chair Archives - Slipcovers by Shelley

Sitting room slipcovers

March 3, 2017 by Shelley

My client wanted new sitting room slipcovers for her master suite area. She had a darling shaped loveseat and a wingback to work with. She chose a white denim for the loveseat and a blue/white print for the chair.

Chair-BEFORE—sturdy and great lines, but she wanted to update the colors.

Chair–AFTER! There was quite a bit of matching, but it turned out beautiful! IF you need tips on how to match painlessly and efficiently check out my “Get it Covered” Advanced Slipcover guide. Use code APPRECIATION for 30% off.

Loveseat–BEFORE- with the back exposed to the room, she didn’t want the slipcover to ride up and shift and show the green fabric underneath. I installed velcro under the arms and the upper outside back to help keep it in place.

Loveseat–AFTER!! She decided to switch it up and drop a skirt to the floor and had me make a set of arm pads to keep the arms protected.

Side Notes- I realize my blogging is getting less and less! I do post every few days on my instagram account @slipcovershelley. Follow me there if you want more updates, and mid project photos.

Every January we go on a couples trip to someplace warm with a beach. This year we headed to Maui. Four other couples joined us, it was AMAZING! It was 85 degrees and the sunset swims at the beach were my favorite. I booked us a few condos and minivan rentals and we used points to book our flights, and cooked at the condos.

2. Since I paid off our BYU condo rental last summer, I’ve been saving up to buy another condo rental. We just went under contract this week! It’s definitely not as scary this time. I’ve been obsessing about buying a second one for the past 2 years. I’m clearing up some head space by just doing it already! My plan is to pay it off in 2.5 years. I’ll be applying rents from both condos and my income to pay it off asap, so then it’ll be cashflow after it’s paid for.

My biggest tip for getting ahead if you are a two income family–live off one income and save the other (invest, pay off debt, save). My husband is a fireman and for the most part we live off his income, and mine has been used to pay off our house, cabin, cars, and condo rental.

3. I’ve been obsessed with learning about retirement stuff. It’s our next phase that I need to plan for. Over the past year I’ve been listening to a few podcasts about it. I was so confused how much we even needed. Here’s what I’ve learned…

a) Yearly spending at retirement age x 25= how much you need to retire. Then once you retire withdraw 4% per year to live on. That’s a safe withdrawl amount that your lump sum will never disappear. Basically that 4% is the interest. So let’s say I think we will be spending $3,000/ month after the boys have left home and we no longer need to feed them 3 dinners per night, that’s $36,000/yr. $36,000 x 25= $900,000 is needed to retire.

b) Saving for retirement? Invest into Vanguard Total Index Fund (VTSMX ticker) with a target date retirement–it matches the market and every money podcaster guest that I’ve listened to TALKS ABOUT THIS FUND. It is the LOWEST in fees and it is diversified and matches the market. Don’t try to beat the market and invest in separate stocks–you’ll get eaten alive in fees.

c) We are planning on retiring in 10 years! Heber will have 30 years on as a fireman and will be ready to retire with his pension. I want to supplement that pension with 2-3 condo rentals. That’s the plan for now.

Bird Chair

January 4, 2017 by Shelley

My client picked up this chair at a yardsale for $20! It had a great cozy feminine shape for her guest room. She chose a great whimsical bird fabric for her chair. It was a bit of work with the rounded inside back and matching up the birds and twigs going down the front, but we were both thrilled with the outcome.

Chair–BEFORE

Chair—AFTER We decided to add a 8″ skirt just to mix it up and change the look a little.

Here’s a pic of her guest room. She’s got a darling older home with lots of character and personality, so this chair fit in perfectly with her style.

With the rounded inside back I sewed a few darts and topstitched them.

If you’ve never been able to master the tuck in area for a rounded inside back chair, I offer tips in my “Get it Covered” Advanced Slipcover Guide. It took me years to figure out the trick for a smooth tuck in that doesn’t pull and allows you to tuck it in deep into the crevice.

Side Notes

My Vintage Camper is just about done! I’ve written up a post with all the info to rent it starting in the Spring 2017! I’ve been so excited about this little project! If you want to see pics of the progress on instagram search #andersoncamper
I booked flights for my family to go to Puerto Rico later this fall. I was feeling sentimental and a bit teary eyed that my oldest will be a senior in high school in the fall, and that will be his last year at home. I saw a great price on flights, and after a 2 minute conversation with Heber, I booked them. I’m all about making memories, and making this last year count! Which reminds me of my goal this year to have more magic moments as a family. You know those few and far between moments when time stands still, and you look around and everyone is happy and the feeling is magic? And you are trying to commit that moment to your long term memory as it’s happening? Yes! I want more of those—which means the boys have to be on board and stop fighting!Here was one of our #magicmoments over Christmas break. Skiing as a family on Christmas Eve. Heber started all the boys skiing when they were 3 years old, so they are all faster than me now. Well, I was never really that fast, it took me two years of cross country skiing to get back on the bunny hill after the first time Heber took me when we were dating. I didn’t like going fast. #utahboy #californiagirl

White duck cloth chairs

October 17, 2016 by Shelley

My client wanted to transform her old chairs into white duck cloth chairs. She priced out getting all new chairs from IKEA and decided it was about the same, but the difference was her old chairs were way better built and more comfortable. I think she made the right choice! Anytime you have a great shape and frame it makes sense to breathe new life into it with slipcovers. Quality matters. I won’t buy boots or kids shoes unless they are real leather. I won’t by a leather couch unless it’s top grain leather, not bonded leather. I like things to hold up and last.
Chair–BEFORE– great scale and nice lines.

After—Set of white chairs with custom slipcovers

The back cushions were a bit flat, so I wrapped a new layer of batting on them.
Self lined skirt

Kiss pleats on the upper corners of back cushions.

SIDE NOTES–I have a new idea! I’ve been wanting to do an Airbnb of some sort after listening to a podcast called Shampoo and Booze (they are super frugal and creative in making a living), and stumbled upon this idea while Heber was away on a river trip. I’ve always wanted to renovate an old camper, but could never justify the expense for two camping trips a year. I love sewing, projects, and trips–this couldn’t be more perfect for me!

Here’s my idea–Renovate vintage camper and rent it out for $75/night and people can take it wherever they want. I’ll have nice sheets, down comforters, duvets, vintage awning with solar lights, outdoor rug, vintage aluminum webbed chairs, etc.

Within two days of Heber getting home we purchased this 1975 roadrunner camper. I’ve already done a ton of work on it! Painted the outside, painted the inside, sewed all new cushions, curtains, replaced flooring, and backsplash. I’ve ordered a wide black and white stripe outdoor fabric to make a vintage awning with a scalloped edge.

Heber–You shouldn’t leave me unattended with my thoughts for more than a day or two–

I just finished painting the outside last weekend! I couldn’t be happier. It’s turning out exactly how I wanted.

Here’s a peek on the inside. There are two beds (queen and just smaller than a full), plus two bunk beds for small kids. Oven, stove top, heater, sink, and refrigerator. NO bathroom. We figured we didn’t want to mess with 4o yr old plumbing, and most of the time you would be at a campground with restrooms.