A Gentleman in Corduroy

I feel the strongest nudging to give things a second chance.  I know this may seem the weirdest compulsion but I can't stand for things like this chair to be thrown to the curb especially when he still has so much life left in him. 

He did look somewhat like he was on his last leg ~ indeed, he was even minus a cushion.  Yikes, actually my friend Gloria's dog ate a good portion of it.  Despite the missing seat, I fell for the amazing lines of this fab mid-century modern chair and was so anxious for him to have a makeover.  

After scouring options for fabrics to reupholster the piece, I decided to dress him in this rich brown corduroy.  

And look how handsome he turned out ~ doesn't a little love and a chocolaty corduroy go a long way to enhance his frame?  I'm so happy he won't be taking up residence in a nearby landfill anytime soon.  

Thanks for stopping by Tattered Style ~ be sure to follow us on Instagram here. 

Before and After ~ Knoll Chair

It's long been a dream of mine to own an original Knoll piece of furniture.  But as we all know, they are so dang expensive.  When I attended Dwell With Dignity's Thrift Studio last fall, I was thrilled to find this vintage Knoll chair ~ with nameplate intact. 

 

Obviously, the chair needed a makeover.  

 

With the addition of this lovely faux white leather fabric. I think the Knoll chair has been returned to it's former glory.  I'm happy as a clam to have it sitting in my home.

I hope today you're feeling happy too!  What treasure has brought some joy into your world lately?

XO ~ Dana

Felt Furniture Miniatures

Saturday was the first time I dared to venture out to make a few exchanges/returns and check out the sales since before Christmas.  Unlike many, I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to shopping the after Christmas sales, no matter how great the prices.  I generally get the courage to go out a few days after the crowds have subsided and usually there's still a few stray sale items to be found.

This past weekend, I lucked into these sweet felt furniture miniatures at Anthropologie.  I loved the overall look and texture of them ~ probably because I kind of have a thing for felt these days.  They were intended to be ornaments but that's not how I envisioned using them.  I knew I could snip the gold ornament strings off and find a home for the wee chairs, so they could be used year round.  Plus, they were just too good to pass up at 50% off.

 

I think this menagerie of little felt chairs looks lovely parading across the Pottery Barn dish (I found it at a thrift store for $1.00) and it proves true ~ good things often do come in small packages.

As we gear up for the New Year, I'm hoping your 2013 is filled to the brim with good things.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by Tattered Style.  Be sure to like Tattered Style on Facebook ~ here or follow me on Pinterest here!  XO ~ Dana

Wing Chair ~ Drop Cloth Redo

Oftentimes, I run across a great piece of furniture that has good bones to it but is in need of a reupholstery job.  And as we all know, fabric can be expensive!  So for me, plain old painter's drop cloths have long been a solution to pricey alternatives.  Matter of fact, drop cloths have long been a staple ingredient in designs I conjure up.

They pop up everywhere as curtains, tablecloths and throw pillows.  I've even used them as Christmas tree skirts.  Needless to say, the possibilities are endless. 

 

The two main appeal factors to me are:  1) They are super cheap and  2) They resemble, in look and texture, a nice linen fabric.  Find them here.

I'm sure in its heyday, this wing chair dressed in jungle inspired fabric, was all that.  But, it just wasn't working for me, especially since I love an environment with neutral furnishings. 

It took 7 yards of material to recover the chair (I used 8oz. weight drop cloths).  The cost of the material for the chair ended up being $23.98 plus tax.  

 

I would love to say I reupholstered the wing chair myself ~ but I didn't.  My upholstery guy did an amazing job on the redo.  In the end, I spent considerable less on the makeover in comparison to what it would have cost me had I purchased yardage from a fabric store.  This calming, neutral space is a nice spot to kick back and relax in.  In time, the chair will sport an inviting throw pillow ~ for now pillowless is good with me.  Hoping you have plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax this weekend!  XO ~ Dana 

A Chair Makeover

Sometimes I think I'm just plain weird.  It would be so much easier to just go buy a chair from a retail store like most people.  Instead, I find myself traipsing around antique stores, flea markets, junk stores or thrift stores in search of a lost and lonely soul that needs a home.  Something about the genetics I guess...it's in my blood.

