When Ashley's aunt brought her this old rocking chair, which she had rescued from a dumpster, it was an ugly sight to behold. Still, Ashley was confident she could give it new life and, $10 later, she did just that…
The first thing Ashley did was peel the fabric and foam off the chair. After removing the fabric, Ashley sanded the chair frame, then primed and painted it. Once the paint had dried, Ashley replaced the chair foam and then applied new fabric, using small finishing nails. To cover the nails, Ashley used glue to attach trim around the cushions. And that, folks, is one quick and easy chair makeover!
Check out the full post — Domestic Imperfection: Dumpster Rocker.
Images: Domestic Imperfection
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
10 Low-Budget Pantry Items Everyone Should Have
Summer Recipe: Gluten-Free & Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
The 'after' is adorable!! Love this makeover, very inspiring!
Rock on!
Yes I am that big a nerd :)
Much better.
Too cute!!
figuring out how to reupholster it oneself almost redeems the destruction of the chair with paint. way too nate berkus & way too disrespectful of the bones of the chair.
Fun fabric...I wonder how it would have looked painted that blue color?
Wonderful rescue!
This is one of my favorite of this sort of paint-and-fabric remake. Ashley's aunt has a good eye for great form.
super cute, LOVE that fabric! But why oh why did you have to put the nasty old foam back, eeewww...
Adorable!
I like the after AND the before.
amisdottir, in what way is this makeover "disrespectful" to the chair? No one wanted it before. It had been thrown in a dumpster. Now it has a new life, and many fans already. And I think the white paint makes the lines stand out more.
Yes! Yes! YESSSSSS!!!!!
I have that rocker! It's surprisingly comfy. I reupholstered mine, but I wouldn't have if the fabric was still any good.
I love old things, but when I look at that "new" chair, it looks like it's smiling, it's so happy to be loved and admired and sat in and used again :)
Totally agree with sally305 and ShalMayan! I hate to see an old piece thrown out- so what's the harm in a little paint and new fabric if it gives the chair new life and use for years to come? Good job- looks fresh and fun :)
fresh...good work!
LOVE! I agree with Sally305 that the lines of the chair do stand out more with being painted white. Cute fabric too!
The chair was literally IN A DUMPSTER but of course sanding and painting it is a crime against humanity. Some things on this site are so predictable.
Count me in with the sally305 crew - the paint accentuates the interesting lines of the chair, and I really like the new fabric too.
I'm usually the first to chime in with "don't paint it" in these situations, but in this case it was the right thing to do.
THIS CHAIR LOOKS SO AMAZING! GREAT JOB
I agree the "after" chair looks terrific. But to play devil's advocate, I see amisdottir's point about painting over the wood. It's not extruded woodpulp like Ikea furniture; it's actual carved and/or bent wood. Just because it's brown (like the floor) doesn't mean it's ugly. Sand it down and refinish it to preserve the labor that went into it; don't paint it to look like plastic. How about a compromise--pickling?
Sweet! :)
I still don't get the natural wood enthusists that love the wood for the sake of the wood. Just because it is natural wood (not extruded pulpwood), doesn't mean that it can't be painted. Often the paint brings out the carved detail that a plain staining or pickling just wouldn't do.
Plenty of carved wood pieces have been painted - go to Italy, France or other parts of Europe and you will see plenty of 100+ year old items were originally painted, embellished, even guilded. Even Shakers, Quakers and Amish painted their wood furniture - and they are wonderful artisans.
Instead of it going to it's final resting place, the dump (!), you rescued this piece and breathed new life into it. (paint can be your friend) I am sure there are some cases where painting would seem disrespectful, say, if this chair was going in an exhibit of sorts. :-) Good on you and I am sure your "new" chair is thanking you :-)
I prefer the before.
No, I'm just joking! You have turned a hideous piece into something quite lovely! Well done!!
Fabulous transformation! Well done, great fabric.
Wow, this chair looks so fresh. Can't believe it would have been lost in the dump forever otherwise. Good save!
Great job. I agree with wseattlemom. Sometimes painted wood enhances the unique lines of a chair where natural wood does not really do it any favors.
Adorable! I've spent more for less so I say job VERY well done.
I like the transformation. I also appreciate the non-hysterical tone of the write-up.
I like
LOL "disrespectful of the bones of the chair." I think the real disrespect here was when someone threw that chair in a dumpster.
Looks great!
Uh, the "bones of the chair" were on their way to the "bone yard".
I'm more concerned about the disrespect shown to the environment when someone pitches a perfectly usable item in the trash. To "the bones of the chair"? Give me a break.
That is one of the HAPPIEST chairs I have seen in my entire LIFE! Love the way you think and execute!
I LOVE THIS!!! Love the fabric and the bright white paint! Am thinking of doing something similar to a chair of mine! Thanks for the inspiration!
Another phoenix rises from the ashes.
Fantabulous job!!!!
Nice.
Painting old brown wood always upsets SOMEBODY, but frankly, much old brown wood is no longer in decent condition and painting may be the only realistic way to salvage it. Now birds-eye maple, zebrawood, rosewood, some rare types like that, maybe worth salvaging. Many other varieties, maybe not.
YOU CAN 'THROW' IT MY WAY!! :O}
SWWWEEEETT!
brilliant !