I picked up this simple little chair for $5.00 at a local yardsale. I thought redone it would make a cute desk chair. I had no idea what treasure this little chair would hold for me.
As I removed the old fabric I noticed it had been covered in an old shirt, which I thought was something I had never thought of. Under the old shirt was a bright orage felt. I decided not to remove the felt as it was tacked down pretty good. I also noted that this chair had very little padding. After much thought I decided the orange felt had to go so I could have a fresh start with some new foam. As I battled with the tacks holding the felt down, small bits of what I thought was dirt was starting to show itself, it was at that point Mr. C said he would remove the felt and clean up the wood seat. Love that man!!
About 20 minutes later Mr. C came in and told me he had a surprise for me..under the felt was not dirt but what was left of some leather that was dried and cracked..and this..a note from someone who had owned the chair. From the husband James Darling, he wrote of how he and his wife Lisa had also paid 5.00 for this chair at Goodwill. He spoke of how they rescued the chair, how fun they had taking it apart, and how he hoped who ever ended up with the chair brought as much joy to them as it did to he and his wife.
Turning the letter over, his wife Lisa had written how surprised she was to find the chair stuffed with hay and how old it must be. They had torn off 4 layers of of damaged cloth and old crumbled foam. I guess people just kept adding over and over to the seat. Lisa wrote of her love for the chair from the time she first saw it , how she saw it as a work of art. She ended with how she hoped it would always be in a Darling family. I was so touched by this letter and decided from here on out when I redo furniture I also will include a note for the next owners. It left me wondering why they got rid of the chair..and made me want to make it beautiful again.
So after sanding, priming and a new coat of paint, we cut a new seat as the old one was cracking, new foam, batting and fabric..here she is. She is our Darling!!
Hope you enjoyed and thank you for stopping by!
CraftOmaniac
Its Overflowing
Mop it up Monday
Mosaic Monday
Motivated Monday
More The Merrier @ DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it Simple
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff
Thrifty Treasures @ SouthernHospitality
Make it Great Monday @ Etcetorize
Made by you Monday
Make it pretty Monday
Making Space Mondays
Tuesday:
tweak it tuesday
Getting krafty with itTuesday to do
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Trash To Treasure Tuesday @ Kammy's Korner
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Tuesday Talent ShowHome Stories A2Z
Totally transformed Tuesday
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Co
CowGirl UP @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Talent Tuesday @ VintageWannaBee
Get your craft on
Twirl & take a Bow
Wednesday:
Piece Of Work Wednesday @ Primitive And Proper
Home is where the Heart is
Primp your stuff wednesday
Uncommonly Yours
Very Merry Vintage Style
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What we made and wore @RaeGunRamblings
All Star Block Party @ Full Circle Creations
New House
Nutmeg Place
Full Circle Creations
Simply Done Wright
Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ HandyManCraftyWoman
Penny Pinching Party @ TheThriftyHome
Made by Me
From Dream to Reality
Time for a Party
Whimsy Wednesday
Wow me Wednesday
Wednesdays Adorned from Above
Thursday:
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
tutorials-tips-and-tidbits
Under $100 Party
Creative Inspirations
The Mother Lode @ IGottaCreate
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Thursdays Are Your Days @ 52Mantels
Transformation Thursday @TheShabbyCreekCottage
Share Your Cup Thursday with Mrs. Olson
Show Me Extraordinary @ 36thAvenue
Hooking up with HoH
Throwback Thursday @HubbyMadeMe
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ FromMyFrontPorchToYours
Live Laugh Link @live.Laugh.Rowe
Pin-inspiration Thursday
Friday:
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Fridays Unfolded @ StuffandNonsense
Feature Friday @ RedouxInteriors
Free for All Friday @ FiveDaysFiveWays
Inspiration Friday @ AtThePicketFence
EBTKS @ ALittleKnickKnack
Potpourri Friday @ 2805
Made You Look @MadeInaDay
Show and Tell Friday
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
hello-its-friday-once-again
Pinworthy Projects @JustUsFourBlog
Addicts (not so) Anonymous Link Party @ Addicted2Decorating
Weedend Wrap up Party
Saturday
Show and Tell Saturdays @ BeDifferentActNormal
Saturday Nite Special Creative Dressers @ FunkyJunkInteriors
Get schooled Saturday
once upon a weekend
Free for All
Sunday
Overflowing with Creativity
Sunday's Best
Whats Shakin
Social Sunday
Sunday Stop @ Joy2Journey
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ NiftyThriftyThings
Sunday Showcase Party @ UnderTheTableandDreaming It's Party Time @ ItsSoVeryCheri
Joining:
Monday:
Masterpiece
MondayCraftOmaniac
Its Overflowing
Mop it up Monday
Mosaic Monday
Motivated Monday
More The Merrier @ DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it Simple
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff
Thrifty Treasures @ SouthernHospitality
Make it Great Monday @ Etcetorize
Made by you Monday
Make it pretty Monday
Making Space Mondays
Tuesday:
tweak it tuesday
Getting krafty with itTuesday to do
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Trash To Treasure Tuesday @ Kammy's Korner
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Tuesday Talent ShowHome Stories A2Z
Totally transformed Tuesday
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Co
CowGirl UP @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Talent Tuesday @ VintageWannaBee
Get your craft on
Twirl & take a Bow
Wednesday:
Piece Of Work Wednesday @ Primitive And Proper
Home is where the Heart is
Primp your stuff wednesday
Uncommonly Yours
Very Merry Vintage Style
