One of these chairs cost less than $20 and the other is selling for $495 at PomPom Interiors (the link is on my sidebar).
Since I have "champagne taste on a beer budget" you know I could never afford to spend $495 on a chair like this! This first chair is the one I purchased at a flea market last summer for $15. I painted it and then upholstered it with blue linen that I found at the thrift store.... 4 yards for $4.00. I've showed this before on my blog but that was before I put the welting on. I think I should have used smaller welting so I may redo it someday! Here is the "before" photo:
Updated: The instructions I used for reupholstering the chair were from a book called Singer Upholstery Basics Plus: Complete Step-by-Step Photo Guide It gave instructions on how to do the welting too! It wasn't hard at all! The fabric is attached with a staple gun. The welting is done on a sewing machine and then hot glued on.
Have a great weekend! I'm so happy it's Friday!
Cindy, that is so amazing! Doesn't it feel so awesome to know that you created something that sells for so much somewhere else? I love it, it looks practically the same. I have the same budget that you have, and really, I can't imagine paying that much for a chair. Maybe you'll luck out and find another one this summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us.
Yours is prettier! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteCindy, Everything you do looks SO professional! That chair is amazing.
ReplyDelete~Sue~
Cindy, you did a beautiful job! I liked your chair better, even before I knew it was yours. How did you do the seat (staple gun?), also show us how to welting.
ReplyDeleteYour instructions are greatly appreciated. All your projects are fabulous!
Cheers! Rita
To be honest with you I like the shape of the seat on your chair better. I think it looks great as it is. I wouldn't change a thing.
ReplyDeleteWish you would do a step by step on how to recover a chair a for us. See, I just gave you a great post. LOL
Hugs,
Joanne
Wow, that's amazing! Even if I could afford the $495 chair, I would rather invest the $20 and have one that looks just as good. You always do such a great job.
ReplyDeleteWow....that looks great!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to keep a look out for items like this I can spruce up!
Thank You!
Cindy you are always amazing. I think I share your Champagne taste, but alas I too have a beer budget. But oh what you have done with that budget. Another great makeover.
ReplyDeleteDebra
Oh my goodness! Although they are SO similar, my guess was that the top one (yours) was the $495 one. You go girl! I wouldn't change a thing on this one. I absolutely LOVE stories like this.
ReplyDeleteJudy
that is totally amazing! I like yours better, too. I hope that you will consider moving to Missouri and being my personal decorator!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job! It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGinger
Wow...outstanding transformation!!! Have a great weekend, -Sheri
ReplyDeleteYours is soo much prettier. You have talent! I love it. Can't wait to see what you are going to do with the black one!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Hannah, the black on is the before shot. It's the same chair as the first photo!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI like yours better as well. You did a fantastic job. Boy, could we have fun junking. I slow down when I see alot of trash on the curb. The coffee table in my sun room is from the curb.
Kathleen
Absolutely lovely. I wouldn't change a thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy it's friday too. I'm so happy for you--that you have the talent to do the same chair for 20. Isn't it amazing. Also, thanks for the bunny post...I went to Marshall's this morning and bought the LAST 4.99 chocolate bunny. My boys thought it was the neatest thing ever. He's so cute that we have already displayed him in our home.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, maybe it's just a better picture, but I think yours is prettier! Way to go! Becky G.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYour chair looks amazing! That was such a good deal.
Carolyn
Wow, what a beautiful job! Love the welting too. ♥ Diane
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! You did a great job! Love everything you do.
ReplyDeleteWendy
The only way I could tell the difference is the setting. The first one looked like it was in your home. You did a fabulous job. I think I might've just passed on over that black thing and not envisioned it different. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteWow, Cindy - I like yours better than the expensive one!! And I'm going to have to look up that book - anything that has step-by-step photos is my kind of instructional book, and I'd dearly love to learn to sew and do simple upholstery... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage
ReplyDeleteyes Cindy! I remember this chair and love how it turned out. Of course the before picture was enjoyed too~your little furbaby is just to cute and I love his ears :0)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say I'll be using her :how to paint furniture" directions soon. I've two end tables, a coffee table and my old china cabinet that will be getting refreshed for the Spring. I can't wait to start :0)
It is amazing how talented you are! Just goes to show what can be created with a little ingenuity and sweat equity.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend
Lorri
Great job! You make me want to try these things!
ReplyDeleteum...i wanna come shoppin' with you when i grow up. i'm speechless. it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think yours may be nicer, since it appears more comfy, to me!
ReplyDeleteI like yours beter! It is much more elegant.
ReplyDeleteYou can be proud.
Bye,
Marianne.
I like your chair better....really. It has a squattier body & I think that gives it more style.
