Constructionism

7:29am: I AM IN LOVE....no cheap USB turntable for me!!

Needle Doctor 1-800-229-0644, Pro-Ject Debut III in Red


I apologize if it appears that I am just selling merchandise on this blog. I assure you that I am not.

That said, I have been shopping for turntables lately and am disappointed with the design of most new turntables. The USB models are particularly ugly.

Once I have my heart set on something, I have to have it or I will have nightmares about it for years. I have to postpone buying a turntable unless I can find a really good deal on this gorgeous Pro-Ject Debut III turntable in red.

10:51pm: Shoe rag: RHYTHM Footwear Saddle Shoes « Mens rag

Shoe rag: RHYTHM Footwear Saddle Shoes « Mens rag

10:47pm: Taos New Mexico hand tooled shoes at remixvintageshoes.com

Remix vintageshoes.com handtooled taos new mexico

9:56am: G. H. Bass Shoes

G. H. Bass Shoes

7:46am: Kevin, mom at beach

I cannot believe this shirt. It is so ugly and it might be polyester. It is hard to believe nowadays, but respectable department stores used to sell this stuff! I know because I remember this shirt and it was well made. It may have been part or all cotton, though.

I think the concept of the shirt is fun, though. Change the colors and fit and I might wear it.

8:29pm: I love old computer books, look at the graphics!

Awful Library Books

8:25pm: Awful Library Books

Awful Library Books

9:23am: I am committed to this upholstery thing....
I am a very competitive person.  Not in a mean-spirited or personal way, but when I see people hawking their underwhelming craft projects on the internet, it inspires me to learn a craft that would truly be worth owning.

I love and greatly appreciate all of the craft sites on the internet, I love that the internet is encouraging people to recycle or make their own clothing, jewelry, and decor. But sites like Etsy are tedious to sift through.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a thrift store that I will not name that had some truly terrific furniture finds - so many that I would need a moving van to haul them all. 

They had 1940s and 1950s chairs and sofas that looked like this:



Most of the pieces were under fifty dollars, save the sofas which were between $70 and $90.  Used furniture bargains are hard to find in the Chicago area.  I am teaching myself simple upholstery projects, but I realized that for a few hundred dollars I could learn to fix up tricky chairs and sofas like the one above.

I did a search for upholstery classes in Chicago. On a site called Back Garage found another example of DIY upholstery plus a discussion on learning upholstery in Chicago.



I am going to check out Truman College, where I took my first drafting classes.

With all of the old homes in the area, you would think there would be more people online interested in DIY decorating.

10:12pm: Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 .... and I have to get them in TAUPE

Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 - Black - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com

10:09pm: Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548

Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 - Imageview - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com


I need to find a pair of boots like this that are made for women. I bought a cool pair but they are not leather and they are falling apart. I am so sad, they look so cool with pants.

10:01am: Which magazine do I buy?

I rented a car for four days to take some of the burden off the old Astro van and to catch up on my local sightseeing and photography.

I paid a visit to a Borders out in Merrillville, Indiana.  By the way, Northwest Indiana is lovely this time of year and worth taking a day off to drive around and check out farms and old buildings.

In any case, this was a good Borders, less picked over than its more urban cousins.  It had a great magazine selection.  I thought of picking up some trendy European design rags, but I am feeling conservative these days.  In the spirit of true conservatism, I thought I would look at source material instead of the latest trendy thing, interesting as it is.

So here you go: Arts of Asia out of Hong Kong.  $16, but each issue is like a coffee table book and it is worth every penny.  Their site is great, it provides links to all of its back issues, and you can either browse pdf articles or purchase them.

12:36pm: RAID ON TARGET, OAK LAWN, Oct 11, 2009


FINALLY!  A new doormat.  Dad always neglects to buy these things.  I fell in love with the rustic material, and it was only about six bucks.



A new dog bed, durable and washable.  Dad spent way too much money on the last two, and they got filthy and fell apart.  The dogs respect this bed too much to chew apart, and it zips open easily for washing.  At $40, they can share it, at this point they are too fascinated by all of the new throw rugs I bought anyway.



Not the best photo - sorry.  This placemat isn't that bright.  It is gold and beaded.  I have an old white dining chair that would look fabulous with this appliqued onto a new seat.  FIVE BUCKS!



These two throw rugs are really a present for my dad, since he spends most of his time watching tv or talking on the phone in this dining room.  I think the living and dining room should be brightened up with greens and this style suits the arts and craftsy style of our house.  Duke is thrilled to pose sensitively with the new acquisition. 



Domino's fluffy tail is SUPER CUTE and very inspired, but sadly you cannot buy anything like it in any trendy store, you can't even get a cheap knock-off of it at Target.  Kind of looks like one of their shag pillows though, doesn't it?




Target had some ugly runners on clearance but for $15 apiece I got a bunch of chenille rugs in this bright green that look better and more artsy / craftsy than any runners I could find.



I'm not a huge Target worshipper - really my favorite thing about them is their rug section (and their candles).  I have had my eye on this rag rug for a while and I bought the last one at the Oak Lawn Target, which is better than the one in Cal City.

