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Posted by Heather on • Updated: • 46 Comments • This post may contain affiliate links.

Reupholstering a Chair. Our French-Canadian Chair Makeover.

Reupholstering a chair makeover…

My husband’s family hails from the U.P….that’s upper peninsula of Michigan. And much of his family roots are French-Canadian. I, myself am a mutt. I’m kinda from nowhere, and everywhere, but since I married into a family with a very French-sounding name, I claim I am French…because everyone knows French is fancy. And I like fancy.

For instance…

french chair before a makeoverPin

 

 
 
Take this chair. I bought two of them at auction for $16 each. If your first thought is, “she overpaid,” you’re not alone. My husband said the same thing. It was fancy. And French. I have a soft spot, what can I say?
 
Enter the Canadian portion of this story. After all, we are French-CANADIAN.

I have a couple designer crushes. One of whom is Sarah Richardson. She’s Canadian.

And I feel we are destined to be friends, her and I (and of course, Tommy. If you know Sarah, you know you cannot forget Tommy).
 
One day, I was watching re-runs of her show, because that is all that is currently available to us in the US, and I noticed that she has an office chair covered in a fabric by Braemore called “Wonderland Pearl”. I love it. 
 
And it just so happens that I had purchased a TON of this already when I found out that Sarah had used it, so of course, I feel that we have a certain connection. Yes, I do understand the definition of “delusional”. Moving on…
 
I decided to reupholster a chair, our French chairs, with my Canadian-approved fabric. It did not seem to me initially that this would be a huge endeavor. I was trés wrong. I’ve never seen as many upholstery staples on a piece of furniture as these suckers had.
 
It took h.o.u.r.s. just to remove the staples. If you are going to attempt a similar mission impossible, er, endeavor, I HIGHLY recommend this tool. And this one as well.

You can thank me later (much later, because it still will take FOREVER to get out those blasted staples). In the end, I *think* it was worth the effort, eh? Introducing our French-Canadian chairs…

how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin
 

 

I decided to use a drop cloth for the seat and box pleat skirt. I had little budget for this project, so a $10 drop cloth seemed right up my alley.
 
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

And I think the results look fairly magnifique.
 
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

I piped the floral fabric and used that to trim the skirt to add another hint of that fabric into the mix.
 
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin
 

 

Flirty, feminine & far from perfect…
 
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

just what I was hoping for.
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

Another project done…

how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover Pin
 

 

To celebrate, I’m going to go invite my friend Sarah over to lounge on these chairs while we enjoy perhaps a nice French croissant with a side of, I don’t know…Canadian bacon?
how to reupholster a chair - our french canadian chair makeover from www.heatherednest.comPin
 
 

 

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About Heather Thibodeau

A former doctor of physical therapy, Heather Thibodeau went from rehabilitating people to homes as the primary creative force behind the DIY and home decorating website, The Heathered Nest.

With her work being published both in print and online in places such as Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple and more, Heather's goal is to help people create a home they love, one DIY project at a time.

Comments

  1. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey says

    Hello, Heather — I stopped by to see your chairs because I have 2 just like them. I haven’t a clue what to do with them. I love the way you coordinated yours with your drapes. It’s such a fun pattern. Of course, I’m impressed that you did that project because my sewing machine is gathering dust in our garage. You did a great job. I saw your link at Friday’s Furniture Fix.

    Reply

  2. Terry says

    Your Chairs are B R E A T H T A K I N G ! ! ! I absolutely love them! I am a huge Sarah Richardson fan and I adore the fabrics she chooses. You really have a great design eye! You did a lovely job! I would be so happy if you would share this at Making Broken Beautiful. It goes every week from Thursday to sunday. Love your work and I hope you will join in inspiring us all!
    Smiles!

    Terry
    http://thecurtorscollection.wordpress.com

    Reply

  4. Allyson says

    I also LOVE Sarah Richardson..she’s my homegirl or at least I like to think so 🙂 I remember when she used that fabric and I absolutely loved it. Your chair makeover turned out fabulous, so classy…Sarah would be proud. How did you do the box pleat skirt? Any tips would be awesome.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      You know, I was pretty sure that I found a tutorial on Miss Mustard Seed, but I just did a brief search, and didn’t see that exact box pleat style. Check on Pinterest, and if I come across a box pleat tutorial I like, I’ll post another response here 🙂

      Reply

  5. Charming Imperfections says

    Oooh I am so in love with these! I just finished a chair reupholster in drop cloth and love the way it turned out.

