Thrift Store Chair: Before and After

Before:

Bad Stain Job:

After:

 I found this chair at Goodwill (for $5!) and fell in love with the lines.  It's got some great details in the legs and I love the bow-tie back.  I envisioned refinishing it with a dark chocolate brown stain and this yellow fabric, but for some reason the stain did not take evenly and it turned out really red.  So, I opted for plan b-- an antique white satin paint.  I'm not crazy about the yellow fabric with the white paint, but for now it will do.  Plus, I am always looking for an excuse to shop for fabric. :)

Ottoman Empire

  I found this little darling at Goodwill for a price that was too good to pass up.  I've dabbled in reupholstering before and thought this would be fun to play with.

I got it home, removed the green vinyl only to find this little surprise.  I'm pretty sure that is cancer growing on the straw.

So, I wrapped it in plastic laminate (to seal in whatever delightful things are hiding in that hay), topped that with some thin batting and then... the piece de resistance: gorgeous velvet and cotton upholstery fabric donated by my good friend for the purpose! 

Those corners were a little trickier than expected.  Despite my weak staple gun skills (never mind that right corner), it's a very nice addition to the living room.  

Doesn't it look lovely with our new-to-us rug?  Another home-improvement-freebie from my design diva amiga.

Of course the children were in tears, begging me to take their picture on the new ottoman.  The children get want the children want.  I crown them emperor and empress of the ottoman empire.