Do you own a piece of furniture from an older era that fights your mid mod mad aesthetic? If you’re willing to embrace the eclectic: Upholster it is an outrageous fabric or one that contradicts its original era. That’s what Christine did — and now, she says, she has a chair that “makes me smile every time I walk into my living room.” How outrageous did she go? Pretty darned outrageous >>
Christine writes:
Hi Pam. Referring to your post about new old stock fabrics from GilFabrics (Etsy), I ended up buying the blue/green wave fabric and reupholstered a chair in it. The chair is a Victorian/Eastlake type of chair (wrong century – ha ha). It looks fantastic.
I looked for fabric for two years for this chair, so thanks to you and your write up on (the fabrics in) that shop, I now have a chair that makes me smile every time I walk into my living room. The chair looks great with my “Cone” Chairs too. I’m just a mish mash of eras!
Nicely done, Christine! My “dream house” would be a mish mash of eras, too. P.S. Writing this post led me to look at GilFabrics again. I ended up buying some vintage vinyl — the gold scrolled — for use in my Mahalo Lounge — some of the vintage vinyls on the site are pretty awesome!
Where to find vinyl upholstery fabric, with the vintage naugahyde look 
A store full of New Old Stock upholstery fabric — but what’s the most marketable? 
Frieze upholstery fabric 
49 samples of orange upholstery for my new midcentury modern sectional — 7 finalists — which to choose? 
COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Jan says
I have two of those type of chairs (officially, they are Eastlake design from about 1910 or so) that I’ve always wanted to do that to (as soon as I can forgive myself for covering up the lovely antique fabric my great-grandmother sat on in her first married home). My problem is that in some move, one of the front wheels fell off and disappeared. One good for sitting, but the other is either all wobblydegook or with the other wheel removed, you feel like your sliding off the front of the chair. So, I’m off on a search for the right wheel. You’d be surprised at just how many different wheels were made for Eastlake chairs – different sizes, different posts, even different wheel materials (above look like they’re porcelain; mine are wood). Great job, Christine!
Chris says
Yes they are porcelain. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have all 4 of them until you mentioned how difficult it was to find replacements
Bethany Karn says
Utterly brilliant. I love this. Did you do the upholstery yourself? If so I’m even more bowled over. You really saved that chair!
Joe Felice says
That chair should certainly attract attention!
alice says
Absolutely FANTASTIC!!
Suzie C says
I love the before shot -outside in the Fall
And the after shot -outside in the snow ????
Nice job! Looks great!
GlenEllyn says
What a nice way to breathe new life into this chair. Nice job!
Mary Elizabeth says
With the new upholstery, you have a truly unique piece here! And by the way, Eastlake (from Charles Eastlake) is a style of furniture from the later Victorian period, related to the Arts and Crafts movement. I love it. I think it is particularly suited to mixing in with other styles and periods, especially when you have one outstanding “pop” piece like this.
linoleummy says
Sock it to me (a-la Goldie Hawn on Laugh-In) Christine! It’s definitely a much more inviting seat IMHO now.
The one thing I have that I’d like to change the look of is a modest 1966 colonial style Ridgeway grandfather clock I inherited. If I could make a bamboo shell to fit over it and dress it up tiki style it would finally fit it’s location. Just a mask because it really is a nice clock.