In recent days, I’ve been offered over a dozen pieces of furniture that are in need of one thing or another. Now, I have been trying to take a step back from working on furniture for many reasons. However, I also believe that God provides in many ways and this being one of them. Not only am I completely blessed by friends and family who think of me when said furniture items are in their possession, but I’m physically able. Take this vintage gossip chair, for instance.
Sweet Bessica, a friend, saw a lady posted this as a Curb le Chic bound chair if no one wanted it. Now, Bessica had no interest in it herself, but took the time to reach out to me to see if I wanted it. Not only that, but she also delivered it to me! Again, such a blessing. If you remember, she recently bestowed on me the antique wash stand I refinished HERE.
So, you may be wondering why someone would toss this vintage gem? Well… let’s take a closer look. From the front the chair looks sturdy enough, but look from the side…
Every spreader is loose. Not broken, but loose. Also, there is peeling veneer (not much of an issue) and this…hole…
I have no idea why the hole is there unless someone tried to wire something through – maybe a phone or a lamp? In my research years before I’ve never seen one with a hole, so I’m curious. Then there’s the awesome DIY upholstery job. Lump butt anyone? haha.
DIY TIME
Okay, so now I’ve established there are issues, but ready for the trash? NO WAY.
As you can imagine, the first order of business is to take this piece apart and start over. Just like I did with these two dumpster bound chairs. Funny thing is, the seat braces weren’t even originally put in correctly.
Next, I clean it all up and glue it all with clamps to reset this lil’ lady back to stable and safe.
Also, I fill the hole on the table top with a dowel using wood glue followed by wood filler once the glue cures. Then, sand it smooth.
Did you know I save those wooden dowel handles off of foam brushes? They are so handy for many things, including my DIY boot rack. Waste not, want not, right?
FABRIC LOVE
Meanwhile, I set about to take off that upholstery and find out what someone stuck in there. It appears that this is the second replacement of the upholstery over time.
One of the most exciting parts of doing upholstery is seeing what lies underneath telling the story of days gone by. Often times folks just cover over the old with new. However, in this instance the DIYer actually took out the upholstery tacks and reused them for the new. I spy red vinyl! I also save the upholstery tacks for different crafty uses too.
Then, I pick out a fabric that will pair well with the lines of this vintage gossip chair while also lending a nod to modern day style. Oftentimes I can reuse the seat cushioning with new batting, but this time I had to start completely over. I even get to use a remnant that is from my oldest son’s first desk makeover.
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at upholstery, chairs or footstools are a great way to start. See my tutorial HERE or this other video demo below.
AND THEN PAINT
Last, but not least, I need to make this chair cohesive. Since I’ve had to glue veneer, fill the hole and make a few other minor repairs it’s time to paint. Plus, the wood finish has aged differently and is no longer cohesive. I want to keep in mind the era as well as bring it into modern day style. To start, I use a dark paint called Eclipse. It has a deep gray tone, but I plan to warm it up a bit after two coats.
Then, once the paint cures, I apply a brown wax over this color to give it the warmth that will give it a wood vibe, but also tie in with the new upholstery.
GOSSIP ANYONE?
While I love to chat with my friends and family, I won’t say I embrace gossip. But…this chair makes for a fun conversation piece, don’t you think?
I totally debated on adding a fun function like a lamp to the table but decided to keep the surface free to other goodies. Likewise, I even considered going totally retro on this with fun graphics and color. My relaxed side won out this time around. I’m smitten!
In my childhood home, we had a phone room with a 25′ cord that would allow me to have a semi-private conversation by s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g it to my sister’s room. At least we didn’t have to have a party line…remember those?!?
REPURPOSE
Also, I come by my repurposing honestly. My parents took an antique wall mounted phone and hung it in our kitchen. Ya know, the kind you crank to get the operator holding one piece to your ear and speaking into the other? However, they hollowed it out and hung a landline phone inside. What a hoot to watch visitors come over and hear that antique phone ring! tee hee!
As always, my goal is to bring about inspiration that gets you looking past the obvious and seeing potential in the unloved and broken (not just decor, but people too). If you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find it and much more available in my online store.
SHARE
Do take a minute to tell maybe what you would have done with this? Hope fully not the trash! {{GASP}}. In addition, share and pin my vintage gossip chair makeover to inspire others too.
And if you want to see another Curb le Chic makeover, stay tuned to see what I do with this Mid-Century Modern gem. HEAD HERE TO SEE. However, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss out! Absolutely, no strings attached. Until next time!
