DIY

Franken-Chair Plans

Ever been so eager to start a project that you forget to take proper before pictures?  Me neither.  I would never do that...... Since reworking, rearranging my office and getting a proper desk a few months ago, I decided that this very sad vintage chair that I adopted at Brimfield several years ago was just the right piece to add some mid century pizzazz to the room.

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I'm ashamed to say that I've been sitting and working in this pre cat clawed (not from my cats!), musty, old pleather chair ever since.

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The seat height was a bit too low and I craved a chair on casters, so I held off on doing anything to it until I had a plan.  First step was to make sure that I wasn't sitting on a mid century gold mine.  The chair looks suspiciously like the Eero Saarenin Executive Armchair- even down to the color.  The official version of this chair is still available new for the paltry sum of $1800+.

eero_saarinan_walnut_chartreuse

Lucky for my franken-chair plans, mine is just a close reproduction.  Without a makers mark or tag, I had to rely on checking the dimensions against the original designer chair.  While close, a half inch shy of the designer width and thinner seat cushion told me my chair wasn't worth thousands.  It would be cool to own a vintage designer chair (that I procured for only $25), but I now have the freedom to make it the chair I want instead of the pressure to restore it originally.  Can you see my wheels turning?  I tried to think of how I could add casters and raise the seat, but no casters would work with those original legs.  I was at an impasse.

Enter trash chair.  (which was in 1 piece when I found it, but I swiftly picked it apart, whoops)

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This beauty had been sitting in a neighbor's trash pile for days.  Since I'm a recovering chair-a-holic (ha recovering...), I was trying NOT to grab it even though it called to me every time I left my house and had to pass by the pile.  Finally I gave in.  At the end of a run one day I grabbed the chair and wheeled it down the street and to my yard without a plan for it.  I just knew that this cool old chair did not deserve to end up in a dumpster.  The wood part of the base was loose and the top had seen better days- much better days.  While not beyond repair, the top is certainly in the sorrier state and won't be needed for my plans.  I probably can't bring myself to get rid of the top, though, but it will be set aside and the base is getting a new life.  Because look at this beautiful base.  It's all about that base, that base...

trash-chair3

Wow, I wasn't planning on being so verbose today.  I guess I have a lot to say about chairs.  It's a real problem folks.  Check back next week to see how I plan to make these 2 vintage gems into the perfect office chair!

Feel free to feed my chair addiction on instagram and tag your chair discoveries with #chairhoardersanonymous

 

 

By the Number

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Yes yes, I know that adult coloring books are all the rage right now, but I want to bring back paint by number.  These things are seriously zen.  And you get a painting out of it.  That you can hang on your wall and pretend to be all humble about- "oh that little thing?  it was nothing" My mom gave me a paint by number kit for my birthday back in April and now that I'm trying to hit the reset button after flip craziness I decided to give it a go.  It's absolutely perfect because you can use it to fill a 10 minute void or get lost in it for hours.  I'm far from done, but I think this trend needs to seriously be brought back.

paint by number via Year of Serendipity

Vintage paint by numbers have been a pretty hot commodity for a while now- with spaces like these, it's no wonder why!

**please pin from original sources!**

Teddy's Bedroom featuring paint by numbers via Sabbe Interior Design

My ultimate FAVE by Sabbe Interior Design.  I swoon over pretty much all Stephanie's spaces.

 

Paint by Number Dog Collection via Retro Renovation

Quite the collection of pup paint by numbers via Retro Renovation.

 

Vintage Eclectic paint by number art via At Home on the Bay

Fun and funky retro intermingled with modern via At Home on the Bay.

 

Fun and funky character Home via Roger and Chris

A welcoming character home from Roger & Chris.  This home is bananas and turns me into a heart eyed emoji every time I see it. (Go here.  You're welcome.)

 

My own paint by number kit was from Country Living Magazine, but there are so many new kits available in every subject matter imaginable!  I think I'm addicted.  It's like knitting with paint.  Have I sold you on it yet?

Funky Fun Pumpkins

Every time, after the rush to finish a flip, I end up in what is, more or less, a flip hangover.  I'm still playing a bit of catch-up and trying to get into a non-flip routine (which always seems to be the toughest part).  Fall has snuck up on me fast and Halloween is a week away!  I'm still not sure where the summer went, let alone fall!  But I digress.  After a short, head-clearing blogging break, I'm back with my usual schedule of babbling and randomness.  Please enjoy. Aside from Christmas, I've never been much into seasonal decorating.  It's been about 6 years since I carved a pumpkin, however these super-fun, a little funky, and a little different pumpkins have me rethinking my stance a bit.

Floral Pumpkin Tutorial via Hunted Interior

Looking at this floral pumpkin from Hunted Interior I was instantly intrigued about HOW.  It looks painted!  Turns out it's decoupaged and I wouldn't have guessed.

Speaking of decoupaged and painted....

Unique pumpkins via Sincerely Sara D

How very Kate Spade.  I'm such a sucker for polka dots, so Sincerely Sara D had me at gold dot.

carved owl pumpkin via our little burrow

This little owl from a Modern Dame is so awesomely adorable.  Those eye 'feathers? Gorg.

Any decorating that also involves power tools and instructions that include "drill into pumpkin" I'm totally on board with!

pumpkin lanters via DESIGN LOVE FEST

(via DESIGN LOVE FEST)

Drilled Gourds via BHG

(via BHG)

Have you gotten creative on some gourds lately?  What's your favorite non-jack-o-lantern way to decorate them?  I'm taking notes!