Easy chair makeover

Let's be honest: I'm not crafty or handy in any way. In fact my best ideas about how to fix up junk entail little physical prowess or handiwork.

But I'm drawn to retro chairs like a bee to nectar, and plain and simple, I can't help but collect 'em if their bones are good and the price is right (ie: free at the side of the road or a few dollars at a garage sale).



I found this retro chrome chair on the sidewalk. All I did to spunk it up was buy some new foam, cover the seat in a textured fabric and add a silk cushion to make the yellow pop.

This was a few years ago so I'm ready for another change. The boho bonanza gal in me would want to redo the seat cover in a rich jewel tones and a patterned fabric - something that would foil the streamlined modern lines of the chrome.

I snagged this rather skanky chair (don't want to speculate on the stain) at a garage sale a few years ago for five bucks.

My solution this time was easy peasy Shabby Chic: simply cover it in a tablecloth from the dollar store and tie the tablecloth with a long chiffon scarf.

I like how the polka dots and swirly pattern mix together - the look is spanky chic. The bonus is I tend to hoard nice fabric, tablecloths and such so I can change up the look - with one of my many scarves - as often as I want. Mmm I think I have a funkier look I could come up with - stay tuned!

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Work area makeover

I think I'm going through thrift shop withdrawal.

I'm trying to budget in preparation for my high school reunion at the end of the month, and it's rough, this not thrift shopping thing.

I still have some garage sale booty to show you but wanted to finish the big reveal re: my most recent makeover.

The TV used to be where the chair (found in the trash) with the red pillow now is.




I hated that the TV was the focal point of my living room and wanted to tuck it away, which you see I have in the far corner.

I also tried to streamline the decor a bit as I find I naturally want to pare down a bit in the summer - which makes total sense as we do it with our clothing.

I kinda like the way it all turned out. My work desk area is normally so junky clunky, so I got rid of all the papers on the desk and relegated them to the coffee table I placed by the entrance hallway, which is under the retro painting and flanked by the green lampshade lamp and teak hutch.

That table is my toss table when I come home, and it's where I'll throw all my papers and bric-a-brac collected throughout the day. Once every week or so I go through it and recycle, toss or store its contents.

I've tried to keep the teak hutch you see on the back wall (bought 15 years ago for $80 at a thrift shop in Ottawa) fairly streamlined. The top shelf features a piece of green pottery purchased at an artisan shop in Ottawa during my university days (yes even in my starving student days I shopped). The painting next to it is by my very talented twin sis (see her work at www.gadzala.com); the bowl my garage sale buddy Matthew bought me at a garage sale; and the paper vases - which I'll give you a better view of soon - are by Filipino designer Tes Pasola.

The metal shopping bins under the teak coffee table to the right I found - where else? - on the sidewalk outside my apartment.

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Who says shoes won't do? Decorating with heels

Well, why not?

Once I left behind a pair of gorgeous retro lace lace up shoes handmade in Paris - they were a size 6 and since my clompers are huge I figured I had no use for them ....

But when I saw these yellow pumps in excellent condition, handmade in Spain, I took the plunge and bought 'em for $5.99 at Stretch Thrift.

I can either give them to a pal - the colour is so hot right now - or keep them for a display.



This isn't the most brilliant display but I like the contrast between the blue and the yellow - complementary hues on the colour wheel - and the simplicity of the tableau is in keeping with the sleek lines of the Danish modern teak hutch that I'm using as a bookcase.

But sigh, I wish I could cram my feet in them. They're in fab condition and the gold script reading "Arnold Churgin handmade in Spain" isn't smudged or worn at all.

Arnold Churgin, a quick Google search reveals, is a Calgary, Canada--based ladies footwear company that started in 1964. Love that they're Canadian but the Spain connection has a certain amount of Euro cache. http://www.arnoldchurgin.com/

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Simple things

It's so easy to complicate life. Sometimes when I'm confused or down or feeling overwhelmed, I try to remind myself of the simple things in life I love. That can mean anything from raindrops on roses to browsing a bookstore to watching animals and having a totally joyous, self-unaware moment.

Simple joys can translate into your home decor.

A great chair found curbside ....









A tableau of bought and found objects on a window ledge.















A single jolt of colour.









These are some of my favourite things.

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