Sarah Ann Mayer

Cork Lamp

2011-10-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

I found this sweet cork lamp at the consignment store, kind of blah looking but I could see potential through that dingy shade and dirty exterior...

So after a little cleaning and a shade make-over, I have created a pink show piece that also double duties as a pin board..what what! Yes, it is also a keepsake and tchotchke holder...

My Apartment!!

2011-07-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

My front door

Kitchen and office

Kitchen

My fish

Look at my crazy cool wall, the plaster came off so we left it!

So finally I can see all my things! I love my things!

My Curb Side Sofa

2011-07-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Underneath they "tried" to fix the springs and added an extra "leg"

Large gaping holes!

Here is the couch that my friends and family found on the side of the road! They told me in hurried voices that I needed to go snatch it up. And I did, what a yuck-fest this was. I think I tore the whole think apart with my fingertips trying not to touch it!! Standing as far away from it as possible, I vacuumed and washed it off. As you can see, everything needed a revamp: springs, burlap, wood work, legs, batting, cushions... So I went to it, enlisted my parents again for the grunt work and we retied the lower springs.

I had this wonderful Scandinavian red fabric that I put over the whole sofa. (Thanks Kimmy) I hate the gap in between, so I formed one giant cushion instead of two. By painting the wood work an almond color, the detail stands out and contrasts well with the red. Everyday I lay on it, It is my showpiece and I enjoyed every minute that was spent making it beautiful, even if it doesn't sound like it! PS: this is my new apartment...

Retro Revive

2011-06-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Well here are the tables/footstools/child's seats/space-fillers that have been in my grandparents apartment for a long time! I do remember when I was little, that I liked the stacking quality, but didn't quite understand the squishiness of the seat? Was it a table or was it something for me to sit on and watch my family play 500. To this day, no one knows the exact reason for what they were purchased for, but all I know is that there are memories attached and I plan on re-using them for my living room as coffee-table-foot-rest-tv-tray. When I received them, they were tearing at the seams and the colors were grotesque... I'm sure they were just lovely in the 1970's. So to fix them up, I glued the seams back together and generously layered on the paint. Now they are beautimous and everyone will be regreting that they didn't take them when Grandpa was offering!

The Smid Wedding!!!

2011-06-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

My cousin (who I would do just about anything for) just got wed!! To say it was a success would be an understatement!! For the past few months I have been helping her create a very low budget wedding for 250-300 guests, which would be formal yet a ton of fun... To start off, she needed a look or a theme so that every decision made referred back to that original design. Rose chose hers from various catalogs that were showing a green and prairie-esque weddings. We grabbed those ideas and ran wild, literally! I created the invites, programs and all other graphics from a design Rose found from a stationary website. Rose wanted green as an accent but not over-the-top with the color. So we stuck with black, ivory, white and gray as main color choices.

Below is the invite with the RSVP and map, The Happy Family, and the programs from the ceremony.

The Happy Family

The programs for the ceremony

For the reception we decorated a 40x80' tent which was placed right outside of our small community church. Inside we decorated it with randomly hung green lanterns and lights. On the tables were black linens, a gray shimmer sheer runner each with random potted succulents. The vessels in which the plants were, we had found at our hometown used goods store for pennies on the dollar. Along with the plants were long dried raspberry twigs from Rose's moms patch, green foam balls, and vases with river rock which were floating candles. Very simple, very cheap, and very beautiful! Greenery is less expensive than flowers...keep this in mind.

Floor plan of tent...

here shows the dance floor that Tim and our friends made!!! Look at the lights around the base, it was so much fun to dance on...

The head table

Dancing!!!

Here is the koozie I designed for the guests to use

during the reception and then take home as a gift.

After is was all said and done, I gave a few of the plants away to those who feel in love with a particular one, and I have kept all the rest for my own!

They are a few other projects that I worked on with this wedding, and when I find those photos, there will be more to blog about. Click on any image to make them larger...

