That is fantastic!!

I can't fathom doing that to something so well designed- just not my taste.

incredible!

Ahh, Change it back! I guess to each, his/her own but it's a little too "almost southwestern.hippy" for me.

I love it! The pieces are married and look clean and comfortable--and interesting.

The "before" looked sad and drab--not exciting mid-century modern.

I never would have thought to remake a leather piece for some reason:)

I agree with @ronsmom that the before was sad, but the after is a bit sad to me, too. That said, I do appreciate the point that a reproduction does open up the possibilities for creativity, unlike having an original.

I love it. If you have a fake, why not make it really different? There's something appealing about not trying to slavishly mimic the Eames original - especially when doing so involves tan pleather.

It's too flashy for me. I liked the "original" knock-off better. Fantastic job on the upholstering.

I would have chosen a different fabric. It's a bit much for me--but I definitely agree with the idea. Upcycling is awesome.

Haha, maybe this was rejecting a fake aspiring to spirit of the original. Nice. It could also go for fake camel hide for 'fake' Tibetan Eames' alter-ego.

I like it a lot.

To the "change it back"ers - did you read it was VINYL before? Yuck. Now it looks cozy! Maybe pink isn't your thing, but I'd be WAY more interested in seeing/sitting on this chair than the before.

The other examples she's linked to (on the original blog post) are really good too.

Very fun!

The sort of thing that one expects to see in Marie Claire Maison and Living Etc.; I am sad to see the negative comments.

Apparently I'm the only one on earth who can't reupholster (or sew, do carpentry, paint, or any other useful household skill). Not my style, but good work!

It looks great! The upholstery work is amazing!

Totally not my style, but I absolutely love it. Way to embrace the dingy knock-off and really make it your own!

LOVE it! It's unique, surprising, and creative.

whoa, baby! that is one hawt chair!

Even though I understand it's just a knock-off, to me you just can't improve upon the original Eames design. If I were to change the vinyl over to another fabric, I'd try to go with the same rich browns and earthy tones that C & R chose.

I don't like the fabric but anythings better than cheap vinyl.

It's not my style at all (Eames chairs aren't my style anyway), but I love how creative the project is! Great job adding some personality to a free knock-off!

RMF325, you're not the only one. I bill myself as "The Least Handy Man in America." I'm not all thumbs (quite the contrary), but I've just never had the training. Welcome to the club!

Creative, one-of-a-kind, and just a little bit hilarious. Good for you, Ana. To me the fabric "sits well" with the wood (or should that be "wood"?) with just enough anachronism, but the chrome would look better if it were textured or painted with black.

Though pink would not be my hue of choice, I think this chair could look stunning in the right room. The burnt orange drapes and beige rug just don't suit it.

I don't know that I would have chosen that textile, but I like the idea alot - It's a big improvement from the old vinyl!

I wonder how one of these would look in a Navy Velvet?

This would be perfect in my craft room!

I would LOVE to know where one FINDS an Eames lounger- even a knockoff!

I've never been a huge fan of that kind of chair, but this is great even if I am itching to rip the arm pads off. Love the fabric.

While it's not to my taste, it's so nice to see someone do something different with a 'classic' piece. It's so tiring to see it done the same ol' way. It's great that it's different.

I've always hated the Eames loungers, but I LOVE it like this. I guess I'm a big hippy. ;)

very good upholstery job.

and I totally get the desire to remove the vinyl. just not my taste in fabric.

Great job with the upholstery! Looking at the chair by itself, I would say the fabric would not have been my choice - but I would love to see how it fits into the rest of the room. Seeing it with the rest of her decor might change my mind. :)

I really liked the before. The leather looked to be in perfect condition. But then again I don't really like the colors in the fabric or the design so maybe a different fabric. But it was well-executed and the only important thing is that you like.

Ooops, just saw that it was vinyl. But I still liked the before.

Not what I was expecting at all but I love it! You could have spraypainted it with vinyl spraypaint if you wanted to keep the vinyl/leather look, but this is a nice pop of color and pattern and really makes it a focal point of a room.

I think it looks fantastic! The pink is amazing. So much better than that wrinkly vinyl!

Great job on the construction. Not my choice of fabrics, but I can see how this piece would work well for some spaces.

Hello, Chair lady here, Let me speak to a few points:

The chair was vinyl, VINYL. Stinky, musty vinyl. Not leather. Now it's comfy to sit in and doesn't leave your clothes smelling like Grandma's basement.

Yep it was free. It was sitting with a bunch of junk on some guy's porch. I knocked, I asked, the chair was mine.

In regards to the hippy fabric choice. If I could travel back in time I would go to the mid 70s where I could lean frames with abandon and cover all the furniture in tapestries. I'd wear caftans and braid my hair. That's my thing, it's ok if it's not yours.

The pictures aren't the best but I had just finished and was proud. I probably need new drapes but it's a recession and unless you're paying I can't afford them now.

Thanks for the posting AT, thanks for all the comments (good and bad) and if anyone's got a hot tip on a time machine let me know.

I may not love the print, but seriously guys - the before looks like a dentist's chair from the 80s! ::shivers::

Oh, I agree with matt in kc - if you have a fake, why not make it really different! And I heartily agree with darcitananda.