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely beautiful....thanks for mentioning the book you used as a guide. I have two great buys I got for two wing chairs for $10 each. Think I want to try slipcovers. Or maybe I should do upholstery first? What do you think? I'll post pic of chairs on my Blog..if you would take a look. Would appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDelete*Tricia*
I actually like yours better! :)
ReplyDeleteCindy the chair is gorgeous.I don't think the welting is too big at all...Ann
ReplyDeleteYou have some mad talent Cindy! The chair you remade is every bit as beautiful as the more expensive one. Good job!
ReplyDeleteappreciate Cindy!~we both have similar chairs at lovely prices!~thankful you painted yours'...have my first layer of white paint on mine~onto the table legs and maybe table top in the spring!~wonderful inspiration thanks to you!!!
ReplyDeletecupcake hugs, diana
Fabulous job! I have a chair I started about 18 months ago - still not finished. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYou are a trend setter -- this is proof of that. Congratulations!! Sally
ReplyDeleteI have to agree Cindy, I like your chair better! You did a fantastic job on it!
ReplyDeleteI just visited the Pom Pom site and I think yours looks better than theirs!!! Good work...
ReplyDeleteNow thats a transformation well done. I have a chair also that need upholstering, but with a little more work involved.
ReplyDeleteHello Cindy! This is the first time I am visiting you blog! What a great chair you have made! I love fixing up furniture myself and love to read about what others are doing as well. Come by and visit me sometime as well. Glad to have found your blog! Have a great week end.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have to say I like your much better. I think the color is better.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Cindy, I thought yours was the expensive one. Wow! Great job! Mona
ReplyDeleteThat is truly amazing. I love the larger welting. :)
ReplyDeleteWow!! That is really well done! You're certainly talented!
ReplyDeleteWow, your chair is amazing. You did a fabulous job. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I so enjoy reading your blog. It takes me to another world that gives me lots of ideas and inspiration to make my home as welcoming and gorgeous as yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Zoe
Hi Cindy
ReplyDeleteWhat a person can do with a big imagination and a little pocketbook! It looks fantastic....I love all of your "makeovers" of furniture!
Rochelle
Cindy, I like your chair better anyway. If I had the choice between the two, not knowing the story, I'd pick yours!
ReplyDeleteI really like yours better! Great job.
ReplyDeleteI like yours better too, Cindy. I don't think it's necessary to redo the welting. Everyone at the workplace seemed to be especially happy for Friday today here, too!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Karin
Oh what a great comparison! And can you believe the price they want to charge for one little chair? I love it when you can take something "not so nice" and transform it into exactly what you wanted it to be. Such a sense of satisfaction. You did a wonderful job - welting and all! Have a great weekend. ~ Laurie ~ p.s. I need to start hitting your flea markets! Remember I am a neighbor! :)
ReplyDeleteway to go !! i do like the 20 dollar one even more then the expensiver one!
ReplyDeleteCute! So clever. Thanks for the link on the how-to's.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Tracey
It looks great!!! I'm frugal and love finding those bargains. I just found an old frame for $8.00 at the Goodwill. I converted it to a bulletin board. I love it now.
ReplyDeleteYour doggie is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteand the chair for 20 bucks! wow steal of a deal theirs beautiful! I love you little "C" pillow, where did you find it!!
Don't you just wish that there could be a shopping, redecorating event without thinking about the price tag!!! You never cease to amaze with your bargain finds and beautiful makeovers!!!!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOW! I had to keep going back and forth between pictures to see what was different. I think the one you did is prettier than the expensive one.
ReplyDeletePeggy
I love Pom Pom Interiors but I actually like your little chair better. You have given me courage to try a bit of upholstery on my own. I can do staples and glue gun.(I think)I have two chairs with black vinyl upholstery that I paid $25.00 each for. Can't make them look worse. Thanks, Pam
ReplyDeleteYou are fantastic !!!!
ReplyDeleteVirginia :)
Cindy, that is a fantastic chair. I thought yours was the more expensive one. Ha' you fooled me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post. I'm on the same beer budget and love to find inspiring ideas for decorating.
Have a happy weekend
Kris
beautifully fantastic... now I know who to call for chair redo! very-very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteDixie
Oh Cindy, you did it!! GREAT JOB!! I have not even attempted to start my chair recover. I need to paint the chair first and I can't with this -20 degree weather we have right now in Michigan. I know you are enjoying great weather right now in California ~ lucky ducks!!
ReplyDeleteMy chair redo will have to be a spring project for me.
Congrats for you!!
Blessings,
Sher
Way to go! Rawk on, girl. I have been on a thrift store shopping sprees myself it's fun!
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteYou have an amazing eye, the ability to see beyond the "ugly duckling".
ReplyDeleteNice job!
