I’ve been quietly working away on a little makeover in my bedroom, and today I’m sharing a small peek into the space.

The room is almost finished (finally!), and these two chairs are part of a small table area where I sometimes sit and work. Realistically, the table is also where a lot of my “creative clutter” ends up living… but we won’t talk about that today.

What we will talk about is this whimsical chair makeover.

Because this little antique beauty turned out even better than I imagined.

---

Starting with the Perfect Fabric

Every chair makeover starts with fabric for me.

This time I selected a Molly Mahon dot fabric in blue and green, and it immediately felt like the perfect choice for the color palette I’ve been building in my bedroom.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love fabrics that feel a little hand-printed and organic. Molly Mahon’s designs have that relaxed, artistic feel that adds so much personality to a chair.  *(I used this fabric on last week’s blog, too.)

The dots are playful without being loud, and the soft blue and green tones tie beautifully into the room.

---

Choosing the Paint Color

Once the fabric was decided, it was time to pick the paint.

For this chair I used Amy Howard’s LuxeLacquer paint in Blue Lagoon, which is a gorgeous, rich blue that instantly wakes up an antique frame.

This was actually my first time using lacquer on this style of antique chair, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

But wow.

The finish turned out beautifully smooth and glossy, and it really highlighted all the carved details in the frame. Sometimes you take a creative risk and it surprises you in the best way — and this was definitely one of those moments.  The Luxe Lacquer Primer as the base coat was key to getting the best finish.

The blue paired with the Molly Mahon fabric feels fresh, cheerful, and just a little bit unexpected.

Exactly how I like my chairs.

---

The Biggest Surprise: The Fabric Skirt

Now here’s where the story gets interesting.

I ran out of the Molly Mahon dot fabric.

Right when I got to the finishing touches.

Instead of panicking, I started digging through my fabric scraps, hoping I might find something that would work as a trim or detail.

And then I spotted it.

A Kate Spade picnic green stripe fabric I had used previously on my dining room chair seats.

I’ve always loved that stripe. The green is just the right shade — crisp, happy, and incredibly versatile.

The moment I held it next to the dot fabric, I knew it was the one.

---

Adding a Pleated Skirt for Extra Whimsy

Lately I’ve been having so much fun adding skirts to chair seats, and this felt like the perfect opportunity.

Instead of a simple trim, I decided to create a pleated skirt using the green stripe fabric.

The stripes give it structure, the pleats add movement, and together they create a playful detail that makes the chair feel extra special.

Dots on top.
Stripes around the edge.

It’s a little bit of pattern mixing magic.

And honestly, the skirt ended up being my favorite part of the whole chair.

---

A Sneak Peek Into My Bedroom Makeover

These chairs are actually part of a pair I’m making for the small table area in my bedroom.

It’s a cozy spot where I sometimes sit with my laptop or sketch ideas… though if I’m being honest, it’s also where I tend to stash a few projects in progress.

I included one photo of the chair at the table to give you a tiny peek into the room makeover that’s almost finished.

More of that reveal is coming soon.

---

Why I Love Designing Chairs This Way

One of the things I love most about designing chairs is that they allow you to experiment.

You can mix patterns.
Try unexpected trims.
Play with bold paint colors.

Sometimes the best design moments happen when things don’t go exactly as planned — like running out of fabric and discovering the perfect stripe hiding in your stash.

This little chair is a reminder that creativity often lives in those unexpected turns.

And I think that’s what makes it feel so joyful.

---

Which Detail Is Your Favorite?

Is it the blue lacquered frame, the Molly Mahon dots, or the striped pleated skirt?

I’d love to know what caught your eye first.

And stay tuned… because the full bedroom reveal is coming soon.