Reuse and Restore!

In college my mother gave me an antique table, with a matching set of chairs, that she no longer wanted.  She has always shopped estate sales and auctions to outfit her home.  I love the pieces she's collected over the years.  Her style tends be traditional while I on the other hand swing to the eclectic/funky side.  I love traditional lines as a base because you can always add some fun with color.  I would love to reupholster our couches.  Given how long I've taken to refinish a table and a few chairs, I'll have to convince my husband its a good idea.  Anyway, in college my mother told me I was only borrowing the table so I wouldn't do anything crazy to it.  Now, after about 6 years, its officially mine.  So... I've painted the table white and the following is what I've done with the chairs.

- Before -   

The beautiful handmade cushions were being destroyed by Lilly.

- After -

The color I chose was called Medieval Blue.

I removed the needle point and all the cushioning.  I thought the raw wood in contrast with the blue was striking.  I applied a few coats of polyurethane to protect the raw wood.  Plus its now easier to clean!  I can now buy removable cushions and change up the style whenever I feel like it. 

- As for the handmade vintage needle point cushions -

They clean up nicely.  I plan on framing them because they are a wonderful testament to someone's talent and patience.  Therefore they deserve to be on a wall not somewhere you rest your backside.