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Beneath My Heart

Goodwill chairs makeover

DIY projects· furniture makeovers

10 May

furniture makeover

I have finally completed my Goodwill chairs! I am so very excited about this makeover! It is exactly what I envisioned.

For some background information…

My husband and I are creating a guest house above our garage. (To see our progess so far, click here and here.) We are almost finished, but it needs furniture. We are on a very tight budget, so I have been frequently visiting Goodwill hoping to find something I could re-do or restore.

I came upon two chairs a while back that I instantly fell in love with. I didn’t like the color, but they had great “bones”. I loved the design on the back, I loved the wood they were made of, and they were extremely sturdy and comfortable. Best of all, I got them both for $30.00!

Here’s the before.

furniture makeover

furniture makeover

At first, I was going to paint the material. Yes, I said paint! I learned about it from a post at One Woman’s Cottage Life. But then I realized you wouldn’t see the cool design on the back of the chair if I left it covered with the material. So I decided to remove the material on the back.

furniture makeover

I also removed the seat by simply unscrewing it on the bottom. I wanted to cover the seat with new material.

furniture makeover

Then I had the fun task of removing one thousand staples! I’m serious, it seemed like a thousand! So I enlisted some help…furniture makeover

That’s my oldest son, Jonathan. He’s almost 10, and he is a work horse. He loves helping me and his dad with all of our projects. Luke and Adam also helped, but I forgot to snap a pic.

The next day, I had blisters on the palms of my hands from all the staples we removed. No pain, no gain, right?

March 2009 153

Then I spray painted the chairs black, and they started looking much better.

furniture makeover

That’s Jonathan’s feet in the background. He was helping me spray paint the wicker plant stand. (Don’t know where I’m going to use that yet!)

Then I bought some off white material to cover the seats.

I love using a staple gun. Covering a seat is so easy. Just be sure to pull the material real taunt before you staple. And if you mess up, you can easily pull the staple out and start over. (I know that from lots of experience!)

furniture makeover

furniture makeover

I just folded the corners over like so, nothing fancy.

furniture makeover

chairs 015

Then I just re-attached the seats with a screwdriver, and I was finished!

furniture makeover

What-a-ya think? I pulled the pillow off my bed to show you what it would look like with a pillow on it. I haven’t found the pillows I want just yet. I may buy them, or find some material I like and make them. I also thought a monogrammed pillow would look good.

furniture makeover

Here’s a picture of the backs of the chairs.

furniture makeover

I paid $30.00 for the chairs, $2.00 for a can of spray paint, and $6.00 for the material. Not bad for $38.00!

And they fit perfectly into my cottage style guest house.

Well, I hope you like my transformation! (By the way, I got the rug they are sitting on at Goodwill too…only $25.00!)

furniture makeover

Blessings,

Traci

58 Comments

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    May 10, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    Great job! I really like those.

    Reply
  2. Gail Kramer says

    May 10, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    Great transformation of the chairs. They look fabulous!

    Reply
  3. Christi @ A Southern Life says

    May 10, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Great transformation. You did a fantastic job on the chairs!

    Reply
  4. SARAH and JASON says

    May 10, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    Wow these turned out fantastic! I am totally inspired, great job!

    Reply
  5. Rebecca at How I Burb says

    May 10, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    So nice! The chairs look like they were always meant to be black with a nice cushion. I never see anything that cool at GW–I need to watch for some cool chairs :).

    Reply
  6. southerninspiration says

    May 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Oooooh, I love them….great job and great vision for them!

    Suzanne
    do show more of your cottage guest house!! :)

    Reply
  7. Kammy says

    May 10, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    Wow what a steal and that cool rug too ! I love what you did with the cushions and you made it look so easy !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

    Reply
  8. Mary Ellen says

    May 10, 2009 at 11:01 pm

    OOOHHH great transformation! THey really don’t seem to be the same chairs!

    Reply
  9. Peg @ Bloomfield Farm says

    May 10, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    Beautiful chairs! No one will ever believe you got them at Goodwill.

    Reply
  10. Martha says

    May 10, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    Love the chairs — they really look so good painted with the white seats — I am very impressed!

    Reply
  11. Marsha's Mpressions says

    May 10, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    What a transformation! You did a great job.

    Reply
  12. Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:02 am

    Traci,
    I am so impressed with your chair makeover! They look fabulous and designer like! Love your blog and the cute pics of your family. Cindy

    Reply
  13. Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:03 am

    Oh, I love the rug too, it’s just perfect! Cindy

    Reply
  14. Mrs. Petrie says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:41 am

    Those chairs went from 1980s rejects to total awesomeness! Good job!

    Reply
  15. Linda (Nina's Nest) says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:49 am

    Those chairs are fantastic! What vision you have! Linda

    Reply
  16. Sherrie says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:55 am

    So pretty! You made a great decision leaving the fabric off the backs and instead showing of the chair back design. Nice job!
    ~Sherrie

    Reply
  17. Linda in AZ * says

    May 11, 2009 at 1:19 am

    * Now THAT’S usin’ yer noggin’!!! FABULOUS vision you had~~~ and such WONDERFUL results!!! “Whodathunk, huh?!?!”~~~ I think “YER THE MA’AM!!!” today, for this wildly successful story!!!

    Warmly,
    Linda *

    Reply
  18. Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says

    May 11, 2009 at 8:05 am

    Traci,
    Welcome to blogging! With your beautiful blog, great ideas and darling family it won’t be long before you have a ton of followers! My hubby is a woodworking/building construction teacher at our local high school. Your hubbies project below is wonderful! You should repost this again on the next Met. Monday! Welcome again, and I’ll be back often. Cindy

    Reply
  19. Scribbler says

    May 11, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Fantastic transformation — anyone would think these were very high end. You have a great eye!

