Arm Chair Refinish

I always try to make a lot of the gifts I give at Christmas. This year I've been inspired (mostly through the blog world!) to take it even further. I've attempted some pretty large projects for people that I normally just buy gifts for. I'll admit, I'm very excited to give these gifts!
I shared the dresser I refinished for my mother-in-law a few weeks ago.
Today I'm sharing the chair that I refinished for my mom.
Here's the before.

Love the lines! Everything else, not so much.
The caning in the back was pretty damaged - which was okay with me, because I don't really love caning, anyway.

I sanded her down and painted her heirloom white.

Then I cut her caning out.

She sat like this...backless...in the basement for a few weeks.  I couldn't quite figure out how I was going to put a new back in.  I began to wonder if I had screwed things up royally. Why didn't I just upholster the caning???
Oh, right...because it wasn't really structurally sound.

Then I remembered my new crafting best friend, hardboard.
Hubby cut some out in the right shape for me.

 

I wrapped it in a double layer of quilt batting and the fabric I had chosen (staple gunned it all on) and screwed the hardboard into the chair frame.

Then I took a piece of 1 inch foam and cut it to shape. I wrapped it in batting, too, then I used spray adhesive to attach the cushion to the hardboard.

I used the staple gun again to cover the cushion with fabric.

Then I covered the seams with a braided trim.

 

And here she is - totally revamped and gorgeous!

Linking up at Donna's!