Well, we can check cheerful desk chairs off of our wish list for the office.
You can read all about how I prepped, primed, & painted them here. And now for the quick upholstery deets.
I had some leftover fabric from the dining room curtains on hand so I laid it over the detached seats and centered one of the grellow thingies (that’s a technical term) and trimmed the fabric around the cushion, leaving enough that I could easily pull and staple to the backside. Update: Here’s an affiliate link to the same fabric on amazon for anyone looking for it.
Making sure it was staying centered, I carefully turned it over and shot four staples into it while pulling it nice and tight (I have a basic manual staple gun for around $20 from Home Depot). Those staples went in at noon, three o’clock, six o’clock, and nine o’clock.
That way I could flip it back over and ensure things still looked straight and that the fabric was pulled tight enough (if it wasn’t, it would just be four staples to pop out instead of a dozen). After confirming the pattern still looked nice and straight from the front, I flipped it back over and spaced out about six staples per side (while pulling the fabric tight along the way).
When it came to the corners, I just treat those like wrapping a present. It’s hard to describe in words that don’t make it sound like a super complicated ten step process (it’s not) but I basically just fold the fabric into little triangles like the side of a present and staple them until they look good from the front. The front is all that matters – so the back can look all weird like this:
As long as you turn it over and things look great, you’re golden.
So I just did the same thing with the next cushion (lining up the grellow thingies in the same way so it would look like Cushion #1’s twin). About 30 staples later that cushion was done too.
The entire upholstery project probably took me thirty minutes from start to finish. Maybe 45 because I kept pausing to watch Housewives of Beverly Hills. Oh and the reason I just went over the fabric that was there was because we didn’t have any cushion/fabric related issues (other than the fact that we didn’t like the fabric). So it wasn’t like we had odor problems or a flat lifeless cushion to deal with (which would have involved removing the fabric and the cushion and getting new foam from a place like JoAnn Fabric).
Then of course the hard part was waiting for my spray painted chairs to fully cure so they were nice and hard and ready for every day use abuse. I gave them two sunny days outside (which also helps speed up off-gassing since spray paint can be stinky until it’s fully cured)…
… and a third day in the sunroom (with the windows cracked and the fan going to continue to allow them to completely dry before bringing them inside). Then late last night I danced a giddy little chair-time jig and slipped the newly dressed cushions onto those so-fresh-and-so-green chairs (securing them with the same four screws that I removed from the underside to free them here). The result was nothing short of magic. But the cool kind involving levitation and mind-reading. Nothing weird like a bad card trick or a double sided quarter.
This photo’s coloring is probably the most true to life (below). They look so great with the white cabinets and the dark wood counters.
Yeah, we’re kind of obsessed. We love how the more intense greeny-yellow in the chairs’ paint & fabric relates to the soft pop of color in the stencil. Instead of taking away or competing with the stencil, they just seem to bring out the grellow pop on the wall- so they enhance/add to it (if that makes sense). Although I’m not sure how well it’ll come across in pics (colors seem to vary by monitor). In person the pairing is pretty darn amazing.
Since the stencil is so subtle and the chairs are so bold, they sort of layer in together – so it’s not chaotic and weird (which would probably happen if the stencil were more high contrast or the chairs were more washed out). The key is to keep things at different levels (ex: bold pillows on a more subtle tone on tone rug or sofa). Since if everything textile, accessory, and furnishing were fighting to be the star it might get kinda… Lady Gaga. Not that there’s anything wrong with that if it’s what you’re going for.
The best view of all is through the dining room. Me-ow. And I love that the table runner is easily switched if I feel like cutting the green… but for now I dig it. Can’t wait to add some large scale art above each chair for some much needed height in the office (but nothing too crazy to compete with the chair + stencil combo).
But now, back to the close ups.
Our office just got a whole lot happier. And we did too. Picture me serving up a nice cheesy grin.
