Hi friends! How about a fun makeover today? Every month a few blog friends get together to share fun furniture makeovers. The catch is, there is a theme! Some of our previous themes have been: Metallic, Bold, Flowers, and Travel. This month’s theme is NUMBERS! There are a lot of ways to incorporate numbers into a piece of furniture, and this chair was the perfect candidate for this challenge:
I found this sad little chair at a yard sale for $5. There wasn’t anything exciting about it and I almost bid it a good day when the owner appeared to show me that it had a secret compartment. Ooh a secret compartment?? Like Top Secret?? Intriguing.
Here is its makeover:
And can you see the secret compartment?
It’s a drawer!
How cool is that? I have never seen a chair with a secret drawer.
Of course the addition of this pretty knob kind of makes it not-so-secret, right?
I’m only guessing what it’s purpose was, but going with the idea that it was a sewing chair, I added a measuring tape to the back…perfect for a number themed furniture makeover!
I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White.
And getting those lines straight went something like this:
And maybe this:
Um. ya. tedious. I tried to use a paint pen originally and then I remembered why I thought they were worthless. I finally decided to tape it off with my swag bag frog tape (it’s my favorite!!). I used this method to add the numbers. Then I gave the chair a decent sanding and sealed it with clear wax.
It fits right in in my dining room.
The seat before was pretty gross:
I used fabric I had left over from my starfish-stamped pillows to cover it. I also added piping, and I love how finished it looks. {I share an easy step-by-step (sew and NO sew) for adding piping to dining chairs here.}
I think the large numbers are very playful! Wouldn’t this be fun in a craft room?!
Here’s what my fabulous furniture making-over friends came up with:
Follow their links below to see more!
[inlinkz_linkup id=429388 mode=1]
Are you inspired to add numbers to something?
Love you like sunshine 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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dria says
Christy this is Awesome!! The secret drawer is way too cool but the ruler across the back of the chair is right up my alley. I so want one of these chairs!! Beautiful job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Dria! This made for a fun project for this theme 🙂
Angie @ Postcards from the ridge says
I have never seen a chair like that with a secret compartment! I would have definitely snatched it up too! I love what you did with it. It looks perfect in that corner!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Angie! I never would have looked twice at it until I saw that fun feature. Glad to tour with you today! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
OH my gosh…how creative!! I am so impressed!! LOVE the measuring tape idea! And the secret drawer..super cool. I’ve never seen anything like it either! Definitely geek to chic!
Loving this tour!!! 🙂
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks girl! It took me till the last minute, but I made it ha ha…I am definitely getting started earlier next time! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I’ve never seen a chair with a secret compartment! This would be great for sewing or for a desk chair.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! It would be perfect for either! SO fun to tour with you 🙂
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says
You do have patience Christy. I would have gone nuts trying to paint those lines. The chair looks beautiful.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Vidya! I think I put this project off til the very last minute because I was dreading that part. It really wasn’t as bad as it looked. 😉
Lola says
Oh I just LOVE your little chair — that secret drawer would’ve sold me at any price – have never seen a chair with that before. Love the measuring tape – I would NOT have the patience to plan & paint that!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lola! I started out using a paint pen which was a complete fail, so out came the tape. It really wasn’t too bad 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Another fabulous makeover Christy – gosh I love your work! I love the tape measure back and the fabric is perfect with it. Now for that hidden drawer…come on! The knob you choose is so pretty too.
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Marie! Isn’t that drawer so fun?? XO XO
Jeanette says
That is the coolest chair! What a great find and it’s lucky that you found it and added your touch. I agree with you regarding the paint pens. Such a great idea but a lousy product. I’m really enjoying this tour. ~Jeanette 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jeanette! Yes, those paint pens are just terrible! I didn’t get two lines done before I gave up on them. Glad to tour with you! 🙂
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
I have a similar sewing chair that belonged to my mother, it has a sizable compartment under the seat. Thanks for the great idea. I think I may actually try to do something with it.
Christy K. James says
How awesome to have one that belonged to your mother. 🙂
Shanna Gilbert says
This is darling Christy! I love the ruler and who would have thought there would be a drawer in a chair? Great job!
Michelle says
Wait! What?!? A secret drawer? I have never seen this either. Why aren’t all chairs made with secret drawers? That is too cool! And I have also never seen a ruler painted on top of a sewing chair, and that handle, it is perfect. Christy, I am your biggest fan! It sounds kinda creepy when you read it out loud, but no worries, I assure you.
Christy K. James says
Aww you are so sweet, Michelle!! I agree! How come all chairs don’t have a secret drawer?? It is really fun and I’m so glad you keep coming back! 🙂
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
I want a secret drawer chair Christy! I’ve never seen one of those before. You worked your magic and I adore how it turned out. And, how about that beautiful drawer pull… Love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Therese! Isn’t the secret drawer cool?? I had to bring it home and give it a new life 🙂
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says
Your projects are the coolest Christy!!!!! I am soooo jealous of that chair. I want it. I have never seen one like it..
