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11/30/2010

MacKenzie Childs Inspiration #1


 I am so inspired and love ALL of MacKenzie Childs products. From furniture to dishware to soft goods. I love them all. The whimsy and just plain fun of it. What I don't like is the price.  The chair retails for $3,300 and the tuffet retails for $995. So above is my inspiration. Only I needed a chair, so I started off with this...below
I found this at a thrift store for $29! But I didn't pay $29. I traded it for another chair that I had so the cost was FREE. Gotta love that. Then I needed a stool. This time I made it from scratch. I purchased a round board from Home Depot, unfinished legs from eBay and foam from JoAnn Fabric's.

I painted the wooden legs and screwed them to the round board. I cut the foam in the shape of a doughnut. Then added batting and material. I covered a small wood round with contrasting material, put it all together, added fringe and it became a cute tuffet.

The chair was much more work. I stripped it down but had never upholstered a complete chair before...just seats and backs. So as I was stripping the old fabric off, I took pictures with my digital camera and was able to play them back to remember how it was done. I then painted the wood parts of this chair white and stained it and then put some coats of poly for protection. Now came the tears. I don't enjoy upholstery but I do it for myself because I am too cheap to hire it done! After a good cry, I get the courage to continue on.

When all was said and done, I was pleased with the outcome. The chair cost me $40 to upholster and the tuffet cost me $25 to make. Now that's a savings! Enjoy

PS This tuffet has seen more looks previously, here they are...so don't be afraid to redo a piece that you already did!
First try for teen daughter. I found the error of my ways and redid it.

Tuffet made for teen daughter's living room.
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15 comments:

  1. DIYbyDesignNovember 30, 2010 at 1:28 PM

    Very impressive job. I love the look, but love even more how little you spent. Great job.

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  2. UnknownNovember 30, 2010 at 4:09 PM

    I can make an okay slipcover, but that looks like a lot of work. Great job. I like the mix of fabrics.

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  3. Cassie BustamanteNovember 30, 2010 at 7:30 PM

    you did a fabulous job with your chair and ottoman- they are very similar to the inspiration!

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  4. Amanda@RelovedRubbishNovember 30, 2010 at 8:20 PM

    You are so talented! I love how you put together that ottoman and the painted legs are adorable! You did a fantastic job upholstering too. I started my first chair upholstery project over the holiday, so I know what you mean about it being a lot of work. Yours came out lovely!

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  5. Kelli@Restore InteriorsNovember 30, 2010 at 9:43 PM

    IMPRESSIVE! My patience runs totally thin when it comes to upholstery! You are very talented, a fabulous artist! Thanks for linking it to my party today!

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  6. ChrissieNovember 30, 2010 at 10:17 PM

    This just blows me away! Fantastic job. I love Mackenzie Childs too, your pieces are great!

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  7. Lucydesignsart.comDecember 1, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    get out!!! I love it...awesome job

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  8. Three Birds InspiredDecember 3, 2010 at 3:08 AM

    Absolutely charming!

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  9. Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.comDecember 3, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    I just found ya through Ms Mustard Seeds linky party! I am a new follower. This is INCREDIBLE!!!! That is all I can say! Just incredible.

    WI hope you can swing by my blog and follow me as well! Hope to see ya.
    http://dejarenew.blogspot.com
    thx. Debbie.

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  10. SandyDecember 4, 2010 at 8:53 PM

    I am so impressed with this project! Great job.

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  11. DesireeDecember 8, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    I am in the midst of a reupholstery project and was stopped dead in my tracks when I discovered the price of high density foam at Joann's Fabrics. Did you get some sort of a discount or sale? I need a cushion for my chair but am not willing to pay the $70 per yard they are asking.

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  12. Ms Bingles Vintage ChristmasDecember 8, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    This is so beautiful!
    Great upholstery work!
    Have a good day!
    Leticia

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  13. asnipofgoodnessDecember 10, 2010 at 8:43 PM

    WOW, now I am REALLY impressed!!!!! so cool!

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  14. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    So glad to have discovered your blog. I too love MacKenzie Childs. It appeals to my childlike, although others will tell you childish, nature. :-) You are truly talented and have been blessed with a good eye. I look forward to many new inspirations.

    Daniela

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  15. gibbygoo56August 25, 2014 at 3:19 AM

    Too cute! I am wanting to make a M/C tuffet and its awesome to see the "guts" of your piece before the pretty stuff was applied. I love the chair too. How did you do the button on the center of the tuffet? You mentioned wooden piece but how did you go about adding it to the center? Thank you for the inspiration and the advice in advance. Pamela

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It makes me smile to hear from you!