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I got an “Ask Karen” question from Brittney recently. Brittney wanted to know if she could reupholster chairs even though she’d never done it before. Um … yeah! Of course you can. You can do anything!!
My philosophy is always, go ahead and try it. Where would you be right now if you’d never tried a potato chip or a chocolate milkshake? Miserable and living in a ditch probably.
So if you ever think to yourself “I wonder if I could (insert anything here)” just go ahead and try it. If it doesn’t turn out perfectly the first time, you’re closer to being able to do it perfectly the next time (this philosophy only becomes problematic for bomb diffusers and brain surgeons.)
And if all else fails (I’m talking to you Brittney,) try this trick.
Materials:
Chair found abandoned at the side of the road
Mongolian lamb throw (or anything else that blows your skirt up)
BEFORE:
Not bad. I actually quite like my garbage chair.
AFTER:
Instant Architectural Digest. Or Metropolitan Home at the very least.
I literally threw the blanket (hence the term “throw” I guess) over the chair. No sewing, no stapling, no nothing. And if you get sick of it you just pull the throw off, at which point I’m sure it could be constructed with very little effort into a prancing goat costume for Halloween.
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Tricia Rose
Like your DIY – bet you didn’t even break a nail!
Karen
Thanks Tricia! Nope … as it turns out I don’t really need that basement full of tools! Well, not today anyway.
Tickled Red
Hahahahaha classic! That’s awesome
Design Darling
brilliant and devilishly simple is my kind of project. love this!
chellsbells
where oh where did you get that throw, I love it!!!!
Karen
Hey Chellsbells (is that your given name?) – I got the throw at HomeSense, which I believe is the same as Home Goods in the states. I love it too!
chellsbells
Bah haha! Its Chela, thanks
Cassandra
So clever! I love it!
I’d reeeally like a “sheepskin” chair for myself.
I’m new around these parts (linked from Design Sponge) and I this is now my new favourite website!
Karen
OMG. That’s a lot of pressure.
What I mean to say is .. thanks!
Hannah
I loveee this! I posted that picture in my blog and wrote a little something about you. U’ve been looking around your blog and I think you have fantastic taste. I can’t wait to see what you inspire me with next :]
Karen
Hannah – thanks for the blog mention! Glad you like it. My taste varies … trust me I have my mishaps. My entirely Dollar Store decorated Christmas tree a few years ago comes to mind!
Karo
Love it! I have been looking for a nice solution to cover a rocker chair in the nursery and this could be it!
Karen
Thanks Karo! You’re right, would be GREAT in a nursery. If you can’t find the BIG mongolian lamb throw, get one of the bigger sheepskins from Ikea. They’re VERY cozy too.
Marisa
brilliant! you have such an eye (and wit to boot)!
Karen
Why thank you! Out of curiosity … how’d ya find me?
Marisa
on design sponge– sorry for the delay. i was just looking at your home’s before and after shots– amazing. i have crap luck with antiques- hmmm… “antique” sofa bought in west phila. that had to be put out for trash day the next morning and shortly after, my apartment was fumigated. then the chair that had so much cat hair on it i had an asthma attack and had to go to the e.r. now i just stick to ikea.
Heather
I imagine that that’s an amazing blanket to lie under. However, this looks to me like a blanket covering up what’s considered to be an ugly chair. I’m disappointed. =/
Karen
No need for disappointment Heather!
The blanket is wayyyy to heavy to lie under and as I said in the caption I like my garbage chair. I know it’s a nice classic chair, but it was clawed apart by the cats. Plus this was just for fun to show what you could do in 5 minutes.
Melanie
Ha Ha, Your funny.
I’m telling my friends about you. ALready linked your Frozen Yoghurt Tampon to a gal in need…for a cure AND a laugh!
xx
Eleni
Absolutely fantastic!!!I’ll wait for the winter to come though…brilliant idea with a fine sense of humour!
Zina
I love this. Totally. We’re moving into a new flat at the end of this month and we’re going from a furnished house to a completely empty larger flat.
It’ll be perfect either on one single chair, or I may try and find a charity shop two-seat sofa or chaise and sew two throws together to cover that. Fabulous!
Thanks, Karen!
taia
Trust me…never ever attempt to sew furry fabric…pain in the ass doesn’t begin to cover it…
Marti
How did it take me so long to come to this page? I’ve been admiring that chair in your pictures for some time and NOW I find there’s a “how-to” for it? The Gods Must Be Crazy!
Rayme Wells of A Clean Surface
Love! My grandparents kept sheep and had some wooly skins they kept over some of their furniture, so this chair cover reminds me of my childhood, only it is far more elegant!
Allison Martin of The Budget Maven
Love this idea! So cheap, but so chic! I can’t imagine what you’d probably pay for this at an eclectic furniture store, but your ingenuity and creative eye have definitely paid off with this endeavor.
Cassie Moore
Okay… I too have admired this chair in pictures and video for a long time. I cannot find mongolian lamb anything at homegoods and when I look on the internet (gasp!) they are around $1600!!!! Am I supposed to be looking for faux? stumped..
Karen
Hi Cassie – No .. it’s real Mongolian lamb. Just keep looking. You’ll find it eventually. Try to hold out for the real thing. You can *definitely* get it for cheaper than $1600. $200 tops for one that isn’t on sale. ~ k
Dallas
Do I spy Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic books on your book shelf?
Karen
You do indeed. I read the first couple and loved them, then I started to get bored of them.
~ k
Lex
I doubt I could do that.. only because I have now been scared about the possibility of bed bugs on everything!
Karen
Ah yes. I got this chair before the bedbug craze. Also it isn’t quite as bad in Canada (where I am) but it’s definitely getting worse. Hearing stories. Blech. ~ karen
Lynette Tanaka
Just found your site from a facebook friend who posted your crispy sweet potato fries recipe (which I’m trying tonight). I love your garbage chair, mantel globe lights and stump tables. I recently acquired two “garbage” chairs that was going to attempt to upholster, but now I might just use a fluffy throw on one… attempt upholstering the other. Also, I have a couple of logs drying out in my garage as we speak. Looking forward to coating them. What product did you use on the log table?
Karen
Hi Lynette – I can’t exactly remember, but it was probably Minwax Polurethane in Clear Satin. If you go through all of the pictures in the post you’ll see the can of it. http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/stumped-how-to-make-a-tree-stump-table/ Thanks for taking the time to come over to my site! ~ karen