Striped Cane Chair

2011-04-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a chair that needed a little love and care. It is for myself and will be in my new-old apartment! Before, as you can see, it was wearing a dingy peach fuzz velvet that may have worked in the 1980's but does not work today. The wood's finish was perfectly fine but didn't match my style. There were a few parts of the leg construction that I mended but overall this was a fairly easy project.

I decided to paint the wood a very similar almond color that matches the fabric. It really brightened up the piece. Next I decided to simplify the seat and back by eliminating the cushion and creating a poofy seat. Next, the buttons on the back were wonderful and all, but I didn't want them. They would have been too much with the stripes. So I put three in a row down the center and called it beautiful! I really like the colors of the stripes against the wood and the texture of the cane. I have to say that this turned out wonderfully!

I also switched up the photoshoot and brought it outside! It is too beautiful today.

Esther's Red Mahogany Arm Chair

2010-11-30T11:13:00.000-08:00

Well there is quite a story that comes with this project. I received this chair in it's destructed state shown and it was accompanied by a small bolt of fabric that Esther wanted it to be covered in. The previous upholsterer, yes I said previous, was not able to finish her chair, and so it was passed to me. He had purchased not enough fabric and mended her chair in ways that were unfix able. Not knowing at all what it used to look like, or if I could accomplish this, I dove in. Right away I was confused, I did so much research to see what this chair looked like before. I sat for a whole day online searching for a chair similar to this and finally got a hold of old photos from Esther to see the "chair" when it was a chair. From the looks of it though it was going to be beautiful when finished, it just needed a little love. We didn't do to much to the wood, it was in decent condition, minus a few nicks, but nothing that a good cleaning wouldn't brighten up. I also re-sprung the seat for a tighter feel and so that the underside doesn't look to be dragging. The back needed some extra support, so I added jute webbing for a sturdier back.

Once I figured it out, I had a good time putting together the puzzle blind. Adding yard after yard of cotton and poly batting, it was starting to look like something. I was hesitant in the beginning about the fabric choice, but in the end, it goes so well with the piece and brings it back to a the Victorian period. The red mahogany wood is gorgeous and the carved details are amazing. I am very pleased with this project and so will Esther. She finally gets her chair back!! And I can say now that even though this was difficult, I am happy to have helped Esther out in her predicament and turn this chair into a beauty once again.

Here is a photo from awhile back before the chair was re-done, remember, I never saw it in this condition, It was handed to me as just the frame.

Mia's Dining Chairs

2010-09-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Mia's chairs were a break from the norm and so simple and fun. When I received these, the webbing that stretched across the seats ware completely frazzled and ripped. So once again, I came to the rescue and mended the chairs loose wires. Also the fabric, though it was pretty at one time, looked like a sad slumpy mess. This is what children and pets do to a piece of furniture during its lifetime of wear and tear.

Mia had chosen a beautiful damask fabric a while ago for all four chairs. The colors were coppery-gold and light blue. So I needed to find a matching trim to go along with it. I chose a light coppery-gold trim. It looks so nice. The batting in the chair previously was non existent. By adding a couple new layers on top of the newly stretched webbing, the chairs look so much more comfy. I also brought the seat cushion out a little more, just a bit closer to the edge of the chair. Aesthetically it looks much better and takes away that awkward edge of the seat. So lastly we scrubbed down the wood...many years of grime had made its way into the tiny creases. It is that last touch that can brighten a piece in seconds. I am pleased with the result and Mia was happy to have her chairs back in her home.

Grandma's Rocker

2010-09-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here again with another transformation of a rocker... My Grandmother had this chair for the longest time, so when it came to moving recently, she parted with it by giving the chair to my cousin Kelly. The preexisting fabric was quite dated. It was carpety-nylon and just not attractive anymore. Kelly was looking for something softer and more inviting.

The hardest part of the project was the back cushion. You can see that it has a seam that digs in and wraps around and down the middle. Well that was very hard to replicate. I don't have an industrial sewing machine yet to mimic this look. So I had to get creative and I make it work. I am very happy with the end result. And please, no more rockers for awhile!

