Buttons, Piping, and Refinishing: Faux Eames Reupholstered

We picked up the new fabric along with the button kits at Joann's Fabric and got to work on the buttons and piping. The button project proved a bit difficult because the supplied backs in the kit were too flimsy. We used some buttons we had lying around that happened to be the right size. The kit had a fabric template so we cut it to shape, applied some fabric glue, and jammed the button in the back. I wish it was as easy as that, my wife spent quite a bit of time finessing these buttons into shape and her hard work paid off. While all of my attempts failed miserably. 

 

The Deconstruction: Faux Eames Reupholstered

We picked up two of these faux Eames lounge chairs off of craigslist a few years back and we've finally re-upholstered one of them. Here you can see how faded the fabric was and the ripped arm rest. The cushion was also non-existent. So we took the whole thing apart and refinished the wood, added new foam, buttons and fabric. 

Dressing Up a Campaign Dresser

We picked up this campaign dresser awhile back off of craigslist for my wife to use as her new vanity in our guest room/dressing room. The dresser was it pretty good shape it just need a a little sanding and wood putty on the banged up corners. There was also one missing brass bracket, so we picked one up on ebay (it was harder to find than I had expected). We cleaned off the hardware and gave it a fresh coat with brass colored paint. I think the brass hardware looks great, especially against the new white finish. 

BEFORE:

The Plan: Basement Renovation

We are endeavoring on a major renovation project that is beyond our capabilities, so we have found a contractor to help us renovate our unfinished basement. The plan is to clean out the basement (currently our catch all storage area) so we can add a full bathroom, a few closets, and a new living room. In an attempt to save money on this project we are planning on acting as the project manager and have decided to handle the designs and permit process ourselves. Wish us luck.

We haven’t signed a contract yet with the contractor, we’re waiting for the permits to be finalized so we can them included in the SOW. The hope is next week I can go back into the permit office and pay some exorbitant fees and walk away with a beautiful permit, but I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.

Mid-Century Hi-Fi Restored

We picked up this old mid century hi-fi stand awhile back, but it needed a fair amount of work. There were a lot of blemishes on the wood and the previous owner started drilling holes in the white support pieces trying to remove them (I assume they didn't have a saw). So we cleaned it up and patched the holes and added some additional support . Then we stripped it down and refinished it

BEFORE:


More photos after the jump

Matte Black Side Table

My better half returned from work the other day with this great side table. It just needed a little love and fresh coat of paint. We decided to remove the hand carved piece at the base of the cabinet. It looks like it was an addition to the piece and it didn't really go that well.

BEFORE:

Hardware removed, but still in its original condition.  Here you can see that hand carved piece at the base of the cabinet.

Refinished Gate-leg

We purchased a beautiful Danish Modern gate-leg table and chair set on Craigslist. The table was a bit worn when we purchased it. It was living the last few years of its life in the basement of a house as a kids arts & crafts table. Someone added a thick coat of varnish to the table which may have helped protect it at some point, but now its just a reminder of all the damage thats been done. After a thick coat of Multi-Strip (an odor-free environmentally friendly paint and varnish stripper) the table is back to almost its original glory.

Step 1: Apply thick coat of Multi-Strip.
Step 2: Wait 3 hours.
Step 3: Remove Multi-Strip with a straight edge paint scraper.
Step 4: Wipe down the table with Odorless Mineral Spirits

Step 5: Sit back and admire your hard work.

A little more work tightening some of the screws and some new upholstery for the chairs and this set will be perfect.