These $35 secondhand babies have certainly come a long way. Here they are right after we bought them from a local secondhand store:
And since we already had the fabric on hand, our makeover total was just $18 (the cost of three cans of Ivy Leaf spray paint from Michael’s). But if you wanted to add the initial cost of the chairs ($35 a pop) and the fabric ($12.99 for a yard, which was all I needed for both seats) it comes to a nice even $50 (and fifty cents) per chair. Which makes me all sorts of hyper since similar chairs (like these and these) are in the $200-$250 range. And don’t look now, but this guy is $694 on ebay. Woah nellie.
Oh and just to keep it random, I snapped another pic of the stencil. Because it makes me happy, and it’s so hard to capture. Elusive little guy. Of course the pop of color looks yellow in this pic, but it’s a lighter shade of the chair in real life.
Have you painted or upholstered any chairs of late? Do you have extra fabric laying around that you’re itching to use? Do you have the same magic hierarchy as I do (with levitation and mind reading at the top and bad card tricks and double sided coin gags at the bottom)?
Psst- Check out the first half of this chair makeover here.
Psssst- We just announced this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them.
Jess says
Ooh, they are so awesome! I love them! Great job!
DJ says
First, these chairs make ME smile! I can only imagine your reaction!
Random question! Why is there a hole in the bottom of the plywood (of the bottom of the chair cushion). Is this some sort of technical design issue (air release) or just a random hole?
Also, I saw a brown/cream ikat fabric by the same designer as your curtains that would look amazing for curtains in your office! Or as a great DIY (something i’ve wanted to try myself) is print your own fabric by stamping with fabric friendly paint.
http://www.decorativefabricsdirect.com/Robert_Allen_IKAT_GEO_TOBACCO_Fabric_p/6032512.htm
YoungHouseLove says
I have no idea! Isn’t that funny? I kept poking it to try to figure out what was in there- it just seemed to be foam. So maybe it was for air release or somehow for making the cushion a little softer since it has that “give” in the middle? And as for that fabric- gorgeous!
xo,
s
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
GORGEOUS! I love how the golden color in the fabric plays off of the grellow in the stencil and how the brown in the fabric plays off of the desktop. I wish I was brave enough to take as many chances with colors as you guys do :)
Nessa@{CasaBraaflat} says
Wow these are amazing. Love the boldness!
Lesley says
The bold green on the chairs is fantastic! I like the curtain fabric on them, but probably would have gone with something more simple and graphic, like a navy/white stripe, if it would have been me. But the do still look great and I’m all for using what you’ve got!
Can’t wait to see what you do for art in this room. I would steer towards an assymetrical arrangement over the desk instead of a large pair with one on each side of the window.. looking in from the dining room, you’ve got a REALLY symmetrical composition going with the sculptures above the doorway, 2 desk chairs, 2 laptops.. something slightly different in size/color would break it up and keep the eye moving. Just a thought from a former art consultant. :-)
Neyir says
Looking fantastic! Man do I get itchy for you guys every time I see a shot of that dinning room wall – I am desperate to break-though to the kitchen! You are clearly more patient folks that I. Smarter too no doubt as you want to do things the persnickity legal way with permits etc ;-).
Lisa in Seattle says
For some reason I am really loving the different camera angles you used for these pics, especially the second one! Makes me feel like I’m right there, ready to sit down and approve a bunch o’ comments. (Except I’m not nice like you and would delete the haters.) I think people should remember that you plan to put up French doors, which when closed will mitigate some of the perceived in-your-face of the green chairs. Here’s wishing you luck as you continue the Great Desk Lamp Hunt of 2011!
Abby says
Love the chairs! Love the wall stencil! This may sound crazy, but I really think your office/dining room combo needs some shots of red! I think some cool art with some dashes of red would look amazing above your giant desk–maybe even something abstract or minimal with a jolt of deep red–it would really set off all the green!! Although you don’t want things to compete, you still need balance–I think some bold art on the subtle walls will look fab! Good luck!!
YoungHouseLove says
I actually love that red-orange book on the desktop! So you never know- we might bring in a pop here or there with the accessories- especially since they’re so easy to switch out!
xo,
s
LibraDesignEye says
Yummy Yummy Yummy! That color is just happy in any situation and that is perfect for an office where you must work –
And to the poster above who is recovering with chevrons but scared to paint old antiqued wood – maybe a gray stain is the thing? Just did a minwax slate gray stain on some very orange oak sled chairs and WOW! Was terrified old finish wouldn’t take stain – just used that conditioner and started where the wood is hidden so I could figure out appropriate drying time in the temp I was working with. Maybe that is the step that wouldn’t feel like desecration (and hey, if you don’t like the finish, you can always paint, eh?!)