    Reply

  12. Rose FineCraftGuild says

    Wow. I love that shot with the curtains. Shows how it is all coming together. Beautiful fabric, ma belle!!!! Wonder if you'd like to come link your beautiful projects up at our linky party today? ~ Rose

    Reply

  13. Ursula Carmona says

    Oh yes, you've got great taste! Sarah Richardson is definitely my top designer crush too! lol! And yes, those chairs are phenomenal!

    Reply

  15. Fox and Finch Antiques says

    Something else that I forgot to mention, if you are interested, is that the braces on the sides were added for strength, arms were used for comfort and strength, but these braces were more popular because they didn't get in the way of ladies arms when sewing.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Thanks SO much for commenting Fox and Finch! It is wonderful to get this background information on the chairs. I knew they were Eastlake, but had no idea about the other aspects. I LOVE that this style was popular for women who sewed….makes me love these chairs even more. Thanks so much again for your wonderful insights!! Please come back and visit us soon!!

      Reply

  16. Fox and Finch Antiques says

    You did something so interesting with these two chairs. I was looking for some inspiration with what to do with a set I have in my shop right now and I love what you did. These chairs are part of a set of a typical Victorian era parlor set. The original set consists of the settee, a couple of chairs with arms and the smaller chairs such as yours. Typically, they are walnut. The style is Eastlake, circa: 1870-1890. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Ginene
    P. S. My mother is French Canadian and the furniture and furnishing are very different than those in France because, as you know, the French people arrived around 1640 and had plenty of time to build their own style. There were many things French that continued from generation to generation (even nursery rhymes) but let's face it, French Canadians are of very strong pioneer stock. The first women that came were so poor that they had no future in France. I was fascinated to learn that they were paid to come in ribbons and other trivial pieces of finery.

    Reply

  19. Melanie, LostandFoundDecor.com says

    I enjoy Sarah also, and your Eastlake chairs are beautiful. The fabric is bold, but elegant. Great job 🙂

    Reply

  20. Linda says

    I love what you have done. I must have missed how you attached the pink trim.
    I guess I am out of the loop so I do not know who Sarah is. Will google and the follow!

    Reply

  23. Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body says

    Another stunning project! I love the fabric you chose {that is the one I voted for} and I LOVE how you upholstered the seat of the chair. I would love for you to come link up at my brand new link party–there are 7 hostesses, so lots of opportunities to be featured!

    Reply

  24. Ann@farmhouselbues says

    Wow! Totally love those chairs, you did an awesome job! I'm a secret Sarah fanatic too. I have dreams of her meeting and liking our family so much she offers to make our house over for her show. Talk about delusional!

    Reply

  25. Gwen says

    Love your fancy chairs and the whole post. I too am married to a French Canadian whose parents hailed from the UP 🙂

    Reply

  26. Karen @ karensuponthehill says

    Gorgeous! And totally worth the $16 each! BTW, I feel fancy now because I have the same curtains 🙂

    Reply

  27. Michelle Holmes says

    Every room in your house is amazing. You never cease to amaze me with your projects! I love your blog, and always look forward to new posts.

    Reply

  28. Nancy says

    Stunned! So pretty! The bright colors and contrast with the dark wood are breathtaking! Okay, I gush. I am happy to read that I am not the only one who feels a strange connection with Sarah. Remember "Room Service"?

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Kim, as always, you are too kind. Trust me, if you'd have seen this in progress, I don't think the adjective "talented" would have come to mind…more like "frazzled".

      Reply

  31. Anonymous says

    Wow-beautiful! They were a steal for $16.00. Love the carved wood and the fabric choice was perfect.

    Pat in Chicago

    Reply

  32. Emily says

    Wow! I'm so impressed with your upholstery job, they look great. And I too have a major Sarah crush… everything she does is amazing!

    Reply

  33. Donnamae says

    Great fabric! Knew I'd seen it somewhere…didn't she also use that fabric at the farmhouse she remodeled? You have great taste! 😉

    Reply

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