This find is of the thrift store variety ~ it set me back 4 bucks.  I just thought it had charm ~ and I love the barrel style.

I sprayed it black...

Recovered the cushion in a fine Belgian linen (a remnant I had)...

I love the end result....


Something about projects like this are quite therapeutic ~ any more weirdos out there like me? :)

Off to Austin to work on a mid century modern apartment ~ a diversion from the norm...but EXCITING.  Pics will soon follow.  Have a great week!

A New Look for Tattered Style

Happy Friday!  You may have noticed Tattered Style has a new look ~  thanks to a wonderful graphic designer and friend of mine named Emma.  We've been collaborating on the new design for a few weeks now and I'm so thrilled with how it's all come to fruition.  I have to thank Emma for her patience with me and the many emails, phone calls and texts I inundated her with over the course of the weeks.

    

A little bit about Emma ~ she graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in Graphic Design. And yes, while she's an unbelievably gifted graphic artist (and loves pretty things) she's also an amazing photographer and blogger ~ please make a visit over to Emmadime to see for yourself.  

Back to the bio ~ shortly after graduating college, Emma took a little break and moved to Paris for a year of inspiration and rejuvenation.  I can't think of a better getaway place ~ I love Paris!    

Here are a few pics from Emma's stay in Paris.  This is the home of a friend that Emma made a visit to one weekend.  These photos in particular are so beautiful to me and evoke the feel of tattered style.      

I love how this room is so undecorated ~ yet perfectly decorated.  Can you believe the size and character of that fireplace?  

 The dining table ~ I love the quirky seats.  

The dining table before breakfast ~ note the fresh, assortment of breads and tea.

 The dining table after breakfast ~ croissants devoured ~ sigh ~

Okay ~ enough daydreaming already!  After Emma's return home from Paris, she dove headfirst into the world of freelance graphic design and she's been busy ever since.

Not only does Emma freelance as a graphic designer, she is also one more amazing knitter.  You must check out Emmadime Knitted to see all of her knitted goodness!  

Wait ~ if you thought I was finished with all the many things Emma keeps herself busy with ~ not yet.  She also works for Rue Magazine ~ a wonderful online design magazine.  Please take a moment to peruse its pages if you haven't had the chance.  It's a feast of beautiful eye candy.  

For now, my time working with Emma has come and gone but I'm sure our paths will cross again someday.  Here is a sampling of some things Emma created for Tattered Style ~

 

I love my business cards.  They resemble the British bus roll I have hanging above my fireplace.  I'm also having the card printed up in the reverse design, with a black background and white lettering. The stamp is so much fun to use for stamping shipping tags (which I'll be using as business cards as well). 

Thank you Emma for all of your "heart' work and dedication on my project.  You are an amazingly gifted artist and I know your future will continue to be bright.  I'm happy to call you my friend ~ smile.

Hiding the Ugly ~ Who Knew?

 

Sometimes we all have to live with life's little idiosyncrasies, not always our favorite thing to do...but oh well. Such is the case with some of the not so perfect things in my home. When we moved into our present location a number of years ago I aspired to have everything in our house "just right" in about 3 months (ha!). Well, eleven years later and counting, we're not quite there yet. Funny how words like "budget, emergencies and emergency rooms" can squelch a design plan. And honestly, who doesn't have things in life that come along and thwarts progress from time to time? Such is the case in my house as well. Long ago, I finally decided instead of bemoaning the "ugly" why not just camouflage instead? I happen to live in a house that is older, not old as in "old with an abundance of character," but old as in "lots of little quirky annoyances". Here are a few of the "someday I'll have a little extra to fix that" projects and I thought I might share them with you.

Master Bath Shower ~ see above photo.  Someday I will have a pristine shower in the Master Bath with shiny new tile and a lovely shower door.

Until then ~ I hung a curtain on the outside of the shower to conceal the unsightly tile and not-so-lovely shiny brass door (complete with custom etched water stains in the glass). I made an inexpensive curtain out of cotton twill and hung it from a curtain rod that I attached. I close the curtain when the shower isn't in use and just sweep the curtain open when it's time to suds up.