{Thrifted Chairs}

Every once in a while if you check our local Craigslist page you can find some good treasures- but it doesn't happen very often! Most of the time the price is to high or the item is no longer available. Lucky for me that didn't happen this time!!

I just happened to look at my Craigslist app at the right moment and found these twin chairs for $10! Yeah! I called, texted, and called again hoping I was the first person to snatch these babies up! I didn't get a response for a few hours and had convinced myself that they were no longer available. 

Then I got a Text… Do you still want the chairs? 

Me: Yes!

Him: When can you come get them? 

Me: I can be there in a hour! 

He gave me directions and lucky for me they were only a few minutes away. I went and picked them up before they could change their minds or get a better offer! (It has happened before). I was so excited when I finally laid my eyes on these beauties- they were not so pretty to begin with, but the bones were good! I was pretty lucky with this find, not only was the wood in great shape but the padding was in amazing condition, no stains or tears, and best of all no smells! (Gross right?!) I took them apart as soon as I got home! Sadly it was a Sunday evening when I picked them up so the rest would have to wait. 

The first thing I did was tear all the existing upholstery off- being careful not to rip the original material (I needed to use it as the pattern for the new material.) Once it was all off and the staples were pulled out I started sanding it. Then I sprayed it really good with my go to Antique White- satin sheen paint. 

Finding the material I wanted was harder than it should have been. I knew I wanted something grey, something modern and crisp, and I was looking for something fun. Originally I told myself that I didn't want a Chevron pattern- I have a lot of it going on in my home! But after looking through roll after roll of patterns in our local Home Fabrics store I kept coming back to this print. I liked that it wasn't a bright white and that the Chevron was more Ikat looking- and the price was right! 7.99 a yard. I bought 3 yards, 6 yards of cording, and finally headed home- 2 hours later. (It took me a long time to decide!)

I also came home with a early Birthday present…

I can't tell you how excited I was for this baby!! I love me some good power tools and have been drooling over this gun for a while now, I couldn't wait to use it! So I put the kids to bed and got to work! I cut the fabric to size using the old material as my pattern, then started to put the backing on. 

I'd love to do a step-by-step tutorial on how I did this- but I didn't take pictures and Im afraid if I tried to explain it it would be very confusing!! So Ill save you some brain power! Lets just say with the right tools and a little bit of patience it came together pretty good- not super easy, but after a few good failed attempts I finally got the hang of it. 

I opted not to do the button tufting and pleating on the backs because that requires a special tool- that I don't have! Also I would have had to pay someone to do that part and I wanted to do them on my own. but I did add extra batting to the back support to make it a even shape- I had that on hand. 

I'm pretty proud of these beauties. 

Even The Man loves them- he keeps sitting on them and saying, "These are great." (Which is a big deal for him! He is man of few words.)

I'm even more proud that I spend a whopping $35 on them- start to finish! Not bad for a matching pair of sturdy chairs! 

I did learn a few lessons:

• Staples are hard to pull out once they are shot in with a big ol' air compressor gun!
• I'm thankful I already had a Tetnis shot a few months ago- or else I would have needed one again. I may have shot myself in the hand. 
• Pipping is worth the extra step. 
• I work best alone- at night- with loud music. 
• I Can do Hard Things. (Maybe not the first time, but eventually I catch on!)

I've had several people call, text, and message me asking if these are for sale- they are not! I'm planning on putting these beauties in my basement! I can't wait for our little room to get finished so I can set these up! 

What do you think? Would you ever attempt revamping a piece of furniture by yourself?! What do you want to learn about furniture refinishing? Is it weird that I Love Power Tools?!!