This is where we left off… I talked about the soda blasting process and how I deconstructed this chair, in this previous post. I was so happy with the chair and how it was looking, all deconstructed! It was still a little too yellowy for my taste and I wanted to give it more of a “bleached“ look. I tried bleaching it but that didn’t take out the yellow, so I was searching for a way that I could make it lighter and still have the wood character pop.
*Affiliate links in this post
Before I started working on the frame, I cut the foam for the seat and attached it because I thought that I was going to keep the word frame the way it was. A meat carving tool works great for this!
To lighten the frame, I started by adding a white wax. I knew I probably wouldn’t stop at the white wax because I wanted it to be more of a warm tone. You can see in the photo below, the left side has the white wax applied and the right side does not.
The white wax was a little too cool in color for me, so I added a color “light” wax on top of it. That warmed it up a tad, just enough so that it wasn’t as white looking.
I loved the fabric that I had added to the seat cushion. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t use it on an upholstery project again because it’s a thinner fabric and I am guessing that it probably won’t hold up as well to stains and such. It’s an inexpensive fabric that is usually used for the inside of a chair. My plan was to use this fabric to hold down the seat cushion/foam and then get a different fabric to put over that. I loved the feel of this fabric so much and how it was looking with the chair that I decided to chance it. I’m still kind of regretting it before I even test it out on there, haha.
You might be able to notice on the right backside strip of the chair, below, I added the “light” wax over the white wax. That gives an idea of the subtle difference that using the light wax did for the chair.
To finish the top of the word frame, I started off by stapling a piece of my doubled up fabric. I made sure to add a lot of staples down the center part so that it would hold it down and look more flush on the backside. I used my air stapler for this part, because all of these staples were going to be hidden.
My air stapler connects to my air compressor. It’s great for upholstery projects! I use it a lot for the inside parts that aren’t going to show in the end.
After I added the initial piece of fabric to the back, it was a little see-through when the light was showing through, so I knew that that would be an issue when I added the webbing for support. I decided to add another piece of fabric that was thicker on top of the initial piece of fabric. I could still see the light a little through it, so I knew the webbing would show through on the back side. I added a piece of cotton batting, and that’s exactly what I needed! It was thicker and worked great to hide what would have been the shadowing of the webbing, had I not used it.
The webbing process can look a little intimidating, but it’s actually really easy! I started by stapling three pieces of webbing tightly on the front side vertically.
And then you can see how I wove each piece in horizontally after that. I made too sure to pull as tight as I could before stapling. There are tools that can be used for a tight pull, but since this was the backing of a chair I wasn’t that concerned about it and it worked really well.
Now for the final step… I used tack nails for this part since they were going to show when the chair was finished. this process takes a lot of time since each nail is hand pounded in with a tack hammer, but I love the look of all of those tack nails showing! I added a lot of tack nails this time because I wanted the top part as flush as I could get it. You can see in this other upholstery project, I added a lot less tack nails and it still holds up very well.
I pulled each part taut, making sure it was tight, before adding each nail. The nails can be easily removed if needed to make it tighter in places that don’t look as good in the end.
Let’s take another look at the “before”…
It’s a whole different chair and I love it! I love the exposed wood and even how the sides are without upholstery!
I love how the back turned out as well! I’m so glad I kept that middle post showing.
I’m pretty sure the birds are happy too! I love how the detail shows so much better now that the wood is lightened up!
A few of you said that the faces were scary when I was sharing it on Instagram stories, haha. I actually love the faces and the character that they give!
The curved sides look so good all deconstructed, without the fabric.
Again, a little nervous about the fabric that I used, but worst case scenario, I will just have to change the top piece of fabric that I used. I’ll let you know how it holds up to stains and such but this won’t be a high traffic chair so I’m not too worried about it…or I guess maybe I am.
Love al of the details and curves on the legs too!
This area was a little difficult to get all those nails pounded into since it’s in this little spot with a piece of wood on top of it, but I got it to work.
I just can’t get enough of that detail!
I would use this technique that I used on the wood frame again. I almost wish the arms on the chair were a little bit darker. The wood on the backing of the chair was a little different than the sides/arms, but it still looks great!
Have you ever done a DIY upholstery project? Is it something that you would ever want to try? It’s definitely a long process, but the end result is amazing! I love my new/old chair!
Amazing!
Thank you so much, Hannah!!
Such an incredible makeover! Doesn’t look like the same chair!
Yay! Thank you Monica! Can’t believe how drastic the difference is
You nailed it once again!!
Beautiful ????
Thank you Amy!! ♥️
It’s beautiful!
The chair is beautiful !!!! I love it!!
Thank you so much, Robin!
Oh my gosh Natalie!!! It’s stunning! I love how it turned out. But was there any doubt that you would keep at it until you reached perfection?!
