Pastel Dip Painted Timber Dining Room Chairs

These chairs have been created by Interior Designer Alexander Waterworth Interiors for this cute cafe Hally's London in Parson's Green.

Earlier this year I was designing a resort that had a focus on the use of pastel colours. What a great way to bring some colour into any room and bring a little life back to some old timber dining chairs... 

This would also make and a nice DIY project at home!

Thanks to Holly of Decor8 for sharing such a great article on using pastels, thanks.

Have fun.

Re-upholstered Dining Room Chairs :: Sari Fabric

I just could not help myself to add this image today by the style files. 

image via the design styles

This setting is actually an office board room of the fashion label the Free People in Philadelphia. 

The chairs have been upholstered with different pieces of recycled sari fabric and look amazing! It's a great way to add character to your room, tell a story of your travels and just the thing to go with my sari artwork. 

All I need to do now is find some second hand dining room chairs to upholster. 

Have fun.

Recycled Chairs :: Stackable Old School Chairs

My family and I have recently moved from our lovely 67 sqm Brisbane Post War home in Brisbane to a larger home by the sea in Hervey Bay. 

We plan to raise, extend and add a much needed deck to our Brisbane home at a later date but in the mean time we have swapped our city life for a sea change while we plan for the future new house build. 

This move has given us the opportunity to have outdoor living areas for the first time since we have been in Australia and this we are quite excited about.

So I now have some new "To do lists"...

1. Look for some second hand outdoor dining room chairs and recycle.

2. Reupholster and give some new life to some up my old dining room seats.

3. Look for some old timber doors or recycled timber furniture to make a new outside dining room table.

4. Find some old secondhand daybeds, refurnish to create to a new outdoor lounge area.

5. Start planning for the new build.

Now for Task 1 - Inspiration for new dining room chairs

Currently I have some old dining room, ply stackable, 'school style' chairs (originally from Ikea UK many years ago) and I am now looking for some ideas to give them a new face lift.

via poppytalk

This recycled old school chair has been given a great revamp just by adhering fabric scraps and samples to its back and base.

Here's a great idea if you love painting. These beautiful chairs from Anthropologie are hand painted with different flower and landscape scenes.

via decor8blog

Finally for something for softer. This comfortable revamp of a classic 1930's school chair by UK textile and pattern designer Ellen Calvert has created a cushion base and back by knitting the cushion and based with a giant woolen knit, then she applies a pattern print to then embroidering over on top.

Have fun.

Recycled Timber Stools :: Natural & Painted

I had the pleasure of walking around Brisbane in Design yesterday. There were loads of great new furniture ideas, artwork, rugs, kitchen and bathroom appliances to view and the odd glass of bubbly!

One of my favourite finds were these recycled timber stools by Jardan made from recycled telegraph or electricity poles! 

From pole to stool in the Jardan factory - images courtesy of the design files

They come in either a natural or painted finish and can be used for both indoor and outdoor situations. 

What a great sturdy stool!

Have fun.

Quilted Vintage Patchwork Chairs :: Japan & UK

As I was browsing in a department store in Kyoto, Japan I stumbled across a range of recycled patchwork chairs. Unfortunately I have no idea as to their origins as I was unable to converse with the assistant but what a great DIY patchwork project this would make at home!

Stool seen in a department store in Kyoto, Japan

In the past I have sourced something similar from furniture designers in the UK. Some of the suppliers designs are below. 

Chairs from Kelly Swallow (top left), Squint (top right) & Viva Terra (bottom)

As I have not seen many similar items made in Australia, I would like to get in touch with any Designers or Hobbyists in Australia who want to sell their recycled patchwork chairs.

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Have fun.

Recycled Car Tyre Seats & Tables :: Philippines

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across these recycled car tyre seats and table on Alona beach, Panglao Island, off the coast of Bohol.

The last time I sat on furniture made from recycled car parts was in London many years ago in the warehouse studio of designer Ron Arad (some of his furniture is now housed in the London Design Museum!).

These were made by the restaurant owner from truck tyres and were actually very comfortable to sit on...

I even found this set, painted green, on Cabilao island many miles away...

It's great to see recycled furniture made locally from materials that would otherwise be thrown away given a new life even on a remote beach in the Philippines.

Next stop Japan :)

Have fun.