Grandpa Isadore's Rocker

2010-08-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Great Great Grandpa Isadore's rocker, which was is the possession of great aunt Stella, has just recently been passed to my aunt Deanna, whom conveniently has a niece who re-upholsters sick furniture! ME!! Heirlooms are wonderful to work with, the memories that are brought up to tell the story of a peice of furniture make the task so much more enjoyable. This chair in particular was in need of new batting and had some sprung springs.

As you can see above, we re-strung the springs which was a first for me...I should mention my dad was a big part of this... When I tore apart the batting I found a ton of straw-like fluff under the cotton. My mom says that it is called excelsior and it was used back in the day for padding??? Gross is what I think about all of that. Nowadays they make a rubberized hair product that is its substitute. The wood had a worn down patina, but we all decided that a good rub and wax was the best way to go for the finish. This chair turned out so beautiful, and the fabric choice is a lot of fun. Deanna wanted something vibrant and warm and here it is! I was so happy when this was accomplished, it has been a wonderful project and interesting furniture piece.

We are in the process of searching for a picture of Grandpa Isadore sitting in this chair. My family swears it exists somewhere, so the hunt is on and hopefully soon it will be added to this post!

Jane's Ottoman

2010-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Howdy partner! Just thought I would throw that out there, you will see why in a second. Jane's ottoman needed a change. Originally, it seemed perfectly fine with super comfy red suede. But that was it. It's outward appearance was lacking some zing! Jane had just the right idea to help this "beast" of an ottoman.

This is no ordinary foot stool, this is an ottoman that was destined to wear faux pony hide, and wears it so well. Studs were perfect and have that special pioneer touch which brings it all together. Not to mention they were original! Its fun and excitement all bottled up in one very large piece of furniture. I love it...It's so bold.

Susie's Rocker with Ottoman

2010-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

You have seen how plaid or "tartan" has been making a comeback, well this chair's fabric never left or even realized the decade had changed. This was a rocker done in the early 90's, it was time to give it a face lift. Also, take a look at this ottoman, I have no words.

Susie decided this chair was to be in her newly designed sun-room as a comfortable yet stylish piece. So the fabric chosen is sun-safe and full of stripes. The light wood was covered with a French brown finish which in turn makes the light fabric pop. Next was the ottoman, I replaced all of the do-dads with some extra padding around it and a sleek rounded shape. It is so much more inviting than before. I have never worked with pleats, so this was a great learning experience. Special thanks to my parents who helped out with this one. You two are the best!

Amy's Provincial Wingback

2010-05-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is my second piece of furniture for Amy and my second rabbit nibbled project. The culprit's name is Owen, and he is an adorable little bunny.

You can see here that the base of the back was eaten through. Fixing the back springs was a new feat, much simpler than I was expecting. Her chair was passed down through the family and is now sentimental to Amy. Somewhere down the line, the down seat was thrown away? So, I was given a piece of foam that was used as the seat in the meantime, I made it work. This chair had a gold and green floral pattern originally which I really liked, but had to go. Here is the before...

Amy chose a similar fabric, but very modern, which I absolutely love!! It shows her personal style which is natural colors and organic forms. I also feel that this new fabric gives the same tactile experience as the original. I successfully heeled the rabbit wounds to the chair and now no one will ever know. I learned a new upholstering technique which encompassed the trim along the border of the chair. This was difficult, but great to have learned. Here are the images of the After...

Amy's Sofa'bed with Ottoman

2010-05-14T16:41:00.000-07:00

Well here is a project that was a fun experience. Amy's Sofa'bed is a one-of-a-kind piece that I am happy to have had sit in my apartment for as long as it has. The uniqueness of the shape is what makes it so wonderful. When I received the sofa, it was disheveled and truly loved too hard. Many buttons were missing, the fabric (which felt like carpet) was faded in many areas and worn thin. And if I recall correctly, a little rabbit had eaten through the fabric underneath. Here is the Before...

