When it comes to shopping, I've always thought that imagination was more useful than luck. Now don't get me wrong—it's always nice to find that just-right piece by being in the right place at the right time. But more often than not, it's the ability to see the potential in something (remember the secretary?) that really counts. Take this chair that our friend Jordan picked up on a recent trip to the Millerton Antiques Center, just a few miles up the road from our house. Looking past the hideous fabric and outdated finish, we saw a sturdy chair with great proportions and slender lines. Plus, with a little Designer DIY, we also felt certain we could turn it into something worthy of a place in her small, but stylish West Village apartment.
After tearing off all that old, dusty fabric, we lightly sanded the wood, then painted it white. To offset the severe vertical lines of the chair's arms, Jordan wanted to use a thick, horizontal stripe that felt casual and slightly askew, but the patterns she found were either too skinny, too graphic, or too...well...nautical. So, having run out of luck, we used—what else?—our imagination! First, we covered the chair with a thick, white cotton fabric, using store-bought white piping to finish off the edges. Then, we taped off large sections of the chair with duct tape to create intentionally uneven stripes of different widths for the casual feel she wanted. After taping off the newly-painted white frame as protection, we used silver spray paint to cover the portions of fabric not covered by duct tape. Once the paint was dry, we peeled off the duct tape, revealing exactly the kind of stripes she'd imagined!
Not only have the stripes held up beautifully, but it's impossible to tell that the fabric is painted at all! Even Jaithan was fooled—his first question after seeing the finished chair was "Where did you get that fantastic fabric?" Now Jordan is the first to admit she was skeptical about pulling off the look, but now that it's done, it looks even better than she'd imagined. Indeed, a little luck isn't a bad thing at all! And speaking of, wish us luck at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, everyone! We're off to Pasadena for a bit of shopping, rest, and relaxation, California-style! We're also going to be seeing my good friend Andrea Schroder from Top Design while we're out there. Remember her gorgeous guest house in Topanga Canyon? We'll be away for a few days next week, everyone. See you on Thursday!
This is my first time here snd it was by accident.......thanks eddie, its the bomb
Posted by: Sheri sullivan | January 27, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Oh, that's a good idea!
Posted by: | September 06, 2011 at 05:57 AM
Eddie, I was so excited when I opened this months issue of house beauriful and saw you there it was like seeing a friend. Love your blog
Merri
Posted by: Merri | November 21, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I do love the gray and white on the chairs. I hate to say though the fabulous horse head lamp caught my eye, as well as the black walls. The room has an old hollywood glam look to it while still relaxed and not stiff. Very nice!
Posted by: Adrianna | November 20, 2009 at 06:41 AM
you inspired me:
http://sketch42blog.com/2009/06/05/my-eddie-ross-moment/
Posted by: nicole | June 05, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I love this! I just picked up a chair off the side of the road that looks very similar. I'm hoping my re-creation of it will look just as fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jenna | March 25, 2009 at 09:21 PM
KILLER upholstery make-over. I totally dig the mustard and black color combo as well. very chic, Mr. Ross. very chic.
xox
Posted by: Meg Allan Cole | March 24, 2009 at 05:51 PM
wow! Who knew you could paint fabric, I love it!
Tabitha
http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | March 13, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I can't believe you can spray paint fabric! I had to blog about it, too:
http://lizzytishblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: lizzytish | March 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Fantastic!!!!!! I am amazed.
Have fun in Pasadena! (I grew up there near San Marino!)
Posted by: katiedid | March 11, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Top Design has finally reached Sweden and all of us girls in Sweden who follow the show loves you!
:) Greatings from Sweden once again!
Posted by: Johanna Forsblom | March 11, 2009 at 12:41 PM
i have always wanted to do this (spray paint a cushion, not necessarily the stripes), but was afraid the paint might come up on clothes??
Posted by: rae events | March 10, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Wow, that chair is fabulous!
Posted by: Carmen Torbus | March 10, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Andrea is my other favorite Top Design person! Eddie I love design but you both have design that is livable. I am not the type of person that can love something too formal or not kid or dog friendly. I want real life design!
BTW I have a Heisey Punch bowl, I toy with selling it but Hubby wants me to keep it.
Posted by: Kathy@brazoscowgirl | March 09, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Another fabulous makeover. Who knew you could spray paint fabric?
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | March 09, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Wow, that looks so fabulous!!! I love it when you show an item that I wouldn't even look twice at and somehow transform it into something totally chic!
xoxo
Aline
Posted by: hanako66 | March 08, 2009 at 07:40 PM
What a great makeover. I love the chair. Have fun with Andrea, I'll be anxious to hear about your visit.
