Deconstructing a Chaise, Reconstructing Ourselves: Listen, Trust, Create!

Well, I finally did it. I stripped. Not me, silly! This chaise! Picked up at an estate sale over two years ago, it's been waiting for a makeover. 

It's original color is this aqua. While you maybe can't tell from the photo, the upholstery was coming undone, the fabric has seen better days, and the cushion is grimy on one side and marked with a green permanent marker on the other. 

Like most pieces in our home, it has taken up residence in almost every room in the house for a period of time. I debate about having it reupholstered, but I am not sure if I want to invest that much into it. I am also indecisive about what color or pattern I would cover it in. With that, it's just been in a permanent state of stalemate. 

At some point, I wondered what it would look like in a more deconstructed state. Then I worried that it would be unusable. I finally decided to go for it and started tearing off the fabric. Here's what it looks like now.

The cushion did not have a removable cover, so I slipcovered it with a vintage army mattress cover...picked up at the Round Top Antique Show a couple years ago. I folded it over so that you can see the U.S. army stamp, top flap, and ties right in the middle of the cushion.

BEFORE                                                          AFTER

The Ralph Lauren pillow is a garage sale find from a couple years ago, too. The colors of the pillow complement the neutral tones and blue of the chair frame and fabric.

Whether or not you like the outcome, the main point is that you just have to follow your creative instincts, dive into projects head first, and enjoy the process. Without worrying about the outcome, I enjoyed the process and I learned a lot.

As I'm writing this, I am beginning to see that this chaise represents lots of things in our lives...or at least in my own life. It represents all those things that are in a state of stalemate due to indecision, fear, and self-doubt.

Well, let's get over it ladies! Let's be the wild women of DIY! The wild women of life. Let's listen to ourselves, trust ourselves, and put ourselves out there! It is in such moments of triumph that we can get in touch with and express our authentic selves! Whether it's a piece of furniture, a new career path, a needed health behavior, or a changing relationship, you have the knowledge, power, and strength to take it on. Remember...LISTEN, TRUST, CREATE!

You might also like:

Linked up at:

 

P.S. Thank you, Marian, for choosing this chaise as one of your favorites on your Furniture Feature Friday!

P.P.S. Thank you, Becky, for including this chaise on your featured list of Under $100 linky party!

P.P.P.S. Thanks also to Donna for featuring this chaise on the Funky Junk Interiors Facebook page for Saturday Nite Special #99.