Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Vintage Chair Rescue

Don't you love it when a project works out, especially when you weren't sure it would? That is the case with my project this week. I was hoping it would turn out alright...

Well lucky for me it did!


It seems that in our neighborhood you are not officially part of the hood until you have a cute little chair on your porch. Everyone has one; metal ones, woods ones you name it. So imagine my delight when I saw this little guy sitting on the side of the road waiting for the garbage man.


You may remember me posting about it during welding month . It was bent out of shape and rusted out on the bottom. 



Well I gave bending back into shape myself another shot and I was actually successful this time! No help needed from the hubs! 


Success!!! Unfortunately though while I was bending, pulling, and shaping, the rusted leg broke.



I was only upset for a moment because I realized this could be an opportunity to use my welder! I hadn't used it since my  curtain rod project and was itching to pull it out again. 



I started by using the grinding bit on my Dremel to get any old paint and rust off the area I was going to weld.


Now this is a part of the project that I wasn't sure would work or not since the leg was rusted pretty badly. Still I thought it was worth a shot.





Getting all set up!



And what do you know; it worked! I was able to weld the two pieces back together again!!!!


I decided to keep it red since it would go well with the paint on our house.


Making some progress! I applied 2 coats, hopefully this will help it from rusting out again.

All done looking fabulous on the front porch!!







I even made a  pillow to go with it.

So once again:
Before; rusted out, bent out of shape, sitting in the garbage pile.


After; shiny and good as new vintage chic!






The Humble Brag Supporting Habitat for Humanity
Read more at http://diyshowoff.com/2013/08/15/before-and-after-diy-contest/#DlHqDqOhFOFmE5zd.99

118 comments:

NicoleD said...

It doesn't even look like the same chair! And look at you go with the welder...I totally would have caught my hair on fire or something! It looks fab on your front porch!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

WOW! That's awesome! As soon as i reallized it would need welding, I would have left it. Good for you for sticking to it!! It looks great.

Stephanie Rose said...

seriously awesome. really love the red too! thanks for your kind comments!! I love that I was able to make something for my boys for a change!

Yona said...

Wow - that is pretty cool! I LOVE your blog header.

Im a new follower from Tuesday Tag-Along! Love if you'd stop by my website and become a blog friend - http://artpark78.com/blog1

Tricia said...

Ok, I have to applaude you on this one. I would have passed that by as hopeless. It looks great. Congrats on saving a handsome chair.

Sharon@thisthriftyhouse said...

I Love this transformation!! And you WELDED??!! I am TRULY impressed!

Julia said...

That is fantastic! I can't believe you weld!! The chair looks wonderful on your porch, and I am sure you are getting lots of nice comments.

~Julia

Megan said...

So Cute! I just saw on of these w/ the same problem on craigslist's free section. I didn't think it could be bent back into shape. Great job!

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Many props to you for pulling out the welder!! I like it! The chair came out beautifully!

Julie said...

I absolutely love it! And the color, too!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

Oh how cute! I LOVE that color - it says, "Come on in!" And you completely saved that chair - great job, Rachelle!!

Lori said...

Looks great! And I really like the pillow.

McKell said...

wow. good job! i really want to get these retro chairs, but when i see them they are always in bad shape (like yours was). good for you for having the motivation & creativity to fix it up! i LOVE the red, it's perfect!!

come check out my blog too if you'd like :)

Robin Ange said...

Love it! thanks for linking up your adorable red chair!

Unknown said...

Oh wow! That's great! I love the color!

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone! This is one project I am especially excited about!

Beth said...

LOOOOOVE bouncy vintage chairs! You did a great job!

Anne said...

I'm envious! I've been wanting chairs like this, the red makes it even better!

Nikki said...

Uh-mazing, like seriously UH-MAZING! Thanks so much for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day! :)

Mal Pal said...

Your chair looks amazing. I never thought it would have come out looking this good. So shiny and new.

Carry Grace said...

Seriously? You can weld? It looks fantastic.

EYE can make that! said...

Looks great... doesn't even look like the same chair. Well done!

j said...

Much to my husband's dismay, I love curbside shopping. You just can't argue with the price!