9:58pm: http://hautenature.blogspot.com/

haute nature blog

9:46am: Why I LOVE FLOCK 10000 x's more than any other browser.....

flock demo VERY LARGE C picture by richhunt35 - Photobucket


~~~~~~

I surfed for a wallpaper photo, selected a pattern, took a screencap, made a jpeg and uploaded it here in LICKETY SPLIT. Flock is so pretty and amiable that using it is an educational experience and a pleasure.

6:59pm: I MAKE A DECISION
I am now practically hyperventilating about these (formerly) leather chairs. I decide they would be a perfect homecoming surprise for my dad, who is away recuperating for at least a month.

I went on a spree at Home Depot today, buying tools for sanding and for removing nails. I also bought my very own clamp! I had used them in furniture making classes and I had no idea that they were so affordable. Now my re-upholstering job will be more precise. I also got dust masks and safety goggles. My father has tons of equipment, but I decided I would like some of my own.



Furniture supplies are cute and small. They have a girly appeal. I fell in love with a mini electric hand sander ($40) and may ask for it for Christmas. I run around the house with my sanding block, testing it out on the floor and some of the old furniture I want to re-hab.



I got to work sanding the finish off one of the armchairs. I am more in love than ever with the look of this soft oak. I ordered fabric samples online, but the one I think I will use for these chairs is "Pony Ride" in "Nude". In spite of the sexy name, it is a style that will please both me and my father.

Pony Ride Nude | DIY Upholstery Supply



Tomorrow I will use my tools to remove upholstery tacks and get the rest of the horsehair and leather off of the chair.

7:12pm: LP shelves - CHEAP (unfinished) from Gothic Cabinet Craft

Gothic Cabinet Craft - 3+shelf+LP+Rack+W%2F+Base%28base+unit%29 - Real Wood Furniture at Incredible Prices

4:22pm: Heywood Wakefield fabrics....for authentic and reproduction 1940s furniture. Expen$ive!!

http://www.heywood-wakefield.com/fabrics/index.cgi?063624-312



Puts "atomic" / retro whatever to shame. This is the real deal, inspired by modern art!! A shame about the staggering price, though.

3:39pm: I found a second leather armchair!!
....and you're not getting another video from me until I take time to put up decent lighting, clean my room....and lose those last twenty pounds.

Also, I always sound like I have a cold on video.


Ah well, I'm off to Home Depot this weekend to start the first phase of restoration - stripping and re-finishing the chair. Once the frame of the chair is finished, I'll be more certain of the upholstery materials.

9:42am: Fantasy furniture buffs....check out Design Toscano!

Fitzjames Manor Ottoman - KS11057 - Design Toscano

8:55am: Reading / music room
I want to turn my old bedroom into a computer, reading and music room. This is where I keep my laptop and store my music and keep a number of bookshelves.

The look I am going for is whimsical.  The future occupants of this room will no doubt be children.  I want a playful style that an adult can use. The wall color I have chosen is "Cupid's Dart" from Benjamin Moore.



For inspiration, I have this mint green shag 4' x 6' area rug, which Duke and Domino happily model for you!



Believe me, the purple and green look great together.

Back to that crusty leather chair. I have found the perfect material for it: faux ostrich from DIY Upholstery Supply in sterling



I also still have my old dresser from when my sister and I were growing up. I find it difficult to take a piece like this seriously, but it is such a well-made, sturdy and useful item that I decide to try and make it into a fun fantasy piece. With a creative paint job, it could be very "cyber" in style and appropriate for any play room! I may try painting it black with purple and silver or white trim. I used simple photo editing tricks to get a view of this cream-colored dresser in "fantasy" colors.





I won't hold my breath here, and neither should you. My budget for the entire room will be in the low hundreds and the project could take three months or more. But it is always best to come up with a general room concept before taking on furniture re-hab projects, and it gives you something to get excited about.

3:44am: Ancient leather chair needs complete overhaul.....
Yet another chair my father scavenged, a beloved reading chair, is in need of a complete overhaul. The leather tears off the thing like paper. I have been covering the chair with an afghan because it is super comfortable and sturdy, but seriously ugly.



Recently inspired by my financial mini-windfall, I tore the back off the chair.

This is what is inside the chair back:



On close inspection, the original craftsman used upholstery tacks, nails and glue. The inside of the chair is stuffed with straw and batting. This should not be a difficult first-time project, although it end up costing $100 or more to re-do.

Since this was a leather chair, it should be replaced with something similar. Should I gamble on a snazzy sparkling vinyl, or will that alienate everyone but me? I am currently in love with the idea of this chair covered in some glittery rock and roll fabric that is typically used in retro diners and bars.

Naugahyde Zodiac Hot Pink Upholstery Vinyl | DIY Upholstery Supply


On second thought, I think I will opt for a safer and more enduring pattern like this faux reptile skin:

3:41am: ANACONDA!! From DIY Upholstery Supply

Anaconda Yellow Gold Per Yard | DIY Upholstery Supply

9:01pm: Painted thrift store table, courtesy of the "Gothic Martha Stewart"

Gothic Martha Stewart : Projects : Decoupage Table

5:31pm: Another great office chair in need of an update, courtesy of Tailored Slipcovers

DIY Upholstery, Learn How to Upholster and How to Slipcover

5:27pm: TOO COOL. More upholstery fabric from Fabric Guru!

http://www.fabricguru.com/cart/image.php?mode=detailed&object_id=84643&image_id=169150&window=popup