Office Makeover Part 3: Chair Before & During

Finally started working on the office chair.  I didn't want anything that screamed work space, so I decided to reuse an old chair that was originally in the bathroom.

The chair wasn't quite so hideous when I bought it, but a rash decision to wash the slipcover in the washing machine sealed its fate.  It's kinda looking very grannyfied, definitely not the look I'm going for, but it is super comfortable, and not at all bad looking when you remove the cover.

I probably could have left it like that and maybe painted zigzags on it, but I'm not sure about the look of painted fabric.  So with pliers in hand, I removed the padded leg covers and discovered this lovely layered wood.  It did look kind of interesting and cool and for a little while I considered just polyurethaning the legs instead of painting them, but the wood was badly nicked and rough, so out came the paint can.

Next step, cut fabric to size and staple, staple, staple.  I chose to use yellow zippy fabric from Premier Fabrics for the seat and front, and Thomaspaul aviary fabric for the back.

 I was almost done, and then I came up with the bright idea of using some bias piping on the back.  I already had some in orange, but thought it might also look good in yellow, white or even blue.  So instead of having the chair finished, I now have to traipse off to JoAnns to get some more piping.  Hope I'm able to make a decision soon.

Interesting Names of Famous Interior Designers

Not only am I a serial decorator, I'm also a serial procrastinator.  I'm supposed to be reupholstering the office chair, but instead I'm lying here browsing my favourite design blogs.  And as I become more familiar with designers and their work, I've noticed an interesting fact: the more famous the designer, the more unusual their name.  Not only are their names different, they're also gender ambiguous and often sound like a partnership, not one person.  Umm, if I want to be come a designer, I may just have to come up with a more interesting moniker.

Windsor Smith from here

Windsor Smith from here



Palmer Weiss from here



Tobi Fairley from here



Celerie Kemble from here



Ruthie Chapman Sommers from here



New at West Elm

Just popped over to the West Elm website to see what yellow accessories they have for the home office.  If you haven't checked West Elm out recently, you may be pleasantly surprised.  They're introducing more colour, more whimsy and less boxy items.  Out of the new items, these are my favourites:

A pillow that reminds me of a traffic light or lollypops, and Orla Kiely inspired tulip bedding.

 Anthropologie-esque mugs and bowls, and delightfully designed sushi platters.

Melamine bird plates (of course), and cute as a button, bird bottle opener.  Go here to read more about my bird obsession.

And finally, a weird glass grasshopper.  Cool or creepy?  You be the judge.

All images from West Elm.