I need to show him this post - it's proof of how fruitful it can be!

Grannys Attic said...

I am loving what you did with that chair. I have two that I need to get to work on. Hope mine turn out as pretty as yours. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Vicky

Deborah said...

Oh my, you amaze me. I wish I could weld. Great job!!

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

wow! i thought i was hot stuff using the circular saw- but you use a welder! that's great, more power to ya, sister! i have to rely on hubby to do my welding, so i'm very impressed! and you made a cute addition to your home for just the cost of spray paint and saved it from a landfill in the process! you're awesome!

Betty said...

I fell in love with those chairs years ago after seeing them in an issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. Yours is awesome.

LV said...

You did a fantastic job with that chair. In the shape it was in, I would have never dreamed it would turn out that so good. Great work.

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

What a wonderful transformation. I love the red. You are very handy with a welder. I would have had to give it up!!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! My folks had a couple of those when I was little. I used to hate them. They burned my skin. Your chair looks FAB! Your pillow looks great with it, too.

Miri said...

Terrific transformation! I just love this style chair and in red...its perfect!

anne maskell said...

Hi! You are amazing! Your chair turned out awesome. I remember my grandparents having similar chairs on their front porch. But they weren't painted such a great red. They had been painted in that 1950's era turquoise. Thanks for visiting on my blog!

Erin said...

Love the high gloss red, it is beautiful!

Pam Kessler said...

I can't believe someone was throwing that away! I love those chairs and yours looks great all fixed up and painted red. Great save.

Michelle said...

Great job! Those kind of chairs remind me of visiting my aunt & uncle's house on the lake when we were growing up...good memories!

Have an awesome day!
~Michelle :)

Unknown said...

Thank you for all the kind comments. Yes I weld! I learned from my husband's grandfather. I really enjoy it and it's come in handy a few times. Have a wonderful day!

signsofpatriotism said...

Love it!!

signsofpatriotism said...

Love it!!

signsofpatriotism said...

Love it!!

Sue said...

Welding?! Holy cow- who has these skills? You are talented, girl. The chair looks fantastic- love the red. Here from Leigh's party.
:-) Sue

Susan Freeman said...

You go girl!! Welding ~ wow am I impressed!! Your salvaged chair is just darling. I bet whomever tossed it out would not recognize it now!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tammy said...

Wow, that looks great! I'm so impressed that you have a welder and used it too! :)

Sassy Sites! said...

VERY cute! I would never have thought to paint it red, it looks great!!! Your blog is so cute with lots of fun ideas here! I'm a follower ...coming from Sassy Sites. :)

Vonlipi said...

Thank you for rescuing it! Beautiful work and red is its true color! :)

Val said...

cute, cute, cute! kudos for taking on such a project. new follower here :)

www.untiltomorrowval.blogspot.com

Olive said...

Well done and I am encouraged by this as I have an entire set I need to paint. Love the red! Happy VTT. olive♥

Heathahlee said...

I kept thinking as I was reading about your welding, "I'm not werthy!" :D

You go, girl! You did an amazing job!

Heidi said...

That looks terrific! Such a wonderful pop of color, and you did a great job on the welding, too! Thanks for linking up to Heart and Home and Wednesday Gratitude, hope you'll join in again soon!
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Michelle said...

You are totally badass with the welding! The chair looks amazing and I love the color red you chose!

Krissy said...

That's so adorable!

I know I'm late, but I'm following from Tuesday Tag Along! :) I hope you can visit us back and follow as well!!

http://theartsymom.tk

Unknown said...

This is so cute! Totally impressed that you welded it, too. Love the punchy red.

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Impressive--love the bright red!

Sassy Sites! said...

Thanks for your kind comment on my blog! Check back today... it's a cute one!! By the way, I am going to be doing a giveaway tomorrow, so add me to your sidebar links to get a head start!! :)

Jenni said...

looks very nice! love the red!

i am on the hunt for a chair like that, but i want it to be really rusted out and vintage looking (just still attached in all areas) for my photography!

great job!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Great job, I would never have recognized it as being the same chair! marcia

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I have one that's bent out of shape, too. So how exactly did you bend it back? I've tried and tried and it's jut not budging.

