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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Chair Redo and Parsons Desk

There's more to the process of redecorating a room than just painting the walls and putting in all the new stuff.  The much less glamorous part is getting rid of or storing everything that you just took out of the room.  That was how I spent much of yesterday.  As you know I am in the process of redecorating my daughter's room.  I emptied the room this weekend and then painted the room.  When I emptied the room, I put everything into the hallway.  It was quite a sight.  Over the past few days I have been putting my house back together.  Yesterday was the day to put away those items I would be keeping and store them in the attic.

I am not the type to wait for the weekend so that my husband can help me.  No, no, no...I need things done now.  So I started up and down the attic stairs putting things away.  While I was up there I saw a white parsons desk I have had since I was a kid.  I thought until I found the perfect desk for my daughter's room, this would work.  I had been on Centsational Girl's blog where she was having her mom cave Home Goods contest and I saw this picture:
I decided I was going to bring down the parsons desk.  Please check out the attic stairs again...this was not going to be easy.  First of all it was way in the back of the attic (which only has wood in a few locations so you have to be careful not to fall through the ceiling).  Then, of course, there were 6 bins filled with Thomas the tank engine and all kinds of other things from my kids.  Once I got it near the opening I had to figure out how to get it down the stairs.  I did think...this is dangerous...but I work out, I am strong, I can do this.  So I grabbed it by the legs and guided it down the stairs letting it rest on each stair on the way down.  This desk is HEAVY.  But I made it.  Grabbed the windex, cleaned it up, and put it in her room.

The main difference between this parsons desk and the one in the "mom cave" picture, is that the mom cave desk has a drawer.  Ok, that's a problem.

While I was up in the attic I also found an old chair that has been in my family forever.  It was last seen in my son's room a few years ago, before we re-did his room.  It has been waiting in the attic for it's next incarnation.

I could do a quick fix on this and use it temporarily with the desk.  I had some fabric from JoAnn's that I had bought some time ago, but never used.
I got out a screwdriver and unscrewed the four screws.

Since this is really just a temporary fix, I didn't take off the old fabric.  Instead I added two pieces of lining and then my fabric (otherwise I could see the blue plaid through the new fabric).  I wrapped it like a present, being careful in the corners, and stapled it all around.

Used a little touch up paint in the spots with chips, and is less than 15 minutes, new chair.  I still may upholster the back...not sure yet.

This is the finished look - all by shopping in my own attic.  So a few questions to anyone out there who wants to answer - can I have this desk in her room considering I have a french country armoire and a shabby chic nightstand and bookcase?  What can I do for storage - the desk is only 36"wide x 18"deep - not enough space to put anything on the desk?  Can't wait to hear what you think.

-Judy

I'll be joining the following link parties.  Come check it out

The shabby chic cottage
Southern in my heart



15 comments:

Erin said...

Can't see why it can't be there, the color unifies it,plus with that chair(don't upholster the back!!) it looks great!

Chrissie said...

The chair is beautiful. I would not upholster the back, the design there is gorgeous. Good work!

Vanessa said...

First off...this is just my humble opinion...but I think the desk and chair are absolutely PERFECT and I wouldn't even worry about finding something else. And I agree that the harp detail on the back of the chair is wonderful juxtaposed against the somewhat more sleek look of the desk. I think having a more modern element (desk) in there is perfect for a girl of her age. Blending the little girl with the pre-teen girl and adding something unexpected. Can you go up on the wall for storage? Shelving or something? Or maybe something on either side?
Just my 2 cents for whatever its worth! :-)
Vanessa
P.S. You will make it work beautifully I know!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Wow, I want to come shop you attic...what else can you pull out of it?! Janell

Cathy said...

The room is beautiful and the chair looks perfect in it. Please don't upholster the back, I love the detailing on the chair as is!

Modern Country Lady said...

LOve the desk- much better without a drawer any way.
Maybe instead of the drawer, some storage in neat wicker baskets, lined with the same fabirc as the chair- and then put on the desk ??

Unknown said...

LOVE this. The whole room is so inviting and beautiful. I love the mix of styles. Can you do a couple simple shelves above? Darling chair!

Unknown said...

ps . . happy to have stumbled upon your blog! I am your newest follower. Happy Halloween!

Sarah @ Sugar Bananas said...

Wow! That was hiding in your attic? I love it! Your pink fabric and bedspread are just gorgeous. I'd love for you to link this over at my 'Sweets This Week' Link Party

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

Oh this chair has been waiting to have pink upholstery! It looks amazing! :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Judy~
What a sweet and darling chair you have!! It looks so adorable with the pink upholstery and fits the room perfectly! Thank you so much for linking up to Feathered Nest Friday this week! Can't wait to see more! :)

Anonymous said...

That! Is freaking darn cute!! The chair had a feminine flair and was screaming, for the new cover!

Jen @ EmbellishingLifeEveryday said...

Beautiful! Love the chair as is! The previous comments about wall shelving or baskets would work well and look good. Thanks for linking up at the Catwalk...I will be featuring this tomorrow :)

Stacey said...

I want this chair...so pretty. I am on the hunt for one to reupholster now...this is what I have in mind.
Stacey :o)

Kaye said...

Love shopping my house!

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