apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

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Project: Ottoman Slipcover
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Cost: $20.00 excluding extra set of legs

No question about it, the little straw ottoman is already as cute as can be. It can however, go to work for you doing double, or even triple duty with help from a slipcover and a change of legs. Once you make the basic slipcover pattern...

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Project: How To Use Upholstery Spray Paint
Time: 45 minutes (doesn't include drying time)

As I mentioned in a comment here, I was given a few cans of upholstery spray paint to try out. With a little upholstered $7.99 footstool from Goodwill, I set to work. My stool had a textured square design which was badly stained on top, the perfect guinea pig for this test. After spraying the piece three times, I got the color of brown I was wanting. The smell was minimal, drippage was slight at first, and I would have liked to coat it one more time if I had another can of paint. After completely drying, the fabric is soft and pliable, not at all like the stiffness of latex paints and the result is completely different than traditional paint. I would recommend this product for anyone in need of a quick fix or tired of their dingy upholstery.

When we put up this post about the chairs from Anthroplogie being a good DIY inspiration, we had no idea that Shelly would get right on it! She pulled together this project in record time to get it in during DIY month. Check out the orignial post here and enjoy Shelly's how to below...

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Project: Upholstered Folding Chairs
Time: 1 hour per chair
Cost: $20.00 each, including chair

You don't have to spend a fortune to have bohemian looking upholstered folding chairs. After an AT post last week, I scurried over to World Market and negotiated a good price for two slatted chairs from last season. For a cool $12.99 each, along with lots of colorful scrap fabric and a little foam and dacron, the hard slatted chairs turned into soft, foldup side chairs with a bit of bohemian flair. If you like the look, keep an eye out at thrift stores - I've seen wooden foldup chairs on many occasions.

Here is another "bookmarkable" How-To step-bystep project from our DIY expert, Shelly...

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Project: French Tuft a Cane Back Flea Market Chair
Time: 5-6 hours
Cost: $36.88 plus tax

The real worth of a DIY-er is his or her nimble ability to adjust and rescue a project that's heading south. This tufted cane chair conversion did not unfold technically, or visually, as planned. Fortunately, adjusting my vision freed me to find an unexpected look. For a moment I lamented the loss of my deep button tufts, but that technique wasn't my goal here. Now, this bright, cheery french tufted striped chair and pillow combo have unexpectedly become the frontrunners to my new Spring palette.

(During DIY Month, our How-To expert Shelly will be posting a new project each week. Enjoy!)

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Project: Fold, Stitch & Stuff Floor Cushions
Time: 1.5 hours
Cost: $22.00

Big pillows may be readily available, but what if you long for custom accessories that won't break your bank? My mock boxed cushions stuffed with standard bed pillows are so inexpensive and easy to make, you'll never want mass produced again. Once you make one, it only takes about 30 minutes to put the next one together. This project goes so fast, you can knock out 3 or 4 before noon, clean up your apartment and be ready for guests by 7:00. This is a clever way to bring unexpected color and pattern into your room.

Luxe Faux Fur Throw
2 hours cutting, pinning and sewing
Faux fur: 2 yards @ 12.99 per yard (50% off w/coupon at Joann)

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Adding a touch of luxe is #8 on Miles Redd's decorating 'musts' list in the latest issue of Domino magazine. If you can use scissors, pin and stitch straight lines, you can handily make your own faux mink (or cincilla... or whatever other kind of faux animal fur there is) cozy blanket for a cold winter's night. Be sure to be discriminating about your faux. It should feel really luxurious, soft and heavy. Don't be tempted by the scrubby Halloween costume faux fur. Jump below for a step-by-step guide:

Project: Mid Century Dining Chair Reupholstery
Time: Two and 1/2 hours
Cost: 2 1/2 yards @ $17.95 per yard (on sale)

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If you're tempted to pass up a set of Mid Century dining chairs due to ugly, stained or torn upholstery, DON'T do it! There are, in fact, shortcuts to reupholstery that eliminate tedious, time consuming steps. My spouse bet me that he could re-cover three dining chairs in half the time it took me to do the same. The two arm chairs had some tricky notches but he showed me his lazy upholsterer's method. I'm not even sure a pro would see any difference unless he took the seats off to examine them...

Project: Diamond Tufting 101
Time: 6-7 hours
Cost: $55.00 (stool was $19.99 at Target)

>>Enter Slideshow

Diamond tufting isn't so formidable when you break it down - it's really just two parts. First, the base, foam and batting need to be prepared with the desired diamond pattern. Next, fabric with a proportionately larger marked diamond pattern has to be neatly folded and pushed into cutout holes and secured with a covered button. It boils down to practice, patience and a little technique. This project is a good starter since it only has ten buttons and three diamonds that measure 8" x 5".

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Project: Upholstered Laminate Tabletop
Time: 3 hours
Cost: $27.00

If you find yourself sifting through nondescript vintage furniture, be on the lookout for some surprisingly shapely legs. The shortsighted furniture shopper often overlooks tables due to a bad top surface or ottomans with ugly, stained, or worn fabric. Modern, removable furniture legs are well worth a second look. There are any number of clever ways to disguise the ugly factor and showcase great legs.

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Project: Upholstered Open Arm Chair
Time: 5-6 hours (max)
Cost: $35.00
Open Armed Side Chairs or Occasional Chairs can serve multiple purposes in your home. They can be picked up for a song at thrift shops, but they usually need some upgrading. A coat of paint, a little extra padding, new fabric, and an easy tutorial can yield a lovely original showpiece for your house or apartment.

(Welcome to Shelly! She is joining the AT:Chicago team as our resident DIY Upholstery and How-To expert. She'll be posting regularly on ideas and tips for home decor projects.)

Contrary to what you may think, cushy, plush custom headboards are very DIY-able. We're not talking about the homemade looking ones that are flimsy, thin and wobbly. Professional headboards are simple to translate for those who are a little handy and don’t want to lay down a bundle for a new look in the boudoir. Jump below for the full step by step instructions: