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You are here: Home / DIY / A Quick and Easy Office Chair Re-Do

A Quick and Easy Office Chair Re-Do

August 10, 2009 at 12:00 pm by Claudia


Hello, Happy Monday! We all have them – office chairs. To my mind, they are necessary but unattractive. After my recent post about my creative space, I started obsessing about my ugly office chair (which I conveniently left out of my photos.) What could I do that would pretty it up but cost nothing?

I went through my linens and found 2 pillowcases I thought might work. One of them was embroidered by my grandmother and has her standard hand-crocheted edging. The other is a battenburg lace pillow sham that I used many years ago.


The great thing about the sham is that it slips neatly over the seat of the chair.


The other pillowcase slips over the seat back and with some discreet stitching, fits rather nicely. I positioned it so that it covers up the adjustment knob on the back of the chair.


And there is my seat cover! It costs nothing and will do nicely until I actually make a slip cover. Both pillowcases can be taken off quite easily for washing. This looks a lot better than the nubby grey fabric that magically attracted every stray dog hair. I may cut out the interior panel on the Battenburg lace case at some point – or I may not. I think this suits the look of my little studio nook nicely.

Filed Under: DIY, studio 23 Comments

Comments

  1. The White Bench says

    August 10, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Soo pretty, Claudia! I also re-did my studio chair, which it was very similar to yours… you can see it in one of my previous posts (March 2009- Mission Impossible???).
    Enjoy your new chair!
    Monica.

    Reply
  2. Enchanted Rose Studio says

    August 10, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Claudia, you clever girl! When I read that you were going to use your pillowcases embroidered by your Grandmother I thought noooo! Don’t cut it up! ha! Silly me! Your chair looks great and blends right in with your pretty creative space!

    Love it!

    Tina

    Reply
  3. blushing rose says

    August 10, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    What a clever creation. Love it, Claudia. I threw my out & bought new ones … never thought of this. TTFN ~Marydon

    Reply
  4. Marsha says

    August 10, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    What a fab way to cover up your chair and it is PERFECT for your creative space. It is so you!! I’ll be mailing your goodies out to you tomorrow. I had the glass guy coming today. Hugs, Marsha

    Reply
  5. stefanie says

    August 10, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    love it, what a great idea!!!!!

    Reply
  6. Bunny says

    August 10, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    You smarty girl. Great idea and it looks wonderful.

    Reply
  7. Diva Kreszl says

    August 10, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    What a great idea…now I’m off to cover all my ugly office chairs!!!

    Reply
  8. Brynwood Needleworks says

    August 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    MUCH better! I love your idea.
    Later,
    Hugs,
    Donna

    Reply
  9. Sares says

    August 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    Brilliant! It looks beautiful. Have a great day Claudia.

    Reply
  10. koralee says

    August 10, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    Oh my how sweet is that…you are amazing..I really need to remember this next time I have an ugly chair that needs redone…you are an inspiration!!! Happy week to you!

    Reply
  11. MiniMadWoman says

    August 10, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    What a great idea Claudia and so pretty! Looks lovely now in your room . . . no more grays for you!

    Hugs,
    Teresa

    Reply
  12. Elyse says

    August 10, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    that is GREAT! i love a good no-sew project!

    xo

    Reply
  13. Aimee says

    August 10, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    Great idea!!! Looks so much prettier.

    If you get a chance come by my Blog for a visit and say hi. I have put up quite a few new posts and will be putting more up this week from the San Francisco International Gift Fair where my Pillow Collection was featured and Romantic Homes who has featured my Pillows in their beautiful magazine.

    Have a great week,
    Aimee

    Reply
  14. Stacey says

    August 10, 2009 at 11:46 pm

    Oh my goodness that came out so much prettier! Nice job. :)

    Reply
  15. Jill says

    August 11, 2009 at 12:41 am

    What a great way to cover up an office chair! I may have to try that! So clever- and it looks really cute with that pretty table skirt on your sewing table!

    Reply
  16. Lisa says

    August 11, 2009 at 11:55 am

    Oh Well Done You!! I love it!
    Hugs, Lisa

    Reply
  17. Sabiha Barkey says

    August 11, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    Hi Claudia…you did a great job!!
    I have also the same fabric you used for the sitting,I use it on my table in the kitchen,I love that kind..and in white it does look so good!

    Thank you for the tip…love your blog!

    X,sabiha

    Reply
  18. peppermint says

    August 12, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Love the makeover! So pretty and feminine compared to the before picture!

    Reply
  19. Kim-Fille de Fleur says

    August 12, 2009 at 10:32 am

    SO SMART! I just bought one of these for five dollars last Saturday and was wondering what in the heck to do with it! Thanks for the solution. I may do part of it with vintage hankies as I love them so…………Kim

    Reply
  20. caren says

    August 13, 2009 at 8:45 am

    What a great idea! We too have the ugly office chairs that match nothing! I would be afraid to cut some of my grandmas “handwork” as she called it. I will wait to see how you do it!

    Reply
  21. The Feathered Nest says

    August 18, 2009 at 8:25 am

    Claudia…this is PRECIOUS!!! And I absolutely love your McCoy pottery with birds ~ each piece is so very beautiful. I hope you’re having a great week!! xxoo, Dawn

    Reply
  22. Nancy @ La Chambre Rose says

    August 18, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Wonderful! I caught up on posts and this is such a clever idea! I always leave the office chair out of the photos, too.

    Reply
  23. Courtney says

    August 21, 2009 at 8:20 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
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Welcome!

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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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