Chairs, Bears and Big Mountains

So things in the Attic got quite hectic for a couple of months on the run up to our holiday, if you've been following the facebook page you would have seen the Before & Afters highlights of a few larger projects we took on.
Eventually after several weeks of manic upholstering, it was time for the HOLIDAY! (First one for a couple of years, hence the excitement) We were off to Calgary in Alberta, Canada to visit an old friend who has moved out there for work.
As the holiday was going to be for at least 3 weeks, I didn't think I could leave the world of twitter/facebook/instagram alone for all that time - especially as I have so many lovely followers who like to know what the news from the Attic is. (Plus its true, I am addicted) So I came up with the brief of 'A Chair a Day' to give me an easy way to document the journey, the sights and the activities.

Here are some of the highlights:

We're off! Happy about the tv screens in each seat.

Designer Seat

Meat seat

the best seat in the house

hot seat

Busman's holiday seat

Mid-Century Seat

Bear Chair

Park bench

Saddle (sore) seat

Car seat 

lakeside seat

Rocking chair

Weavers' seat http://barefoothandweaving.com/

river seat

lazy hammock seat

The first week we spent exploring Calgary, and surrounding areas, Inglewood,  Drumheller (good for dinosaurs) Banff (good for bison burgers) and then we went off on a road trip. From Calgary, up to Jasper, Mount Robson, down to Clearwater , Kamloops, Kelowna, then along the US border to Nelson and Kootenay Lake. Up to Whiteswan Lake, then back down to Fernie and the Crowsnest Pass, then back up to Black Diamond and Calgary.
I'd have to write a small guidebook to detail all the wonderful things we did, the awesome sights and the really cool people we met. But briefly it included 4 bears, 3 moose, 2 golden eagles, 1 ferry, 6 waterfalls, lots of amazing artisans (particularly Barefoot Handweaving Studio ), too many burgers, (if you live in Calgary check out the Fine Diner in Inglewood) Half a million glass bottles at Boswell, 2 brilliant hosts and 1 trip to Accident and Emergency. Thanks Canada, you were amazing.

Really happy to be home, enjoying the sunshine and the rain. Back in the studio, working on my next projects and looking forward to the next holiday!

Cath Kidston Tapestry Chair

Applying the Hessian and ties

The chair before...

Horsehair layer

 

Finished chair in the studio with little blue chair 

The finished chair with Cath Kidston Tapestry seat.

Last week I finished this really lovely little tapestry covered chair, and forgot to blog about it! I just wanted to show you how a little chair can have a big personality. I cleaned and treated the wood, mended the wobbly joints, and gave it new webbing and stuffing. The tapestry had been done by the customer, and was a pattern from one of the Cath Kidston stitch books. The trim was from John Lewis and matched the wool colour perfectly. 

The one thing I would recommend if you are going to do a tapestry is to use a standing or handheld frame - this stops the canvas from becoming stretched out of shape by your hands. (And makes it much easier to apply to a chair if it's all square.) 

Tapestry can be a lot more fun than pictures of kittens in baskets (although if kittens in baskets is your thing - go for it!) I wanted to see if I could find a tapestry I would like to do and came across the amazing work of Charley Harper  Have a look at more of his beautiful illustrations turned into tapestries on the Purl Bee craft blog.  Imagine those beauties on a chair! 

Nursery Rocking Chair

Nursery Rocking chair in Duck egg Spot Fabric

Piped box cushion with invisible zipper & bow ties

Arm padding with white enamel studs

This weeks commission was a customisation of an old rocking chair. The chair was ready painted by the customer for me to add the arm pads and make a box cushion - such a good idea, and perfect for a nursery.
It was a bit tricky getting the Enamel studs in the correct place and there were quite a few wasted --grrr! But  very happy with the overall finish and cant wait to see how it looks in the Nursery with Mummy and the little one (due in a week) in the chair.

wonky tacks 

Slipper Chair ReVamp

This was an old Laura Ashley bedroom chair that was looking a bit 90's and in need of some attention. The old fabric was stripped off, and replaced with a beautiful pink chenille spot and purple velvet fabric. Each of the buttons on the back is a different fabric, the piping is patterned on the back and the silver show tacks add a modern finishing touch.

Country Cottage Floral Chair: Before & After

Top to Bottom: Before - Stripped bare frame - Back on, working on seat - Getting the top fabric perfect - Finished! Available to buy from here: Etsy shop: Upholstery By Laura

SALE days 7 - 11

Turquoise Houndstooth Cushion £10

Vintage Rose Cushion £10

African print Utility Chair £45

Parker Knoll in Designers Guild Fabric, £165

Formica Coffee Table £45

 Next SALE additions...all going in the brochure to go out at the end of Jan. To add yourself to the mailing list drop me a line at info@laurasattic.co.uk.

SALE day 6: Bentwood chair

On the Etsy shop - SALE day 6: Bentwood blues chair, **Was £25 Now £10**