Non-Consumer Photo Essay — Chairs, Veggies & a Frankenbox!
by Katy on March 29, 2025 · 33 comments
Remember how my niece and I browsed the Design Within Reach store last week? There was a specific chair that I photographed, (known as the “Jeanneret chair”) as I’d recently learned of its humble yet fascinating beginnings. I’d tucked this item into the back of my mind as something “to keep an eye out for.” Obviously, not at DWR, as they charge $2,285 for a single chair.
So when I stumbled across this pair of Goodwill chairs, I recognized the inspiration and knew them to be Jeanneret adjacent and worth my attention.
Sure the cushioned areas were dirty, but priced at $7.99 apiece, certainly worth the risk.
The tags on the bottom showed them to be Restoration Hardware, which is a higher end brand. I can’t find the exact version, but it’s still being sold without the arms for $575+. Now to pull out my upholstery cleaner and ready them for their new home.
I didn’t want to let my nice cheap produce go to waste, so I spent a bit of time processing it. First off were the six peppers, which I sliced and then froze on a sheet pan. (You can’t see it, but I lay a silicone baking mat under the peppers.) I then transferred them to freezer bags for future use.
I then shredded the four zucchini and froze them in individual cubes, (after squeezing out the extra liquid.) I’ll also store these in the freezer for pancakes, muffins or fritters. A favor to my future self. I then cubed and sautéed the eggplant, which I’ll use within the next couple days. No food waste here!
I would’ve cooked the veggies straightaway, but my husband’s been working the past few days and I like to make simple meals when it’s just me.
My father gifted one of his framed needlepoint pieces to my sister, which she then left in Portland for me to mail to New York. I haven’t had the right box, but I pulled this one from a neighbor’s recycling this morning. I’ll have to Frankenbox it a bit to create the right depth, but that’s well within my skill set.
I’ll add this task to today’s to-do list.
I read a hack on how to re-fluff synthetic sherpa blankets using a wire pet brush, so I thought I’d give it a try. What you’re looking at here is after approximately twenty minutes of vigorous brushing, so I’m going to deem this hack a “Certified Failure” at it would take maybe ten full hours to re-fluff the entire blanket!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Is your father the needlepointer or the acquirer of the pictured piece? Beautiful either way.
He is the needlepointer.
What a coincidence, I just Franken boxed to send a needlepoint that I sold on eBay. Good luck with the chairs. You inspire me.
Twinsies!
That kind of fabric is nearly impossible to rehab. A+ for making the effort.
DH and I spent a little money today finishing our front porch restoration project, which started in September, Most of that time was spent waiting on the painter to finish and then waiting on availability/sale on a bench and two little side tables. I washed the windows and door, dusted the light, swept, arranged the doormats nicely and it’s done.
The jug of window cleaner from Dollar Tree got quite a workout today as I also washed all the windows on the back of the house and the wall of glass in our home office.
Spent some time hand-sewing this morning to alter two thrifted shirts. I also used my stash of recycled buttons to replace the buttons on one, which is a simple shirt with original very blingy buttons. The replacement buttons look right — the originals did not but were saved for another project.
Yeah, the acrylic melts into little nubbins. Wow, you’ve been busy, it sounds like everything be be looking great now!
But you can machine wash and air dry a leather backed wool fleece and cheer it up beautifully with that same pet brush.
Good to know for the future!
Pierre Jeanneret often collaborated with his cousin Charles-Edourard Jeanneret (aka Le Corbusier) for a long time. So impeccable design provenance. Remember, knowledge is power! here in my Airbnb cottage, I have knockoff Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs. I also often see a rug design I love called the Rose by one of my favorite architects reproduced with some crazy name. Original: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O101767/the-rose-carpet-c-f-a/
Rose,
What a beautiful rug! Thats the type of esthetic I would like in my home, given plenty of $$ and someone to pull it together for me (not my super power). Most of our furniture is hand-me-downs, and not in a quirky, fun way.
The originals are best, of course, but there are knockoffs everywhere. Want me to find you some?
I love Voysey. He was an architect as well as a designer. I painted this design on the fridge in my previous house. http://www.achome.co.uk/fabrics/voysey_fabric_collection/bird_rose.jpg
$2,285.00 for a single chair begs the question “Design Within WHOSE Reach?”
Not mine, that’s for damned sure!
