As I hinted at last week, I'm happy to show you my first project of the new year today! You all were so kind about the Louis style chairs that I found at TJ Maxx when I shared how I darkened the finish on them. So, how do you like them now?
All along, I was happy with the upholstery on these chairs, but you know I couldn't leave well enough alone. However, I didn't want to disassemble the back to add a fun fabric, so I thought these might work. Glue dots are easily found at most craft stores, and I used the "Super Strength, Multi-Use" variety. It stated on the box that they could be used with textiles, so I thought I'd give it a try.
This was my method: I used a piece of tissue paper to trace the back of the chair, and then used that for a pattern to cut out my fabric. I tried to get it to fit exactly within the frame. Then, I applied a glue dot about every 3-4 inches around the perimeter of the fabric, getting close to the edge. Mash it down hard into the fabric so it will stay flat and smooth when you peel the paper back.
Next, affix the fabric to the back of the chair, pressing each spot where a glue dot is very firmly. Finally, I used a thin braided trim to cover the edge. I applied it with small dots of hot glue every few inches, making sure that I was gluing to the spotted fabric and not the original chair fabric (just in case I ever want to go back to the original). Since this panel is tucked inside the frame of the chair, it never gets any wear so I expect this to hold up well.
And that's it! I'm still surprised when I walk in the room and see them at the major impact it made in the space!
The spots on the chairs echo the polka dot walls on the other side of the kitchen, which I didn't take down after Christmas...I had a feeling I'd leave them up!
I've got two more additions planned in this little breakfast nook, and then I'll call it finished! One is fast and easy, one will take me a while. I'll keep you posted!
(See how I did a light refinish of the chairs here.)
Love the fabric, it's the perfect added detail and it was so easy too!
ReplyDeletelove it and it feels so much more like YOU!
ReplyDeleteLove this - can't wait to try this is my dining room!
ReplyDeleteClever ....Oh so, so Clever!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this. LOVE it. I made such a difference! Gorgeous chairs and fabric.
ReplyDeleteVery cool and very clever! Looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Jennifer :) xo K
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to try something with those glue dots! I LOVE that fabric and it flows perfectly with your house!
ReplyDeleteGenius. I love this. How fun. Great tutorial too. I would love for you to link this up to my Inspire Me party. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun update, I love that print! I've never tried glue dots, will have to check them out!
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! Upholstery scares the dayligts out of me but I really need to dive it...great tips!!! Xo
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me! That Is a genius idea and I love the graphic print, too!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ Number Fifty-Three
So very smart! And of course you know I love that fab polka dot fabric!!
ReplyDeleteSuper idea, Jennifer! (And I really love that stain on the chairs--great choice.)
ReplyDeleteLove, love how your chairs look with the new polka dot fabric! Glue dots are amazing - I use them for everything!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I LOOOOVE that change!! And what a smart way to attach the fabric! The trim I think makes it look really professional and finished. Great job Jennifer, I love how you think outside the box!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! These really look great.
ReplyDeleteThey look awesome! What a great idea to use the glue dots. You're so clever :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. They turned out great.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, especially for someone who changes their mind a lot like me! :) Love your fabric choice too!
ReplyDeleteJennifer they turned out AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so very clever!! Such an easy project, but the impact is huge! The trim is the perfect finishing touch too. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI love when the fabric on the back of chairs are different - it is a nice accent to the room.
ReplyDeleteCute cute chairs and I use those dots, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference the fabric makes! I love the change- so fresh and apparently so easy to do.
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS!!! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a great upholstery trick! and the new fabric really makes the chairs pop.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative way to spruce up your dining room chairs! Love it!
ReplyDeleteooh!! Very cool! LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteWell hello there gorgeous! Such a smart way to "reupholster" a chair without actually disassembling anything. I love it. It makes it so easy to change the look at any time. They look awesome:)
ReplyDeleteI love this upholstery trick!!! Loved the chairs before even more fun now!!! XO, Aimee
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so clever and what a huge impact! I love them. It almost looks honeycomb from a distance which is always great! Summer www.simplestylings.com
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspiring. I bought the same style in barstools. I stenciled a Y on the back but am not happy with it. This is just the inspiration I need. The stain and the fabric changes are amazing. Once again, you have taken an ordinary object and made it extraordinary!
ReplyDeleteLisa Young
Love it! You know I adore black and white....and polka dots! :) Great job...they look amazing.
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
What a great way to change the look and feel of your room anytime you want.....very clever!
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing! I can't believe you put fabric right over top, that is genius. I love the look, nice job.
ReplyDeleteTammy @ thecoloreddoor.blogspot.com
Jennifer-these are spot on!! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat look and brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteHow simple yet it looks like it would have taken more to do. Love it. I have four of these chairs and now I know how I am going to mix up the color, thanks for sharing. Alaina
ReplyDeleteVery Pretty! Did you by chance use the same linen look fabric for the glue dots ? I
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I bought the same chairs on Sunday from Marshalls I was thinking about staining them. Do you have a post on how you did it? What kind of tissue paper did you used for the pattern?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Hi Karinny! Yes, here's the post about the chairs:
Deletehttp://dimplesandtangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/kitchen-breakfast-nook-new-chairs.html
I just used tissue paper that I would put in a gift bag. Any type or even a piece of newspaper would work great!
Love the chairs with the new fabric! Where did you purchase it? Always great ideas from you.
ReplyDeleteHi Christa! I purchased the fabric from Berkeley Interiors in Dallas. The only info. on the tag was "Source: MGA, Pattern: Ghazi, Color: Dalmation." Sorry I don't have any more details on it.
DeleteVery creative idea. I can't leave anything alone, either.
ReplyDeleteThe chairs are amazing! Great Job!
ReplyDeleteIs there anything more to say other than:
ReplyDelete1 - Oh my word!
2 - LOVE!
3 - and YOU ROCK?
Didn't think so. ;)
You had me at "no upholstery" and this really transforms the chairs! I've never heard of glue dots before but will look for them now.
ReplyDeleteUm...gorgeous! And so clever.
ReplyDeleteStephanie @ http://www.thestyledsoul.com
I love it. Black is my favorite decorating color, oh and red.
ReplyDeleteI just adore these chairs and I think this is the neatest thing. Love the dots and great tutorial too. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThose turned out beautifully!
ReplyDeleteGlue dots!?! I never, ever would have guessed. This project is awesome!! Love the fabric and the bold pop it gives those chairs!
ReplyDeleteI love it, I have chair shaped like yours, I covered the seat with some material that had the color as the back, looked so much better. But didn't know what to make the backs look better too. Now I do. Going to try this
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this. Can you tell me what style table that is? I know it's old, but what style is it? Thanks :-) Thanks - Michelle Fitzgerald
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I have no idea! Sorry.
DeleteNo worries. I love it though!. I am on the hunt as we speak. The problem is not finding them, it's finding one with a leaf. Did you refinish it at all? If so, what finish did you use?
DeleteI've had it for 20+ years. My Dad refinished it for me when I first got it (stain + varnish). I redid it again a few years ago, stripping the old varnish off and just using a flat coat of poly, so it's basically the natural color of the mahogany. Funny story on the leaves... when my parents bought it at a yard sale it didn't have the leaves. Several years later, living in a different town, I was talking with a friend about the table and mentioned I wished it had leaves, and he said he knew of some in storage that no one was using (no table with them), and they miraculously matched my table, profile and everything! I had a carpenter add apron pieces to the leaves because I wanted to leave them in all the time. So yes, I know the leaves are tricky!
Delete