Inspired by NicoleMari's reading chair makeover, Rachelle decided the time had come to make some changes to the reading chair passed down from her parents when she was young and furniture-free. Since she still loved the comfort and scale of this chair, changing out the fabric to bring it up to date was the ideal (though challenging) solution. Though she originally planned to reupholster the chair, in the end she opted to make a custom slipcover instead.
Rachelle found her Dwell fabric online at a discount, and used sheets from Goodwill to create her pattern before cutting into her designer fabric. A lot of patience and tweaking helped Rachelle give a family favorite a new lease on life. The end result is a fabulous custom slipcover that helps bring this vintage chair into the modern era.
For more details of Rachelle's quest for the perfect fabric, check out her post Another Chair Reupholster. For a step-by-step tutorial on how she created her custom slipcover, check out her Slipcover How To.
Image: Photos by Rachelle Falcon at Adventures in Creating.
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Beautiful!
Well done!
Holy. I was not expecting the After to look this good! Great job!
love.
Wow. That's a slipcover?
Please, please, no one say it was better before.
that is amazing!
Wow, now that's a makeover!
I admit that the "before" picture set my expectations pretty low, but WOWZA!
That is fabulous. I love when the chairs lose the skirt, they always look so sleek!
Looks great! Beautiful fabric.
I have to admit, I thought it looked just fine before, not snazzy but cozy. I can see being totally sick of the beige velour stripes after having them around forever, though. And now it looks fantastic.
Much better!
I love how you left the skirt off in order to show the legs.
Those chairs like the before are always sooo ugly. So ugly, it seems like there's no hope. But there is apparently! Nice re-do.
Outstanding! Well done!
wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!
I had to look twice to make sure it was the same chair! She didn't just give it a new lease on life, she changed it's era!
emmelem, that cracked me up!
Great job with the chair!
great job!
I love how this piece is totally modern without the skirt...great job. I might have to give that a go myself...if I could only sew a straight line!
One of the best slipcovers I have ever seen! I'm impressed!
Who would have thought that this chair could look so good.
Seriously impressive transformation - good on you for saving something meaningful and making it beautiful.
Fantastic job! Now that's a makeover. Can't wait to show a few friends who thought there was no way you could renovate a daggy old chair.
Fantastic! Love the new graphic design fabric.
Nice! Love the fabric!
Same legs or new ones?
Good gravy, that's impressive!
Great redo! I'm a huge fan of custom slipcovers! They have the same feel as upholstery, but I can take it off and toss it in the wash (which is wonderful with my very furry pets).
This must be my favorite chair makeover. You did not just add beautiful fabric, but you improved the lines of the chair a lot.
This is so beautiful. I would BUY this chair.
wow....i can't believe they are the same chair...incredible!! Nice job!! I am very impressed that you would even attempt this kind of job because the chair before...OMG, it was pretty hideous.
When I saw the before picture I definitely was a skeptic..I mean..who could possibly save that old thing? Then I saw the after..and all I can say is..WOW! Apparently you can save that old thing! Absolutely beautiful. Also..love the choice in fabric!
shockingly good. seriously. wow.
i never would have seen through that ugly and i like to think i can see the potential in things....
What a great transformation! So many people have those old style chairs that are still in good shape, but just look terrible. Changing them like this is the perfect solution.
http://www.loungingluxury.com
I'm floored.
@ emmelemm - LOL!!!
Hmmm... I really liked it better before. KIDDING. I can't believe how much better it looks. It's totally updated. Looks comfy, too.
That is an impressive makeover. Well done.
I honestly prefer the Before on this chair. Not a fan of the new fabric pattern or the exposed skinny legs. HOWEVER, taste is subjective. I also think the After shows some impressive workmanship and the sipcover is beautifully done.
The best thing about this post is that there was not a single "I liked it better before." Frankly, I didn't think that was possible....
100% better. Bravo!
Well done! I can't believe it was the same chair as before. That brings hope to so many chairs on craigslist!
Love it!
I still miss the wood on the arms and the tufting on the back. But it really looks great! The fabric is fabulous.
I looked at her tutorial and didn't see anything about padding the arms. I wonder if they are startlingly hard under that slipcover, or if she just didn't mention covering them with batting or something.
Thanks for the kind comments everyone! My parents gave me this chair when I got married. It's living a new life in our home.
Wow, just wow! The fabric, losing the skirt, the fitted slipcovers all transform this into a chair I'd be delighted to own. Well done, Rachelle! This project completely raises the bar for DIY!
Yeah, thats fantastic work. Envious of your skills.
makes me wish i would have kept my similar chair and just re-upholstered it.
So amazing! It takes a lot of skill to get the fitting just right. Kudos!
this is incredible! well done.
I saw the before and thought "There's no way this could ever turn out well."
I was wrong. Beautiful :)
To answer some questions: they are the same legs. They were in great shape since they were covered with the skirt all those years. And I didn't cover the arms with batting, they aren't uncomfortable since the wood was meant to be exposed.
Super impressive.
Wow. Love it.
Bravo!