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Kathy! That’s exactly how I always feel about your projects!! I knew I had to take that chair home. 🙂
Fonda Rush says
What a fun chair! I love the secret door, and I don’t blame you for wanting to put a stunning knob on it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Fonda! 🙂
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This is so cool Christy! I totally adore the measurements at the top, what a task that must have been to paint them on! I’ve also never seen a chair with a secret drawer- I’ll have to be on the lookout for one. 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jen! I really dragged this project out because I was dreading adding the detail I wanted, but then I decided to make it really big and was able to tape it off, much better. Love our furniture themed days!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Ellie from Canada says
That has to be the coolest chair ever!! Referring to the yellow lemonade cart from Curb Alert, I just bought one like that a couple of weeks ago in great shape with wooden wheels for $6. Great idea!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ellie! Isn’t that a fun idea for the cart?? XO
Wendy says
I’m in love with this chair. I’d never seen a hidden drawer like that before. And thanks for the link to instructions on piping on a chair. You make it look so easy. You have a new fan
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendy! I had never seen anything like it before either, and adding piping is not difficult at all! By the way, I switched email delivery people today, and recognized your email as one that I manually entered since I saw you signed up as I was moving things over, so if you get a request from mailchimp to confirm again, that’s why. So happy to have you following along! 🙂
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Christy,
Aren’t you glad the chair owner showed you the secret compartment! What a fabulous find! I have never seen anything like it!!! Great job! Love the ruler!!! ~Christy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Christy! And yes I totally would have left it behind if it weren’t for that drawer. Then she said $5. Sold!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Too cute Girlfriend! Love your secret drawer too..OK, maybe now not so secret! Your ruler idea is so original too! Can’t wait to join you gals in next months fun line up!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendi! I’m so excited to have you in this group… the themed furniture makeovers are my favorite! 🙂
Julie at Being Home says
Beautiful chair! I love the secret drawer and numbers. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Julie! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Sue Farmer says
Love it!! Wish I had the room in my house to copy all the fun things you do!!!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Sue! XO
Meegan says
Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing your talents, Christy! Pinned 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Meegan and thanks for sharing…you are always so wonderful in that department. 🙂
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says
I came back for a second look. That ruler was a lot of work Christy!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha it does look that way, but I just cut small strips of frog tape to tape it off and then I was able to slap my paint right on it. Not so bad, really. The hardest part was doing it at an odd angle since it was on the back of the chair 🙂
Roseanna says
This is absolutely fabulous! I am so impressed with your careful redo of this sewing chair…want to find one of these pronto!! Thank you for sharing!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Roseanna! 🙂
Kim says
I love that chair! And the drawer is the cat’s meow, for sure! The tape measure you painted along the back is a stroke of genius. It is truly chic. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Aww. thanks so much, Kim!! XO
Krista @ the happy housie says
This chair is super adorable and I love the top of it with the measuring tape design!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks again, Miss Krista! 🙂
Marilyn says
Love the chair with the drawer! Perfect for a sewing chair!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marilyn! I thought so too 🙂
Kristina @ My Own Home Blog says
Loving your blog today! That secret compartment is the coolest! Imagine all the crafty things you could store in there without having to crowd up a desk. 😀
Christy K. James says
I know, right? This is one of my favorite finds! XO
Cherri says
What a small world!! I just left the antique mall this is currently being sold at and this just happens to show up when I search “fabric storage”. This chair is even more neat in person! I really wanted to buy it but unfortunately I would have to reupholster it (to fit my age and decor) and I just couldn’t do that lol. I really liked the style of (your?) the booth. I look forward to checking out this blog 🙂
Christy K. James says
What a small world indeed, Cherri! That is so funny! Yes, that is my booth, and if you are really interested in the chair, I’d be glad to recover it if you provide the fabric. It really is a neat chair, I’ve never seen one like it. I hope you come back and visit often. (Here and my booth!) XO
Linda@MixedKreations says
Oh I love your sewing chair, it is so cute! You did a really great job on it. I love the zebra print and the measuring tape paint job for the back. Very fitting for the chair. I haven’t ever seen a chair with a drawer, or even heard of a sewing chair. It’s really neat. Thanks for sharing your beautiful makeover.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Linda! Funny story…a girl had commented on the chair that she couldn’t believe that she had just seen the same chair on Pinterest before seeing it in my booth. She said that she loved it, but the fabric wasn’t quite her style. I replied that if she was interested, I would be glad to recover the seat for her in a fabric she liked. So she bought the chair and I recovered it for her! Just funny that she had seen it on pinterest first, right? What are the chances! The drawer is such a cool feature. I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
denise says
Christy, you are the bomb. That is the coolest chair I’ve ever seen. Your style is right up my alley
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Denise! Isn’t the hidden drawer the coolest? XO
Keana says
I actually just bought this same chair a couple months ago!!! It’s a horrible green right now, and I’m using it as a Vanity Chair. Whenever I get a moment I am going to repaint the entire Vanity and Chair together to be super wonderful 🙂 Thank you for possibly letting me know what it’s true purpose was though!
Christy K. James says
Don’t you love that it has a secret drawer? I had never seen anything like it! Yours will definitely be super wonderful. 🙂
verobrico says
I realy love this chair and I keep your idea in my mine if you are ok with that 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Verobrico!