Friday, August 29, 2008

Shopping at the Roadside Boutique!

Those of you who know me know that I have a way with dumpsters. It is not the most delicate of my pass times but it has a sweet new name "The Roadside Boutique". I can't remember which of my dear friends came up with that (was it you Inka?) but if it is you leave a comment and I will give you credit for a glamorous name to my garbage addiction.



I found this old chair out by the trash bin behind my house. She seemed to call 'Rescue me"as I got in my car. When I came home to find her still sitting with her shabby arms and tired old faded fabric... well she ended up in my work room.




I have a large collection of fabric samples. A friend's Mom used to save them so they wouldn't end up in the land fill and give them to me. For years I have made the most lovely colorful things from these squares.














This is the tag off the collection of samples I used for this project. A wonderful chintz stripe in several different colors. I never recovered a chair before. Oh... I have done the seat of a kitchen chair but never a whole chair.

The blond wood chairs were also out by the bin in the back. I have 4 of them and the matching magazine rack and book shelf. Each day a new piece appeared and each day I carried them up to my work room. The Law of attraction was providing me with new furniture! I just love that. The final result was a great new look for my work room and a wonderful purpose for my documentary print sample squares. This whole project cost me $3.75 for a box of little nails and gave me a wonderful sense of satisfaction.
It isn't perfect but it works. LOL Hot glue and nails and a great determination to do it were my tools.

My vision board was a gift from my secret sister Katie. I love it! Thanks Katie, it is now one of my favorite things. I will be adding to it and hanging it proudly on the wall when the room is finished. Note that I put the tag from the fabric on the vision board to inspire me all along the way. Stay tuned and you will see the final result as this room gets a paint job and is turned into a great place to create treasures for Lilli Blue's Vintage Rescues . Have a fun week and be sure to visit us at Make Mine Pink for Romantic Bed and Bath Pink Friday! Blessings, Lilli

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

You did a great job on the chairs...I wish I knew how to reupholster...but can't do it all...
Susan *dutchrose*

Lisa McDonald said...

Lilli ~

You did a fabulous job on the chairs! I love the fabric on the straight back. I also love the vision board, very nice. I really like the name too!

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com

Patricia said...

Love the new terminology, "Roadside boutique". Those are some terrific finds and I think the chair came out terrific. What a wonderful stash to have 'inherited'. So much fun to find a way to use it all-you're doing great.

Pat

Noelle Garrett Designs said...

Love the chairs, they turned out just great! "Roadside boutique" that is too funny! I'm not that great at reupholstering, but my Mom is a whiz. I just don't have the patience. What a great way to give new life to something. Thanks for sharing!

Miniature Patisserie Chef said...

Hi Lilli,

What a great job! I love how you transformed both chairs with new fabrics. Now they look so new and charming! Absolutely beautiful!

Pei Li

Inka Smith said...

Hi Lilli,
I wish I could take credit for the name because I love it...but it wasn't me. The chairs turned out beautiful. I used to dive before it was called that. LOL
Inka

Carolyn Kocman said...

wow, lilli...you have some great projects there. you did a great job with the upholstering.

Cottage Flair said...

Lilli,
I love the design of your vision board. I am starting one myself and I want it to be pretty like yours! You did a fabulous job on the chairs. It's amazing what a bit of fabric can do. Quite a transformation. I redo chair seats alot but have never done a whole chair. I have one in my workspace awaiting a new look but I haven't tackled it yet. Yours are lovely.
Jennifer

Shabby in Pink Boutique said...

Wow what a change on those chairs. I love the parson chair. You go girl! Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day pink sis..
Stephanie

gail said...

Hi Lilli,,, you did such a great job on the chair. I cant wait to see your new workroom completed. I hope your having an awesome holiday...take care my friend. luv, gail

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Great job on those chairs Lilli! We have lots of furniture in our home from the "Roadside Boutique".

Susie said...

Fabulous Lilli! I love that you shop at the Roadside Bouique. You have an eye for beauty!
Susie
The Polka Dot Rose

Susan - InHerOwnWords said...

WOW! Isn't it amazing what one can do to reclaim the beauty of an old discarded chair. This turned out fabulous! Great Job!

cathy said...

Wow, the chairs look amazing! Great job.

Carol at Clutter Bug Studio said...

Lilli, what a great job you did! Can't believe you're a "first-timer".

Brown Bee Studio said...

You did wonderfully on the chairs Lilli! Love the fabrics....xoxo

Silena said...

Hi Lilli, What a great post! The Winterthur Collection......you're talking great stuff and very collectable...who would throw those treasures away?! I love the pomegranite design....I know I have seen that design somewhere in the past. What you have done with them is amazing...so much fun to see your treasures and your crafting ability is truly inspirational. I especially love your "tools"!! Thanks for sharing!!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Wow! Once again a great find and you made them look beautiful.Great job Lilli. "fun name too"
Hugs,
Michelle

SoCal Helene said...

Hi Lilli,
Love the way you shop and the name of the boutique! Great job on the upholstery,
see what little bit of imagination can do!! Have a great week!!
;o) Helene

Cathy said...

Hi Lilly,

Thank you so much for your kind words on my upcoming feature. It means so much to me that you cared enough to make a post to let me know you are routing for me.

xo Cathy

Cottage Collections said...

Wow.. you're amazing Lilli. Who knew you could do that! The chairs look amazing.
Congrats on your rescues!
xxoo, MB

Unknown said...

Hi Lilli,

You sound so much like me. I am also a dumpster lover! lol I always look for things I can turn from trash to treasure. I am working on two projects already. Love how you transformed the chairs. They look fabulous! Your vision board is lovely.
Have a great week,
xo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Gone said...

I love what you did with items from the Roadside Boutique!!

Thanks for the visit and comment today about the dress forms!!!

~Blessings,
Jan