So last spring I bought what seemed like the best purchase ever at the time… these super cool chairs. Only they had no seats. I meant to work on them, really I did, but we were getting read to move, and it was hot, and I was super busy, and so they sat outside, in the rain, and the heat, and the unforgiving Texas heat.
They were eventually moved to the new house, but still had no seats. They were completely unusable. I would have been the laughing stock of my new street, but I was able to hide them on my back porch. They were my shameful secret – $20 that could have been spent on any number of useful things like toilet paper, underwear, or even laundry detergent. Still I knew that eventually I would get to them.
The day finally came when I could no longer stand the shame. I got out my trusty jigsaw, bought some pressured treated all weather wood, and began making some seats. The jigsaw lasted about 20 seconds before it gave up the ghost. It was toast, and I still had no seats for my chairs. A quick trip to Lowes remedied my problem. I got a POWER jigsaw. It took to the wood like there was no tomorrow!
So how did I make my seats? I bought pressured treated wood, then traced a circle on a sheet of newspaper that was the size of my chair seats. I cut the wood to size, then sanded it with an electric sander. I used spray paint and primer to finish the job. Attaching the seats to the frame was super easy, it just too 4 screws on the bottom of the chair to finish the job.
So they aren’t perfectly round, or sanded perfectly. Quite frankly they aren’t perfect at all.. BUT what they are is DONE! And I have usable chairs. Now I’m not looking so goofy, because I have super cool seats for my porch. I REALLY like these chairs! Now here is my caveat, it was worth it to buy these chairs because I really, really loved the shape of the chairs. Had these chairs been super cheap but so-so, there is no way this project would have been worth my time, since I had to buy wood, a new saw (I have used on other projects) and a few cans of spray paint. Just keep that in mind if you see something that needs work, that you feel you can’t leave behind. Keep in mind what it will cost you to repair the item and how long it will take for the repair. For me it worked out, in the end.
The silverware shown is French. The pieces are oversized, and the design is actually on the back of the fork and spoon instead of on the top like with American pieces. The linen is also made in France.
Sweet! Really REALLY sweet!
OMG, I love them. You did a great job. I usually try to get projects finished right away because I have a tendency to sell them if they sit too long. Ha! I’ve don’t that many times and regretted it. Love the silverware too!
Oh my Anita I totally love this chair. This puts the chippy in shabby! Thank you for posting this I’m inspired.
Hi,
I just discovered your blog recently and love your style. I too would have scooped these babies up and DIYed them. They’re beautiful! Much better than toilet paper, or underwear, or laundry soap. 🙂
Enjoy,
Lin
Look at you, wielding a power jigsaw! The chairs are lovely, and I am swooning over the silverware!
Oh Anita those turned out wonderful! Are you going to put cushions on them?
Heidi, if I find cute round ones that I like, I will buy them, but if I have to make them, it will be awhile. I have quite a queue of projects to finish ahead of cushions for these chairs.
Great job! Cute chair for aside table. They look rather uncomfortable. I love your silver- just place it upside down to show off their beauty. Our French Restaurant aways sets it that way always.
Actually more comfortable than they look Peggy, but I wouldn’t want to sit in them all day.
Love those.
They turned out great! Love the silverware too.
Awesome looking chairs! Love all the rusty “chippy-ness” ( if that is even a word) of them! I would have definitely bought them also for $20.00!!!!! Wonderful job on them!
So pretty, Anita! I’m kind of surprised that they survived. A previous owner could very well have thrown them away. Their damage makes them even more lovely.
I want to whine, I never find anything that great in a thrift store LOL
Love the chairs even though you had to make seats for them
I rarely find something this cool. You really have to go often to find the good stuff. And I think these were still there because they had no seats.
Aaaswwww, worth thwart I say. The chair is very sweet… all chippy and shabby. The silverware though, you got me with those!
oooppsss… fat fingers. Should say ‘well worth the wait’
I love your chairs, I think they turned out perfectly! For me thrifting is an adventure. I get to buy things that normally I’d pass up due to the expensive retail prices. This type of shopping opens so many avenues…you can actually buy what you love and let the creative process begin!
Miss Anita- I am very impressed you are able to manage a jig saw.
I am clueless.
Although I have been wanting a chain saw lately.
Very pretty chairs!
To my 39 year old friend,
Laura
WSP
Those chairs are wonderful…you find the best stuff…ok, give me some info on the jigsaw….is it scary to operate…I’m pretty clutzy but I have made a day bed out of two vintage footboards and a twin metal bed frame and need to add a piece of wood to the metal in front…so I know I need to make a trip to Home Depot or lowes but wondering if I can teach myself some woodworking….any advice would be great!
Thanks,
Sharon
Sharon, a jigsaw is super easy to work and not scary at all. Just follow all of the safety precautions.
Love the pattern on the back of the chair…and never knew that about the pattern on the French silverware…those pieces are so beautiful..
Seats or no seats, these chairs were a great find. Love the pretty vignette with the French flatware.
Spent the day at Big Red Barn Winter Antique Show. Not many shoppers due to the TX snowfall and icy roads, but great day for those of us who went. ‘-)
Anita, I’ve been following your blog for some time. I love your style and very helpful information ypu share with us! The chairs are great. I learned to use a jig saw to make seats for 4 seatless vintage shell motif chairs purchased in Virginia on a treasure hunt. You are one of the blogsters that inspired me to follow my dream and start a blog. From starting the blog I actually rented a space in a consignment/antique shop. It has been very successful. My blog is not where I want it to be (spent more time on filling and refilling my space) but my goal now is to get it really going too. Thank you for your inspiration and willingness to share with us blog want to bes.
Anita, I’ve been following your blog for some time. I love your style and very helpful information you share with us! The chairs are great. I learned to use a jig saw to make seats for 4 seatless vintage shell motif chairs purchased in Virginia on a treasure hunt. You are one of the blogsters that inspired me to follow my dream and start a blog. From starting the blog I actually rented a space in a consignment/antique shop. It has been very successful. My blog is not where I want it to be (spent more time on filling and refilling my space) but my goal now is to get it really going too. Thank you for your inspiration and willingness to share with us blog want to bes.
Yeah Margaret Ann!! You go Girl!! So proud of you for getting out there and doing what you have dreamed of.
I’ve seen tables set with the silverware “upside down” but I don’t remember the pattern being on the underneath… beautiful.
Hello,
Did you end up leaving the metal part of the chairs unpainted? I bought this outdoor dining table and chairs that where original black and of course they are all chipped. Thinking of leaving them all aged looking. As like you we are moving to a new street in Texas with porches and don’t want to look like the completely odd duck. Everyone other house has the new patio furniture. Your thoughts?
Thanks
I left them as is. I am in an area where people appreciate old things but I would leave them as is any way, because that is the way I like them. I say, if you like them chippy, I say leave them that way.
Love your chairs and they were worth the wait. Some items have so much personality that they are worth whatever it takes to make them useable again.
Cindy
Soooo gorgeous!!! Was just at Hometalk and saw this and ran, well..waddled …to your site!! I love this and the fact that it isnt perfect ….is Da Bomb Diggity!!! NOTHING should be perfectly round or whatever…Love it! Well done!