Before & After: Mae

Posted By: Carissa Rodriguez on: Sep 02 2011
Rescued from the skip, I initially thought this chair would be easy enough to upcycle (first mistake). After I sanded the piece down though I found that this poor chair had been attacked by wood beetles at some stage and was riddled with hundreds of pin sized holes. In retrospect I probably should have walked away, but I was convinced I could breath new life into this chair. I blame naivety and stubbornness.
Nonetheless, once I made up my mind there was no turning back. I painstakingly filled each hole, re sanded and painted the frame. Only after which I discovered several holes that I had missed that needed to be re filled, re sanded and re painted.
The fabric had been sourced from the States in a clearance pile and in a rookie mistake (one of many!) I accidentally cut the piece ever so slightly too short. This resulted in several hours of struggling to get the fabric stretched across the back as I had less than half a centimeter of give on either side. Getting the decorative finishing nails also proved challenging as my apparent ineptitude at nailing in a straight line caused a lot of distress. There may have also been a bit lot of swearing.

Eventually, things fell into place and though there were a lot of mishaps along the way, I absolutely love the perfect imperfections of this sweet chair and am glad I was able to give her a new lease on life xx

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10 Responses to “Before & After: Mae”

  1. Tara, on September 2nd, 2011 at 8:10 pm Said:

    She looks so beautiful! I really admire your determination as well. You’re gonna go far lady. :) xx

  2. mom, on September 2nd, 2011 at 8:47 pm Said:

    I really like how this piece turned out! Be looking for a distressed/whitewash chester drawers for Kiki. Maybe you can find it and send it back whenever you move back. hehe. xoxoxoxoxo

  3. Calalita Designs » Before & After: Colonel Mustard, on September 14th, 2011 at 5:22 pm Said:

    [...] Mustard Posted By: Carissa Rodriguez on: Sep 14 2011 Colonel Mustard was also found in the skip (like the lovely Mae) and painstakingly restored. Being left out in in the elements had all but ruined his finish but [...]

  4. kat, on September 15th, 2011 at 1:41 am Said:

    She deserved a new lease on life! She’s lovely. So glad you stuck with her, learning as you went. :)

  5. Ann, on September 16th, 2011 at 8:45 am Said:

    Love the chair – and your determination to see this through. Inspirational!.

  6. Carissa Rodriguez, on September 16th, 2011 at 6:59 pm Said:

    Thank you for your kind words of support Ann! I’m glad I stuck it out as well xx

  7. Carissa Rodriguez, on September 16th, 2011 at 7:00 pm Said:

    Thanks Kat, it was definitely a learned experience (mostly about what “not to do”) ;)

  8. Carissa Rodriguez, on September 16th, 2011 at 7:02 pm Said:

    I might be able to source one out and do it up myself next time I visit! I suppose for you Mom I could give you a discount ;) (love you!)

  9. Carissa Rodriguez, on September 16th, 2011 at 7:02 pm Said:

    Aw shucks, thanks T!

  10. Juli, on September 16th, 2011 at 11:44 pm Said:

    She’s lovely, Clarissa. You did a beautiful job!

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