I have a confession to make; I’m not really much of a sewer.
There, I’ve said it, and the truth is, I don’t even own a machine!
I mean, I can do basic straight lines – like pillows and the like (as you may have seen in previous posts) – though ask me about slip covers and you’ll be met with a blank stare.
Yeah, when it comes to befriending the sewing machine I pretty much always need a re-introduction by my Mum.
She’s an awesome sewer. She even made my wedding dress from scratch
I do truly hope to increase my sewing skills and confidence one day and it’s little projects like this one that help me take the steps needed – hopefully!
I recently found this pre-loved wicker rocking chair on eBay.
(I usually get a few questions when I mention buying furniture off eBay. I know many of my readers don’t realise I’m based in Australia where we don’t have Craigslist – well, technically we do though there are only about three things on it – so eBay is one of the biggest and best resource for picking up inexpensive second-hand furniture).
It was just what I was after; comfy, neutral, generously proportioned (perhaps a little too much so for my teeny nursery :-) and just that little bit different.
Though as with most second-hand finds there’s always something I gotta change – I wasn’t too keen on the shape and style of the back cushion so decided to replace it with a standard european pillow instead.
I sewed the simple envelope cover from drop cloth fabric to closely match the existing seat cushion and attached four timber buttons to give it some extra character.
I’m contemplating painting grain sack stripes on it though think I’ll wait til the nursery comes together before deciding for sure – it’ll probably happen though (I’m a sucker for those stripes!).
Love your euro pillow…could you possibly do a tutorial on how you made it? I need to recover one and would love to know what you did.
Thanks!
Judy
Wow it looks amazing for someone who says they are a non-sewer! Love the buttons!
It looks wonderful. I love the buttons and the throw!
Gorgeous and the buttons are a great addition! Gives me an awesome idea for a project I am working on!
That looks like something straight out of Pottery Barn! Gorgeous!
I love the chair! The buttons are a great touch. I can’t wait to see the completed nursery!
Love it Kristine! Looks terrific!
Lesley
x
I thought the same thing as Suzanne! You could so work for PB! Love it!!
~Angela
Wow! What a gorgeous chair transformation. I just found your blog via the Parade of Homes and LOVE it!!! What fabulous style you have.
I dream about your projects, your rooms, your home.
Everything you do is magic.
Thank you ever so much for sharing with the world. I am hoping to transform my own home, room by room, with just a few small, magical touches (inspired largely by you) to lighten and brighten the place where we spend the bulk of our time, and where the people I love lay their heads to rest.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Laura
little feet in my house
lauraluyt.blogspot.com
I admire your confession to not being much of a sewer.. The way I see it, it’s a learning process (I still have a heck of a time making a stupid straight line – haha).
What a beautiful chair!
Kristine! i absolutely thought that first picture was an “inspiration photo” from like Pottery Barn or something. turns out that’s your ACTUAL chair and house and photo! whoa! it’s amazingly perfect and makes me want one just like it! awesome awesome job for a self proclaimed non-sewer. especially since i have a hard time sewing straight on my sewing machine, much less making anything by hand!
mind mentioning where you picked up your drop cloth? it looks much lighter (more white) than the ones i’ve been using and i would so prefer that.
that looks awesome! and your mom amazes me… your dress was beautiful!!!
oh, and love the deer in headlights. that is me when i am overwhelmed with projects… i tend do freeze!
Hey Amanda
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. He, he, it always makes me laugh when someone compares my taste to Pottery Barn. I live in Australia and we don’t have it here (I didn’t even know what it was until I began blogging!). Would love to help out with the drop cloth brand though as I said, I’m in Australia so probably don’t have the same products as you. You’re right though in that it is quite a light, natural colour. Much more taupey then the usual yellow undertone of many drop cloths.
Kristine
xoxo
I love it!!..eBay addict here and why not wait until you know what bub is for the stripes then you can go with an accent colour to match the sex?
I have awarded you a One Lovely Blog Award..check my post
http://downthatlittlelane.blogspot.com/2011/04/so-rewarding.html
I’m soooo jealous! The style of this rocker is lovely and I’m really impressed with your drop cloth pillows/covers. Fabulous!!!
LOVE that chair – wish I could find something similar for our nursery!! x
Wow, the rocker looks fantastic – you’d never guess it was an Ebay find! And you did a great job on the cushion :-)
Looks like a cozy comfy chair for Momma and baby! Nice Job!
xo,
Shannon
Brilliant! I Love it! Im your newest follower!
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xoxokara
Hi Kristine,
I have an unrelated question for you/ plea for advice. We are refinishing an old dining room table set and decided to use danish oil on the top that we’d just sanded back to the raw oak. Well we applied natural danish oil on top because my husband liked the white oak color it was… and it has turned bright, tony the tiger frosted flakes ORANGE! what did we do wrong? The oak looked like a lovely honey color and now its terrifying. Also, how do we fix this? I’m thinking of picking up a can of tinted danish oil (walnut, cherry, fruitwood, anything) to use on top so maybe it will tone it down?? We don’t want to re-sand :(
I know you’re a huge danish oil lover so thought you might have some advice if it’s not too much trouble for you.
Thanks!
Elz
Kristine,
what a great score with the rocker! Love your euro sham on the back. I would of never thought to use a euro sham. Very clever. I think with or without the stripes it looks great.
I love this style of pillow- I just made some this weekend. Your idea of adding the buttons is very smart. The rocker looks fabulous! I’m visiting from the Shabby Chic Cottage.
How do you find these pieces? This rocking chair is amazing! Hope it’s comfortable for you and the baby!
Oh yeah…..I’m a total sucker for those French stripes, too, Kristine! :) You did a great job on that pillow slip! Kudos to you! It’ll be perfect for you to rock your little one….
xoox laurie
movie star photos! I love your wedding dress. Yeah Mum! get her a blog,lol.
the rocker is perfect. hope your feeling well.
d e n i s e
I really like it!!! Very pretty… and it looks comfy!
Hello,
This is one of the best blog.I really like it..Very informative and helpful post. You have good command on the topic and have explained in a very nice way. Thanks for sharing. …
Oh my gosh… you just brought my dream wicker patio furniture to life! This is gorgeous. I thought it was a PB photo. Outstanding shot!
Shared on FJI Facebook for SNS 79. :)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Junk-Interiors/175378011140#!/photo.php?fbid=10150233104861141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
What a cute idea! I’m featuring you on my Flaunt it Friday features, stop by and grab an “I was featured” button if you’d like. Thanks for linking up! :)
Your photos are amazing!
its nice color and design.