08/31/2026
The dragonflies are finally free to fly! 🌸 This one has been a long time coming. I took these pieces apart down to the frames and built them back up a few months ago and had no idea that the rest of the journey wouldn't go exactly as planned. With one delay after another, I was struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once I cut that last thread, I just sat back and took them in. It was such a special moment.
This July in the Midwest was one of the hottest that I can remember. I am not a fan of summer at ALL, so I had to shut down for a bit until Mother Nature decided to stop torturing us. I work outside for tear-downs and sanding/staining, and my studio is not air conditioned. In desperation, I did buy an air conditioner but it couldn't keep up with the extreme heat. It's been cooling well with temps in the mid 80s and below, so for that, I am very thankful! I am also incredibly thankful for my clients who have shown me such kindness and patience during this unexpected short 'break'. I am SO lucky to have the very best clients!! 💕
I am back on track and ready to catch up and show you all the beautiful pieces that I get to transform!! This set is one that I'm so proud of. This furniture is made by La-Z-Boy and was manufactured in March 2000 using Ambrosia Maple for all of the framing and show wood. Its unique markings are made when the Ambrosia beetle makes its way through the wood, leaving behind gorgeous patterns. It was a shame to cover up so much of it! In addition to placing a large, uneven pattern on curved frames, I made the decision to hand stitch every single seam and edge you see here. Because of how my cuts had to be, I didn't have the luxury of pinning to hold in place while stitching (except the top of the back panel). I had to pull and hold with one hand while stitching with the other. That was really intense and my hands were begging for mercy when I finally finished. But I'm thrilled with how it turned out!
I first removed all of the existing materials and then built the pieces back up from the frame using all new high quality and long-lasting materials. The coziness of these chairs makes you want to spend the day with a good book and forget about that long to-do list! 📖 Next, I sanded the arms and feet down to raw wood, stained them to match my client's cabinets and trim, then varnished in a matte finish. The updated color brings a richness and warmth to the pieces. Last, after an unexpected situation with my first fabric order and having to reselect from all new prints, I was finally able to start covering everything. This soft, colorful custom-printed velvet turned out to be just what my client needed in the most perfect space in her home! It's as if the nook in her living space was made just for these. 💙
Thank you to all of you for hanging in there with me and I hope you love these as much as we do! Stay tuned for more exciting pieces coming soon!!
