DIY Inspiration: Mid-Century Shell Chair Updates & Upgrades
We love the classic Eames shell chairs for all their beautiful simplicity, but even the most classic and beautiful things in life can sometimes use an upgrade. Whether you’ve got an original in need of restoration or a knockoff that could use some jazzing-up, there’s a project here to suit your chair — and your style.
Decoupage Banana Leaf Chair by Melodrama (shown above)
Print out a banana leaf pattern, decoupage it to the seat, paint the legs coral, and voila—tropical chair!
Dumpster Find Into a Holographic Chair by Paper & Stitch
This unicorn chair was created with just holographic tissue paper and Modge Podge.
DIY Striped Midcentury Shell Chair by Lovely Indeed
This chair is totally transformed with only vinyl tape, gold tape, and an X-Acto knife.
Use Tissue Paper to Give Furniture a Cheap Makeover by Brit + Co
This tissue paper and Modge Podge project takes a bit more patience.
DIY Blush Mid-Century Side Chair Makeover by Dream Green DIY
Transform a chair with just two paints: pastel for the seat, metallic for the legs.
DIY Colorblocked Office Chair by A Joyful Riot
This project also only requires two spray paints, but mixes things up with a fancy swoop.
Vinyl Polka Dots Tutorial by Shrimp Salad Circus
Cute dots punched out of adhesive vinyl add a playful touch to a plain shell chair.
Knitting and Felting a Seat Pad by Lebenslustiger
Shell chairs are graceful and lovely but not very cushy; remedy that with these chunky pads.
Eames Shell Chair Restoration by Mox & Fodder
If you’d rather heal your chair rather than spice it up, here’s a walkthrough of the restoration process. Warning: “To be totally honest, the whole process was a major pain.”