Before & After: A Roadside Find Goes Mid Century

published Nov 13, 2015
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(Image credit: Submitted by Heather)

This is one of my favorite furniture flip stories. I found this chrome mid-century modern chair left for dead on the roadside. It was covered with rust, mildew and grime. For a long time, it sat in my garage and just lingered. It took me a long while for inspiration to strike.

(Image credit: Submitted by Heather)


I live in the country, and happen to have kind of a thing for cowhide. I had wanted a sleek, modern looking cowhide and chrome chairs for years. You know those kind of chairs? Problem is that those chairs usually come with a big price tag. So, heavy on inspiration, and light on funding, the rehabilitation of my curb-side-chair began. First, we removed the rust, a process I discuss in detail on the blog. Then, to re-upholster the chair, we used an Ikea cowhide rug we found on Craigslist.

We love the end result. It’s hard to imagine that this beauty had been put out to pasture, once upon a time. While I no longer treat living, breathing patients, a good redemption story is still something I live for, and this is one. Don’t tell me something isn’t worth saving, or fixing. Anything, and anyone, can be rehabilitated, if given the chance.

Thank you Heather! Stop by Heather’s blog for more details on her chair transformation.