Instant Furniture Makeovers

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Wing Chair Before

We challenge you to find a Southern girl who would turn down her grandmother's hand-me-downs. Inherited items are the lifeblood of Southern homes. Use our ideas to turn "before" items like this into "after" pieces everyone will adore!

Before: This wing chair is covered in dated fabric, but has a uniquely striking shape.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Wing Chair After

This chair goes from floral to sophisticated with a smart upholstery update. Exposing the wooden legs and adding a nailhead trim make this chair conservative yet hip. The perfect combo for a new couple's first home.

Wing Chair Fabric: Ottoman Leaf in Chocolate by Robert Allen; 1-800-333-3777

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Arm Chair Before

The small print on this arm chair keeps it in the past. The frame is attractive and the exposed wood shows a lot of potential.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Armchair After

The armchair is re-covered in a botanical print fabric. The legs are painted white to lighten the visual weight of the piece. Tucked into a corner of the living room and paired with a set of nesting tables, the chair is a perfect spot for reading.

Armchair Fabric: #491-21 available in limited quantities from King Cotton Decorator Fabrics;
(205) 322-5878
Armchair Paint: Moth Gray (7-30) by Pratt & Lambert 1-800-289-7728.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Sewing Table Before

Two of these $5 flea market sewing tables are just the right size for sofa side tables.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Sewing Table After

We changed the look of this table by taking it to a wallpaper hanger who gave it a custom look by covering it with grass cloth. Using wallpaper to cover wooden furniture is a polished alternative to simply updating with paint.

Wallpaper on Table: Naturals II Linshan Rushcloth (548501) in Olive Haze by Gramercy, available through Blue Mountain Wallcoverings

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Chest Before

This blah sideboard is a nice functional piece, but was in desperate need of a trendy update.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Chest After

Placed in the foyer, it becomes a convenient spot for dropping keys or mail. The chest goes from country to chic in no time with black lacquer and antique glass door knobs.

Sideboard Paint: African Night (32-18) by Pratt & Lambert; 1-800-289-7728
Sideboard Hardware: antique crystal doorknobs from Tricia’s Treasures; (205) 871-9779

Photo Laurey W. Glenn

Barrel Chair Before

Another one of grandmother's hand-me-downs, this barrel chair has been put to good use over the years. Because it is sturdy and has retained it's shape it's a perfect piece to try a little recovering magic.

Photo Laurey W. Glenn

Barrel Chair After

It took only 5 yards of velvet and a new seat cushion to revive this great hand-me-down.

Barrel Chair Fabric: Showtime in Spearmint by Robert Allen

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll

Console Before

Hard working pieces like this are a must for entertaining. This console just needs a few changes to take it from bland to glam.

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll

Console After

The console transforms into a swanky bar, thanks to a new coat of paint and a custom-cut limestone top. Any local kitchen or bath showroom can get a stone top cut to size. Scan the remnants section for odd-size leftovers that are bargains.

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Amoire Before

This wood storage cabinet has stylish doors and is the perfect size for storing things in a small bedroom. The finish is a little dark so the piece could use a little updating.

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Amoire After

We brightened this piece up by painting it turquoise. At 12 inches deep, it’s small enough to fit the room but still big enough to hold five shoe storage cubes and lots of boots and handbags.

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Dresser Before

Don't give up on an old piece! This old dresser seems to have lost it's luster. The finish is dingy and the style seems outdated.

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Dresser After

The old dresser got a fresh coat of white paint to help it blend in. An old map of Europe, found at a thrift store was the missing link. The weathered look adds a sense of history to the room.

Dresser Paint: Summer White (7557) from Sherwin-Williams; 1-800-474-3794

Slipper Chair Before

All this old (and may we say, drab?) chair needs is new fabric. Total gutting is not required.

Slipper Chair After

For this chair we kissed the why-was-it-ever- popular avocado green velvet good-bye and refreshed it with a prettier sage fabric. A darker stain on the legs and sides lends an elegant touch.

Chair Fabric: Hourglass by Robert Allen

Club Chair Before

The heavy skirt and loose cushions on this chair make it obvious that it's from the 1980s.

Club Chair After

Ask your upholsterer to expose chair legs (stain or paint them first) by eliminating the skirt, and then opt for a tight-back cushion. We added a small lumbar pillow here for extra back support.

Wood-Framed Sofa Before

This cringe-worthy wood-framed sofa was found by a dumpster.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Wood-Framed Sofa After

Now, a personality-filled piece, freshened up with a bold pattern and white paint.

Designer: Jamie Meares, Furbish Studio, Raleigh, NC; furbishstudio.com.
Sofa fabric: custom by Furbish; furbishstudio.com.
Sofa paint: ProClassic Alkyd Interior Enamel in White; sherwin-williams.com.
Wallpaper: Foxglove (W5805-03) from Hothouse by Suzy Hoodless for Osborne & Little (osborneandlittle.com).

Classic Armchair Before

A classic shape fallen victim to a dated floral.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Classic Armchair After

Updated with a subtle ticking stripe with a vibrant, one-of-a-kind ikat center.

Designer: Jamie Meares, Furbish Studio, Raleigh, NC; furbishstudio.com.
Chair paint: ProClassic Alkyd Interior Enamel in White; sherwin-williams.com.
Chair fabric (ticking): for assorted ticking fabrics, try Robert Allen (robertallendesign.com).
Chair fabric (ikat): Mercury P6324 in 23002 (1101357) from Lewis & Sheron Textiles (lsfabrics.com).
Wallpaper: Angles Wallpaper in Silver/White by Hygge Cooperative (hyggecooperative.com).

Vintage Chairs Before

Pretty but expected Swedish dining chairs.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Vintage Chairs After

Stylish seats updated with tailored gray leather and nail-head trim.

Designer: Tara Shaw, Tara Shaw, New Orleans; tarashaw.com.
Chair leather: For a similar look, try Milano in Platinum (9250/15) by Holly Hunt Leather (hollyhunt.com); 212/755-6555.

Settee Before

A tired, sagging settee with an interesting shape and mid-century legs.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Settee After

An attention-getting perch with a shape that's exaggerated with unexpected horizontal stripes.

Designer: Cynthia Collins, Collins Interiors, Dallas; collins-interiors.com.
Fabric (stripe): Pacifica in Fuchsia by Steven Harsey Textiles (harsey.com); 954/925-1133.

Chest Before

A plain Asian chest with an imposing black finish and lack of hardware.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Chest After

An impressive sidekick with modern white lacquer and striking brass hardware.

Designer: Cynthia Collins, Collins Interiors, Dallas; collins-interiors.com.
Cabinet paint: Linen White (912); benjaminmoore.com.