Thanks for giggling along with us as Sue zooms her chevrons around your space making it light and fun. Notice how everyone is following you now? Suddenly peacock is the IT color, and chartreuse has staying power. Just keep doing your thing and take the rest of it as the sincerest form of flattery!
Jen says
I grinned when I saw your color choice – I just finished our dining room table chairs with a very similar color. In fact, I attempted to spray paint them Ivy Leaf at first, but decided I need more practice spray painting first (drippy!!). So I ended up with reallllly close color from Ben Moore. (which they fiddled with twice for me, so there’s is no official name) and love how it turned out:
http://jenbergsma.blogspot.com/2011/09/pretty-much-done.html
Curious if your “grellow” color in the stencil and the chairs work well in real life? It’s almost hard to tell via the screen…but I do so love the chairs. And the stencil!
YoungHouseLove says
Those chairs look great! And yes, the color in the stencil is basically three or four shades lighter than the color on the chairs- so it’s just a deeper more saturated version (so it brings out the grellow in the stencil without being too crazy and compete-y). Haha. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
Holy Crap!!!! They turned out amazing.
Andrea Ross says
Looks fantastic! You guys always inspire me to push things just a bit further instead of always playing it safe!
Lisa says
they do look fabulous! Love the fabric with the green.
Amanda says
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=17995671&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliates-_-Decor%20by%20Color-_-Peacock%20Ikat%20Slipper%20Chair&clickid=0004aea4f3939a660ae0b686d6916a05
They look great! Urban Outfitters would approve.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- isn’t that funny?!
xo,
s
Amelia says
Love the chairs!! Another fabulous job. On a side note: Don’t you just love the staple gun? In our old house my hubby and I built and upholstered a 6’x3 tufted ottoman/coffee table. It looked like a small bed(lol) but it was the most ecomomical way to get the look and size we wanted. I also reupholstered our dining room chairs, a bench, 2 side chairs in the living room and used the gun for some diy valances in my kids’ playroom—-I’ve majorly gotten my money out of that guy. Gotta love it. Have a great one guys.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! It’s the best invention ever! Right up there with good scissors that cut through fabric like butter!
xo,
s
Ikl says
Love the chairs but the green seem to clash with the yellow stencil. Plus now I’m feeling with the curtain fabric, you are going back on your word of not being too “matchy”….especially with the green runner, and the yellow stencil from the kitchen paint….
YoungHouseLove says
Just using what we have for now (I mentioned how I could easily switch out the runner in this post if it felt too green). Our rooms are all only around 20% done, so they might look matchy or unfinished or just plain crazy as we go! Haha. Our last house took us 4.5 years to “finish” – so we figure it’ll take a lot longer than nine months for this one to make sense to most people!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
“you are going back on your word” — let’s take it down a notch! it’s a chair.
lindsey says
OK I love you guys a lot but will you PLEASE step away from the ugly sue the napkin and all of the freakin green/grellow?! I understand that your doing you and that your trying to stick your neck out when it comes to color and what not….. but you have got to find some balance. You can do bold and saturated without it being obnoxious and in your face constantly. You guys talked about how you kinda got stuck with the “beachy” in your old house… but now it feels like your stuck again…. except this time its with a color that is so ‘in your face’ that it’s starting to look over the top. It seems to me that for a color like grellow to be done tastefully… it’s gotta be done SPARINGLY. Now it’s your entire dining room curtains, it’s in the stencil on your office walls, it covers both over your entire office chairs…. your dining room table is COVERED with it…. and TWO WHOLE ROOMS are painted TOP TO BOTTOM with it…. not to mention your living room rug and were ever else you have splashed it in. When you said you were goingto be taking risks with colors in this house I didn’t realize you meant Just. One. Color. I love your blog but it’s driving me crazy!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we like grellow. But we’ve used dark teal (in the guest room, on the back of the built-ins), dark chocolate (the console, the office desktop, etc) light pink (Clara’s nursery) and yellow (the front door & guest room rug). So there’s more to our house than grellow! Haha. Many rooms are only around 30% done – so they probably won’t make sense for another few years (our last house took us 4.5 years to finish!). In the office we had gray walls + a white desk with a wood top. No color. We added a subtle stencil for some interest. Then we added some bright chairs since the stencil was so muted. We still need major things like art, window treatments, a rug, a chair in the corner- etc. And those won’t all be grellow! I’m sure it’ll balance out someday – it just won’t be an overnight thing. It’s hard to judge the “middle” of a makeover- ya know?
