Gadora‘s original idea for this upcycled chair came last spring with a chance passing in NoLa. A random storefront window held a darling, though not entirely functional, woven men’s tie chairGadora was inspired. Then not long after the move to Austin, I’d coordinated a garage sale day with the girls, mapping out possible hot spots promising great adventure. Towards day’s end a discarded pair of chairs were spotted in front of a house, we whipped the car around for a calculated look. Yes! One good one. With all its parts. We’ll take it. Thank you.

This would eventually be a two-part project: 1) refurbish said found chair with new seat and paint treatment, and 2) weave ties and cover the seat.

The chair itself needed work! A power sanding revealed layers of interesting paint choices, but gave the wood a smooth finish to work with.

sanded chair ~ revealed layers

sanded chair ~ revealed layers

• • •

Using a cardboard box, Gadora cut a seat template then begged* her Daddy to donate some scrap wood. *Cool as a cucumber my Dad happily obliged AND helped custom cut and sand the seat bottom to fit. With seat complete, I fired up Dad’s blower, after only a few labored pulls of the starter, to clean our mess. Dad digs I dig his power tools.

sanding seat from particle board

sanding seat from particle board

(more…)

Lest you think the Animal Print business has kept Gadora from scouring the streets of Austin for goodies, think again folks! While I’m happily, superbly, unbelievably busy with the Animal Prints (DAILYCANDY you ARE totally my new BFF), I have one eye on the workshop with its growing reminder of things wanting attention…

• • •

Remember that “tie-one-on” post? Let me refresh you… and as luck would have it, some nice folks placed this chair on their sidewalk just for Gadora!!! I’m gathering my ties, all in a similar color scheme, and plan to pick my seat (teehee), then make it happen.

Seatless Chair

Seatless Chair

Found two killer lamps (not even needing restringing) at an estate sale. Unfortunately, the family of 27 children who hit the sale moments prior to my arrival liked this lamp too, and tore into the shade. No worries people, Gadora and her muse have some CLEAR plans for this one!

Retro Lamp

Retro Lamp

(more…)

Last weekend, Gadora scored a charming round occasional table at a garage sale. This week, she gave it some sass!

Table - with top coat

Table - with top coat

First wood glue was applied to the joints, then allowed to set. The entire piece was sanded and once the red basecoat had dried Gadora applied a mixture of the butterscotch (as seen in video) and a more subdued ivory. Pretty.

Table with prominent red details

Table with prominent red details

Went back in once top coat was applied and gave the table more red detailing. Then sanded, applied top poly-urethane coat… and let it dry.

(more…)

At the risk of aging myself, today’s project conjured up a long-ago song that was Gadora’s favorite. (It shared top billing with Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” but I prefer YOU NOT ask!) I’d spin my Lionel Richie album, paying particular attention to “Round and Round.Yeah, yeah, yeah! Oooooh baby!

Side table - BEFORE

Side table - BEFORE

It’s hotter than a witch’s teet here in Texas, AJ’s feeling it too. But he wouldn’t dare NOT accompany me in the workshop. It’s just too fun.

At almost the halfway point, I’ve applied wood-glue to the inside joints, sanded the entire surface, and painted the undercoat with a great red.

Table - part deaux

Table - part 2

Next? Top coat of Behr’s butterscotch-colored latex, a light sanding, perhaps some deeper brown detailing, then a top coat. Then… you’ll see the big reveal.


Austin rocks. Besides the fact that it’s the music capital of these here United States, blah blah blah, just when Gadora thought scoring great finds at garage sales was futile… Austin delivers. Case in point…

24" round table with beveled top

24" round table with beveled top

And while the GS matron Maria and I visited amongst her things, her GS partner up-sold the early American mirror. “Ok, I’ll take it!”

Mirror and table - score!

Mirror and table - score!

More loot found on the way to check out a few furniture stores… practically free, Gadora scored a wicker/bamboo magazine rack (which Sandra suggested might suffice as a snazzy album holder!) and this twirly metal light fixture.

The Loot.

The Loot.

Though we weren’t in the market for a box of pigs, we stooped to get our hands on them. “There are 88 of ‘em in that box!!,” says the seller, propped in a garden lounger under the shade. He collected them for years. Was in some sort of secret swine society…

Piggy posse

Piggy posse

Oooooo-kay. But we’re still not paying $100 smackers for your silly sows, Mister. Even IF your cookie jar oinks!

Hog heaven...

Hog heaven...

Thanks Austin, for another great day! You do rock.

« Previous PageNext Page »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 27 other followers