An Old Chair, A New Covering Equals Inspiration

In order to keep myself sane and busy, I've decided to take up a new hobby. Now this new hobby may surprise some of you as you all may think of me as someone sans domestic skills. However, with time on my hands that I've never had before in my life and unlimited access to Food Network and the Home and Garden channel, lets just say decorating and Hobby Lobby are my new BFFs.  Now -- a disclaimer -- lest you be fooled, I am no Martha Stewart quite yet. But coming from someone whose previous decor consisted of a bulletin board and political books, I'm giving myself a gold star for effort.

My first major project was to take down our hideous chandelier of old and make a new one. So, with a phone call to my brother to come help me not electrocute myself, I decided to make a DIY chandelier that I found online. 

The result? After a few hours of laughing and frustration we proudly hung our masterpiece:

The fixture is called a bubble chandelier and I thought with some of our more traditional pieces of furniture, a modern light piece might encompass the overall industrial feel of our loft. However, the big approval came from my husband who was very skeptical and worried at first as he did not know he married such a craft-er. Needless to say, we made him a believer in my skills!

The next project was much easier. We had a wingback red chair in our bedroom which was previously only used as a place to mindlessly throw clothing. However, in looking at the old chair, we realized how much potential it would have if it were merely re-covered. So, we decided to paint the legs black and pick out a fabric to match our Anthropologie duvet cover and the rest of the room.

Here is the chair before:

 

Not the prettiest chair of all time right?

However, with a new fabric and a little paint job:

Voila! I am extremely pleased with the result and the reupholstery locale truly did a fantastic job. And as a bonus in the process, I have been introduced to a whole new world: Fabric world. It's mind blowing.

Now, you may be wondering why I am posting this. Well, I have to say I would have never have done these two projects if I would have had a job these last couple of months. I remember when I was working, going to school, and planning a wedding and I virtually did not have time to make myself a piece of toast. Now, to be quite honest, I have never been so inspired and creative in my whole life! All it took was a little spare time.

In essence, I'm discovering what spare time and a little crafting can do for one's psyche and faith. It sounds silly, but making something beautiful from something old is one of the most satisfying endeavors I have ever experienced. Makes me think of an old wise man Isaiah who once quipped it was possible for a "crown of beauty" to come from "ashes."  In this era of unemployment and lots of spare time, I have a feeling this idea is going to spill out in my life in ways more than just re-covering an old red wingback chair.

Stay tuned for more projects!*

*(If approved by the man of the house).