Before
Here's a How To project without much "doing." Reupholstering a chair is something you can definitely handle, but when it comes to a tufted chairs things get tricky. But never fear, outsourcing is here! The results after the jump…
After!
This chair was purchased on Craigslist for just $75. The customer found the turquoise fabric herself and then brought the chair to Pillow Perfection, an upholsterer located in Brooklyn. The work was done for $400 and that included re-cushioning the seat and replacing the springs. Looks like quality work that will last a lifetime.
After!
Here's a breakdown of the costs:
Chair − $75
Fabric − $40
Upholstery − $400
Total − $515
Via: The Haystack Needle
Images: Charlotte Jenks Lewis
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (43)
Simply Stunning!
love. my favorite color and it looks amazing with the wood color.
Nice!
Beautiful color!
It is indeed beautiful, but I thought it was beautiful before!
Anybody have suggestions for a good (moderately priced) upholstery shop in SF? I live in the Mission:)
Score!
@mariedeorio, not sure if they're moderately priced, but retrospect on market @ gough, across from zunni cafe, does beautiful work. they're a family business, and have been around for generations. i would definately check them out. good luck! :)
Just fabulous.
It looks FANTASTIC! A fabric or color I would never think of myself - but love it!
breathtaking!
Beautiful! Also check out Kanibal Home in Jersey City. Kristen, the owner, does beautiful work.
Erin at YAYDIY.com
mariedeorio - I know a excellent upholster in the East Bay and he works in his studio with little overhead so he can keep his prices down. He is very nice and honest. He can reupholster a Arne Jacobsen Egg chair better than anyone I have seen, that type of chair is how I can tell their level of skills because its not easy.
if you want you can email me-Lorijj2000@yahoo.com
Absolutely gorgeous!
Gorgeous! worth every penny spent...and then some!
this...chair...rocks! such a great job...
turquoise is OBVIOUSLY so in right now...
but i've always loved this shade!
maybe it was my years growing up in FL, my year living in australia, or possibly our three years in the caribbean as a newly married couple!
hmmmm...now i'm in austin, tx and missing the ocean, but we DO get to own a huge home, so there are pros/cons to everything :)
here's my post on some awesome touches of turquoise for around the house
http://www.casacullen.com/2010/01/touches-ofturquoise-home-design-accents-under-50.html
Wow. Love it.
Perfect example of knowing when to DIY and when to turn it over to a professional craftsperson
Beautiful!
What a fantastic elegant result!
Gorgeous! But I would never pay that much for a chair (I think I'm pretty darn cheap...).
Oh, that is lovely.
It's really beautiful, but I can't help thinking that "lasting a lifetime" becomes moot when the chair is reupholstered in this season's color. Five years from now, someone will probably have it redone again.
i want one for my space! :D
I love the idea of "outsourced DIY". It sounds so much more intimate than "hiring a contractor".
The project is a success - I like the way the bolt of blue electrifies the room without overwhelming the classicism of the chair.
Upholstery of a chair for $400? And I was complaining when they asked for $150-200 for a love seat.
Very nice, but way to expensive.
I think $400 for a channel-tufted chair with a rebuilt cushion is very reasonable. Craftspeople have to make a living, you know.
If you are game for trying the upholstery yourself, it really isn't that difficult. The lines on this chair are fairly linear. Many used upholstery beginner books (per-goggle) have great pics and instructions. You just use the material you remove from the chair as the pattern.
Great reuse of a classic chair.
And, you employed a local businessperson. MARVELOUS!
Love it - I found a Salvation Army chair for 9 bucks, and I want to do the same thing - in turquoise - only one of the legs is gouged. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the expense to reupholster.
Maravillosa. Estoy encantada de haber conocido este post de decoracion.
Maravillosa. Estoy encantada de haber conocido este post de Decoracion.
Gorgeous. It will last a lifetime or two or three with the quality work you did. Truly a refreshed heirloom!
This is just fantastic. Great lines and color for a great chair.
Wow, on a chair like this professionally done really makes a tremendous difference. The chair is just beautiful.
Beauty.
Too much spent, I am a DIY person and I honestly could have painted that fabric and made it look leather and tufted ....yeah
But it is gorgeous...Turquoise is the color,,Kudos!
www.redesigndiva.com
I was afraid that in the "after" the wood would be painted turquoise. I am delighted how elegant and yet modern but classy this "after" looks!!!
Yes it is beautiful. I love blue in all it's variations and have had a sofa redone in a midnight blue velvet.
I'm currently looking for tourqouise to upholster a chaise, where did you get that Fabric?
Fabulous job, money well-spent considering it had to be resprung and tufted. Mazel Tov and La Chaim!
This is a great example of a beautiful turquoise piece of furniture; however Turquoise furniture such as ottomans, chairs, chaises, sofas, and headboards can be harder to find than one may think, even after searching the web. Since turquoise is the color of the year and is also my favorite color I thought I would make a comment for others like myself.
I have been working with a custom furniture designer in the UK. Her name is Elaine and her company is Obama Catering Furniture. I just adore the color turquoise and initially contacted her to have a turquoise chaise made. I had such a hard time finding anything like that in the US. This month I had her make me a turquoise and chocolate armless chair. Her furniture is BEAUTIFUL!! She can use any fabric and style imaginable and her prices are super reasonable even for shipping overseas.
If anyone is interested in seeing pics of her furniture or would like to contact her please shoot me an email at superk1216@yahoo.com.
I am also looking desperately for turquoise fabric for reupholstering two chairs - where did you find this fabric ?
It's lovely, but personally, I don't understand the point of buying a chair on craigslist and then spending $400 on reupholstery. Unless the chair was a real Berger or something like that.
I am facing a similar project myself. I perchased a chair for $20 at a Goodwill store and it definitely needs to be redone. I will have it done professionally only if I completely fail myself. It has tufting as well, plus it has the little upholstered pads on the armrests.
I will check out Chapters to see if I can find any well-illustrated DIY book.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Gorgeous! The show wood appears to be in excellent condition. I love seeing unique pieces brought back to life. The older furniture is usually built so much better. You can't go shopping in regular furniture stores and come out with a piece that has such character. Only custom pieces give you that feeling after you have put your stamp on it.
I don't think $400 is an outrageous price for a professional job, especially when tufting and extra supplies are included. In case you missed it, she mentioned new springs and cushions which will raise the price quickly. The craftsman does have to make a living, but I would bet a lot of the cost was in supplies and not labor.
Side and occasional chairs are pretty easy for the novice, but not everyone is comfortable with rebuilding the seat or button tufting. Again, great job on a beautiful piece!