After many hours in Fabric Depot, Amy chose a wonderful brown tweed that really brings back the vintage feel. I added more inner cotton batting for oomph and new and improved buttons. There is an aspect about the sofa and ottoman that I really enjoyed. It was the pinstripe pleats that checker the entire seat and back rest. I had never used this technique and I am glad with the results. Out with the dingy and dusty, in with the simple and stylish. Who would have thought that a sofa'bed could be so attractive! Here are the After images...

Katie's Stools

2010-04-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Here are two yellow stools that my friend Katie had fallen in love with. Covered in a plasticky vinyl, that was dirty and, vinyl. Did I say yet that they were VINYL. There were a few little tears and worn areas, but overall decent. She decided that she wanted a look that was less deathly and more alive.

Katie chose a black and white fabric with a feather and circle pattern. Very beautiful. I also used a black fabric as an accent for the piping and border of the seat. Overall, these look fantastic and fun and exactly what Katie was wanting. So vibrant and sharp.

A Pair of Bamboo Chairs

2010-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

I make it a habit of visually scouring the neighborhoods for furniture when I am driving. I should be looking at the traffic, but instead I keep a look out for peoples trash on the side of the road...One day I "stumbled" upon a pair of bamboo chairs. They looked alright, the bamboo was in great condition, but the seat was dirty and the foam inside was turning to dust. eww!

After a good paint job and new cushions, these chairs look hot!! I love the fabric soo much..the little birds in cages are adorable. I choose to pad the back rest but keep the ratan exposed in the back. Here are couple photos of the final products:

Mom's Recliner

2010-01-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

I have forever hated Lazy Boy recliners and couches and all they stand for, but here I find myself biting my tongue. When I was home for the holidays this last month, My mom wanted me to recover this old nasty recliner of theirs. There was a huge grease spot where the head rests and the seat has riped from the continual sling-shots backward into the lounging position. That little lever cracks me up, its just so silly. But, we saw potential in this monstrosity somehow and I decided to dive into the machine. It was very exhausting to deassemble and reassemble all of the springs and gadgets, this was a learning experience. Here is the before:

Here is the finished product with refinished arms and an intensely tailored upholstery. I do have to say that I am quite satisfied with the result. I guess anything can be saved...

Paper Bird Mobile

2010-01-13T16:16:00.000-08:00

I saw an idea for a mobile with that was using sticks and thought it was so clever. I decided to tweak the idea a bit and create paper birds that act like sails in the breeze. With the use of a very fine string, the twigs appear weightless. Here are two variations: one with recycled paper and another with Florentine papers.

Yardage Chart

2010-01-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a tool that is handy for estimating how much fabric would be needed for various projects. Click on the image for a larger view.

Red Side Table

2010-01-11T16:11:00.000-08:00

I loved the character of this side table right when I saw it. It had potential, the natural look was nice but there were a few flaws in the wood that would not have been easy to fix. I loved the tiny drawer at the bottom and the nice tapered legs:

Here is the after which I have painted a glossy red that I buffed down just a smidge. The red isn't too vibrant but still looks sharp.

Grey and White Lounge Chair

2010-01-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this chair on my way home from work and could see the potential in it right away. It looked as if it had been outside for awhile soaking up the elements... Originally the fabric was a black pleather which had torn to shreds on the seat and was exposing the inner foam. The side handle are a heavy duty plastic painted in such a way as to resemble wood. Here is what the "After" looks like:

The first thing that had to be done was painting the arms a nuetral color to cover up the faux wood. I choose a white that created a strong contrast with the grey fabric.

Grey and White Tufted Sofa

2010-01-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

Here you can see a once gorgeous sofa that had evolved into a dirty and faded mess...What you can't see is the torn-up and exposed foam tufts that are hiding under the afghan. Also these cushions had to go, the foam inside was so old and worn that it was crumbling and working its way through the fabric. So with an extensive overhaul...here is the sofa today:

New cushions and updated fabric turned that horrid couch into a focal piece.