before and after • DIY

Before & After: A Thrift Shop Chair Gets A Thrift Shop Makeover

by Maxwell Tielman

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Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army can be a little bit hit or miss and, if you happen to be me, you’ll usually have more misses than hits. Hours and hours can be spent poring over thrift store bins and shelves and you can still find yourself leaving empty-handed. For those brave souls who are up for the task and down for the hunt, however, the seemingly futile act of obsessive thrift shop scouring can be quite rewarding. Just ask Melissa Direnzo, the Toronto-based art director and blogger behind The Sweet Escape. Last year, Melissa shared one of her fabulous chair transformation projects with us and now she’s at it again—but this time, she’s upping the ante! A few months back, Melissa stumbled upon a fabulous Danish-style chair at her local Goodwill. The asking price? 10 bucks! The only downside? The drab and outdated fabric that covered its back and seat. Never deterred and ever patient, Melissa maintained a hunt for the ideal upholstery fabric for six months until she found the perfect floral print on a $15 dress in another thrift shop. With a bit of elbow grease and the help of a trusty staple gun, Melissa was able to transform this beauty into a serious showstopper in no time. Now that’s style on a budget! Check out all of the photos, plus Melissa’s design notes, after the jump! —Max

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Materials List

  • 1/2 yard of vinyl (or enough for your chair)
  • 1/2 – 1 yard worth of fabric of your choice that can hold up to furniture wear
  • staple gun
  • scissors
  • tape for finishing (optional)

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