Greetings from snow filled New York. Seriously are we in Manhattan or Minnesota? I've never seen NY like this, but it's actually a good incentive to stay indoors with a decorating home project. I have been meaning to recover my breakfast table chairs since last summer.
Here are my pristine black and white ticking chairs. The chairs are vintage mid century modern. I covered them in black and white ticking.
Then with the wear and tear of actually living in my apartment, they started to look very shabby.
Then with the wear and tear of actually living in my apartment, they started to look very shabby.
The first thing I had to do is choose the fabric. I wanted to stay with the black and white look. I went with Greek Key. I found this fabric online, and had a sample sent to me. I ordered 4 yards for 2 seats, because I can keep another 2 yards to update again. I know it sounds Type A, but the look fades sooner than you think. After this blog entry you will see how easy it is to get a new decor look for 2014.
These mid century modern chairs are re-upholster friendly. If you turn over the cushion they are held together by four screws. When you unscrew them, the seat just pops out. I purposely chose this style of chair because I knew I would want to change it's look.
Cut the material first to cover the seat. Make sure you smooth out the design on the face of seat. Pull it tight on the sides. I recommend staple gunning right in the middle, and then pull on the other side and staple in middle again. This gives the center a smooth line.
Once you staple gun all four sides, and corners, screw back in the cushion.
Voila. A new chair and new look for 2014!
Voila. A new chair and new look for 2014!