Cottage Style Upholstered Chair

It's here! It's here!

My brand new {very old} chair is back from the reupholstery shop and I have to say, I am in love.

You may remember that many years ago, my plain white chair sprung a leak.

It was used, in our kitchen, on a daily basis.

It had grown up alongside our toddlers, in a busy household, filled with sticky fingers and pets.

And wrestling, lots of wrestling, to see who would sit in the only upholstered chair in the kitchen.

Well, until I bought myself a very comfy desk chair, but that's another story.

This one was affectionately referred to as the queen's chair, since I'm the queen of our home, and a very good wrestler, but eventually, all that love wore a giant hole in her majesty's seat.


I tried to fix it...twice, as a matter of fact. The first time I added a piece of fabric over the seat in an effort to cover up that unsightly rip.

It worked really well until the fabric on the arms just wore away. That required a more elaborate solution, one that resulted in a complete redesign, if you will, and the addition of a skirt.

That patchwork ruffle change turned my standard dining wing chair into a custom designed cottage style showstopper.

The chair that so many of you found my blog from...fell in love with and let me know it often.

So earlier this year, when I couldn't stop noticing the stains and the sagging bottom, it became clear that the type of furniture rebuild this baby needed was way beyond my iron on tape skill set.

Which made me a little nervous.

You see, I loved that chair as much as you did. More.

It was my DIY pride and joy. Plus, it defined my kitchen style.

At first, I looked high and low for a chair to replace it, one with floral fabric and the right proportions to fit the breakfast nook. When I failed, I looked for a plain white version that I could DIY and skirt up by myself again, with no luck.

That's when I decided to have this one, not only reupholstered, but completely rebuilt.

The floral fabric is Swavelle Mill Creek Torch Singer Bouquet, I bought it locally and the matelassé is called Nahant in Ivory from Calico Corners.

Now, before I show you the new chair, I want to warn you that it's different.

I adore it. Like, weak in the knees, ADORE it.

I actually gasped in the store when we picked it up. It was still shrouded in layers of plastic and my husband was joking around with the staff that he couldn't wait to go home and eat a big plate of spaghetti on it.


While I shot back that I may have to keep it wrapped in plastic, like my mom did with our furniture in the 70s, and everyone laughed, my mind was firmly on that chair. A little breathless from its beauty.

However. If it's not for you, I get it.

It's a departure from the old style. After all, been there, done that. Besides, it's been over a decade since the first makeover.

My style's evolved a bit. I was hoping for something a little more modern, but I still wanted to keep its feminine, country cottage, warm and inviting vibe. I think I've succeeded.


C'mon, isn't she lovely?

The floral fabric is embroidered with the most charming and delicate pattern. However, that means sitting on it could be a dangerous prospect, so we didn't put it on the seat.

For that, we used the same fabric from the family room window seat. The rooms are so close together, it just made sense. 

Plus, it's a classic, cottage style matelasse.


Although, the fabric was stunning, so I couldn't just put it on a skirt, which is longer this time around to cover the legs.

Instead, I put it everywhere else.


And we tied it all together with a pop of deep red welting. I have to be honest, the weather here has been frightful, on cue, I suppose.

But it makes taking pictures very difficult and so they really don't do the colors justice, but I couldn't wait to share my new treasure.

And you get the gist.


Rest assured, there will be many, many more photos to come. 

As I share this room during the holidays, in the upcoming weeks...and beyond.

Because this gem will be front and center for all to see.

And only see, because so far no one (and their big bowl of red sauce) has been allowed to sit on it.

Except, of course, the queen.

😉

So, give it to me straight. How do you like the chair?