A few weeks ago, I managed to score two free chairs on Craigslist.  

 

They have seen better days, hence the price tag.  Although the fabric is a little worse-for-wear in places, both chairs are structurally sound. When I return from the UK, I am planning on tackling my first furniture makeover by reupholstering these beauties-to-be.  I’ve been on the lookout for some graphic, punchy upholstery fabric to take these chairs from ugghh to aahh-mazing. But so far, I haven’t managed to find any fabric that I really love,  and that is in my price range.  Although I got the chairs for free, I’m too frugal (aka cheap) to spend hundreds of dollars on fabric.  Online fabric yardage guestimators suggest that I might need up to 7 yards of fabric per chair.  At up to 30 bucks a yard, that can get expensive really quickly. 

So, I’m wishin’, and hopin’, and thinkin’, and prayin’, planning and dreamin’ (name that tune!) to find some inexpensive but good quality upholstery fabric.  In terms of design, I’m looking for a modern, graphic and vibrant pattern (no stripes, not too heavy on the florals).   Just like Goldilocks, the pattern on the fabric has to be just right – not too big or too small (too small will make the chair look busy, and too large will make it disjointed). I’m not too fussy on the color, although I’m naturally drawn to teals/blues/turquoises, muted greens, black & white. 

Here are some of the fabrics I’ve come across that have caught my eye.  I’m not loving (just liking) these fabrics, but so far they’ve come closest to meeting my criteria: 

Source List:

1. “Passion” by Amy Butler
2. “Coriander” by Amy Butler
3. “Modern Floral” by funkyfabrix.com
4. “Bauhaus Ring” by funkyfabrix.com
5. “Verisimo Teal” by dunelm-mill.com

source list

source list

Have you come across any good online sites that sell modern, graphic and punchy upholstery fabrics for a good price?  Do you know of some great designers that might meet my meeellions of criteria?  Please spill the beans!

Tags: chairs, fabric, makeover, wish list