Hey just me again.....
ReplyDeletethe web site didnt go all the way threw for the etsy site and i cant find out how to use the user ID on the etsy site.
Thanks for your time thought helping me find a cute pillow!
You are actually my inspiration!!!
thats why i got a blog, i saw your house on Hgtvs rate my space site and fell in love with your home! :)
That's the way to go. Don't you think they did the same thing, and marked it up ? I do.
ReplyDeleteThat's why we could be the refurb Queens.
I would rather buy something and make it my own.
Ciao
That's amazing Cindy!
ReplyDelete~elaine~
Your chair looks SO much better than the other! Your site always inspires. Sharon
ReplyDeleteWOW...that is truly incredible. I like your price a lot better and it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Cindy. Actually, I like yours even better.
ReplyDeleteWow...and I like yours the best. The welting looks great, I wouldn't do a thing to change it. I'm on the same budget as you and I love revamping things.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Debbie
www.shabbycozycottage.com
www.patchoulirosehome.com
Hi Cindy, Fantastic job on your blue chair! Amazing what some creativity and effort can do isn't it...plus seeing the diamond in the rough.
ReplyDeleteKindredly, Lynne Laura
Great transformation. And the savings are the amazing part! Good job Cindy.
ReplyDeleteCindy, you always amaze me! I love finding stuff like that. I'm constantly trying to convince my husband how much money I am actually saving! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, fabulous redo and for such a steal! Way to go girl!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Truthfully if you would have photoshopped out the backgrounds I don't think anyone would have been able to tell them apart. The staging of the second photo looked like a catalog - the actual chair itself is virtually identical.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I wish I had a huge shop to pick up all the cool things I come across. I too "see" things in the rough, I just have no place to store them or work on them.
Again, awesome job as usual.
great job...but now I am convinced that there are more hours in a day in America...I love the saying: I have a champagne taste with a beer budget...it's the same for me...but it is so much more fun when you make something yourself with a small budget and the result is even better than when you buy a new one...
ReplyDeleteGeez Cindy do you have time to read ALL these comments?
ReplyDeleteI just bought some cornices at the thrift store. I posted photos of them. I think the striped fabric is too much, and my color scheme is very warm but these are probably too bold. However the fabric is a very nice quality. Have you ever recovered a cornice? If you have a minute pop n and see what you think.
I'd like your opinion.
Very pretty and so professional looking. I just love all the ideas I get.
ReplyDeleteIt's really funny to find such things with low costs. I would never pay that prize for a chair either but $15 I could agree too.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a nice weekend.
Love Elzie
Your chair is just beautiful and I like it better than the "expensive" one!
ReplyDeleteIt is great- don't change a thing.
ReplyDeleteThis will give you more time for another project to entertain us with!
Have a wonderful week end!
Wow. Cindy you are truly talented. I love that chair, and have the perfect spot for it..he he. I'm now on the lookout for one of my own to re-do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Lisa
Your chair is much, much prettier than the expensive one. What a great find and restoration. I especially love the tiny "C" pillow that sits on top. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
"Champagne taste on a beer budget," that is great! I love it! I think I'm on a soda budget, like those .45 cent ones at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI like your chair better. The seat is a more interesting shape.
ReplyDeleteI think I like yours about twenty times more!!! It's so beautiful... Does Beau still get to sit on it??? Hugs! Gayla
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing, Cindy! I actually prefer your chair to the $495 one...gorgeous! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you are always a head of the curve on fashionable furniture. I am totally going to start looking for a chair like yours. Always pretty.
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!!!!! Once again, you've made a masterpiece! So...you really thought the book was good, and helpful? Did it cover upholstering things like wing back chairs? (I am dying to learn upholstery and cannot find any classes!)
ReplyDeleteTracey
Very nice job on the chair. Thanks for the info on the instructions you used, I'll need it.
ReplyDeleteLove your new look!
~~Ahrisha~~
Wow! I think the one you did looks better than the $495 chair! Great job. laurie
ReplyDeleteAwesome.....gives me hope that I can do the same for my oldie.
ReplyDeleteI'd pay $495 to get Bo off the chair!
ReplyDeletenelson
I'd pick your chair--this is a fabulous before/after!
ReplyDeleteI've never worked with upholstery or much with fabric before. I love the way
ReplyDeleteyour chair turned out.
I have a "what to do with this" project myself right now, would love to hear your input!!
The welting turned out beautifully! I love the extra detail. Thanks for sharing your source. I need to refinish a chair and ottoman and want to remember this extra step to make it look more finished.
ReplyDeleteYours is much prettier!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE a good DIY project that costs practically nothing! Great job with the chair!
ReplyDeletehttp://thebluepearlgirl.wordpress.com