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What we made and wore @RaeGunRamblings
All Star Block Party @ Full Circle Creations
New House
Nutmeg Place
Full Circle Creations
Simply Done Wright
Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ HandyManCraftyWoman
Penny Pinching Party @ TheThriftyHome
Made by Me
From Dream to Reality
Time for a Party
Whimsy Wednesday
Wow me Wednesday
Wednesdays Adorned from Above
Thursday:
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
tutorials-tips-and-tidbits
Under $100 Party
Creative Inspirations
The Mother Lode @ IGottaCreate
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Thursdays Are Your Days @ 52Mantels
Transformation Thursday @TheShabbyCreekCottage
Share Your Cup Thursday with Mrs. Olson
Show Me Extraordinary @ 36thAvenue
Hooking up with HoH
Throwback Thursday @HubbyMadeMe
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ FromMyFrontPorchToYours
Live Laugh Link @live.Laugh.Rowe
Pin-inspiration Thursday
Friday:
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Fridays Unfolded @ StuffandNonsense
Feature Friday @ RedouxInteriors
Free for All Friday @ FiveDaysFiveWays
Inspiration Friday @ AtThePicketFence
EBTKS @ ALittleKnickKnack
Potpourri Friday @ 2805
Made You Look @MadeInaDay
Show and Tell Friday
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
hello-its-friday-once-again
Pinworthy Projects @JustUsFourBlog
Addicts (not so) Anonymous Link Party @ Addicted2Decorating
Weedend Wrap up Party
Saturday
Show and Tell Saturdays @ BeDifferentActNormal
Saturday Nite Special Creative Dressers @ FunkyJunkInteriors
Get schooled Saturday
once upon a weekend
Free for All
Sunday
Overflowing with Creativity
Sunday's Best
Whats Shakin
Social Sunday
Sunday Stop @ Joy2Journey
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ NiftyThriftyThings
Sunday Showcase Party @ UnderTheTableandDreaming It's Party Time @ ItsSoVeryCheri
33 comments:
Fabulous! What a great idea from the Darlings, too. This is what I love to do. Find those chair treasures. Some folks really don't know what they're throwing out, do they??
A very lovely and thoughtful post. Nice photos too.
What a great journey this chair has had. Thanks for sharing it with us.
This is the BEST post I've read in quite awhile. Thanks so much for sharing this incredible story. It makes me want to leave a note on all of my rehabbed furniture.
A very enjoyable post. What fun finding that letter in the chair seat. Kind of like a message in a bottle.
What a wonderful surprise! It must be nice to know that the piece has lived a long a 'meaningful' life already. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize this week!
the chair looks adorable, but that story and letter are priceless!
What a sweet post :)and your finished chair turned out darling:)
New follower, Francine
Wow, what a lovely suprise and what a good idea to include a little note from the person who did the makeover.
What a nice surprise! Love the transformation.
What a wonderful story! I LOVE the chair!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
What a beautiful story. How sweet. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
This is such a fabulous story! I hope you inserted a letter of your own into the lining!
What a great story! Isn't that funny that yall both paid $5 for the chair!? Love the previous owners' last name...Darling...do you remember The Darling Family on "Andy of Mayberry"? You and your husband did a great job on the chair...did you leave a note inside too? I saw your post over at Yvonne's "Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits" party.
What a fun surprise! When we put in new hardwood floors we wrote a note on the subfloor. Maybe someday another family will uncover our note. Love how you redid the chair. Laura
Just found your blog. Love this surprise story and the chair turned out fantastic! New Follower.
Jody
That is so neat!
Popped in from EBTKS.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
What a sweet story. I hope you left a new note inside the chair with the original one. This chair could become famous!
What a fabulous and thoughtful idea! We should all do that when we're reupholstering/upcycling furniture! What fun for future owners!! :) Did the letter say what year they owned it?
xoxo laurie
Oh what a wonderful find! Maybe I need to start leaving little notes!
This story gave me goosebumps - what a beautiful sentiment, think I'll start leaving notes in my stuff too!
Thanks for sharing
Hugs,
Suzan
The chair looks great but seriously? what an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it this week on BeColorful.
pr
Love the chair! But oh how that note touched my heart. What a wonderful thing to find hidden beneath all those layers. I wonder too why they gave up the chair. Perhaps they passed away and their children didn't want it. Such a touching story. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Hugs,
Jann
What a fantastic story! So thrilled you shared it at the Blackberry Vine! Can't wait to see what you have for us this week!
Smiles!
Jami
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
What a treasure! The chair looks gorgeous and you have such a nice memento to go with it.
What a wonderful surprise! Makes it so meaningful. Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina
What a beautiful story, and a very lovely post, it touched my heart. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
What a great story and a great chair! Thanx for sharing at THT!
Thanks for linking up to my party! Hope to see you back again.
Great story about your chair~ Thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!
What a beautiful story! That has to be the best find ever! That is such a great idea. And I love how your chair turned out!
a wonderful story -- and a beautiful chair!
I love the letter in the chair. It is so beautiful. I also love the redo. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/reeses-smore-brownies-and-wednesdays.html
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
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