IMG_0811 So about 4 months ago I was on the hunt for some patio chairs. Rarely do I find something in a thrift shop that I am looking for (which is kind of the thrill, right? Never knowing what treasures you might find.)  My only criteria was that I was looking for something made of iron and I wanted 4. I hit up one of my favorite shops in Marina Del Rey and found these guys. They were asking $48/set of 4. Hmmm… $12 each. I’m thinking $48 is kind of a lot and then I think ‘don’t be an idiot. Where else are you going to find chairs for $12 each?’ So after about 5 minutes of deliberation, I decided to go for it. I’m not super crazy about the design, I mean they aren’t anything to write home about but they were iron, there were 4 and they are super comfy to sit in.We loaded them up and they sat on our back patio for about 2 months. It was one of those things on my ‘to-do before baby arrives’ list but that just never happened. The cushions needed to be recovered and the iron needed to be painted.
IMG_0831 While my Mom was here (after the arrival of aforementioned baby) she asked if there was anything I could use her help with. Hells-Bells-Yes! So we headed downtown and searched for fabric. I wasn’t crazy about any of the upholstery fabric that was for outdoor use, so I picked out 4 quilting fabrics and went with those instead. She was so generous to offer to take them home with her and sew them up for me (I swear, they probably wouldn’t have happened until 2009 if it were up to me.) She sewed them up and I had the unfortunate task of pulling all the staples out of the old cushion covers (only took me 2 days) and then the very easy task of putting the covers on and stapling them down.
IMG_0839
Not to bad, eh? The corner of the green cushion is driving me bonkers. I need to go and tighten the corner and staple it so it’s not so bunchy. I’m only one woman, you know. Anyway, now the chairs just need to be painted. Oy vei. I’m thinking of a pale turquoise or the green on the second cushion. So many options, really.

Anyway, the fabrics are all Amy Butler, except the blue is FreeSpirit (I think). 

Happy weekend!

xoxo

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42 responses to “It started with the chairs…”

  1. Christie Avatar

    Your mum rocks!
    Those cushions look fantastic, can’t wait to see the chairs painted.

    Like

  2. Piper Avatar

    How fun and bright these look! Love the piping on them, really makes them pop! What a treasure to find!!! Can’t wait to see them in all their glory when you are done with them.

    Like

  3. LeeAnn Avatar

    They turned out fantastic! Can I come over and relax on them?

    Like

  4. Thimbleanna Avatar

    Wow! Those new cushions are fabulous. What a cool idea!

    Like

  5. erin Avatar

    morgan – they are beautiful!
    i say go for the turquoise – it’ll tie them all together. 🙂

    Like

  6. Diane Avatar
    Diane

    Wow, what a great Mom! The cushions are beautiful. Turquoise paint sounds lovely. Can’t wait to see the finished product! By the way, when are you gonna let us see how much that baby has grown?

    Like

  7. Tricia Avatar

    Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!!!!! what did you use for the trim on the edges?

    Like

  8. melanie Avatar
    melanie

    Those are so cute! How do you do the piping? I’m so not skilled in the areas of sewing, but I love it!

    Like

  9. John Avatar

    Wow, those are beautiful! I love the fabric choices. Be sure to post a pic of the final painted set!

    Like

  10. sunshine Avatar

    why not paint each chair a differnt color since the cushions are all differnt colors it would be so bright and cheery

    Like

  11. Casey Avatar

    the cushions look great!! I really need to get to the thrift stores

    Like

  12. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Wow, sweetheart! They look fab. I’m proud of you. :>
    The piping is “store-bought” from JoAnn.
    There wasn’t a ready-made turquoise to match our fabrics, so I purchased a coordinating fabric, cut strips and folded it over left-over piping from the other chairs. When doing this, stitch it down using a zipper foot so you can get close to the cording.
    To keep your piping crisp, first sew it to one of your fabrics, matching raw edges. Turn it, stitching side up, and pin it to the second fabric, right sides together. Stitch exactly over the first stitching.
    Turn it right sides out and voila!! you’re a piping genius.

    Like

  13. Kate Avatar

    WoW! These look so great!$12 a chair really is a steal! I wish I had a sewing assistant! How lucky! The combination of fabrics are just fantastic!

    Like

  14. Sarah Avatar

    Holy heck, those are yummy! The piping was a stroke of genious. I vote for pale turquoise for the chairs- one of my very very faaaavorite colors. They’re going to look smashing when all done!!