Posted by: Judy | March 08, 2009 at 07:06 PM
White Stripes! Love it! What a great eye,
Posted by: Kristen@PajamaMama | March 08, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I love a good DIY makeover... wonderful job! I've been too busy remodeling our home, but as soon as I have time to dedicate to shopping at flea markets/second hand shops I hope to do more projects like this.
Cheers,
Victoria from EdinDesigns @ DesignTies
Posted by: DesignTies | March 08, 2009 at 01:28 AM
Fantastic make over, Eddie.
I hope you get a chance to stop by while you are in LA!
Happy hunting tomorrow at the Rose Bowl.
It is one of my favorites. I wish I could join in the fun, but I'm away this weekend.
xo
Brooke
Posted by: velvet and linen | March 07, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Eddie, that chair looks AMAZING. I am going to be seeing the world with new eyes...
xo Terri
Posted by: Terri | March 07, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Not to rush you, but when do we get to see more of your new house?! I can't wait!
Love the chair!
Posted by: Victoria | March 07, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Eddie, You're the man!!!Love your ideas and "cents-ability"! You always make me think about decorating in a totally different way.
Posted by: Sheila | March 07, 2009 at 08:50 AM
wow. great work as always. what type of paint did you use? latex? thanks!
Posted by: paula | March 07, 2009 at 08:40 AM
It always amazes me what a little elbow grease and some paint will do. What a wonderful transformation.
Posted by: Debra | March 07, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Eddie-
from drab
to fab!
I cannot wait to show you my chair!
pve
Posted by: pve design | March 07, 2009 at 07:04 AM
I just love the crispness of white paint! Love the fact that you painted the stripes! How inventive! Have a safe trip and cannot wait until you get back and share your experiences with us!
Posted by: Lucien | March 07, 2009 at 06:38 AM
Hey my sweet heart! and Hello Jaithan!
I tell you...we are connected I painted an upholstery item this week too! Only mine was very drastic...I took every step necessary to not have to upholster anything...I'm a lazy bum, check it out tell me what you think?
http://s492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/redesigndiva/Fabrics/Upholstery%20redo/?action=view¤t=f14e4998.pbw
Be safe in LA and have fun!
Posted by: Kindle | March 07, 2009 at 03:13 AM
An astonishing transformation! Love the fabric and the entire look. What kind of spray paint. Does it have to be a particular type and brand to work on the fabric?
Posted by: Karena | March 06, 2009 at 11:43 PM
chair is amazing!
and I am soooooo jealous of the rose bowl flea market trip. that is one I have dreamed of going to for years!
Posted by: pippa | March 06, 2009 at 08:57 PM
***Did you have to use a "special" paint, Eddie? I ADORE this idea, ANNNND the results! Know you'll enjoy your trip ~~~ Can't wait to see what you post upon your return! Best, Linda***
Posted by: Linda | March 06, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Love it! Once again, you are brilliant and fabulous...and how cute is the staging with the Jimmy Choos?!?
Have a great time in California. When you return to NY, the snow will be gone (hopefully)!
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | March 06, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Ohhh, I didn't get to sign up for your trip, but will be there meeting up with a long time blogger friend; Kim of Something to Say... Small world!! Don't be surprised if a few of us see you and get a little star struck and point a lot!!
Have a fab vaca-shion!
oh and ps... the chair is simply delightful!!
Posted by: jill | March 06, 2009 at 07:28 PM
just wanted you to have a heads up that I "stole" part of your painted secretary redo post. I found almost the exact same one for $5 at a yard sale, and wanted to post about it's potential - giving you all the credit/link, of course. Let me know if that's not ok.
http://inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com/2009/03/yard-sale-wonder-painted-hutch-redo.html
Posted by: Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam | March 06, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Oh my gosh, Eddie. Love the chair! You are a genius.
I totally posted on painting upholstery fabric today, too.
check out my post -
littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jenny | March 06, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Absolutely perfect!
Posted by: decorpad | March 06, 2009 at 04:40 PM
You can use just regular old spray paint on fabric? Cool. That just opened a whole new world for me. Thanks Eddie!
Posted by: Aubrey | March 06, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Eddie,
I am a daily reader/admirer. I believe the chair in question is in fact wormy chestnut (now no longer avalable) and was a Heritage piece from 1961-63 - The chair was not inexpensive then and being wormy chestnuet, if I am correct, would be even more valuable now - Heritage has long since merged with Henredon.
Posted by: suzanne hill | March 06, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Wow, this looks great!