I'm seriously impressed that you welded! That chair looks like a million bucks now!

Anonymous said...

You sure saved that chair! Looks awesome as does the pillow! Thanks for sharing at It's Party Time Thursday@PonyTails&FishScales!

Hattie said...

Wow! That looks awesome. Whenever I have a front porch, it's my goal to have a few of these chairs - I just love them. You did a great job of saving this one!

Unknown said...

Great job...I'm inspired!

Happy "late" VTT!

Sarah

Coloradolady said...

That is amazing you could repair that chair! It is so pretty! Happy "Late VTT and have a great weekend"

Susan said...

I love the chair!! I remember my parents had red chairs like that! I don't whatever happened to them. Would love to have them

Jane said...

I love that kind of chair. I am pretty impressed with your welding skills!

Debbiedoos said...

OK I really hope your project wins the CSI...because it is awesome! The fact that you just happened to have a welder that you never used is so cool...and yes it worked perfect. I am digging that red too. Nice job! And thanks for joining my party....Debbie

Proper Prim said...

Wow, I am so impressed with your skills... great job.

Love what you did with the chair.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such nice comments, I really appreciate it.

Hugs, Deb

Anonymous said...

Just a lurker, but wanted to say my son has just redone a chair like this for a 4-H project. Painted it the exact same color. Ours was in a little better shape, just more rust to sand off. It looks great! We have another, and I'm hoping he'll do the same!

Holly

Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function said...

I love this!! It just warms my heart when something is rescued from being trash! You'd never know now to look at it.

I need more vision! ;)

Breanna said...

Gorgeous! It makes me wish I had a front porch!

Carly@Humble Housekeeping said...

LOVE it! Great job and love the new coat of red!

Andrea said...

Defo my first time to read a blog where there was welding involved. Can,t believe yu can do it. WOW. I would love for you to link up to my lush friday sometime. Fab red too. Love it.Andrea

Tardevil said...

Looks great! What a great find/re-hab!

Lynn said...

Good for you! My friend and I are always on the look-out for this type of chair, no luck yet...

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Love the chair! I am so glad you kept it red. Great save on this beauty!

Keetha Broyles said...

Simply amazing!

I can tell you if that chair were at my house, it would have been sent to the mission shop or something. I would NOT have the patience to try to restore it.

And just look how LOVELY it turned out - - - wow!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Rachelle...

Ohhh...I love your bright red, vintage porch chair! Great save, my friend! Can you believe that someone just threw that sweet little chair to the curb? Great for you though! Hehe! Rachelle, I'm definitely impressed with your welding abilties...fabulous!!! Love your pretty red chair and that beautiful pillow...sure makes your front porch inviting!!! Thank you for sharing your project with us today for Sunday Favorites!!! Such an inspiration, my friend!

Have a super Sunday!
Chari @Happy To Design

Jill said...

Wow what a great makeover! You're pretty talented - welding, painting , sewing..... I'm off to explore your blog some more!! (found you through motivate me monday!)

Emily @ Finding My Aloha said...

ohhh I love this! I love it with the pillow! I am impressed you own a welder let alone know how to use it! You go girl! My hubby would be put in the ground before he'd let me have such a "weapon" haha!

Moe said...

Good job on bending and welding! So glad it went back to its shape!

I popped by from Skip to My Lou! Hope you'll pop by www.crossxmyxhooks.blogspot.com

Angie of Eisman Design said...

Wow, that's impressive! Anyone who knows how to weld is cool in my book! The chair turned out great.

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

WOW!!! Great job!

annies home said...

Rachelle =
you did a great job on the chair. You can tell that you put a lot of love and care into it. I am very suprised what it looks like now compared to what it looked like before Great Job

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love the chair! Does not look like the same chair at all. You go girl with your welding!! Love the red and the cute pillow!

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

Betty said...

oh my goodness I'm so dang jealous! I've always wanted a chair like that and I never see them except online or in magazines. It looks great!

The Nifty Nest said...

Wow! That's pretty impressive! I didn't realize those cracks/breaks could be fixed. Hmmmm.....

:)
Liz

janimal said...

I can't believe that's the same chair. FABULOUS!

