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Cover Instead Of Reupholster

092909chaircover03.jpgWe see a lot of brilliant before and afters of reupholstered chairs on Apartment Therapy. However, reupholstering isn’t always the answer! Sewing some slip covers is not only a cheap and easy alternative to new upholstery but it also a sympathetic approach to restoration. Find out more about this project below the jump...

 
 

Dorie received a pair of chairs from her partners parents. They were structurally sound but had dirty peach velour upholstery and were in need of some freshening up. Not confident in upholstery but an excellent sewer, slip covers were an obvious choice for Dorie. Inspired by “chairs in Country Living that look like they've put on understated dresses - fitted and tied in linen” we think that Dorie has done a great job in updating these chairs while still honouring their origins. To find out more, visit her blog Tumbling Blocks.092909chaircover01.jpg

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inspiration, reupholstering, reupholster, before & after, slip covers, tumbling blocks

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Comments (32)

Creative idea and they look great!

posted by Tabitha (From Single to Married) on September 29th 2009 at 7:25am
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looks like a bandaged chair. might be better with a different color.

posted by nadj on September 29th 2009 at 7:27am
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Beautiful job.

posted by LauraE on September 29th 2009 at 7:37am
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Very nice!

posted by robinette on September 29th 2009 at 7:53am
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I think it’s very charming. I only wonder if the ties on the armrests could be less conspicuous.

posted by epeterius on September 29th 2009 at 7:54am
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For those who don't like the look of the 'arm gauntlets', they could easily be secured with velcro, buttons, or done in a corset-style -- laced up the bottom with only one tie showing.

posted by chottomotto on September 29th 2009 at 8:12am
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I have to agree with nadj... sorry!

posted by csmoura on September 29th 2009 at 8:26am
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Nice job!

posted by I Love Upstate on September 29th 2009 at 8:31am
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Nice work! I like that she did it in pieces rather than covering the woodwork with one large cover. I agree about the arm ties, and chottomotto's ideas are great. It might be fun to do a more dressmaker-style closure but then put it on top or at the side for a cheeky statement.

posted by farmhousemoderne on September 29th 2009 at 8:34am
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Sorry, it's a bit "return of the mummy's chair" for me

posted by idontdobeige on September 29th 2009 at 8:35am
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Haha, good points nadj and idontdobeige. It does look bandaged. Personally, I would never put that much work into a piece of furniture. I'd just buy a new used chair and give the ugly to someone who liked it more.

posted by Keira on September 29th 2009 at 8:51am
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Now that nadj said that, I'm really liking the idea of a bandaged chair. But maybe with something more like actual bandages. This bears further investigation.

posted by FWD on September 29th 2009 at 9:04am
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I too agree with nadj.

posted by suzy8track on September 29th 2009 at 9:06am
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Yeah, I agree with nadj too. Perhaps velcro would have been a better, neater-looking option.

posted by slowdown on September 29th 2009 at 10:28am
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Or buttons.

posted by slowdown on September 29th 2009 at 10:28am
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Clever project, and looks just right in that setting. I'm very pleased to be newly acquainted with your blog.

posted by Splomo on September 29th 2009 at 10:53am
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I think it's delightful.

posted by bepsf on September 29th 2009 at 11:00am
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Can we upgrade the fabric, change the color, and make it more tailored? Great idea, mediocre execution.

posted by Wishin' I was in MIA on September 29th 2009 at 12:20pm
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I wish I could accomplish something half as nice, and if I do, I will never post it online to be picked apart in a snark attack. Sheesh!

posted by outonalimb_09 on September 29th 2009 at 12:42pm
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I love the bandaged look. It's very puritanistic. Refreshing for an upholstered chair.

posted by medusa12120 on September 29th 2009 at 12:45pm
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I love the after — the danglies look charming to me. I never would have thought to do this (and sadly am not an expert sewer) but I think the chair slipcovers work.

posted by thehaystackneedle on September 29th 2009 at 3:14pm
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um, wow, I wish I could sew this well!

posted by michpc on September 29th 2009 at 3:21pm
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I love it! I wish I could sew this well as Dorie- I think this is the ideal solution to many of my furniture woes...

posted by saya* on September 29th 2009 at 4:03pm
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I love it. I might have done natural linen instead, but that's juts me.

posted by paintitbright on September 29th 2009 at 4:05pm
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Don't worry, tomorrow Neely The Naughty is sending in their own DIY pic's for us to comment on - can't wait.

posted by pinky speedway on September 29th 2009 at 5:12pm
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this is actually really cute. I would change the color and maybe change the way the arms were put on, hardly a "mediocre" execution though.

posted by dunklekatze on September 29th 2009 at 6:46pm
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C'mon people. Just because someone states that they don't like the project and/or result doesn't make them a bad person (sometimes we don't realize what we write may sound mean). It's constructive criticism, it's comments like that, that raise the bar - which they should. We shouldn't be so sensitive!

That said, I'm not crazy about the end result, in fact, I really liked the peach velour. But I also agree with medusa12120 in that it has a 'puritan look,' it's fresh and has a mid-Atlantic, almost beach-y feel. It's a nice compliment to the traditional look of the home. In fact, a House Tour from Dorie would be much appreciated :)

posted by sarrazak on September 29th 2009 at 6:53pm
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Hey, thanks for the post! Everyone is definitely entitled to her own opinion, but this slipcover is working wonders for me (I was embarrassed to offer the chair to visitors because it looked like it might get them dirty). And, I got to try out an idea that I've liked for ages, which is pretty rewarding in itself!
I really like the idea of a "puritan look". Cool one.
Dorie

posted by tumblingblocks on September 29th 2009 at 9:03pm
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Nice DIY, but when you get tired of the thing sliding all over the place and looking sloppy, give me a ring and I'll upholster it properly for a reasonable price.

www.properfurniture.net

posted by proper on October 1st 2009 at 3:22am
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Wow, some really picky people! I LOVE the chair. I LOVE that the creator loves it. Refurbishing old junk is such a talent and I very highly respect those who can pull it off. Great job on the chair! It's so unique and one of a kind. Maybe not for long though... when I find myself an old chair I might be doing the exact same thing!

posted by annakarli on October 1st 2009 at 11:01pm
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Fabulous Idea. I have a fantastic old chair that I hate the fabric of. The estimate for re-upholstery was $600. yikes.

posted by ohjodi on October 5th 2009 at 12:07pm
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Charming. I have had quite a few chairs similar to this in my shop and this is a great and simple way to give a chair with great bones a new look! Love it and i am off to her blog to read more. Thanks for sharing..

posted by PinkPig on November 16th 2009 at 10:48pm
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