Just when you least expect it...I was only driving to pick up my daughter from her practice when I turned at the stop sign, only to see this sitting out for trash. {{gasp}} What an adorable child's upholstered rocking chair!
Quickly, I turn around and go back to see if it is stable for use. I checked so quick and thought I would check it better later after I got home. Thankfully, this little platform rocker just needs a little TLC. It's perfect for
Trash to Treasure Tuesday fun! You'll see what my blogger friends have for you in a bit. Okay, back to the rocking chair.
Yes, it's a bit tousled, but it only needs a bit of doing and it will be good as new. update: Just after posting this, a friend asked where I picked it up at. Turns out she picked it from the curbs, passed it on to a friend who also set it back at the curb. Then, apparently another person picked it up, took it home, and then set it on the curb as well. bwahahahaha!! I'm the only idiot that wanted to work on it! {{I die}} They told me it used to have a music box on it that played when you rocked...so sweet!
DIY TIME
Obviously, the first thing to do is remove all the old upholstery. That is never an easy task but is so fulfilling. However, instead of just yanking it off, I try to keep all pieces intact so that I can replicate them for the new. At first glance I knew my hands were in for another wild ride. Upholstery is not an easy task by any means with a project like this. However, it can be sort of like therapy.
I lost count after 10,000 staples and 10 blisters later. Ugh!! No joke, this is one well-put-together little bugger. Over and over I kept saying how impressed I was at the craftsmanship and obvious attention to detail. That is, until I came to one thing. I had to remove the back rest in order to remove the upholstery.
Then, I had to remove the batting to get inside to repair the stuffing. When I did that, I found a paperboard support.
I was like...really? The question I kept asking is why go to all these lengths and then have something so important be so ill-made? So, to remedy that, I cut a piece of luan at attached it. Then, I added back the cotton and batting using my stapler.
NEXT STEPS
Outside of the fact that the upholstery needs to be replacing, there is other repairs that are evident. For instance, the base of this child's upholstered rocking chair is a platform. No typical rockers to rest on, but rather springs. The nails are popped and bent. In addition, some are broken completely.
This led to me removing, completely dismantling, and rebuilding the base with screws. I told you that I never seemingly choose an easy project. ahem. At least, that gives me the chance to fix everything and refresh the paint. Ya gotta see the silver lining!
Last, but not least, I can finally add the new upholstery to see my hours and hours of work pay off. I literally spent about 12 hours on this. Crazy! My goal was to make this a modern twist on this vintage piece. Here are my choices for fabric - neutral, and full of whimsy.
I love this fabric so much, don't you?
THE REVEAL
After long last, this child's upholstered rocking chair is now renewed.
This little thing kicked my butt, I'm not gonna lie. Typically, when you take apart a piece of upholstered furniture, you can take pictures or notes to help you remember how to assemble. However, this one has a unique assembly where the arms are attached at the back, then upholstered. Talk about fun! I liken it to having my teeth repaired. haha.
I'm so smitten with the outcome after all the work. If you notice, I left off the skirt on the bottom. I loved the fact that now it has a more modern vibe, though a skirt would have been cute as well.
In addition, another fun part for me is dressing it up with two different fabrics. They complement each other beautifully and keep a neutral vibe.
DAYS FLY BY
Now that my littlest is growing leaps and bounds, she no longer fits this size chair. It makes me proud, but also sad in some instances. Life flies by so fast and I would love to savor each moment.
This little moose is a gift my daughter received for being in the
NICU when she was born 6 weeks early. In some ways it seems like ages ago, but in others, so real and recent. I'm so thankful for all my blessings.
My goal is to inspire you to give DIY a try. That you too can tackle projects like this. It only takes time and a willingness to learn. If you'd like to have this for the little one in your life, you can find it and more available in
my online shop.
Also, do pin and share to inspire others. We can all learn new things no matter what stage of life we're in.
MORE DIY FUN
Up next, these three thrifted pieces will be getting makeovers by 3 of my daughters. See their afters
over HERE!
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Check out these funtastic projects to inspire you:
- Salvaged Inspirations
- Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer
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- Girl in the Garage
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