.

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I considered lots of fabrics—too light, too dark, too old-looking, too expensive, too fussy….etc., etc., etc. And then I saw a pillow.

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It’s an inexpensive pillow from Steinmart, but I loved it. It reminded me of the beautiful crewel work my mother and grandmother did when I was a child. Crewel, a technique that is at least a thousand years old, is a decorative form of embroidery that uses wool and a variety of stictches to follow an outline on fabric. Maybe this doesn’t have to be a gentlemen’s club after all….maybe just a worn and loved library look….

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Beloved even agreed to the print…..after all, it’s his nest. The fabric looks as if it as been hand embroidered and provided a much-needed feminine touch.

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The color is a deep apricot and pulls out a color in the rug. It’s sturdy enough to withstand many more hours of nesting! The chairs have been replumped thanks to a wonderful upholsterer who has been doing work for me for twenty years. Best of all--- having the two chairs and ottoman reupholstered cost less than buying one new chair!!!

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Cooper, the granddog, was here for the weekend….he approves!

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday. I hope you’ll visit both of these ladies! I know you’ll come away inspired! Thanks for dropping by—I hope you’ll say hello!

30 comments:

  1. Susan, You make it sound so easy. I do like your new look. Great job getting such a deal. I like crewel too. Wish you could find crewel kits to embroider yourself these days because I actually like to do crewel work.

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  2. I love the fabric you finally choose! Perfect and that pillow is just the right touch! What a great job!

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  3. Great choices Susan, I love the new look!
    The puppy is adorable and adds to the room!
    Cindy

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  4. I wish I knew how to go about finding someone to do reupholstering - someone we can trust - we have a couch and a chair that need it but I am afraid of a poorly done job.

    These turned out great btw and I think the shabby, comfy library look is awesome...

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  5. Susan, I love it! I'm laughing because I have been going through the same dilemma with some chairs. Not sure where I want to go. I'm glad you found yours, and that's great that you got to keep the ones you love with some fluffing. Love your pillow, too!

    I have a bolt of fabric sitting upstairs that is supposed to be slipcovers for two loveseats. AND there it has remained. You've inspired me. Maybe I just need to get it to the slipcover lady and get going on it. LOL!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  6. Good for you that you were able to find a fabric to please the "Nester"! They look like they were made for the room..and if the Grand Dog approved you're home free.

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  7. I really like your choice!! Your Granddog is adorable. :)
    Do I need to shut the computer down again because of the weather !?!? :(
    Have a great week.

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  8. LOVE the new fabric. Goes great with the rug, too. Where did you get the creamy inspiration pic? I saved it to my inspiration folder.

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  9. love the new chair fabric and adorable dog testing it out! i was able to go to steinmart this weekend, but i was a little dissappointed in the selection this time. like so many places, i find them hit or miss.

    thank you so much for stopping by the cape on the corner, and for your encouraging words on my garden and landscaping. i truly appreciate it, and you know what, you echo exactly what our family keeps telling us. that it doesn't all have to happen right now. i appreciate hearing it from someone new.

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  10. Fabulous! You would never have found anything more perfect! And the fabric looks beautiful
    xoxo Pattie

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  11. Hi Susan! Oh, I love your little makeover! What a cute little pillow and I do like your chairs the way they are. They do look so comfortable. Love seeing that little fuzzy face too! In our previous home we had parquet floors like yours! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. Great new fabric on those chairs and love the fish pillow.

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  13. As a pet lover, I totally agree, it HAS to be functional. That's a lovely fabric and it that color should work well with pets.

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  14. Your chairs look great, love the fabric.
    Sandy

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  15. Susan, I loved following your thought process on this project. I'm in the same predicament right now, only I'd like to find the EXACT same fabric that is on my current chairs, as I love it so much. Not gonna happen!
    Yours look wonderful redone & I'm sure your DH is happy. I need to find a good upholsterer around here!

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  16. Your final choice is indeed perfect. Great looking chairs. Have a great week:)

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  17. The room looks perfectly comfortable! I love that pillow...it adds character and texture.

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  18. Oh wow! I adore this project. What a wonderful metamorphosis.

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  19. Love the process, love the result. I need to find a really great upholsterer. I have two chairs hiding in the basement, too small scale for my current house and with soiled arms, but made by Henredon so good quality. I know I'll find a place for them in my next house.

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  20. The chairs really look nice, Susan, and the pillow is perfect...Christine

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  21. So nice! Did you do the recovering or have it done for you? It turned out great either way. I'm a big fan of the houndstooth, too! Great job.

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  22. I am in that process. Our recliners are shot..new ones, ugh..couldn't find one that was comfy for 6'4" dh..so I am on the lookout for fabric..no luck yet!
    Yours looks great!

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  23. You found the perfect fabric.
    I love crewel - had two couches upholstered in a crewel 'tree of life' pattern. Everyone told me it wouldn't hold up, but it wore like iron and was beautiful until the end.

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  24. Hi Susan,

    I love what you have done with your chairs, what a wonderful transformation, and so neat that you did not need to buy new ones.

    Have a happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  25. Love your choice of fabric, especially with your new crewel pillow. I need to select fabric for my old chair but don't know where to start looking.

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  26. Very Nice! Your new choice is fabulous and does add a nice feminine touch! Love the fish pillow! It's fantastic! Great looking room! Thanks for the comments on my kitchen too!

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  27. Susan, I hope all is well with you. I looked for you on Tablescape Thursday and didn't see you. Dropping by to check on you! I saw your wonderful chairs earlier, but I still wanted to leave a note for you.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  28. Great job on the chairs. I love the fabric you chose. Isn't it funny how one small change like that can completely change the look/feel of a room! Cooper is adorable!!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  29. How wonderful! I love that fabric. :)

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