How I Made a Chair That Doesn’t Whisper

They say your first piece sets the tone.

For me, it growled.

When I stumbled across this previously-loved chair on Facebook Marketplace, I saw more than a chair. I saw a story begging to be told louder. Wilder. Louder-than-leopard, lusher-than-velvet kind of loud.

This wasn’t going to be some subtle “accent piece.”
No, this one was going to own the room!

The Spark of a Revival

I had just finished an awesome online upholstery course and was craving to get my hands on something to put my freshly acquired knowledge into practice. I didn’t have a solid plan, just a pull. When I saw this twisty little frame in someone’s for sale listing, it was like the beginning of a love affair.

Everything I had ever dabbled in, jewelry making, gourd art, sewing, even glasswork, it all came rushing back and somehow, all that previous artful experience all had a place in this chair.

Velvet, Leopard, and a Little Rebellion

Designing this chair wasn’t just about picking a bold fabric pallet, it was about building a piece that felt like my second act after retiring; uninhibited, unapologetic, refined with a wink – but 100% ME!

•  Black tufted velvet for the drama.

•  Leopard print velvet for the wild.

•  Teal crocodile embossed vinyl on the arms and back, because why not surprise them when they walk away?

Even the crystal buttons sparkle. This chair doesn’t know how to tone it down. And frankly, neither do I anymore.

Crafted With Intention

What people don’t see is everything beneath the fabric: The carefully placed layers of cotton, the fresh webbing, the time it takes to tuck every pleat just so. I tore this chair down to its bare bones. Then I built it back, not to match a trend, but to honor a feeling.

This was the chair that made me realize:
This isn’t a hobby.
This is a Revival. My Revival.

A Place to Begin Again

Now, this chair sits in my home like a crown jewel, reminding me every day that starting over or beginning something new can be the most powerful thing you ever do.

You don’t need to shout, but you do need to stop whispering.

And if a chair can do that…so can you.

Click the button above to check out the From Frame to Finish Series to dive deeper into the making of each Revival piece.