Welcome to the Decor To Adore September spectacular. This entire month will be devoted to before and after makeovers, simple craft projects and other bits of bliss that everyone loves. To kick it off, my wingchairs are finally ready for their close up. It only took eight months. Wingchairs Slipcovered in Ticking.
Wingchairs Slipcovered in Ticking
But I am getting ahead of myself. Remember back in December when I found these “side of the road sale” beauties? What I loved: the scale of these particular wingchairs was on the small side, which made them perfect for my office. What I hated: the upholstery screamed 1980’s and the dark wood…not so much.
I had purchased this grain sack over 10 years ago when I lived in Germany. Yep, always ahead of the trend….The initials on one side were “L.I.” I enlisted the awesome cross stitch skills of my favorite cousin in love to create Mr. Decor’s initials on the opposite side of the sack because he appreciates little details like that. A big round of applause for her.
White Twill Wingchairs
Now the chairs were pretty old. Not only did the upholstery need to be replaced, but the foam cushion was shot as well. I purchased plain white twill at S.A.S. Fabrics in Phoenix for $3.00 a yard. The chairs required about 8 yards.
They look pretty cute this way. I adore the extra layer of the new down cushion. But with a dog who thinks every furniture surface is his to lay on and two children, I knew that the pristine whiteness would not last long.
One thing about me is when I get an image in my mind I will not settle for anything less than what I want. I wanted the chairs to be covered in a combination of antique grain sack and vintage ticking. We’ve all heard the rumors that the grain sack trend is over. The thing is, I still like my monogrammed grain sack and wanted to use it. Yep, that’s me. Always going against the grain. Pardon the pun. I find that being a slave to trends is exhausting and expensive. It’s better to settle for something timeless.
While I loved my personalized grain sack, I didn’t want to cover an entire chair in it. Given that we live in Phoenix and spend 9 months of our lives in shorts, a grain sack covered chair had the potential for rubbing and chaffing. This would result in chairs that would probably not get sat on and then, what would be the point?
Antique Ticking
So that’s where the vintage ticking came in. It couldn’t be new ticking, which is available at any fabric store. The reason being is that the texture and thickness of new ticking just ISN’T the same. There is also an aging process with fabric. I wanted it to blend in with the old grain sack. So I waited, and stalked eBay and waited some more. Another quirk of my personality is that I am the type of person who would rather wait for what I want than to settle for something I would not be happy with. Which is why it took 8 months for these chairs to be finished.
Was it worth the wait? Well, if you read the previous post you know that my patience was rewarded beautifully. The ticking pillows that I made back in June look pretty good on the finished chairs.
One of my favorite touches on the chairs is the name tag that now has found new life on the armrest. It was on the original fabric that had been made into a mattress cover by the family of one Jacob G. Peachey.
So, my office is now half finished. I think the chairs look pretty good with the Craigslist bookcase. Do you see the wee little picture on the wall?
This was another Grandma’s Attic find. It cost as much as the ticking (woo hoo) but it was one of those things that right when I saw it, I knew it was going home with me. It reminds me of my own Sweet Boy who was born in Germany.
Other projects to be completed for the office: the wee footstool that belonged to my great-grandmother, Lenora, will soon be getting a slipcover. (Rudi, the doxie needs all the help he can get, the spoiled dog.) Also on the to-do list: giving the small tv cabinet in the room a makeover, as well as the lamp in between the two chairs and finding some additional new/old artwork.
Be blessed,
Laura
the chairs are delightful! as well as the pillows you made. as far as the baby? nothing trumps a baby. Blessings to you!
Laura, your chairs are gorgeous!! I have always loved ticking. It is so fresh and crisp looking! The chairs turned out great! I have a wing chair that I got at Goodwill and I think I will paint the legs white. I love that look! Have a wonderful weekend with your company. Love & blessings from NC!
ABSOLUTELY amazing what you have done with these chairs!! WOW!! They look GORGEOUS!! And that baby is beyond precious!! CONGRATS to your friends! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
AMAZING. I love, love, love them! And I am not so sure that the grain sack trend is over…at least, its certainly not over for me! I love sticking with what I love…and the new Pottery Barn Fall Collection features the grain sack in their home de'cor. So maybe you aren't so behind the trend after all… 🙂
HONEY! I love them sooo much! So proud!
Your chairs are fabulous. I loved them in all white, but the ticking and grainsack are just perfect. Your pillows look wonderful with them too. Great job. Have a super weekend. Hugs, Marty
Awww, precious baby! Love the painting and those chairs…. you are AWESOME!!!!! 🙂
Hope you have a blessed Labor Day weekend.
