A few years ago while driving to the seafood market, I took the back way for some reason. Lucky I did because beside the road was a sign that said “free to a good home”. It was 2 Pottery Barn chaise lounge chairs!! With cushions!
Of course I pulled over! A lady came down the driveway when I pulled in and I asked about them. They were indeed from Pottery Barn, but she was redecorating their patio and these didn’t fit. They were in great condition. I immediately said I would love to have them! It didn’t hurt that I had puppy Lacey with me in the car and she was adorable and cute.
I had to make two trips. I did offer to pay the nice lady something but she refused. I took her a nice bottle of Cabernet when I went back for the second chair. She politely accepted! So that made me feel better.
The backs of the chairs are on wheels so that made it easier to move them. Once I got them home I put them by the pool and had snacks and cocktails waiting for my husband when he got home. I don’t think he believed me at first that they were free. They retail for around $600 or more plus the cushions, so this was awesome! So generous of that kind lady! We love them!
Now, they are in need of some TLC. I keep them covered every winter but they still get wear and tear from the snow and the weather. Today, I’m perking them up with some stain and slipcovers.
They were really dirty and covered with spider webs. I suspect a mouse lived there over the winter because I found a little nest under the cushion. (YUCK!!!) I brushed them off with a hand brush and wiped them down thoroughly with a damp cloth. You can see how bad they looked! I used small flat scraps of fire wood under each foot and wheel to keep them off of the grass while I worked on them.
It was trial and error. With the first chaise, I brushed on the stain. Some of it soaked up immediately and some puddled on top of the old varnish. Then it became tacky. Oops. So, I used an old white cotton t-shirt and wiped off the excess. This was pretty laborious. So, on the second chaise, I used the t-shirt dipped directly into the stain and rubbed it in and rubbed off the excess. Much better! I used plastic gloves of course. (I have not used them before and was sorry) I used Minwax Stain with a protective coating. The color was called Jacobean. It matched the original stain fairly well.
Now they need to dry overnight. I’m hoping they will dry quickly and tomorrow I can clean the cushions and put on the new Pottery Barn slip covers I ordered. (at 20% off) I’m trying not to replace the cushions yet as they are so expensive. I’m hoping this fix will suffice for one more year. Before picture on the left and after on the right. Much better, right?
Tomorrow (weather permitting) I will post an after picture with the chairs and “new” cushions in all of their glory beside the pool with perhaps a cool drink and book waiting! Side note: Happy Birthday to my precious son! xoxoxxo