xo,
s
Heather W says
WOW that’s right capital letters too. YOU ARE RUDE!!!! If you don’t like it then don’t use it GRELLOW that is. I am embarassed for you actually. I would love to see pics of your house and see if EVERYONE loves it. Care to share??? I love it all Sherry keep doing what your doing and screw the HATERS!
Lauren says
Wow! People get soooo defensive for y’all!! I think it’s totally fine to disagree with your decorating choices, it is a blog for millions to read after all. I’m with Lindsey…not loving all this Grellow. It just all looks so all-over-the-place. Don’t worry, I’ll totally be here for when it comes together in a few years….I just love y’all no matter what…but please…maybe bring back a leeetle beige?? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I’m sure it’ll all balance out! Our houses tend to swing back and forth (from too safe to super bold and back). But they’re just chairs – and with gray walls and a white/brown desk, we’re happy we went for it!
xo,
s
Chrissie says
Haha wow! If this blog is driving you crazy, why not just not read the posts that use grellow? There are lots that don’t even mention it (although I think most of those reference ORB, so I hope you like that!) I’m sure once they’re done on this particular part of the house there will be plenty of other colours for you to get sick of… maybe poo brown? I hear that’s making a comeback!
Chelsea says
I just bought a well-loved dining room set off of craiglist. The hubs thought I was crazy and that it wasn’t savable (he of little faith!). Last weekend I spend most of Saturday recovering the seats of each chair, which were worn down to the threads – literally. I covered them with this fantastic fabric that I got on sale at JoAnn’s – and I’ll just say he was impressed!! I was actually pretty darn impressed with myself since that was my first upholstery undertaking. Now I have a couple of good staple gun blister and a sore thumb (my hands are so little compared to that big staple gun!) and some pretty damn fantastic dining room chairs to show for it! Now on to refinishing the table (which is AWFUL at the moment). Fingers crossed! You guys give me the confidence to take stuff like this on – and the knowledge to do it correctly the first (or sometimes second… err… or third!) time!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you can do it! Love that you got ‘er done with the dining room chairs! Congrats!
xo,
s
Brooke says
LOVE IT! Those perky little chairs are full of personality! I have a little side table chair obsession…so now I must go paint one. Thanks for sharing!
Sara D says
They look great! How do you keep particles from drying on the chairs (or anything you spray paint) when they’re sitting outside? I spray painted a frame and had to redo the top coat and let it dry inside because there were like polleny-outside-particle-type spots all over…and and bug crawled on it and left a tiny trail of bug footprints haha. Do you have a quick drying top coat or something?
YoungHouseLove says
I try to put things out where they’re not under trees or in tall grasses (so stuff doesn’t blow on them). The other key is super thin coats (which dry really fast- so if something lands on the chair it’ll hopefully already be dry and you can brush it off before the next coat).
xo,
s
Jenna says
I cannot get over these chairs–I’m in love! Though I realize it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I love your use of layering (or as you put it, different levels) bright colors with other different/subtler designs. It is so fun, yet unified! Your blogiversary posts just proved how much time and energy is spent creating these spaces, so impressed!
