reader submissions

Before & After: A Free Chair Gets a Feathered Makeover

Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara is Apartment Therapy's News & Culture Director. When not scrolling through Instagram double-tapping pet pics and astrology memes, you'll find her thrift shopping around Boston, kayaking on the Charles, and trying not to buy more plants.
updated May 4, 2019
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Metal chair with pink cushioned back and seat on a concrete patio, labeled "Before."
(Image credit: Chelsea Strong Terrill)

Chelsea picked up this chair for free, and dove into her fabric stash to find some new life for it. Check out the makeover that cost her $0:

(Image credit: Chelsea Strong Terrill)

From Chelsea:

I had been looking for a simple modern chair to use in our office makeover, and when I saw this sleek, chrome number in a garage sale leftover free pile, I jumped on it!
I went through a number of fabric options from my stash (my four year old was really partial to anything pink and gold) but when I discovered a long forgotten, half-finished tote bag project with the IMAN peacock print, I knew it was the one. I sold my daughter on the embroidered metallic gold details, and got to tearing apart the seams of the tote bag.
I didn’t bother removing the old fabric, simply upholstered right over it. The panels from the tote bag barely covered the bottom seat, but with some careful stapling, I made it happen! I may spray paint the frame gold or matte black in the future (the chrome is full of pocks and scratches), but for now I’m loving the contrast of the super modern lines against all the mid-century wood tones in my house.

Thank you Chelsea!