Upholstering the backs of vintage chairs

I've been thinking of host chairs lately for our dining table and nothing gets me excited (well, if you had a pair of Elkins chairs, I'd gladly take them off your hands!). But then I saw this image from an old Style at Home and it made a lightbulb go off for me. From the article is looks like the designer, Samantha Pynn, found a set of vintage chairs on Craigslist, painted and reupholstered them, including the backs of two chairs. This would be so easy to DIY, especially with chairs that have a perfectly flat back. You could just use chipboard or plywood. Otherwise you would just use webbing which isn't that hard to do (I did it here).


Here are a few chairs from my craigslist that I think could work really well. I'm looking for something with a really interesting silhouette for the back.





I'm thinking either this slate ostrich vinyl or this pale gray shagreen vinyl and maybe a color on the chair frames?

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30 comments:

  1. LaurieApril 10, 2012 at 5:33 AM

    Great idea. You have some good choices from CL.

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  2. Jillian{Her Split Ends}April 10, 2012 at 6:51 AM

    Love the group of 6 chairs pictured & the ostrich vinyl is Fantastic. I think its time to do a little Craigslist hunting!
    Thanks for the inspiration.

    ~Jillian
    www.hersplitends.com

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  3. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    amazing idea!!!
    thank you for the inspiration ;)
    i'll wait yuo on my blog, if you want, there's a new post http://catseyesmf.blogspot.it/
    have you a nice day <3
    xoxo

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  4. lemondropdreamsApril 10, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    I'm considering doing that to my head dining chairs that have a caned back...after looking at the chairs I guess I could do it to all!!

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  5. UnknownApril 10, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    LVOE the first Craigs list pic!! Cant wait to see what you choose!!

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  6. amber wallaceApril 10, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Awesome idea! I love the first CL chair. Looking forward to see what you decide on.

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  7. Taylor GreenwaltApril 10, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    Love the first chair from Craigs list. Cant wait to see what you choose.

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  8. Tiffany Leigh {thedesignerlifestyle}April 10, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    I vote for the first chair too! It's gorgeous and unique.
    Tiffany
    thedesignerlifestyle.blogspot.com

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  9. RachaelApril 10, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Ohh, love the first image especially.

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  10. Erin | Holtwood HipsterApril 10, 2012 at 11:46 AM

    Another great idea Jenny! I would never have thought of that. You've gotten me to think outside the box on more than one occasion. Like the two lighting fixtures I featured on my blog today- both spotted on LGN.

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  11. LaurenApril 10, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    hmmm...you are making me think I need to do this to my dining chairs that I madeover last year! Wonder if it would work on them..

    http://midsouthstagers.blogspot.com/2011/08/wainscoting.html

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  12. UnknownApril 10, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    Love the ostrich! and with a fun fabric on the seat, what a great idea..love it.
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  13. Kathleen DamesApril 10, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Really digging the shagreen. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. sarahApril 10, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Jenny, what search term did you plug in to find those chairs on CL? I've been searching for some here in NYC forever and can't seem to find them! It must be that I'm typing in the wrong thing? Help!

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  15. HeidiApril 10, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    My vote is for the top chairs. Love the lines. Such a fun idea Jenny!

    Live Inspired,
    Heidi
    athousandlaughingstarfish.blogspot.com

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  16. Elizabeth @ The Little Black DoorApril 10, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    That will look incredible. I'd choose the first Craigslist find. Can't wait to see what you do.

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  17. cara @chasingshinyobjectsApril 10, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    i love this idea, jenny, and have a set of chairs similar to one of your pictures that are begging for this treatment! thanks for the hot tip!

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  18. JWKApril 10, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    love this idea! can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  19. JTayApril 11, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    When Sam Pynn spoke at our Home Show last year she shared that the backs of one of the chairs was broken, thus the upholstery! Love the idea.

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  20. JTayApril 11, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    When Sam Pynn spoke at our Home Show last year she shared that the backs of one of the chairs was broken, thus the upholstery! Love the idea.

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  21. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 2:46 AM

    Love this idea Jenny. I've got a set of plain Parsons style chairs which I'm thinking of reupholstering in charcoal with a mustard, charcoal and mint tartan on the back. Just have to find the time now!

    That said, I wish I could get some of the gorgeous furniture pieces you can find second hand in the States - very jealous :)

    Anna (My Design Ethos)

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  22. Modern FurnitureApril 11, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    Nice blog and good information...

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  23. LiannaApril 11, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    So fun! I love the old chair s- I vote the ostrich. I re-did some old craigslist chairs myself. They look great!

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  24. frankysportfolioApril 11, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    I love old chairs! Where do you suggest me to find these chairs in Ontario? Garage sale and such?

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  25. DiannaApril 11, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    I can't wait to get home to Charlotte and check this store out!

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  26. Glam at HomeApril 11, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    It's so exciting to find treasures on Craigs!

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  27. Art Wall KatieApril 11, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    I'm actually in the middle of doing this exact thing right now with a mismatched set of shield back chairs. Upholstering them is making them seem like a complete set. I'm using chipboard and a glue gun for the backs then regular foam and staple-gunning for the fronts. I'm 6 down and 2 to go.

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  28. chiffon maternity bridesmaid dressesApril 12, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    The vintage things is always my favourite!!Love the chairs!Awesome!

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  29. AnonymousApril 15, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    As a part time upholsterer I love the idea of using great quality and interesting shaped furniture to bring new life to a space. Love these ideas!

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  30. short maternity bridesmaid dressesApril 18, 2012 at 4:14 AM

    Love the idea!The vintage chairs are really amazing!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)