Heather L says
The chairs look gorgeous!! Have a question, though – do you find that this type of chair is comfortable after long days spent at the computer? I also work at home and need a new desk chair, and would prefer something fun like this rather than a really office-y type, but am worried about the ergonomics of it all.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! We actually bought them for the sunroom (not thinking they’d be that comfy) and after sitting in them we loved them so much we decided to use them in the office. We spend hours (sometimes 14+) a day in them and they really are comfy (nice back support, a soft seat, and arm rests like traditional office chairs have). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
LBN says
i’m not going to lie – i’m obsessed with these chairs…OBSESSED. as i sit in my own office, on my wobbly chair i am literally drooling. what a great pop of color and they look comfy too! i know this is a major statement but…it’s possible these are my favorite of your projects yet (woa)
Patti says
Wow, these came out great, I never had any doubt!
carolinaheartstrings says
Wow what a nice pop of color and it nicely ties both rooms together without the matchy matchy feeling.
Brandy E says
You may hate me for saying this, but the brown part of the fabric and yellow around it reminds me of the drawing of a uterus and ovaries from old school health books. Please don’t ban me! LOL!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I thought I saw bones like a skull from health class. Not too far off! It’s like a fabric rorschach test!
xo,
s
Brandy E says
LOL! Well, with 3 kids, guess it makes sense I see ovaries!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha.
xo,
s
Jennifer M says
The fabric on the chairs and the stencil on the walls, they just don’t go together. Not in color or in style. Sorry.
YoungHouseLove says
You should come over! You’ll totally love it in person. The light pop of grellow in the stencil is just like the color in the fabric and chairs (it’s like I slid a square or two up the swatch – so they complement each other).
xo,
s
Jennifer M says
Actually, the more I look at it the more it grows on me.
JS says
The chairs ROCK – so fun! I love the bold color choice, and I think it totally compliments the stencil. I’m sure it looks even better in person!
Just wanted to let ya know that your spray painting projects inspired me recently. I loved your post about spray painting the hardware in your house. And thought I’d give it a shot.
I painted a curtain rod, and a floor lamp – both originally black – for a subtle update. The curtain rod was left by the previous owners, and the floor lamp I’ve had since college. I actually used Rustoleum spray paint, in ORB!! (First I thought I wanted more of a copper-ish color, but realized the ORB complimented the rest of the room way better.)
Your posts gave me some great tips, and both rod and lamp turned out awesome! Best $7 I’ve spent in a long time! Thanks for sharing. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks JS! So glad! Congrats on your ORB coup!
xo,
s
Pamela says
I have a small metal table that I wanted to be able to push around the floor, but there was no way to attach casters. Instead, I bought these glidy things (that’s the technical term), that were only about 1/4 inch high and could be glued to bottom of the table legs. Larger ones are made to go under refrigerators so you can slide them out for cleaning, but these were quite tiny. Now the table slides across the floor like it is on ice.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! So smart.
xo,
s
Fatima says
Cork is a great choice. While I don’t have it in my house, I once visited someone who did. It was soft and warm underfoot (in winter). I’ll get it in my next house :)
Jennifer says
Color me happy…..there is a sofa in here for two!
Anyone? Bueller?
Sorry it was the first thing that popped in my head when I saw the title.
Loving the green chairs and the tie in with the DR curtains!! As usual, nice work!!
Zoe Feast says
Fab! I love how you used the left over fabric from your curtains. I am all for using up all those remnants and recently knocked up a complete set of placemats using fabric that had originally been used for window treatments.
They are super easy to make…I have pictures and a tutorial here
http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2011/09/sew-it-yourself-placemat-tutorial.html
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much! Love it!
xo,
s
Donna says
I love the chairs!! Bravo!! I actually like them much better than the more expensive versions you linked to.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw shucks, thanks!
xo,
s
Shannon says
:( I think the black looked so classy and timeless. The green makes them look cheap. Really not a fan of that fabric either, especially with the stencil….too much pattern going on (and this coming from someone who wears Lilly Pulitzer almost every day). Remember the words of Coco Chanel….look in the mirror and take one thing off before leaving the house. This editing applies to inside the house too.
