How to Re-cover a Non-removable Seat

I finally figured out a way to re-cover the seat on a bench or chair that I couldn't easily remove.  I've always attempted covering the seats that are only attached from underneath with several screws.  But, every time I've seen a chair with the seat permanently attached I've balked and not attempted it.  Well, I finally felt like I had a plan.  I practiced on a vanity bench and I did it.  Yea!!!!

This vintage vanity seat has curvy cabriole legs.  I recovered it in a creamy Belgium linen with braided trim and nail heads in the corners. I love how it turned out and I wanted to share how I did it.

Here's what I started out with---great bones, bad fabric.

I removed the old fabric(s) and the gazillion nails first.  Then I added some new batting to pad it.  I had some beautiful linen fabric I wanted to use.  I cut a piece of it larger than the seat and draped it over the vanity seat.

Yes, I'm doing this on my fold-out card board cutting board on my daughter's bed.  So professional.

The next step is to staple in the center of each side.  Make sure you pull the fabric tightly.  This step is important because you want the cover to be tight and straight. 

I use an electric staple gun and 5/16 staple size.

I then work my way around the bench top.  Continue around the bench, stapling in the center between the staples until you make it all around the perimeter.  You'll be going around and around several times but this process will keep it straight and tight. Notice that I had to make folds in the corners.  Make sure the folds all face the same way.

I followed the lip at the edge of the bench seat and cut away the excess.  (Sorry for the blurry pic.  I didn't notice it was blurry until this step was covered up and it was too late to re-take. )

Now you need to cover up those staples.  I used some braided trim.  You could use gimp, hem tape, grosgrain ribbon, double welt cording, or something I'm wanting to try--- narrow burlap on a roll.  Find it here.

Braided Trim

I attached mine with fabric glue.  You could also use a hot glue gun.

Fabric Glue

The trim does a nice job of covering the staples and the rough edge.  Glue wasn't dry when I took the photo but it dries clear.

Normally, I would cover this trim with nail head but I decided I liked the trim alone and only put nail head in the corners.  Here's the final project again.

.

Love the leg.

Are you ready to give it a try?  I have a chair I'm going to attempt next.


Kathy

To see my previous tutorial on how to re-cover a simple chair seat--the easy one--- go here.

BTW, my friend, Mary Alice, bought the bench at Vintagepalooza.  She said that it will be perfect at the foot of her bed.   She writes the blog, Chateau Chic and sells her vintage wares at Rust and Feathers.  Please take a peek at her blog and the shop.  You won't be disappointed.

Some of What I'll Have at Vintagepalooza

It came up fast but this Saturday, the 15th, is Vintagepalooza  and I wanted to tempt you with some of what I'll have for sale.

The Vintage Marketplace at Glenwood
2945 RT 97
Glenwood, MD 21738

Please visit their website to see what

all the vendors are showcasing:

https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageMarketplaceatGlenwood?ref=ts&fref=ts


I'll have this fabulous garden table.  It could work inside or outside on your porch or patio.  Six can sit comfortably around it.  On top is a dough bowl with boxwood spheres and on the bottom shelf a small lazy susan.

My favorite furniture piece for this sale is this re-purposed file drawer section.  The raised panels suggested a Union Jack design to me.  I did a Union Jack variation in tones of black and gray.  I added some vintage iron legs from my stash to raise it up.  It could  be a side table or a buffet with file storage.

Front

I cascaded the pattern to the back as well as onto the front.

Back Side

I just had to share the before.

Before

For Mid Century Modern fans I'll have a brass bar cart, metal faux bamboo glass-topped table, side chair with chevron fabric, bar ware, a green demi-john with peacock feathers, and gold pheasant salt and pepper shakers.

I always love caned pieces.  I have the rails for this single bed which would make a perfect day bed.  The one-drawer night stand matches the bed.  The vintage metal wall sconce has been re-wired and has a plug.   No need to call the electrician.  The book ends are architectural fragments.  Scrolly ironwork can go inside or in the garden.

I always have to have some nature-inspired items for sale.  I filled a cloche with shells and placed it on a Pottery Barn pedestal.  The shell on a stand is faux.  The turtle shell and antlers are authentic.

I was so excited when I found these rubber stamps in their original box.
 There are 89 letters and symbols!!!!!

All things Frenchy next.  The Robin Hood flour sign is enamelware as is the canister set.  They're resting on a ledger book within a scale.

I'll have my shabby stools that got their face lifts.

This vintage vanity has curvy cabriole legs.  I recovered it in a creamy Belgium linen with braided trim and nail heads in the corners.  Check back later for tutorial.

Gotta love that leg.

I hope to see all you DC area readers on Saturday.

Kathy

September Stylish Patina Barn Sale

I wanted to share some of the vintage items I'll have for sale this month.  I've also followed the lead of all the retail stores and added some Fall/Halloween decor to the mix.

This ladies writing desk was too pretty to paint.  I believe it originally came from Ballard Designs.  I paired it with this Italian caned back chair with a lovely linen seat.  I think it would make a great bill paying/paper work area in a kitchen or bedroom.

This vanity bench was one of my furniture transformations.  How I did it and what it looked like originally will be in another post.

I painted this vintage drum table a soft gray and then distressed it.  This would work as a side table with a ton of storage inside.  I could see it with a fun lamp on it.

I've been selling these wire cloches in the store and am finally getting around to making one into pendant lighting.  How to on this and the burlap cording in a future post.  I added an Edison bulb to add some interest.

I'll be selling my Woodstock typewriter this sale.  The hoarder in me decided to let it go.

I'm also selling my bug chart.  It looks so Halloween--had to do it.

I just purchased this fabulous clock.  Another perfect Fall back drop.

I have more of those ever popular vintage cameras.

I always love to purchase clock faces.
 If you add a ribbon they become tree ornaments for the holiday.

Votives surrounded by pumpkins and pine cones in an old cash drawer.

I always love antlers any time of year.

Can't forget the birds.

Sheet music and stand which could be used to hold a photo.

Bar ware  is always popular.

Urns and Skulls

This vintage pendant light is re-wired and it's suspended in a vintage frame.

Here is a nice selection of vintage mirrors.

You know how I love houndstooth.  I've decorated some pumpkins with my favorite geometric.

I hope all you DC area readers with come to our sale and get some Fall decor inspiration.

Kathy

Stylish Patina Barn Sale

Sale Dates

Sept. 21,22,23

10am to 5pm


  4051 Stanford Ct, Frederick MD
- We are right off Rt. 15 {coming from Leesburg it's a right / coming from 270 it's a left} turn on to Mountville Rd.
- 1st left onto Winchester Blvd.
- Wind through the industrial park
- Turn right into the horse farm at Stanford Ct!  You'll see our sign at the end of the road.
*** Stanford Ct is a new road so most GPS's don't find it so use a phone mapping system or print directions from Google before you leave.

A Tale of Two Benches

It was the best of design; it was the worst of fabric. 

My apologies, Chuck.  I couldn't resist.

I loved the oval shape of this vanity bench, but the fabric had to go.  I decided that I'm liking the pink and that some black and white zebra fabric was just what it needed.

The fabric on the second vanity bench wasn't bad at all.

I decided that since orange is predicted to be THE color, that's the way I'd go.   To complement the orange, I used some of the trellis fabric that I had used in my sun room.

I think that the orange vanity bench is my favorite.

FIY a vanity bench is not just for a vanity.  It looks good at the foot of a bed.  Add a tray and it becomes a coffee table or side table/night stand.

Which one do you like?