    Like

  15. Amanda Avatar

    Very nice. Your mom needs to come to my place and recover a few things!!!

    Like

  16. Jeanelle Avatar
    Jeanelle

    Great Fabrics! Your Mom is awesome!

    Like

  17. Diana Avatar

    I love, love, LOVE them!

    Like

  18. Renna Avatar

    They’re gorgeous! And what a great mom you have!

    Like

  19. shauna Avatar

    Your fabric choices are amazing! I am convinced just by seeing those pillows, and your sweet family, that we could be the best of friends if we lived closer. OMG, I am turning into a creeper. Sorry!

    Like

  20. shauna Avatar

    Your fabric choices are amazing! I am convinced just by seeing those pillows, and your sweet family, that we could be the best of friends if we lived closer. OMG, I am turning into a creeper. Sorry!

    Like

  21. islandjen Avatar

    oh my…i need to go out and get a staple gun, and some fabric..STAT! these area so fun!! i love the colors!

    Like

  22. marné Avatar

    Those look so great! I have a really similar set of chairs and matching table, and I’ve been needing to do just exactly what you’ve done for about two years, so you’re a speed demon in my book!

    Like

  23. Kim Avatar

    Now I see where you get your mad skillz! Your mom is fabulous!! Cute, cute, CUTE!

    Like

  24. moki Avatar

    wow! gorgeous!

    Like

  25. kristy Avatar

    uhm.
    can i just come sit on your porch in those chairs?
    these are awesome!

    Like

  26. carolyn Avatar

    lucky YOU. I wish I had a mom that could help me recover chairs! Great job.

    Like

  27. Vanessa Suzanne Zinke Avatar
    Vanessa Suzanne Zinke

    my favorite is the red with green piping. I’d wear a Summer dress made out of that fabric! They turned out perfect! You’re perfect.

    Like

  28. Shelley Avatar

    love love love these! wish i had the mad skills of you and yer Ma! piping has always just made me run for the hills.. i need to just give in and really learn to sew – right?

    Like

  29. Heidi C. Avatar
    Heidi C.

    Darling! Which store did you get them in downtown? I need to go!

    Like

  30. Sarah Avatar

    WOW! LOVE the fabric you chose! Beautiful.

    Like

  31. Libby Avatar

    The color combonation that you chose is perfect! I am re-doing our downstairs room and wanted it to be bright and colorful…this is huge inspiration! Thanks!

    Like

  32. Crystal Avatar

    Um, those are the brightest most beautiful cushions ever. Love them!

    Like

  33. hailey Avatar
    hailey

    umm, so amazing and so cute!! I love the variety of colors. I want you to come to my house and teach me how to decorate with random colors and brightness. I defalt to the black, reds + greens but really want orange, yellow + and blues added to my house. what advise do you have? I love the chairs. You’ve now inspired me to not get pottery barn covers and have my mom make me some!! Thanks for the cute pics of inpiration!!

    Like

  34.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Fabulous chairs! You are so creative!

    Like

  35. Cherry Tree Lane Avatar

    PERFECTION!!!!!! I love them!

    Like

  36. Cherry Tree Lane Avatar

    PERFECTION!!!!!! I love them!

    Like

  37. misschris Avatar

    I love these. Love ’em.

    Like

  38. danni perez Avatar

    they look fab-u-lo-so!
    i would paint the chairs in different colors.just my 2cents.lol
    ~danni
    p.s.guess what?-i made those spring rolls that you posted the recipe for a while back {and the peanut sauce}. they were a hit. i will be posting pics on my blog in a few days and of course giving you props.;0)

    Like

  39. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    i needed some inspiration for my rusty,crusty outdoor chairs…thanks!
    the cushions are gorgeous!!!!
    🙂 laura

    Like

  40. tara Avatar

    morgan, these cushions almost make me want to cry they are SO PERFECT together. omg the colors, the patterns, the edging! WOWZA
    also, congrats on margot/kate. 🙂

    Like

  41. Stacy Avatar

    Ohh, I just love these. You have a great eye for style. I just found your blog tonight but I already LOVE it!!
    Stacy
    http://www.kidsstuffworld.com

    Like

  42. Jill Avatar

    Ah! These are fabulous. Would love to hear how the quilting fabric holds up. I have a bench I want to re-cover with some Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

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