Also, more fun furniture makeovers like this vintage gossip chair makeover:
I love it! I found a gossip chair on the trash last year. My son now has it and the cubby has become his cats favorite spot.
bwahahaha!! I love the cat quirks! So fun to hear. Thanks for sharing, Lori!
This is charming without being stuffy ! !wonderful job. I love your fabric choice. Have a blessed day.
That is music to my ears, Charleen. Thank you! I had fun giving it an update.
Where can I obtain the paint Eclipse?
I got mine at my local Home Hardware store. It’s a milk paint by Rustoleum.
This is gorgeous, love the colour and the fabric. I really have never ever seen one before, we did have telephone tables with a seat of course, but this is a style I have never encountered.
What a cute “instant” nook!! Makes me want to have a seat and work on my weekly “to do” list!! ?
Oh my goodness! That chair looks amazing! That grey is one of my favorite colors to use as well. And thank you for showing how you take things apart to re-glue and stabilize. Maybe this is a “sign” that it’s time to tackle my bar stool. Hugs and praying for warm weather for you, too! (We too, got ANOTHER artic blast after just one day of 70 degree weather.)
Larissa, you bring joy to this world. I love your sunny outlook. The gossip chair is gorgeous. Keep on what you are doing because it just works out beautifully. Note- sometimes your re-do are suspenseful. “What will she do?” ❤️ Blessings
You are such a blessing, Stephanie!I really mean that. Thank you for showing me love. 😀
You did a fabulous job with this unique vintage piece! Oh the hours a lady sat there chatting with friends. If it could only talk! Well done, Larissa!!!!
Aren’t they so fun?!? Yes, I wish it could talk for sure. tee hee! 😀
Love this Larissa! Modern, yet retro! Apparently I missed out on a gossip chair at our local H4H Restore, I was bummed! I have a hard time myself passing on a free piece…… there is always SOMETHING that can be done with them! I’m pleased that you filled the hole and left it flat.
We had a ‘white’ desk growing up, no matter what color my mom painted it, it was always referred to as the ‘white desk’ with our phone on it. Those were the days with those long spiral cords!
Thank ya, Gwen! 😀 Ooh…too bad you missed out on it. They’re so fun. I totally miss the simpler days. It seems smart phones are an addition making folks stupid. haha.
Love this. You made this cast off into something special. The fabric and paint are spot on!
How sweet of you to say, Tess. Thank you!
I LOVE THIS, LARISSA! How cool!! I think it’s one of my top favorites.
My grandmother had one of those she used for a phone table and would sit in it for hours yacking up a storm. LOL It looks so chic painted black and the retro fabric is perfect!
I LOVE IT!! 😀 Sounds like a gal after my own heart. Thanks for the love, Marie.
I like the black, not sure that I would do anything different. I had a gossip table my MIL gave me a while back. It was some sort of gold sparkle finish metal and funky multi colored mid 80’s to 90’s fabric with what looked like gold splatter paint design on it. I sold it at rummage and got in trouble for selling it. Anyway I wasn’t using it and did t see the harm in someone else having it.
I’m with you. Let someone else enjoy it. I’ve done similar with similar results. I’m a mom with 6 kids in a 3 bedroom, 1 room home and no room for frivolities. I get it. 🙂
Beautiful job, Larissa! Your many talents continues to shine throughout this project! GR
I was eager to see if I could make it solid again and it was as easy as I thought, so I’m a happy camper. Thanks, Gail!
Gorgeous! Hard to believe it’s the same piece! Love your choice of paint color and fabric; such a cool 60’s vibe. Thanks for rescuing another piece from the trash!!
You’re such a fun gal, Carroll. Thanks for the love on my work. It means much…truly.
Hi Larissa! It turned out so pretty. I love the top on saving the foam brush handles for dowels. Thank you
Thanks! Yes, they are so handy for unlimited things. 😀
Wow! It’s a head turner for sure now that you have loved on it and given it new life!? love the colors you chose for paint and fabric Larissa! Looks very chic!
The best part for me is that I have a friend who thought enough of me to bring it right to my door. Thanks so much, Mary.
Really nice makeover, truly enjoy the colors. Wish you could send some “cool” my way, temps are headed to 100 shortly.
Thanks for saying so, Mary. Maybe we could barter with mother nature? 😉
Love that gossip bench, that fabric with the black is fabulous! Great save and vision.
Hooray!! Thanks so much, Trudy. I just felt it needed some class. 😉