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Friday, March 15, 2013

street find turned sweet find


I know most of you remember the Saarinen chair I found in the streets of Jersey City last year and I already gave you a little peek of the finished chair on Instagram. Here is the story how I found it. P and I were on our way to visit friends to have a spontaneous bbq last summer, on our way we stopped at a liquor store to pick up some beer. While I was waiting outside the store with our bikes I spotted the chair about half a block away. It got me so excited but I was also afraid somebody else would snatch it up before I could get to it. Luckily nobody did and I grabbed it. I pushed my bike with one hand and the chair with the other to our friends place which was only one or two blocks away. I made a happy dance when I found out the Knoll tag was still in place and also found a Met Life Insurance Co. inventory sticker underneath the seat as well. Somebody was probably sitting in this chair working on insurance claims, or selling insurance or something like that. In September I started my second upholstery class and it was finally time to work on the chair. When I took off the old vinyl fabric I got hit by a mildewy smell, the chair must have been sitting out in the rain and the foam never dried completely for a long time. So I did what everybody in my situation would do and soaked the backrest and seat in a water and bleach solution in our tub, as well as one round in a vinegar and water solution and let it air dry in the sun. After the pieces were dry they didn't smell anymore and the re-upholstery could begin. Unfortunately I didn't finish the chair in the last class but I started another class in February and last week I finally finished it. Love how it turned out, it is such a big departure from the sad ripped and somewhat flesh colored chair I started with.

Have a great weekend my friends! I have some more painting planned for this weekend (bar cart and side table), I am on a roll right now and need to take advantage of it to get as much done as possible. There will be times ahead when I do not feel like doing much on the weekends. On Sunday I will be visiting a friend in Connecticut I haven't seen in forever. Looking forward to a fun weekend. Do you have any plans?


16 comments:

  1. It's beautiful, I love the colour. These finds you do are amazing!

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  2. I would honestly give about anything for a desk chair like that. Well done Nina. I love the chair's history and the story of how you snagged it! Happy weekending, dear! XO

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    1. The next one I find and rescue is yours, I promise! I had a great weekend, although too short. Hope you did as well!

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  3. How fabulous it turned out! You really did a great job with choosing this awesome fabric.

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    1. Thank you Corinne! I have to say I love the fabric as well, it feels so good and is very forgiving and hides my less than perfect sewing skills.

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  4. Wow! Great finding! And you did an amazing job, the chair looks awesome now!

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    1. Thank you Alex! The chair was such a lucky find!

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  5. Seriously, seriously, HOW do you always find these amazing mid-century modern goodies!?!? Maybe Philadelphia never had the inventory to begin with, since a lot of those chairs and such were used in big offices in New York mostly, but man alive! I've never seen a single awesome chair on the streets of Philly, and certainly not 5 or 10 like you! You are a magnet, Nina, it's a super power! And I can almost feel how soft the new fabric is. You did such a good job!! Not much on the agenda this weekend except for catching up on sleep and laundry (exciting!), but have fun in CT with your friend!!

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  6. What???! That is impressive.

    You picked the perfect fabric to boot.

    When I was young I was obsessed with a no-frills show about two guys rescuing furniture like this.

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  7. Nina, it looks amazing! You always make me want to just jump in my car and start looking for furniture to rescue. But these days in Portland someone will beat me to it - nothing goes unrescued around here.

    Anyway, I just can't get over this chair! It looks like that chair was meant to be covered in that fabric it's hard to imagine it in anything else. It's looks soooo good. I am jealous of your chair and your excellent upholstery skills. Have a great weekend xo

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  8. GREAT! I definitely have to do an upholstery class too! I'm excited about the bar cart! And I want to visit you in NY so we can make flea market strolls together!

    Have a nice weekend!

    Ana

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  9. The color is great! And it looks awesome! And the notes on the bottom side make it even better!

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  10. Nina you really have a talent for this. And I love that the serial number is still in tact.

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  11. The chair came out so good, Nina! I would have never thought to soak the chair in bleach and vinegar. Thanks for that tip! I'm mentally filing it away for future use. ;) I was just wondering if you were able to put the two labels - the Knoll and Met Life Ins. - back on the chair. I still can't believe someone just left this chair on the street!

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  12. oh wow, this chair looks great Nina, I want one :-)

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