At Blissdom in January, I met one of the coolest ladies I know…Traci from Beneath My Heart. She comes from Kentucky, the state where I was born. She sounds like it, though, and I don’t. She became “home base” for me during the conference. If ever I found myself alone, I would call Traci to find out where she was, so I could join her. Traci and her sister even gave me a ride to the airport when it was all over.
In addition to being a really nice person, Traci is very talented when it comes to budget makeovers AND she gets it all done in a house of boys. Not sure how she swings it, but she does…and her hair always looks perfect doing it.
With all of that said, it is my pleasure to have Traci here today. She’s the kind of person (and blogger) I want to support. Here she is…
Hello! I am so very excited to be here today!! My name is Traci, and I blog at
Beneath My Heart!
I have been blogging a little over two years, and Marian was one of my first blog friends.
I have absolutely adored her style and talent from the first time I visited her blog.
(I’m thinking about claiming that I “discovered” her. Whadaya think?)
I share the same passion for furniture makeovers as Marian.
Just wish I had the same talent. (Hee. Hee.)
I was so glad to finally meet her in person at Blissdom! She is such a doll, and I knew she would be. She is one of the many blessings I have received since I’ve started blogging!
Marian has graciously allowed me to share some projects I have completed on my blog with you today.
The first project is one that I just recently completed for this guest post.
Since Marian is the Queen of Slipcovers, I thought I would share with you my slipcovered office chair.
I scored this heavy duty office chair at Goodwill for $12.50!!
The chair was actually in excellent condition except for some tears in the leather on the arms of the chair.
The color of the leather was a little orangier (is that a word?) than I wanted for my office.
I decided to paint the legs and arms black, and make a slipcover for the rest of the chair using a white canvas material.
When I make a slipcover, I like to pin the material to the chair and use a pencil to draw a line where the seam is on the chair.
Here is the material pinned to the back of the chair:
I drew the seam line then cut about a half inch below the line. (Do NOT cut on the pencil line!)
I followed this same process over each section of the chair. Then I just sewed the sections together on the seam line, sometimes adding cording where needed.
It took some time and patience to figure out how to slipcover around those arms, but I finally did it.
I added velcro under the arms and velcro at each pleat on the corners of the chair to hold the slipcover in place.
And now I can enjoy my new office chair!
I like to sit in my comfy chair and read my favorite blogs!
What’s that on my computer screen?
Oh, could it be my favorite blog?
I wanna be just like Marian when I grow up! 🙂
(Oh shoot! She’s younger than me!)
Well, a girl can dream…
I will be sharing the full tutorial of how I made this slipcover on my blog soon (along with some videos.)
Now, I want to quickly show you a few other favorite projects from my blog.
(You can view each project by clicking on the highlighted text.)
I bought this chair at Goodwill for $6.50, and now she looks like a million bucks!
I also loved taking our awkward corner tv cabinet and turning it into a
Ballard Designs’ style hutch by cutting off the triangular backside and adding a bead board backing.
Inspired by Marian to paint something blue, I took a small table that I didn’t really like and turned it into
a little gem that I love!
I would love for you to come take a
tour of my guest house. My husband and I built it ourselves and decorated it very frugally. It has been so much fun!
And if you love room makeovers, then please stop by and check out some of these.
We just sold our home and will be buying a new one soon. I’m sure I will have a lot of new projects and makeovers to complete, and I cannot wait!!
I would love for you to come join me!
Thank you, Marian, for letting me hang out on your awesome blog today.
You are the best!
Have a blessed day!
I love her guest house. I’m going to stay there one day. Thanks so much, Traci, for sharing those amazing transformations. You are brimming with talent.
I’m not sure you can claim that you discovered me. Donna might fight with you on that one!
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A lovely post about your sweet bloggy friend. I'm going over to visit her blog too. I'm so sorry it's been a while since I stopped by for a visit. I always enjoy my time at your lovely blog. Big Hugs!
Oh I almost forgot, I'm having a giveaway to win a gorgeous dress. I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner for a visit.
Hello Marian and Traci,
Lovely post and so very happy to meet you Traci!
Beautiful makeover projects, especially the slipped chairs.
Headed over to say hello at Beneath My Heart
Cheers,
janet xox
Two of my favourite bloggers in one spot! I love your makeovers, Traci. Marian is so right, you do it stylishly and affordably.
Great before and afters. I am trying to capture your painting skills for some of my upcoming projects. We move into our new place in three weeks, and I can't wait to decorate it.
The small blue table is gorgeous, the headboard towel rack is brilliant, and the mudroom???? BEYOND jealous! I Want a mudroom!!!
Thank you for your guest post, and thank you Marian for having having Traci over!
Heading over… and will surely click the follow button. Thanks for sharing another great blog!
Put up yer blog dukes, Traci! Ah, nevermind. I'll share the MMS finders title just fine. 🙂
What a pleasant surprise to see Traci here! I've been a long time fan. What attracts me to Traci's blog are her beautiful DIY projects AND the kindness she eludes. It's always a pleasure. 🙂
Donna
I so enjoy visiting Traci's blog as well! I am giddy to see this desk chair refurb! I aquired this SAME CHAIR about a month ago for FREE! I think it is a comfortable chair but, like Traci, the orang"y" leather finish isn't working for me. I've yet to try a slip cover but I'm going to give it a go.
Have a CREATIVE day!
this chair looks very pretty! Have a wonderful evening, Anja
I'm a KY gal too! Love her transformations . I'm going over to her blog right now 🙂
An avid follower of Traci too…I would love to escape to her guesthouse. What a treasure! While I know Traci is excited about her move, I will miss her house, but look forward to more adventures.
Wonderful post! I have never seen Traci's guest house makeover, so I'm on my way over. So nice that you both met and have so much in common!!
XO,
Jane
I love Traci's blog, too! Thanks for the fun post today.
Amazing transformations, Traci! Loved them all, but I think my favorite was making a towel rack out of a headboard. I don't think in a million years I would have thought of that. It's beautiful!
I am a Kentucky girl as well. Born and raised and currently living in Louisville. I just received my chalk paint and used in on an old chest last night. Not to sound cheesy, but it was life changing! I love it so much and the piece turned out so great and was super easy (the wax too, love it). As the Geico commercial says,"Even a caveman can do it." Thank you again for all of your information, I watched your Waxing 101 video intently before I started my project!
Another KY girl! Me too, me too! I love all Traci's projects and I can't wait to check out her blog. Thanks for showing it off to us.
The new office chair is gorgeous!! Love Traci & all of her projects!! Super talented!
What a pleasant surprise to see Traci's guest post here at MMS's blog! I follow and love Traci's blog, and am always amazed at the beautiful "afters" she creates. Nicely done projects today, Traci, I especially love your new office chair, it is just gorgeous! And your Ballard style TV hutch – I'd not seen that project before, but will hop over to your blog to check it out.
Best to you both (two of my favorite bloggers!),
Kimberly
Georgia girl (originally AL) here, but I love discovering you Kentucky girls! I am so glad to meet Traci, I am sure I won't be her only New Follower after visiting her blog! Thanks for sharing ladies!
Debbie
I knew I liked you, I was born in KY as well. Now a TX girl.
Traci was totally my "home base" at Relevant, love that girl so much!