YoungHouseLove says
They were actually navy blue with red showing through before – terrible, which is why they were just $35 each! You can see the before shots by following the link at the bottom of the post. We definitely know the happy new look isn’t for everyone, but we love ’em!
xo,
s
Pat says
Really nice job, Sherry; they look great. I saw you got these chairs second hand, and I think they’re Ficks-Reed. They look really similar to side chairs I have – the way the double reed is crossed and attached and the wrapping. If so, they’re totally good chairs underneath your re-do! The ones I have my mom bought in 1975 (they have no markings on them, I just know what they are). Just commenting ’cause I like to know what my stuff is and where it came from, and I thought you might, too!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Pat! That’s so interesting! Love it.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I love the combo even if I’m not a yellow/green fan. These colors do not look good on my Asian complexion so it’s bled over into all other color preference choices. However, I dig the look in your office.
Did you ever consider more ergonomic office chairs? They would look hideously ugly and clash with your decor but given your recent charting of time spent at your desk, they may save your back sometime.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually never meant for these chairs to be office chairs (we originally bought them for the sunroom) but they’re so comfy that we love working in them all day. They got upgraded due to the nice back support, plush seats, and arm rests (just like office chars have). If they weren’t comfy we’d give them the boot to the sunroom for sure!
xo,
s
Erin says
So pretty! I love the color! I especially love the picture from the dining room. It all looks so great together!
jeannette says
your enterprise and stamina and cuteness have never been in question, but y’all are getting positively FOXY with this project. you’re right on in your analysis of the pale stencil and the bright chairs. the best. can’t wait for ever increasing FOXINESS.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Jeannette. Basking in the foxy glory right now (as I sit in my happy chair). Haha.
xo,
s
Gerrie says
Congrats! Love the colour of the chairs. Have to say I’m not a fan of the fabric – but that’s probably more to do with a bad memory of a crazy lounge my mum had when I was a kidling! Thanks for demonstrating how to spray paint the chairs. I have two very similar and wasn’t sure how to spray them.
Colleen says
I was digging the chairs in a somewhat non-committal way, and then came the pic taken from the far side of the dining room. Oh yeah, baby!!! Love, love, love.
Maggie says
I wasn’t sold on the color when you first mentioned it, but I am LOVING the final result. The pop of color is fantastic and has me wondering what around my apartment I can paint grellow! They may not a perfect substitute, but you finally got your green chairs!! (I seem to remember you mentioning wanting candy apple green chairs for the dining room…this is pretty close!)
Gem says
Oh wow – they look great! I love the pops of green, they’re so happy and bright. I can see why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love that it feels very representative of the kind of home you want this one to be – a bit more offbeat and adventurous. Plus if you have to sit in those chairs all day long working, why not make them happy chairs that make you smile?
Karen says
Hmm, I’m not sure although the more I look at them the more they are growing on me. I guess I would have liked them better in black or blue to match the light fitting but I am boring like that :). I do love the fact you used that fabric on the cushions though.
Elizabeth says
for me, this room is fun, and I LOVE COLOR! I recently painted a garbage picked vanity a similar shade of green and I just love it. Color brings such fun life to a room. When you said you could switch out the runner to combat all the green if you wanted to, it made me laugh, because one day I noticed how much green we have in our house — those things can sneak up on you sometimes!
Nice work – i love your choices; go bold or go home! :)
Chrissie says
They look so happy! I love how the colour turned out =)
Jen says
The chairs look great!
grace Nielsen says
Absolutely LOVE the chairs – they pull it all together; I too love the chairs and fabric with the white cabinets and wood desk top! Can’t wait to see what you come up with for a window treatment??!!!!
Lindsay says
Love them!
esther says
Love the new chairs!! Such a happy color green they are. I wish my husband didn’t hate the color green as much as (he says) he does.. for now it seems that the only place I can sneak some of the color into our new home will be either in my own craft room, or as small accessories. However, I’m not completely done yet with kneading him when it comes to decorating our new home so who knows ;)
Marian says
The chairs look fantastic. Seriously, I beamed for you when I looked at the dining room photo. I have been refinishing/reupholstering this sweet little French fruitwood table. It was bright yellow with vinyl giraffe plaid seats when I bought it on Craigslist. Someone had covered it in contact paper. So I stripped it and got my own pair of claw hands a couple weeks ago. Now we’re almost to the moment of truth. I can’t wait to see it and am trying to be patient while paint and sealer cure.