1. I am thrilled to report that the big greenhouse has successfully received her new plastic covering – with a lot of help from Wonder James and his best buddy. I played the gopher, the figurer outer of what the random pieces were, and occasional plastic tensioner. It was a joy to watch these two ‘young’ men (they are mid thirties) enjoying some time together in a mild misty drizzle. Much teasing during the ‘DOH’ moments. I really wanted to ensure this would be ready for me when I get home from my trip, and it WILL!!! Yay
2. My #2 son has been in dire need of some kind of head shearing. In November, he had me shave his head (well, almost, we put the #1 plastic thingie on the clipper, it was pretty short). It has grown and was heading for afro-land, vast quantities of rather curly dark hair, so time for mom-the-hairdresser to get out the hedge trimmer…
So, with some experimental pinning up of random sections, we came up with a plan and then tweaked it as I cut. It is such a joy and gift to spend this kind of time together, doing a low stakes activity (“It’s only hair, Mom, we can always shave it all off if it doesn’t work”), and feeling loved and loving.
3. My lentil experiment that I was so excited about turned out a bit bitter, however #2 son liked it. The leftovers are, however, turning into bricks in their glass jars, so more liquid will be applied. With my eggplant pickle it is a reasonably tasty vegetarianish kind of meal.
4. My fridge emptying continues, although I picked up yogurt on steep discount when I went to get the last carton of coffee cream I’ll need before my trip. Couldn’t pass up on tubs of Yogurt at 80% off – and although I am not a fan of the individual packed yogurt they had some of those at an equally shockingly great price. #2 son does love yogurt so none of this will last while I am gone!
5. speaking of ‘gone’, for some reason my sister keeps picking holiday destinations that end up undergoing huge protests. Hundreds of thousands are protesting in Istanbul, so I am watching the travel advisories closely. Still could bail!
I love your son lets you cut his hair. It sounds like you had a nice time together.
My son had a Mohawk from ages 8 to about 14. Every week I had to shave the sides of his head. That got reeeeeeally old.
Just replaced the plastic on our greenhouse also. I started my seeds in a back bedroom under a grow light this year.
Be glad to have them in their greenhouse.
Enjoy your trip
I cut my niece’s bangs while she was here and went verrrrrry slowly with the process as I really didn’t want to eff up her hair. In the end it turned out great. Home haircuts are both a savings of money and time as you don’t have to take hours to travel and get the cut!
I have the same exact pet brush and my cat loves it! When she sees it, she runs over so I can brush her with it! If it’s on the floor, she rests her face on it and rubs her cheek against it. I am wondering if there’s a pet bed made from the same material – believe it or not I think she would enjoy napping on it.
Like a bed of nails!
The needlepoint is beautiful.
I agree.
Could you tell us more about the needlepoint some time? It is a beautiful, creative design and unlike most patterns I have seen.
My father mostly did mathematically intricate needlepoint mazes, but switched over to the concentric squares at some point. I can include some photos in a future blog post. each one takes around a year to make.
Looks like a Frank Stella picture.
Restoration Hardware chairs for $8 each is a great find!
I accidentally broke the glass on a large ornate picture frame while I was cleaning it. I am now trying to use it to mount an odd shaped crazy quilt square that I’ve had for a long time and never could figure out how to displa. I think the frame without glass is going to work.
Literally an example of “reframing” the issue!
Reframing the issue? ROTFL!!!
You sure have an eye for spotting the good chairs!
My main frugal thing is huge. We’ve had trouble with our lawn since covid, switching fertilizer companies, etc. Nothing was changing so last year I stopped the service. Big mistake. Worse than ever. Now starting with a new young guy with a local small business who has great reviews. He suggested dethatching just the front lawn. (About 1K) I mentioned trying to rake it myself. He thought it would be great if I could actually do it. He was politely skeptical. Well, if all goes well I should finish by tonight, or definately tomorrow!! It was hard, torturous, sometimes fun and very rewarding job!!!!
Just imagine that someone will hand you a thousand dollars at the end of the day!
We bought a de-thatcher that hooks up to our riding lawnmower. Cost around $150 and does a great job. And saves on better half’s worn our shoulder.
I also love to prep and freeze peppers. Onions, too. No partially used onion in the fridge where they will be forgotten. An unexpected bonus is that my youngest cooks peppers and onions to add to his scrambled eggs in the morning – something he would never do if he had to chop them each morning.
That sounds like a yummy breakfast, plus it reminds me that I have a bowl of again onions. I should chop them up and toss them into the freezer.