4.23.2014

One Room Challenge - Week Four - Upholstery



Welcome back to week 4 of The One Room Challenge™.   Thank you for following along as I join 19 other insanely talented folks in redoing a room in six short weeks all while we document the process.  And boy is time flying.  Let me put it to you this way, I did not think I would be reliving a repeat of my down-to-the-wire bedroom as was the case with the last ORC.  But here we are at week 4 and I still do not have paint on my walls.  How is this even possible?   I want to cry myself to sleep on my big fat pilla.  To catch up on the drama from the beginning, click the following links below:

WEEK 1:  Plan & Inspiration
WEEK 2:  Progress Report – Floors
WEEK 3:  Progress Report - Electricity 

But now is not the time for melodrama so I will cut to the chase this week since last week’s missive was a lengthy one.  Full-on panic has officially set in.  That electricity debacle from last week is having an exponential effect on my timeline which has resulted in pushing the painting and wallpaper install out while we pace the floors like caged animals  patiently wait for silly details like ceiling patches to dry.  Grrrrr.

I am nothing if not predictable so running behind should come as no surprise.  However, this week has not been a total wash as we shifted gears a bit to focus on upholstery.  I finally nailed down most of my main fabric choices for the banquette throw pillows as well as a last minute add-on project involving animal print and pink fringe that my mister was super excited to tackle.  Side eye.
 

This is the part where, in spite of telling you that I would cut to the chase, I am going to take this opportunity to make it lengthy by sharing two loosely related stories in which I happen to stumble upon some more great deals.  But stick with me as they pertain to the animal print pink fringe extravaganza above.  So...once upon a time, namely last Thursday, I had yet to nail down a suitable host/ess chair for the as-yet found dining table and was beginning to fear that I might have to use my desk chair as a stand-in when I realized that I had a perfectly good candidate among my chair hoard.  





A few years ago I snagged an unfinished Ficks Reed rattan chair in a random warehouse close out sale.  And by random I mean a sketchy CL ad listing some designer fabric remnants for sale that my mister forwarded on to me.  Like a dope, with just an address, I headed out to some weird abandoned looking distribution/office park with no signs of life.  After discovering locked doors covered in paper at the given address, I was even more sure of my original conviction that CL is nothing more than urban legend.  I squealed out of the parking lot on two wheels when I saw two men quickly approaching my car from a side entrance.  Thankfully, a woman in a rather nice looking Lexus pulled alongside me to ask if this was the location of the Ficks Reed sale.  What the what?!  Turns out that random CL ad for fabric remnants was not only legit but part of a bigger sale by Ficks Reed that is held periodically to unload merchandise.  In fact, I am not even certain Ficks Reed is officially in business anymore but I do know that they have created incredible Palm Beach style furniture over the years that still carry a hefty resale price tag. In addition to some great fabric scores, I picked up an unfinished chair frame with gorgeous Chinoiserie detailing for $10 which has been sitting unfinished and largely ignored in my back tile room for the last three years.  I can’t make this stuff up.

Now, a few weeks ago, I happened to stop by the fabric store near my house – the very one that refused to sell me pillow inserts during the last one room challenge.  If you will recall, I mentioned the terrible customer service.  So I was not surprised  to find a big GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE sign (ahem, again) when I walked up.  What I was surprised to find was endless bolts of fabric and trim as far as the eye could see marked down 70%.  I quickly got over my rancor from the last visit and began throwin bows, snatching up as many bolts of fabric and trim that I could carry.  People, we are talking an average of $3 / yard, many of which will make their onscreen debut during the reveal.  One of my great deals was 15 yards of fabulous pink fringe trim that I knew I would use somewhere and that day arrived this past weekend when I got a wild hair up my bum to resurrect the Palm Beachy rattan chair from obscurity and use it as my host chair.

Now also, last week I made a trip out to one of my very FAVORITE fabric stores, The Fabric Shack in Waynesville, OH to pick up the rest of my fabric (and inserts!!!) for the room and while there, fell in love with yet another animal print.  Shocker.  I instantly fell for the blue colorway.  Had to have it and knew immediately that it was destined for the rattan chair.  As synchronicity would have it, my girl Elizabeth got the same fabric the same day for one of her projects.  #greatminds.  So the animal print fabric married the pink trim and it is a match made in preppy Palm Beach chic heaven.  I nervously cut the patterns and my uber-talented mister handled the sewing.  Yes, he does it all.