Totally not my taste in fabrics, but still a nice makeover -- and whether it works or not all depends on context. Put a couple of lava lamps on the table and some brightly colored cushions on the floor, and you've got the perfect place for the whole Scooby gang to hang out.

I've redone five of vintage Plycraft lounge chairs so far in leather and all of mine were originally leather---cheap leather, yes. But leather. The chair here looks like a newer knockoff in vinyl but the ottoman is an old one in leather.

I've seen many done in fabric. Someday I want to get one and strip the wood and do something not-Eames with it, like an aniline dye in red with cream leather upholstery. Or ebonize the wood and do mustard yellow or chartreuse leather.

Love it! Great job Ana!

I LOVE IT!!

I would have chosen a different fabric but the execution is great and I like the idea that a knock-off frees you up to make something your own and funky.

IMO such a clean, classic designed piece of furniture does not fare well with a loud print. I do not like at all. It's a clash of styles. A mid-century style of print would be my choice. But, I don't have to live with this... I would be ecstatic to find a chair like this and do whatever to it.

Nice job! (And at least it's not Missoni.)

LOVE LOVE LOVE. wow.

darknat (and other critics) -- the contrast is what gives the piece its energy and makes it interesting.

Good job! What a great idea. I really like it! I once took a Queen Anne Highboy that was badly damaged so I was able to buy it for $10. I carted it home and stripped. Got rid of both the broken and unbroken drawer in the top section then cut out the supports and dividers inbetween from the cabinet. Glued the drawer fronts on to the dividers and while waiting for the glue to dry I set in a base board the cabinet, cut two holes in the back for access,
and inserted a shelf just far enough down from the top to put my tape player. Then I base coated it all with flat black and finished painting it with 2 coats of cherry red which I distressed so the black would show through on 'worn' places. Finally, I put the false drawer door on the front with old brass hinges. I had myself a really unique and wonderful TV cabinet. I ended up selling it for nearly $500. Don't ever be shy!

Love it, love it, love it! Wonderful way to go with a knock-off.

It's so fun! And yet it works surprisingly well. She's taken a bunch of recycling and junk and transformed it into an awesome chair.

MCM cliche + hippy cliche = cheeky OAK *fun*
Well done!

PS. Should've posted the pic with gorgeous black kitty taking a nap in it. Then who could say nay?

I can appreciate the fact that they were able to do whatever with a knock off Eames. Even if it's not my taste. Then again, that piece, even if it WAS an Eames, is not my taste. So many other better Eames pieces out there.

Target website just crashed again. Everyone clamoring for Guatemalan hammocks.

dude, that pink is PINK!

I really like the fabric but not on that chair. You did a superb job. Wow a hammock! Great idea. I appreciate your creativity. I really like Guatemalan textiles.

Awesome... it's a knockoff, so no harm in re-covering it!

I like the idea, but I am not a fan of the Southwest fabric (although I like the idea of the pink). Points for creativity, though, and if the owner's happy, that's all that matters.

Ana, this looks fantastic! While some people may not appreciate the choice of fabric, I love it. The upholstering (at least from the photos) is absolutely perfect, the cost of materials is amazing! I love your ability to see the "awesome" hidden in so many of your DIY projects!

I'm so impressed by your handiwork!! I also like the material-- if you're going to have a fake/ knockoff, let the world know! I want to jump in and read a book and snuggle with my fat kitty!

My mother always said, say is more. The fabric is an ODD choice for such a savy design, but upholstering job looks professional. I applaud you!

So I understand the vinyl was in poor shape before, but as a lover of mid-century design, particularly Eames design, this makes me sad. At least go with something more classic and won't go out of style in 6 months.

I applaud upcycling and making something yours. I would've gone with a fabric relevant to the era - this looks really out of sync. Maybe Midcentury Aztec will be a new design trend, who knows. LOL.

I love it! Fabulous DIY!!

Love the principle and the handwork. However, I feel this particular fabric doesn't do anything for the lines of the chair.

technically, pretty good. end effect, EW.

As a DIY'er and blogger occasionally I will do a project that ends up here on Apartment Therapy.

Each time that happens I accept that some folks will like it, even hate it. I've got pretty thick skin. I understand that what I did to the chair isn't everyone's cup of tea but some of the comments aren't just voicing an opinion of distaste for the chair, they're rude and inconsiderate.

It makes me wonder; When you go to your friend's homes do you comment in equally rude ways as you do here? When you see something at a craft fair do you shout "EW" in the crafter's faces? Probably not, the anonymity of the internet has that affect.

To the above comment: "HORRIBLE. I am pretty sure there is a law that says we can take that chair from you since you destroyed it!"

Coletta, Did you think for a second before you typed that out that there is an actual person behind that chair who would read this?

I remember when AT used to be a supportive community and a website I looked forward to going to.

Recovering the chair in any fabric I choose will be a lot easier that learning how to be a decent human being.

@Ana: I am so sory that you had to read all those comments! You did a great job with something that was basically ruined and while I wouldn't have chosen that fabric myself, I think it looks fun. Like, you have style although it isn't my style, if that makes sense. Don't let yourself be irritated by all those rude people, rather make yourself a cup of tea and sit down with some biscuits and a good book in your beautiful new chair:-)

where can i find the best replica of the Eames lounge chair? I have noticed many of the replica's don't tilt quite as far back making it less comfortable....
HELP please!

MY FIRST WORD(S) WERE: OH, COOL!!