Kid's Rocking Moroccan Makeover

My usual Goodwill perusal turned up a $6.99 kid's rocking chair that had seen better days.  Having previously designed and created kid's rockers for PoshTots.com, I am very familiar with downsizing adult looks to kid sized proportions. This would be a cinch. In comes the Moroccan look or, you may even call it Anthropologie-inspired. Either way, it's an easy style to adapt for a nursery or kid's bedroom.
Be sure to check out more tutorials on www.curbly.com and my site, www.modhomeec.com.
Here we go...

Step 1: Teardown

Here's the worn out saggy seated rocker throwing a tantrum for a makeover. The first order of business was to strip it down to the bones and sand off the shiny finish.

Step 2: Freshen Up the Frame

White primer and white glossy spray paint worked just fine. It's always a pain to wait for the paint to dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Attach a Fresh, Tight Foundation and Padding

Here is where you need to re-do the base that will hold the padding. You need to add jute webbing stips, burlap, padding (fluffed up straw like material taken out of the old upholstery), add new batting and a new dacron covering. Then you'll be ready to upholster

Step 4: Upholstery Time

Once the padding is ready, you can upholster the seat or back in whichever order you choose. I happened to have run out of fabric for the outside back (OB), so I had to stitch two pieces together and cover up the seam with a piece of pink ribbon. Clever disguise, if I do say so myself.
Then, just make a cute little pillow to add some pizazz.

Comments

[porcupinemamma]

Looks lovely!

[kathynv]

Beautiful job! Can you think of a substitute for the straw-like padding that you took from the old upholstery and placed in the new? We're a bunch of allergic asthmatics, and anything like hay or straw is a no-go. Could we use wood shavings? Or is there a way to make foam rubber settle in and create the right look? What a lucky child to be able to have that adorable rocking chair!

[modhomeecteacher]

Thanks Kathy, Of course you can just use a 1 1/2" foam pad under the dacron. I would have used dacron if the straw was dirty or smelly. I just figured, since I wasn't really making it for anyone in particular, it would be ok. Just keep an eye out for old rockers. I think you can get hypo allergenic foam. Try some DIY Upholstery suppliers. Good luck. I'd love to see photos. Visit my ModHomeEc Facebook page for updated info and you can get on my email list if you go to my site.