Now here is where YOU enter the story.  I need help deciding what to do with the finish on the chair given my cushion sitch.  Should I leave it nekkid, lacquer it up in some bright color, or simply stain it?  I have waffled 50 times.  Help a desperately tardy sister out, what say you?

How ‘bout we check out some actual progress?!  Let’s see what my lady friends are up to this week...


A special thank you to the following sponsors and supporters of Chez V and The One Room Challenge that are graciously providing items to help me bring my vision for this room to life:


All photos and styling by Emily Vanderputten unless otherwise noted

kisses,  mrs. V

40 comments:

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I can't believe your husband sews! You are quite the duo. My fabric hoarding tendencies just got really envious of that sale. So glad you did not hold back, and returned to the store. Not knowing exactly what else is going on in the room, I would vote for painting the chair a fun pop of color. Good luck.

Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com said...

This fabric is FABULOUS!! Such a teaser- I cannot wait to see more!

My Notting Hill said...

Isn't is great when you realize what you already have will work - and there's a fun story to go along with it. Love your fabric finds. I"m not sure about the chair - maybe white?

Unknown said...

What a steal that chair was! Not sure of your other fabric selections, but looking back at your inspiration board, I say a bright green lacquer or on the safe side, black lacquer. And the navy animal print lives in my LR in the form of sofa pillows, I LOVE it too!

Unknown said...

I can't believe your Mr sews...that is impressive...as is the animal print with pink fringe combo...and by impressive, I mean it SLAYS me. I'm not sure about the frame - was going to say paint but then I waffled too...will mull on that. Aces all around on the awesomely written post again and all the design details that I know are you going to make your final reveal EPIC!

kate@willowinteriors said...

LOL! Love your crazy CL story...I have had some shady encounters as well...what we do for a bargain! That chair with that fabric and trim...unbelievable!!! Can I borrow your Mister for my daughter's canopy...that I haven't started?? :)

Andrea said...

LOVE that chair, the fabric, and the fringe... Palm Beach Chic heaven for sure!! Great story, you know I love a bargain! I think you can definitely leave this chair as-is, but lacquer could be fun too. You can't go wrong, whatever you decide!

XOXO,
The Glam Pad

SHERRY HART said...

I could live in a 1000 sq ft house if I did not have so much fabric so I understand the insatiable need for more at all times:) The chair.....I can't even make up my mind on my own chairs....we got problems for sure:) Wait a minute....your husband sews.....whats up with that?

Elisa of Fancy Free Me said...

I'd go navy or cream on the chair.

Thats an amazing story about the warehouse, kinda freaky but really cool.

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Chair hoarding saves you money, right? Then you always have what you need stashed away somewhere. That's my logic.
Its awesome that your husband has all the skills you need. Its looking good sister!

StagerLinda said...

Ooooh, love that animal print and pink fringe trim. Very cool chair! It makes fell better after reading that you also buy with no clue when or how you will use 'it'--just that you love it.

Eris @ The Pink House Reno said...

Fabric is so much better with entertainment. If only it weren't morning, and I could drink a glass of wine instead of coffee? :) I'm with you, I cannot make a decision on the chair!

home before dark said...

That CL story brought out CC's great warning signs that may or may not include the need/warning of handguns!

But cheater, return to the fact that your Mister sews!! My Mister knew enough to stop bitchin' when it came time to right the chockable cheek for a Husqvarna after a I burned out two others. I think Mr. V deserves a post of his own!

ps My husband of 39 years not only can't sew, he would not put his quite skinny butt in a rattan chair. Seems he still remembers coming to my apartment on our first date. He sat in a director's chair I had made new (not as hefty as canvas but beautiful fabric) and he split the fabric in half. More Mr. V stories, please.

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

You two are a team like no other! And now I feel like I need to find some similar trim cuz it looks amazing with OUR fabric. :) As for the chair, that's a tough call. Will the table be wood or painted?

Annie said...

KEEP the chair blonde... as is! I like a good lacquered chair, but this is so gorgeous as is, it would be a shame to lose those natural variations. LOOKING GREAT!

Jessie said...

You are so lucky to have a husband who can sew, I wish mine can sew, too. :)
I love the beautiful chair! Can't wait to see the finish you picked for it.

