Sunday, August 25, 2013

Spit & Polish

My daughter is soon to be heading back to university again ... this year renting an old house with a bunch of other students.  They were in need of a kitchen table & chairs, so I had been checking on Kijiji for something suitable to turn up ... and it did!  Four chairs and a table for $40.  Unfortunately for me, another roommate came up with a table quicker and they're going to use that, so I'm stuck with the table :[


Sturdy chairs with stained padded seats!
 The place from where we picked them up was rather creepy ... an old farmhouse that had been let fall to ruin from the inside out.  The guy said he'd "recently renovated the kitchen and the chairs just didn't go with it anymore".  Laughable since the kitchen was horrendous, and this guy didn't really look like he cared about interior decorating.  He invited us into the house to collect the chairs ... I was dubious about entering the house at all, and wouldn't have if I was on my own.  We brought out three chairs from some back room, and when I reminded him he had posted four chairs for sale, he said "oh my wife's sitting on the other one in the kitchen".  And so she was, having her last cigarette in her favourite chair.  She kindly let me have the chair, and she was left smoking standing up ... I guess they hadn't yet picked up the set that would go with the newly renovated kitchen!
 
Lovely fake oak finish :)
 
 
Judging by the pile of butts in the ashtray on the kitchen table, and the smell that permeated these chairs, these people smoked like fiends.  I decided to refinish the chairs and paint them all to remove the smell.  Even after two months sitting in the garage, they still smelled strongly of cigarette smoke ... blech!
 
The chairs were in fairly good shape, and my husband the woodworker took them apart and glued them back together to fix any wobbles. So after sanding ...

 
They're made up of a patchwork of different wood, but some of it is oak, so they're quite heavy.  I wondered at first if I could stain them, but when I revealed the different woods and some of it is pressed plywood, this wasn't an option.  I'm going to paint them all white.
 
So stay tuned for the big reveal.  It looks like another sunny day out there this morning, so I've set the day aside to work on these chairs and get them finished.  I have some fabric picked out for the seats as well ... I hope I have enough to do all four of them!  Not really looking forward to ripping off the old fabric and it's all glued down.
 
This is my first refinishing project, and I've really enjoyed working on it.  I can see myself choosing some other bits and pieces of furniture in the house to redo now! 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy

21 comments:

  1. They do look nice and sturdy. The white paint will make them look amazing - can't wait to see what fabric you chose for the seat covers :)

    Happy Sunday!!

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    1. Thanks Anne ... I hope to finish them by the end of the week.

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  2. Oh well that is going to be a fun project! I can't wait to see how they'll look. I have a few things I am thinking of painting but not really looking forward to it.

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    1. I wasn't looking forward to doing this either, and they've been sitting in my garage all summer.

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  3. That's a quite a story about the chairs' provenance. I know some people who sound just like them. The chairs are really nice and I am sure they will look great when you've finished sprucing them up.

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    1. The people seemed nice enough ... just a bit on the rough (and scary) side ;)

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  4. Can't wait to see how the chairs turn out :)
    I have some small projects here too, however I have not got around to starting on them yet...
    Enjoy your week :)

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    1. I think I'd be happy doing just ONE chair ... I have five to complete, and I'm worried I may not get done in time!

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  5. Looking forward to the big reveal ... Bee xx

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  6. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product Wendy!!! I have no doubt they will be wonderful! I'm glad you had a partner to go with you....Yikes!!! Have a great week you!!!

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    1. Hopefully will have something to show by the end of the week :)

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  7. What a brave woman you are to enter into what sounded like a horrid place!! I am sure all your hard work will pay off beautifully in the end! Can't wait to see it!!!

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    1. My sixth sense was telling me not to enter the house, but we were safe in the end.

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  8. Ooh you know I love a good makeover, Wendy! Can't wait to see them finished ....

    Hope the weather stays nice for you, it's glorious here today, on August Bank Holiday!

    Love claire xx

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    1. Well yesterday was our first rain for many weeks now! Can't say I was unhappy about it as the gardens needed it. I hope I can do you proud with the results Claire ;)

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  9. I look forward to seeing them finished. Have a lovely week! xx

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    1. Thanks Sarah Jane, and you have a great week too :)

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  10. I give you a ton of credit for even going in that house! I might have changed my mind once I saw the place, even with DH with me! LOL!
    I can't wait to see them finished... I now they are going to be awesome :D
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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    1. In hindsight I really think my husband should've stepped up and asked that the chairs be brought out to us instead. He always thinks I overreact for stuff like this. I hope the chairs turn out as good as everyone is expecting (including me!!).

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  11. Can't wait to see them finished - well done so far x

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