Sometimes I feel like The Pied Piper of discarded household goods. And as much as I try to not come home with other people’s unwanted Stuff, it continues to mysteriously sneak into my home.
Just yesterday I was walking my son home from martial arts class, when a collection of ratty looking furniture in front of an apartment building caught my attention.
Hmm . . . that chair has really cool detailing along the back, I wonder if it’s sturdy?
Sturdiness confirmed, I found myself lugging the chair home through the dark and rain.
Yes, it's ratty looking, but this chair has some major potential.
Even under less than ideal lighting, the detailing caught my heart:
Chisel off the bits at the top, and this chair is going to shine!
My plan is to cut a piece of plywood to fit over the caning, and then place foam and cute fabric on the seat. I’m not sure what color to paint it, but figuring that out will be half the fun. (I’ll start to keep an eye out at the Habitat ReStore.)
And as a bonus, I have to share with you a crackin’ new addition to my kitchen:
This Goodwill purchased vintage Union Jack tray had me at "ello luv."
I attached the tray using velcro sticky tape, which meant I had it installed in a jif. Hopefully the groovy Austin Powers-ish-ness of this tray helps to cut down the cutesy vintage vibe that threatens to take over the kitchen.
Don't you think the bold red lines coordinate without being too match-matchy?
I do so like having fun with my house. And when I can indulge that urge without spending more than a couple of bucks, all the better.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
love the red matchyness of it. Not too matchy. Just matchy enough.
Embrace the cutesy vintage vibe! 🙂
Amen! Cutesy vintage is wonderful, but I like the Union Jack, too.
I can’t wait to see what you do with the chair–that one would follow me home, too.
Ha!
Katy
Tray looks fabulous!
I’ve also seen cane-seat chairs where the caning has been removed and a really simple support rigged up in the hole that’s left to hold a potted plant as a lawn or porch planter. Especially nice if you have a vining plant that will grow over the edges of the chair thus hiding a less than attractive flowerpot. Of course you would have to use outdoor paint to protect from weathering, but it’s another option.
This chair is too sturdy and chock full of indoor potential to leave it to the elements.
Katy
I love it when you insert a bit of whimsy into your home and I so appreciate that you share it. And I absolutely love this chair. Whatever you do with it, it does have much potential.
I’ve always wanted to take a chair like that and use belts for the seat–basket weave them together and wrap them around and buckle them underneath the seat.
Great finds! I’ve been thinking about taking a caning course just to get at some of the chairs I have stacked up in the basement.
luv. I think the red on the wall makes the curtains stand out more and ties it all together.
I too love that chaiir, I can’t wait to see what you do with it
It is a beautiful chair… can’t wait to see what you do with it.
are you aware that you can buy pre-made caning in a sheet and trim to fit? just a fyi. lots of potential in that piece.
Ahh . . . good to know. However, I really want to do this chair with a padded fabric covered cushion. However, I’ll keep that in mind for future projects!
Katy
Actually, it’s easy, cheap and fun to re-weave a cane seat like that. I bought a kit online and it only took a few hours. And every time someone admires my chair I can boast about having done it myself and saved it from the scrap heap.
Sounds great!
Katy
You always find the best stuff! Maybe I am driving through the wrong parts of town. It seems as if no one sends anything out to the curb around here.
Seriously, nobody trashes awesome furniture like that in Texas. I’m going to vacay in your hood just to garbage pick!!!
Of course, it’s still in its original grubby state. Give me a few weeks/months to transform it into “awesome.”
Katy