Thank you Kathy! I’m so happy with it ♥️
Natalie, Absolutely beautiful! This chair is so unique—you totally revived it. Where are you putting it in your home?
Thank you, Carrie! That’s a good question????i may try to use it at a chair at my desk for now
Well…I’m pretty sure I’m one of the ones that voted no. I take it back! That looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! Obsessed. Your patience paid off. FANTASTIC JOB!!! ????????????
Thank you, Hannah! It was pretty awful looking at first ????
You did a great job and the way you finished it really shows off the curves of the chair! ????
Thank you, Katy! I love the shape of it
Love it, you brought out so much of the chair’s character. Looks more like you now ????. Great job, Natalie❤️
Thank you, Kathy! ♥️♥️
Just wondering the brand of the white wax and the other wax that you used on the chair? Thank you!
Hi Darlene! I linked them on the post, if you tap on the underlined words, it should pop up. Let me know if you have issues getting to it
This is a huge, wonderful transformation. Could you Scotchguard the fabricator concerned about keeping it clean? I think there is a spray.
Thank you, Cindy! I think I might try that
You keep outdoing yourself, Natalie!!! It’s absolutely beautiful!!
Thank you so much, Robyn!
Love this chair!!! I really enjoy how you can envision another life these pieces!!!
Thank you so much, Bonnie!
Fantastic!
Your tutorial is really the best I have ever seen. Now to find a cool chair….
Thank you for all the effort and real sharing.
You gave that chair a new life! It’s beautiful!!
Your vision of these old furniture pieces is incredible! Maybe you could spray some scotch guard on the fabric and worry less? ????
It’s beautiful! ???? Currently doing my bed. And I have a chair next! ????
Wow! I love the open arms and I’m glad I saw the before to appreciate this detail!! I have access to an old wooden/upholstered chair but I’m intimidated to tackle it so I didn’t claim it yet…
This is incredible! You are a wizard! You truly need your own show. I think the premise should be taking people to thrift stores with $50-$100 and help them find amazing pieces they would normally overlook and help them restore them! It is incredible how you can see the beauty in these pieces others would leave behind!
Not sure if you follow Old Brick Warehouse in Mesa. I chuckled reading their post – they soda blasted a buffet/bureau. It’s really pretty – thought of you! Actually, they might be following you!
I knew you would make it beautiful! Great job! I just have one question…is it comfortable? Without the additional cushion (like the original) it seems like it would be much lower to the ground. How does it feel?
Absolutely stunning!!! I love it! Just spray the fabric with scotch guard if you are worried it will get dirty. ????????
WOW!!!!! ????❤️????❤️????❤️????
That’s a lot of detail!! Beautiful work!! As always Natalie, so very well done! ????????????
Beautiful!! You did an awesome job!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful!
OHHHHHH Natalie!!!!! You have done such a wonderful job on this!! This looks like it came from a very expensive store!!! This is my favorite piece you’ve done!! ❤️???? You always blow my mind with your work and your kids are so lucky to be able to have all this that will be left to them. They have seen all your hard work and love go into these pieces as well. I guess that makes the hoarding worth it. ????????
This chair is a work of art! You did an amazing job of restoring the beauty within this piece! I so enjoy your projects and look forward to many more!
I love, love, love how this chair came out! Your projects inspire me! I love the bleached wood look so much! My dilemma is that I tend toward dark, intense colors and have changed all my wood and trim from light oak to a dark Provincial stain. So, I’ll just have to live vicariously through you to enjoy the bleach wood look 🙂
Gorgeous! I love that chair. That before chair was hideous and I would have passed on it. What a great eye you had. You are truly amazing. I can’t believe you upholstered it yourself. Wow! Is there anything you can’t do? Kudos.
It’s beautiful Natalie. I would have not seen the vision. I’m glad you did.
????
The chair looks so great! I would definitely have been intimidated to recover the top portion of the chair-I think I could have done the seat because I’ve done a few seats already although not quite like this one. Thanks for making it look less intimidating! I might be willing to try it if I find a great chair like yours.
Omg I love that ???????????????? moonpie46
The best upholstery job yet! Those details are beautiful and you made them better.
This is an amazing transformation! This chair is gorgeous!❤️
Natalie!!!!
This chair is absolutely gorgeous!!
I mean, it shouldn’t be surprising –
God’s blessed you with your talented, incredible gift!!!
Much Love to you –
Lisa
Love it .. What a great job
Your chair by itself is just amazing!! I love what you did to it, it makes the details in the wood stand out. Thank you for the pictures and details of how you did everything. I reupholstered my couch one time with help from my sister. It came out great and I loved it, but it was a lot of work. Hugs,
Thank you so much!