Foundinthe-ALI said...

So cute! I just saved a little chair too! Yours took a little more work but still :P check it out:

http://foundintheali.blogspot.com/2010/07/chair-i-found-in-ali.html

Wendy said...

AWESOME job! I have been on the lookout for the perfect chair to paint for my front porch.... YOU are so lucky!!! :)

Ginger said...

BEAUTIFUL! What fabulous new life you've brought to that old chair! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

Crystal said...

Amazing transformation! It looks so pretty now.

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

Great find and redo! I am your newest follower and I am going to feature this.
Bonnie :)

Its So Very Cheri said...

Oh I LOVE it. You did an amazing transformation on that chair.

Cheri

Funky Junk Interiors said...

So you just went and picked up your welder and went right to it. *blink* I wanna be you if I ever grow up! AMAZING outcome!

Donna

Its So Very Cheri said...

Check out the DIY Club post this morning--The Voting Is On...

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Such a great project! The outcome is beautiful!!

Amy

silly eagle books said...

that shiny red is perfect! I love it!

AmberLou said...

that looks so great! I recently acquired 2 vintage chairs that same style... so excited to spray them up!

Jenn Erickson said...

I am absolutely amazed at the transformation! You surely have the nicest porch chair in the "hood" now! I feel very lucky to be included on the list of 12 such incredible talented women in the DIY Club finals. With 11 new, amazing, inspiring blogs to follow...I'm already a winner! Best, Jenn

Melissa said...

That's it. I officially need a welder. You sealed the deal for me.
Your project looks awesome!

Pam said...

What a beautiful and welcoming makeover for an oldie like that. I remember these types of chairs sitting on my grandmothers porch when I was a kid.

Unknown said...

This is striking in red. Just a gorgeous change. I can see why it is your favorite.

{northern cottage} said...

yeah! what a rescue...the red is gorgeous. I rescued the same type of chair this summer and re-did mine IN RED too. Perfect I think!

Thanks for sharing yours!

http://northerncottage.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-chairs.html

Kelli W said...

What a great makeover! I love the color!

Anonymous said...

Heeeeeey! Don't call something I had in my youth vintage! (Just Kidding) That makes me feel old.

I do love seeing these now because we had two old bright green ones when I was little. Great idea how you rescued it with weldong. I like the red too.

Lolly Jane said...

What a transformation!!! Awesome! We would ♥ for you to show this off at our link party!

Lolly Jane
lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com

Heaven's Walk said...

Ok. I'm seriously impressed that you welded that chair, girl! Wow. Great job! It looks adorable on your porch! :)

xoxo laurie

Jennifer said...

I love these old chairs! Wow, I can't believe what a fantastic job you did restoring it! Fun colors and a fun pillow too!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas

Amy Gilman and Emily Lee (Sisters of the Wild West) said...

great rescue! i would love to have you link it up at our Sister Sunday link party.
Amy
www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com

DearHelenHartman said...

An amazing restoration job!

Arabella said...

It looks fabulous - love the bright red paint you used...very vintage!

Unknown said...

Wow, what a job. That color is fabulous!

mimi @ messymimi said...

Wow - I'm so glad you came to the rescue here - what an amazing job you did! I hope you are enjoying your red chair because it is awesome!

Linda said...

Can't believe this is the same chair. It looks great!

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

You know how to weld?! you rock! Thanks for stopping by to add this to our Wicked Awesome Wednesday party!

KrisTiki said...

And in 4th grade, I too, learned to weld. I thought ALL girls should know this skill.

NOw that I'm 40, I'm really happy to find someone else that WELDS! :)

(although, I must admit,i've not had a use for it since I was in 4th grade!) :)

Emily Polgardi said...

I have two of these babies sitting in my apartment. I am now motivated again to do something with them! Thanks!

lounge chair said...

so much great info on here .

Anonymous said...

if you have rust under that red paint, it will keep on eating away at the chair. I learned that in historic archaeology class......but i never did learn to weld in that session of community college evening classes. Drat. It's gotta be a great talent to have hanging around til needed......LOL

boberry60 said...

Love your chair it turned out beautiful!! I have 13 of the medal chairs yep am totally addicted to them lol