They are perfect and well worth the wait (I have whole areas of my house just waiting for the “right” thing). I love the monograms, the pillows, the old fabric AND the label stitched on the arm – so basically, all of it! SAS is the best place ever (I almost fainted the day I got there and found it closed because of that fire).
Beautiful Laura! You are a patient woman to wait!Love the artwork!
Karen
Wow, I LOVE your new slipcovers! They are gorgeous!!! What an amazing difference from how they used to look! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful job, Laura! It takes a lot of creative stamina to keep going for 8 months on a project! But, Oh, the results were definitely worth it! Love how they turned out!
I'll try again —
If you get tired of those wonderful chairs, I want them!
Scribbler
I love the pictures and color you chose for this month's collage banner, Laura! The chairs turned out fabulous and I love your pillows ~ they sit just right so you can see the monograms. Sometimes it pays to wait. I have to tell you though that sometimes things that come in and go out, are still things I enjoy myself {not like big 80's hair}; little home touches and accessories.
Laura,
They are wonderful! The embroidered initials and Jacob Peachey’s name tag on the arm of the chair are my favorite features of the chairs.
What a beautiful new neighbor you have. Out of the five children living next door now, I hope one is your sweet boy's age.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Laura, such an unusual and creative combination…the chairs look nothing short of fantastic!!
wow, those turned out sooooo beautiful!!!
I love the chairs. Isn't it great to freshen up something you already have? Fabulous! And congratulations to Kristina…I am a homebirther myself! Lisa~
The chairs were so worth the wait–you and Deb did a terrific job! Have a wonderful weekend!
It's always worth the wait and I'd say your chairs are proof of that. They are just lovely and now, personal.
Congrats to the brave neighbor with the new baby! Hope your weekend was great!
Your chairs turned out beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
Wow, Laura!! These chairs look fantastic!! Thanks for having faith in my needle skills & trusting me to do the “EG!” I loved being a part of this project & now, seeing the result!! AWESOME!! 🙂 Tara
Hey there Laura!! I'm totally in love with your new chairs. I've always been a fan of ticking because it “goes” with anything! You did a great job with the painting and that you had these fabulous grain sacks with initials. I don't think I'd attempt something that involved either. And good for you continuing with your classes. Thanks so much for joining in with the first VIF, I appreciate you taking the time to link up!
big hugs,
Debra
My goodnes those chairs are delightful! I LOVE your pillows on them! So glad you shared these on common ground!
Great job, very unique!
absolutely amazing chair re-dos. Love your grain sack backs.
Absolutely worth the wait. I love the personalized touch.
Wow! Your chairs turned out great! I have an 80's one stashed away in the attic, mauve no less. I need to get started on it. You have inspired me.
Annette
So stunning! I love them- great work!
I love the slipcovers!!! I have a leather wing chair/lazy boy that I want slip covered!
Cindy
Those chairs are amazing, my favorite part is the initials on the back. It is going to be one beautiful office.
Awesome! Love, Love, Love them! You did a great job! Your office is going to be so cute. 🙂
~Liz
laura, What gorgeous chairs these transformed into. Love, love the vintage grain sacks and ticking. Fabulous!
Sherry
I am in love with your chairs. What a wonderful use for ticking!
Why can't I find two wing chairs like this?
Nice!
Sandy
I just love the blue ticking. Wing backs are such beauties.
Love the chairs and the slipcovers are just beautiful! Your office is looking great! take care, maryann
Brilliant!! And brilliant again for making the apron!!
This is beautiful. I am hosting a 50 dollar CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by.Thanks Anu!
Wow just had to say how much I love those chairs. Coming here from Romantic Homes…great site just like yours! Glad I found you.
Those chairs are so nice. Great job.
WOW! Terrific makeovers!!! Way to go, girly! I'm happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! I'd also like to invite you to link your wonderful creations up at my Fabulous Friday Finds party, each Friday! Hope to see you there!
Hugs,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~
i love what you did with these chairs using the two different fabrics – just gorgeous! I'm so glad you visited me because I was able to find you! I'm your newest follower!
What can I say love love love these chairs!!!! Precious
Those look great. I love the down cushions. I'm about to tackle slipping my leather club chair so you've given me encouragement. Gotta love having dogs in the house.
These look beautiful!
Hi, I came over from Mustard Seed's. I think your chairs are adorable! I love the ticking. My fabric source has yards and yards of it in black for $3.00/yard. Your chairs make me want to go buy all of it and give this idea a try.
Kelly
Wow…fabulous! Your hard work certainly paid off! They are gorgeous! Happy weekend!…hugs…Debbie
I love your wing chairs!! I just bought one today myself to recover and am so happy to read through your post. I'm actually from Germany, and love your old german stitched fabric! Living now in the States I always love to find other Germans over here!