What kind of spray paint did you use?
I'd love to do this to some pieces I have at home, but I'm worried that the spray paint will come off when people use them.
Posted by: Allison | March 06, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Eddie, this turned out great!!! I wish I was going to be in LA this weekend,I would be there to say Hi!!! Maybe someday you will make it up to the bay area to the Alameda flea Market very close to San Francisco and I will difinately be there. We are only 45 min from San Francisco.Have a great trip,hope the sun is out for you and Jaithan.Hugs Kathysue
Posted by: Kathysue | March 06, 2009 at 01:27 PM
The chair looks gorg!
i am so excited for sunday I can hardly contain myself!
Posted by: Sweet Nothings | March 06, 2009 at 12:42 PM
fantastic. i love stripey fabric and can never find what i am looking for. this is a great solution!
Posted by: chelsea | March 06, 2009 at 12:11 PM
WOW this is one of my favorite things you've ever done. I can't wait to meet you on Sunday.
Posted by: Bryn | March 06, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Hi, Eddie,
I always struggle with whether or not to paint a beautiful wooden piece. I'm a great lover of the classic style that stained and varnished (or waxed) wood brings to the house, but in my heart of hearts, I'm a contemporary sort of girl and most of me BEGS to paint that beautiful sheet music cabinet I picked up last week a shiney, enameled red.
What to do....what to do... SIGH. Is it really "just paint" or could I be ruining a masterpiece, original stamp on the back and all?
Posted by: Amphritrite | March 06, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Wow, that chair is amazing!!! I don't think I would have ever looked twice at it... which is why I work in an office and you do what you do. :)
Posted by: Kristin | March 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
What a beautiful redo! I'm chomping at the bit to get out to some yardsales & find some bargains myself. Have fun in CA!
Posted by: Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality | March 06, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Amazing. What a great idea - those uneven stripes are perfect!
Posted by: Kristal | March 06, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Love it! it goes so well with the rest of the room. Fantastic as usual Eddie!
Fe
Posted by: layersofmeaning | March 06, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Wow, that looks fabulous! I love the whole look of that room. Have a great trip!
Posted by: Paloma of La Dolce Vita | March 06, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Awesome transformation! So glam and mod! I've been wanting to recover a little settee for some time, but have NO idea how to hide my staples! Could you do a bit of 'splainin' about how to use piping to finish edges while hiding the staples? Help!
Posted by: Erynn | March 06, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Have Fun Eddie!
Oh yes that little wondeful guest house....so great!
Leslie
lamaisonfou blog
Posted by: Leslie Rowlands | March 06, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Oh my gosh! That's a gorgeous chair! Would you mind providing us with the name of the paint you used to paint the frame? Also, any tips on making it non-streaky?
Posted by: Sarah B. | March 06, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Is there a spray paint that is specifically designed to be used on fabric?
Posted by: Karen Evans | March 06, 2009 at 09:25 AM
It looks so great!!! We need a tour of Jordan's house!!! Have fun this weekend!
xoxo,
lauren liess
Posted by: Lauren Liess | March 06, 2009 at 09:18 AM
What a fun projcet & totally something I could pull off : ) I'm alredy rareing to go to this weekend's flea markets!
Posted by: Arlynn from Fleur De Licious | March 06, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Wow, I love this before and after- the chair looks amazing!
I must ask, is that wall painted black behind the chair? If so I adore it and would love to know if Jordan remembers the color paint it was- I'm looking for a great black paint for a wall in my kitchen. Thanks a million!!
Posted by: LindsB | March 06, 2009 at 08:35 AM
What ,I am not going to hear from you tell next Thursday? What am I going to do when I get up at 4 A.M?
Have a great trip and come back with lots of fun things to tell us about.
Posted by: Clara | March 06, 2009 at 08:05 AM
This is the neatest idea! This chair looks like it came from a high end, designer store. Back in 1992 - I bought my first (new) couch and it was covered in that same hideous fabric. I had dusty wing chairs to go with it. Yuck.
Posted by: Nancy | March 06, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Gorgeous! I am so jealous of your ability to see what something CAN be, rather that simply what it is. Since I can't do it on my own, I am definitely grateful that you share the process with us. :)
Posted by: Laura | March 06, 2009 at 04:16 AM
Wow, I SO LOVE IT! Hey, I'm almost finished with the large buffet i bought (which has gone from an faux oak finish to white with beige stripes). Will send you an e-mail with pics when it's done! :)
Posted by: Dagny @ Beautiful Living | March 06, 2009 at 03:07 AM