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I discovered this rocker on
Craigslist after many weeks of keeping my eyes open for the perfect antique (or antique-looking) rocking chair to take the place of the big armchair that is currently in our bedroom. I had many criteria and am quite picky when it comes to furniture, and this one is just right! It's really well made and I think is an authentic antique. There isn't a nail or screw in the entire thing, just well cut wooden joints. It's oak (I think) but has this nice dark stain that I really like, and there's just something about it that makes it look a little classier than a lot of rocking chairs I've come across. I also like that it's kind of low, so I won't need a foot stool to feel comfortable sitting in it.
The seat cover had to go. It was this yucky beige moleskin fabric that was covered in cat hair. As I began removing the staples to take it off, I discovered that underneath that was the ugliest, filthiest pillowcase I'd ever seen encasing the non-original plywood seat base and a feather pillow. Yeah, someone had actually used a
regular old feather pillow as the cushion for the chair. Weird. Anyway, I polished it up with some Orange Glow and got it nice and clean, ready for its new seat. Next I purchased some 2" high density foam from my local fabric/craft store and some polyester batting to cover that. Finally I used a big hunk of one of my chocolate brown leather shoemaking hides for the last layer.
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It's clear that the original upholstery was attached directly to the chair (the seat is a drop-in that is easily lifted out), which leaves this strip of not-so-nice-looking wood around all 4 sides where the tiny nail holes are visible. I'm not quite sure if it bothers me enough to come up with a solution for it, but at the moment I think it's fine. One other thing I think I'll need to do is drill a few holes in the plywood base. Since the leather is non-porous, the air in the foam needs a place to go when it gets sat on. Right now it makes a "psshhhh" sound as the air squeezes out between staples. Hopefully a few holes will take care of that.
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And for the finishing touch- a soft sheep skin purchased on
eBay to add a little more tushy coziness, inspiration taken from
this sweet lady's new favorite place to sit.
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So here it sits in the living room, waiting for Daddy to get home and carry it upstairs to its new corner. I was naughty and brought it in from the garage to put it together (it weighs quite a bit), but I'm not going to attempt carrying it up the stairs. I forgot how much physical effort goes into just upholstering a seat. I think that's enough rule-breaking for today.