Would you click on this Craigslist ad: "very old & ugly high chair w/potty chair both for $15"? Yeah, me neither. But Jennifer did (and with enthusiasm I might add) and she set to work cleaning it up and giving it new look.
The silver paint makes a huge difference and the vinyl cover will surely be easier to clean than the previous fabric. Jennifer shares the steps she took:
I had been looking everywhere for a high chair and when I found it I jumped on it. I quickly grabbed sand paper, primer and some Valspar metal spray paint. I also found some really great fabric and vinyl at Joann's Fabric which gave it a "pop". I kept all the original hardware and it was easier than I was expecting. I loved the old vintage feel of it and it is a vintage Cosco which makes it even sweeter!
Thanks Jennifer! Readers, visit Jennifer at Little Miss Alizzi.
(Images: Jennifer/Little Miss Alizzi)
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at 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...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
its an improvement but still sad looking. like another before picture.
I disagree with rrivet. I love it! I'm wondering, though, why you completely removed the little shelf for the feet.
Looks cute but not the most functional (I babysat in the original era of this chair, I think).
Two features are missing: the shelf for the feet and the hold-em-in thingy. The latter can be a vertical strap that goes between the legs (so the crotch doesn't slide forward) or an around-the-waist type thing. The hold-em-in thingy + foot rest decrease the chance that the little one will wiggle or slide out feet first (under the tray).
This is not a theoretical but the voice of experience.
No doubt a definite improvement over the original. But I would worry about spray painting a surface from which a child will be eating.
Awesome job! I love that she kept it retro!
I can't stop thinking about this chair. Spray paint isn't food safe, and I worry that food is going directly from this tray into a little mouth.
Notice that the tray was silver in the before too, so probably never painted.
So happy My little vintage chair got featured! Thanks! No worries, the tray was not spray painted. That only got a really good cleaning. As far as the strap, that was added later after it took nearly four weeks to arrive via mail. :)
Awesome you were able to add a strap! I think its adorable and agree with Leigh the tray was not sprayed as jen confirmed.
My mom said just hold them while feeding the little ones. Ugh no way! Then I realized she had highchairs like the above with no straps. A good high chair is nothing to over look. Espically with oversized babes like we had. Great make over on the chair. I loved the covering until I read it was fabric blah. The make over is perfect.
Where is the foot thingy. It adds a cuteness to it!
Why no foot rest? It looks strange without it.
PLEASE FORGIVE MY HONESTY:
The Chair was old and ugly and now it is new and still not too appealing.
Putting a colorful toy doesnt take away from the poor design of the chair, it is not a fun high chair, thats the least i can say.
Why spray painting it? I would be worried for the health of the child.
I like the idea of using Vinyl for baby chairs but this is not the right one.
Also, she should've kept the foot rest, its a fun element that is part of the chair; the designer shouldve played it with instead of removing it.
@elisesom
elisesom.tumblr.com
Wow, you people are mean. Great job on the chair.
Don't listen to the haters. AT is just overrun with jerks. I really wish there was some sort of moderation or at least some "Play Nice" psa things on here. The bad attitude on here really ruins it for me.
Excellent choice of vinyl - feels very '50s diner. (Given the rest of the commentary, I suppose I should clarify; I absolutely mean that as a compliment)
its really cute! so retro. and to all the haters... dont you think a mum would think about her babies safety? of course. what she explained confirms it, her babys saftey comes first and she made it work! i love it.