P/S: I am hosting a giveaway on my blog, by the way. So, come by and enter for a chance to win a fab handheld vac from Black+Decker!

http://www.mixandchic.com/2014/04/blackdecker-pivot-vac-best-handheld.html

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Albertina M. Cisneros said...

I wish my husband could sew! Amazing! You chose well indeed! Love that print with pink...I DIE!! I would paint the chair a fun color and make it pop...but I think it will look good anyway you decide to go.

Beth Connolly said...

If I could get beyond the fact that your husband sews which I can't, I would say that I love the fabric and the trim and would paint the chair white.

pattyswells said...

Whatever you decide about the chair, I'm sure it will be fabulous. Have you thought about a pickled finish on the chair which looks to be in perfectly good condition? It would go with white, but have more depth and be more versatile.

Unknown said...

I'm loving the fabric/fringe combo so I trust you to make the right decision. I have a blown brain gasket right now making my own decisions and rethinking them so I'll be of no help. No doubt I will love whatever you decide. Awesome chair.

Unknown said...

A husband who sews!!!! A gem.

Ok, I say no paintey the chair. But wait, what color is the table?

Beth of designPOST Interiors said...

Lacquer just seems right! I would kill for sewing skills- me OR my husband!

Carrie said...

Love the chair. I would probably do nothing to it, but then I am wabi-sabi to the max. Can't wait to see what you choose! :)

Unknown said...

I can't believe your husband sews! what a riot! I Love love love that fabric ! any more left? I think you should laquer those chairs a deep rich navy.

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

What great stories!!! I LOVE that pink fringe. Can I say I'm dying for the reveal??

Kim said...

Okay … the fabric, which you know I love because I have something similar … but my husband doesn't sew. Do you always have to show me up??? HAHA!! I love all you are doing and how creative … and the pink fringe? Spot on!!

Mallory said...

These stories really get my blood pressure up! I would have been a loose cannon at $3 a yard... #throwinbows And, of course, my vote is lacquer on the chair... I can't wait to see all of these fabrics in their new home! xo

pam {simple details} said...

Ok, you may not whine about another thing when you have a husband that sews!!!! :) I'm a wishy-washy mess over here and fear if I gave you an opinion on the chair I'd be emailing tomorrow with a different one! Good luck, it's looking amazing aready!

Reichel Broussard said...

Wait, I'm still reeling that your Mr does the sewing! I LOVE that. And I love what you have going on so far! Great chair!

therelishedroost said...

What fun fabric and trim!!

charmaine said...

Your hubs is a keeper. I'm not sure about the chair either. Maybe a shade of pink?

Unknown said...

love that fabric and trim combo on the ottoman. chiming in...in support of lacquer for the chair. dana

Three Sisterz said...

You are too cool for school. I love that you have such vision and the chutzpah to follow through. Can't wait to see the chair. I sway toward leaving the chair in all it's original glory, but I'm super conservative so don't listen to me! xo

Unknown said...

Whatever you do will be fab, but I say lacquer!!

Anonymous said...

Everything is going to look so good!! Can't wait for the final reveal! As far as the chair goes, I would lacquer it the same color as the middle of the leopard spots in your fabric. Good Luck!!

-Ginny

Mary Ann Pickett said...

My heart stopped when I saw the lines of the chair!!! And HOW FUN is the fabric you have selected. There is nothing better than a bargain, too!

Cannot wait to see more!

The Pink Pagoda said...

So funny, Emily -- I'm working on a Ficks Reed rattan chair this weekend which will have remarkably similar
upholstery colors! I think either very light staining or white lacquer. Whatever you do will be fantastic and I can't wait to see what you decide. Oh, and when I say I'm working on the chair I mean my husband is doing some work while I supervise : )

Debbie@Vintage Scout Interiors said...

So glad to have found you. I am live in Dayton- down in Cinci frequently sourcing. Hope to run into you one day. -Debbie, Vintage Scout Interiors

Tobe | BIA said...

That is some CL story, yo. I have a few to rival it, which doesn't really make me proud. Suuuuper sketchy.

I have a hard time painting anything if it's still in good condition...but I'm a natural girl. I'm sure you will make the right call when things start coming together. The cushions are killer! ox

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Such a fun fringe detail. And the hubby... keeper!

Curious to see how you tie this to the paper. Art??