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9 Aug 2013

FOLDING CHAIR MAKEOVER

I was asked to complete a folding chair makeover and this is what I came up with:
A folding chair is great for small spaces, parties and as additional seating, but what do you do with it while it's not in use?  I decided to make my vintage folding chair serve double duty as seating and as a command centre in my front entry.

I started out by taking a vintage wooden folding chair that was given to me by a friend.  I loved the character it had from all the years of use and the natural wood patina.  That meant I wasn't going to just paint the whole chair - just the underside! :)

I turned the underside of the seat into a chalkboard:
  1. I mixed my own chalkboard paint using unsanded grout and black paint (recipe here).  Ready made chalkboard paint would save you this step.
  2. I taped off the edges around the underside of the seat with painter's tape
  3. and then painted it with my chalkboard paint (you may want to prime first to save some coats of chalkboard paint).

To add my organizer to the bottom of the chair I purchased these "s" hooks and this tray and simply hung it from the cross bar.  

I then hung the whole assembly from one of the coat hooks in my foyer.  The tray at the bottom is perfect for holding sunglasses, keys, cellphone, etc. and even for adding a little greenery or flowers to the space.
*before using your chalkboard you will want to slate it (i.e., rub it lightly with chalk and then rub the chalk off with a cloth)




I think this project could also work for a patio/kitchen.  The chalkboard would work well for displaying a dinner menu and the tray could hold napkins, cutlery, etc.

You can also take your chair down and use it for it’s original purpose as a seat (Just remember to detach your tray first!).  My chair is out on the front porch and it also got a little freshening up via a triangle quilted chair pad that I made from Marimekko fabric scraps.

So there you have it.  One multi-functional/purpose folding chair!

sharing this project here and here: savvysouthernstyle, betweennapsontheporch

26 comments:

  1. What a great idea - how fun!!!
    XOXO

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  2. Such a sweet idea. It looks beautiful! Love it :)

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  3. I love this! Such a cute idea! (And I like that you can still use the chair in a pinch!

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  4. That's a clever idea. Never thought to use a folding chair like that. You are so creative!

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  5. Love this! So creative and useful too!
    - Lora @ Craftivity Designs

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  6. I don't think this could get any cuter! Such a creative idea and you styled it so beautifully!

    :)

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  7. Adorable idea! Pinning!
    Susan

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the pin! :)

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  8. So cute! Especially with the little bucket. Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-3.html

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  9. Sooo much fun! I LOVE surprise pieces like this and you did it perfectly!

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  10. Awesome! So creative and pretty... Love it!

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  11. This command center is so cute and creative! What a great project to work on. You did a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing.

    Katie @ The Casual Craftlete

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  12. This is soooo creative! Pinning! I definitely need to do this! I would LOVE to have you share this and anything else you want at my link party going on! New facebook follower here! Glad I found you!
    http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/08/homemade-by-you-63.html

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    1. Thanks for letting me know about your party and for the social media love. :)

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  13. This is a cute idea. Love it! Thanks for inspiring me :)

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  14. What an ingenious idea - love it and sharing it on FB!

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  15. This is so cute! LOVE it! Coming over from The Wood Grain Cottage!

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  16. found you at Beckie's RR

    what a great project and a wonderful repurpose! Love it, pinning it!
    gail

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    1. Thanks so much Gail for stopping by and for the pin! :)

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  17. I love the bench! Where is that from?

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    1. Hi Liza. The bench is a yard sale find that I slipcovered. The material is Keisarinna by Marimekko: http://usstore.marimekko.com/fabric/keisarinna-cotton-fabric.asp.

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  18. Very cute idea! Love the entire space. Can I ask where you got the light fixture? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Andrea, the light fixture was a yard sale find, but there are quite a few variations of this light for sale if you search moravian star. I hope that helps.

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  19. Hi Anu, I loved your idea! I have a blog in Brazil that gives ideas about decoration and diy and I posted your pictures today. Thank yous so much for the amazing work. http://acasaehsua.blogspot.com.br/2014/07/cadeiras-mais-sem-perder-o-espaco.html.

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