Let the Fluffing Begin! Tips from a Designer.

Wanna know what's on my mind?

FLUFFING! 

I'm beginning now to "fluff up"

my house for the holidays. 

It seems a lot of people hold off a little too long

to start this process. 

I'm talking about

fixing some of the things in your home that are

bothering you.

So that when Thanksgiving &

Christmas roll around--

you can focus on your decorations &

your house will sing!  

By the way . . .  

if you are planning on soliciting the help

of a designer--this would be a great time to call.

Our phones ring off the hook when Thanksgiving

is right around the corner.

It leaves so little time.

And many furniture manufacturers 

close from November through December.

(So special orders won't make it on time.)

Also, all the Costco furniture will

soon disappear

to make way for the holiday stuff.

A travesty! 

Today, I'm working on my barstools. 

  (Here's the before - yuck. I tried cleaning them, but the stains were set.) 

This was the original fabric that came on the

stools when we bought them 5 years ago.

How did they ever get that bad?

Oh, I know & she is totally worth it!

Since the choice was mine this time,

I picked a Sunbrella fabric. 

This is a forgiving fabric

that's easy to clean & made for abuse.

Designer's tip:

Sunbrella fabric can be pricey,

but your local fabric wholesaler

probably has some remnants for

about half price.

FIRST STEP FOR

RECOVERING THE BARSTOOLS:

Take the screws out &

remove the cushion.
**Remember, "righty tighty - lefty loosey"**

 

2ND STEP:

REMOVE THE BLACK UPHOLSTERY COVERING.

You can use it again if you keep it in tact.

3RD STEP:

REMOVE THE YUCKY, OLD FABRIC.

This is my least favorite step, 

but after thinking many swear words positive thoughts,

I was able to remove most of the staples &

the old fabric.

LEAVE THE FOAM ON if it is still

clean & usable.

(Needle nose pliers are worth their weight in gold here!)   

 NEXT STEP:

(This is the fun part!)

PUT THE NEW FABRIC ON.

I used about a half a yard of 54" fabric

(cut in half crosswise) to cover 2 cushions.

FYI: The best professional upholsterers position

the fabric pattern the exactly the same on each chair

(or curtain panel, or whatever).

But, guess what? I didn't!

I'm just a rebel that way!

 

  What works best for me is to pull the fabric taunt &

staple each of the 4 sides several times. 

Then, do the corners.

I make a fold like this on each side of the corner & 

staple it. (Make sure it's pulled tight.)

Then, pull the middle part up & staple it several times.

NEXT:

Reattach the black upholstery fabric on the back with 

more staples!

THEN:

Screw the cushions back on the base of the stool.

Ta-da! I love the fresh new fabric.

And it will be easier to care for too.

Warmly, Michelle