Welcome to another edition to Tobi’s DIY Diaries! Today I’ve got Linda from the blog My Crafty Home-Life. Linda is a self-proclaimed serial DIY-er and her blog proves it. This month in the DIY sidebar feature I’m promoting a Dining Chair Makeover contest. This is my first DIY contest on the blog and a yard of fabric from Tobi Fairley Home is up for grabs. Don’t know how to rehab a chair? Thanks to My Crafty Home-Life, you can no longer use that excuse. Check out the amazing step-by-step instructions below.
Thanks Linda!
xo Tobi
Hello Tobi Fairley Friends! I’m Linda from My Crafty Home-Life. I am thrilled to be on Tobi’s blog today! Like many of you, I am dreaming of the day when I am able to call Tobi up and say…”Come decorate my Home”. Well, our dreams are getting a little closer to reality… Tobi has asked me to show you “DIY-ers” how to get the Tobi Fairley upholstered look…
Starting with this image (Tobi’s 2011 Hampton Designer Showhouse room), I picked up on her bamboo accents, love for chinoiserie, and pops of color.
I fell in love with this for one of Tobi’s signature color combinations…orange and turquoise (check out her yellow and gray color combo)
With my inspiration images in hand, I found this chair at my local Salvation Army.
Keeping with Tobi’s orange and turquoise inspiration, I chose this fabric.
Now let’s get to work. Have all your upholstery tools ready. First, remove the welting.
Next, remove the old fabric and staples.
Since this chair was in excellent condition, I was able to start the prep for painting. However, this is not always the case. I have a few tutorials for some common problems; to tighten your frame, go here…to do spring work, go here…to replace foam, go here. Your chair should now look something like this.
Lightly sand the frame and protect the chair seat with paper and tape.
A quick coat of primer and paint.
…and you now have this.
Whenever possible, add a fresh layer of dacron (batting).
Using your staple gun, tack the dacron around the chair and trim off the excess (I like to use a razor blade).
This is important; take the time to press your fabric.
Center your image on your chair…
and staple a few staples in the center-front.
Move to the center-back, lightly pull the fabric for a tight seat, and staple a few in the center-back.
Next, work side to side with a few staples on each side.
Keep moving front to back, side to side…saving the corners (where the arms are) for last. At the corners (this is really scary) make slits in your fabric.
Always keep in mind that you can cut more if you need it! For this chair, the cuts should look something like this.
Fold everything under, give a slight pull on the fabric, and staple.
Your staples should be close together, like stitches…trim excess fabric.
With a hot glue gun, add a coordinating trim (hide all the staples).
Take the time to miter the corners.
…and there you have it, a Tobi Fairley inspired chair!
Now it’s your turn, rehab a chair, and enter it in Tobi’s chair contest! You could win a yard of fabric from Tobi’s Home Collection. A yard of fabric could cover approximately 2-4 chairs! I won’t enter this one…it wouldn’t be fair….but I might enter another one of mine.
Thank you, Tobi for having me on today, I had a blast!
Awesome post! Thanks so much for being a guest on our blog- so informative!!!
I would love some Tobi Fairley fabric to try this at home! I have recovered seats where the cushions pop out, but never tried my hand at something as tricky and professional looking as this. Thanks for the great post!
“Ta da!” That was a gorgeous “makeover!” Oh, the “things one can do” with a yard of fabric…let’s see.. franki fmparde@gmail.com
Tobi, I just came across blog and really enjoyed it. I am a professional interior designer for twenty years in the NJ/NY area and I am starting a blog at the request of my clients. I wanted to know if you could pass along a referral for blog design and advise for how you got started with advertising. I have a client base of over 1000 and then friends and family I have been giving free design advise to out for years they are all waiting for my launch and I would love to mention your blog as a favorite. Thank you so much for your time!!Cathy Wolfram
Everyone at Tobi’s Blog was so kind and thoughtful! This was my pleasure. Thank You
I like the style of the chair frame. You are so lucky to find it. There is nothing that nice at our local SA or GW. I definitely would have chalk painted the frame, tho.
I’m sure you will enjoy your chair for many years. Thanks for the instructions.
Such a pretty chair! You explained the steps in such great detail everyone will have to try it now! love the colors!
Linda, You did a great job as usual! I’ve really got to try this. You make it seem so effortless!
I am here from My Crafty Home-Life. She is so great! I cannot believe what a beautiful chair she found. I recently recovered my dining chairs and now I am thinking of adding the trim!