    Scribbler

    Reply
  20. janet says

    May 11, 2009 at 11:43 am

    traci, your chairs are absolutely beautiful! What a fantastic makeover.
    hugs
    janet

    Reply
  21. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Wow, they look fabulous. I like them so much better with the fabric off the back. You really did make them up to date and what wonderful additions to any room. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  22. Mary says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Very nice make-over on the chairs, and what a great price including the rug! :O) Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage

    Reply
  23. Kim says

    May 11, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Absolutely incredible makeover – those chairs look great! I love the upholstery fabric and the pillow, too!

    Reply
  24. Jadehollow says

    May 11, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Great job! They look incredible now.
    Debbie

    Reply
  25. Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says

    May 11, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    Great chairs! Love the pillow and beautiful rug, also! ~Rhonda :)

    Reply
  26. Melissa Miller says

    May 11, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Very pretty! Love them painted black. :)

    Reply
  27. Sofia Striffler says

    May 12, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    The chairs came out great. Love the look of the pillow a monogrammed one would be fabulous.

    Reply
  28. Lori says

    May 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    The chairs look awesome, Traci! Great job!

    Reply
  29. susan says

    May 12, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    I’m so glad you let the back show! They are just perfect for any room. Good job (and cute kid :) !

    Reply
  30. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ says

    May 18, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Love what you did with the chairs. I’m in the market for a few too for the screened porch. It’s so nice to meet you~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

    Reply
  31. Imitating Irene/Ethnic Girl says

    June 1, 2009 at 8:52 am

    Your decorating is beautiful. It is so much fun to see all the sites where moms are decorating with a thrifty sense of style. I have always had to decorate with cast-offs, hand-me-downs yard sale, and thrift store finds with the occassional new purchase thrown in. Now, I have inspiration from you to be a bit more stylish. I have never regretted not being able to go out and buy just anything because it is so much fun to reuse. I look forward to more of your photographs!

    Reply
  32. Ashley @ AshleysBusy says

    June 1, 2009 at 9:26 am

    These chairs turned out fabulous, great job!!!

    Reply
  33. ♥ilovemy5kids♥ says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:30 am

    What a wonderful job you did! I love when my little “helpers” get to particpate as well. Makes it totally worth while!

    Blessings to you!

    Reply
  34. Kara@ Creations by Kara says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:36 am

    They are gorgeous! So much better now that you can see the design in the back. And the colors are fabulous!

    Reply
  35. Michelle says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Beautiful! This is inspiring! Thanks!!!

    Reply
  36. Holly says

    June 1, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Great job, and I think pillows will look awesome. A monogram would be beautiful.

    Reply
  37. Jess @ Just a Blink says

    June 1, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    That a way! Super super super!

    Reply
  38. Clean and Classic Interiors says

    June 1, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Beautiful and fresh! I love the black and white. So clean and classic! The old owners would be so sad to see how beautiful they are now. Way to go!

    Reply
  39. Reborn says

    June 1, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Gorgeous!! I’m coveting!

    Reply
  40. Jane says

    June 1, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    Super job! I really like that you redid them rather than painting the fabric. In the long run it’s a better finish.

    Reply
  41. Marie says

    June 1, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Fabulous make-over! Love the colors you used.
    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

    Reply
  42. Dawn says

    June 1, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    Those chairs look awesome!!! Wow!

    Reply
  43. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    June 1, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Wow! Those look like something out of Ballard! This is fabulous!

    Reply
  44. New Every Morning says

    June 1, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    Wow! This is one of the BEST makeovers I’ve ever seen.
    Now I’m on the lookout for some chairs!

    Reply
  45. Kim says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    These are gorgeous! WOW! Awesome job!!

    Reply
  46. Magic Brush says

    June 2, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Isn’t spray paint the best thing since sliced bread??? Great job!

    Reply
  47. Tiffany says

    June 3, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Gorgeous chairs. You did a fabulous job! I LOVE them! How perfect.

    Reply
  48. Jill@Barnes Yard says

    June 3, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Love them! They turned out great.
    -Jill

    Reply
  49. Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says

    June 4, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  50. Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says

    June 4, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  51. Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says

    June 4, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  52. Anonymous says

    September 18, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Stunning!!

    Reply
  53. Lisa says

    October 24, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Beautiful job !! Great choice of fabric.
    Lisa

    Reply
  54. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    October 24, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    I love the chairs with the open backs – to me it keeps the room looking more open and the fabric is fabulous!

    Reply
  55. Miss Mustard Seed says

    October 24, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Those look so great! I would not have gone for those, but you made them look modern and chic. I love the pillow you put on one as well. I feel your pain with the "staple removing" blisters. I've had those before!

    Was there a point when you pulled all of the fabric off that you thought, "Oh crap. I hope this works out"? I have those moments some times. :) Thanks for sharing. It's a great makeover.

    Reply
  56. Inga says

    May 5, 2017 at 12:59 am

    Absolutely love the job you did on your chairs. I have 2 cane love seats and matching chair and sofa table. I would really like to do them in your colours. Just a it worried about the full back and seat cushions. They are floral and outdated. Hoping to recover them. That entails 10 cushions with piping and zippers. Yikes what am I getting myself into?
    Yours are looking so wonderful that you give me inspiration to attempt mine. Thanks.

    Reply
    • traci says

      May 5, 2017 at 4:32 pm

      Hi Inga! You can do it! I know it will be a lot of work, but you will love it when it’s done. :). Send me pics when you’re finished.
      xoxo

      Reply

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