You may have noticed a trend in the past 10 years.  It seems that anything your granny did is now becoming cool.  It started with the knitting craze and then crocheting and now we are seeing needlepoint all over the place.  I am not one to be above trends.  In fact, at the beginning of the year I made a very motivated trip to Hobby Lobby and got all the supplies that one would need to pose as a true needlepoint-er.  Sadly, that bag is currently under my bed as we speak.  I had good intentions…plus I figured, “why should I do all of this extra work when there is an abundance of  perfectly good (better) needlework to be found at estate sales, vintage shops, Goodwill, or on the internet”.  With the rediscovery of this art, we have noticed a bit of an increase in re-upholstery projects involving needlepoint.  I really like this idea.

When I used to think of needle point and upholstery, the image of a formal chair with mauve roses came to mind.  Similar to this…

Not that there is anything wrong with this but, I have since realized that there is a way to have a little more fun with needlework.  Picture back chairs are the perfect vehicle to frame a funky retro wall hanging or even to use to make unique pillows.  I am sure that there are endless ways to re-use vintage needlework but for now, check out some of these fun finds.

I hope that you are inspired to search for fun needlework.  Beware…it can be quite addicting!

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Have you ever heard of a Canadian tuxedo?…No?  Well neither had I until Meredith enlightened me.  For those of you who are uninformed, a Canadian tuxedo is when one wears denim on denim or a “denim sandwich”.  Typically these are known as a fashion faux paus but Clar has been known to rock this ensemble from time to time.  She too was unaware of its clever name.  Luckily, Clar is just so adorable that she can make denim on denim cool.  Take a look at our photoshoot from this past Wednesday.

I don’t know about you guys, but I am about to start breaking out my denim!

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Recently many of our showroom pieces have found new homes.  With so many spaces to fill in our shop we have been busy cranking out some new retail.  I personally really enjoy working on retail pieces.  I think it may have something to do with the stretch of time we spend with it.  Typically we acquire a piece of furniture in some manor.  Its condition is usually unfortunate.  It usually hops in the queue (which is in one of our two sheds) with all the other pieces waiting to be picked for a makeover.  When its number is finally called we get to use our creativity by picking fun and unexpected fabric choices.  Eventually our creation makes its way to the showroom.  When the day finally comes its rightful owner takes it home it’s like sending your kid off to college (okay…probably not but you get where I’m going with this, right?)  Take a look at some of our new creations.

Before…

After!

I love this fabric…and so does everyone else at the shop.  As a matter of fact, Clar just had a chair of hers upholstered with this stripe and Meredith and I have plans for using it in our homes too.  The frame of the settee is great also.  It has a slight mid century feel yet is still current.  It is  a flexible piece that  can be incorporated easily into many interiors.

You may have noticed the electric pillows that are perched on this settee.  A photo cannot do this fabric justice.  This nontraditional floral is by Isaac Mizrahi (super chintz- citrus).  These pillows can add a punch to any sofa.  I have plans to use this fabric on a lampshade!

Before…

After!

We picked up these Parsons-style slipper chairs from our dear neighbors at Corner Collectors Market.  These chairs went from frumpy to vibrant.  We chose a cotton blend velvet in Cobalt by Fabricut.  To say that these chairs are comfy would be an understatement.  If you would like to meet this pair in person you can find them at Mercury in downtown Austin.

Before…

After!

You may have seen this ottoman before.  It made its debut on Amanda’s monthly Design Sponge post.  It once was a boring coffee table but now is a standout piece.  The fabric is by Lulu DK (chant reverse- royal).

Lastly, we have a new pair of lamps with custom shades.  The classic shape and neutral color affords endless scenarios for these lamps.

Amongst all of these wonderful additions, we also have some new wood pieces by a local craftsman as well as some lampshades made with custom fabric on the way.

Help find our babies a new home and come by the shop. OR check us out on Etsy!

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I was so intrigued by the above image of a pix-elated sofa that I could not help but to do a little investigating on the brain behind this design.  The owner of these designs is a man by the name of Cristian Zuzunaga and I felt that he was worthy of a blog entry all of his own.  Mr. Zuzunaga is a Barcelona born graphic and print designer.  His more recent creations are a result of the inspiration he gets from modern architecture.  The pix elated fabric comes from magnified images of modern buildings and cityscapes.  The outcome provides such a large repeat that each piece  is truly unique.

I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that he takes this pixel print beyond furniture.  In fact, as you will see, he uses several different mediums to feature the oversized pixels.

I really just can’t get enough of this.   I love the big chunks of random color living together in harmony.  If you want to take a peek at his website you can see his most recent collaboration with  Danskina.  Their best-selling rug, Bravoure, now has four new fantastic color ways brimming with texture and contrast.

I bet you will never look at a photo the same again.

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We’ve completed yet another lampshade and chair class and as always we had a great time.  The lampshade class was easy breezy laid back fun.  The class wasn’t full so we all shared a table and  chit chatted while making making lampshades. The special treat for that day was homemade banana pudding.

Last weekend’s chair class was a hoot.  We had some characters in that class.  The trio pictured in the opening photo kept everyone laughing.  There was even a slight casualty of a staple through a finger.  Don’t worry, She took it like a champ and kept on upholstering.  I soothed the pain with a dose of tiramisu.  It does the trick every time.  Amongst all of the chaotic fun, everyone still managed to produce amazing chairs.

Spring is nearly here!  It’s time to give your space a “fresher upper” with a bold new lampshade or an eye catching chair…or bench……or headboard.  Take a gander at our class schedule for this spring/summer and sign up or get on a waiting list.  It’s time that you treat yourself.

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