Monday, August 12, 2013

Office Chair Redo

If you were not aware we purchased our new home recently and it is a Mid Century Modern home (MCM). Some of you might be thinking... what is that? I have to be honest with you..I wasn't really sure either. I watch HGTV like a mad woman. I read design blogs, magazines and follow many designers. I was semi-familiar with MCM design but I always thought it was something super kitschy and super retro. I am still learning, but Wikipedia describes it as so:

"Mid-Century modern is an architectural, interior, product and graphic design that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965. "

Most of the furniture I would say is more 50s-70s. The furniture I am really drawn to is from the 60s. A few pieces you may have seen that are popular MCM pieces are:



Since our home is MCM architecturally we had to fill it with MCM pieces. Especially in the main living room. My coastal Pottery Barn inspired pieces would just clash. So...that meant I had to sell everything and start new! That was both exciting and overwhelming. I am a more traditional girl, but because I love design this was really a fun new experience. There is a whole world of crazy MCM people out there. Scott and I have joined in on it! I enjoy MCM because I get to go thrifting, to flea markets and garage sales. It is a great adventure trying to score some great MCM pieces. It also has allowed Scott and I to share in something we both love! 

I have been stalking Craigslist for MCM furniture. MCM has become so popular that many pieces are just outrageously expensive! My best bet was to find pieces that someone didn't know what it was. If you follow me on Facebook you will know that I scored a Lane coffee table for 50.00! The same one was one Craigslist for 395.00(that person knew what they had).


I saw this on CL and thought it would add much needed warmth and color in my living room. It was also not outrageously priced. I then saw the same seller had an office chair. We met up and entered her house. Oh my goodness...her house was amazing! She had beautiful pieces all over her home. We talked for awhile and had so much in common.She has an awesome MCM blog if you want to check it out http://midcenturyobsession.com/.  I ended up not buying the office chair I saw on CL...but lucky me she had another one that was perfect! It even matches the art.
 The leather on top was in great condition but the seat needed to be recovered. That was kind of exciting because I would love to get really good at reupholstering. This is a great start. I went to Joann's and purchased this fabric:
I love this fabric. It had that same mustard/gold that was on the top leather piece. I have to say I have never purchased upholstery fabric from Joann's before and I was so excited. I have always browsed the aisles and dreamed of the day I could purchase some. They have such a beautiful selection. I LOVE fabric! I unscrewed the seat from the chair and then ripped off the old fabric. The foam was disintegrated from being so old. I added new batting and foam. Being that I have never attempted reupholstering I went to my trusty YouTube for a tutorial(which I can't find the one I watched..but there are tons on there).
The rest of the steps are pretty easy. Take up one side...pull taught and start stapling..beginning in the middle..leaving the corners unstapled. Then once you have the sides all stapled up you can begin to bring up the corners and staple those. Then repeat the same steps when you add your fabric. I am a visual learner so here are some pics:



It is not perfect..but not too bad for my first attempt. I can't wait to redo my vanity chair in my master bath! If you have been wanting to try your hand at reupholstering I highly recommend starting with a chair seat first.


2 comments:

  1. Oooh, love the new office chair! Love the fabric you chose...sooo cute!

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  2. CHEVRON!!! I LOVE chevron! You did a fantastic job (look at how straight it is!)
    I can't wait to see more pictures of the house! <3

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