Before & After, Sewing Studio, Thrifting, Upcycling, Trash Picking

Studio Update, Part 12: Furnishing my Serger Corner

I love using hand-me-down furniture in a space, even if it’s not all my ideal style. I love it because of the history and the story it tells – or the stories you can imagine it carries with it.

As I finally finished a few projects for the serger corner of the Janery sewing studio this weekend, I realized that they all had come from my parents’ basement.  I never intentionally planned that they would live together in the studio.  What a fun coincidence!

Janery Studio Serger Corner

I brought these three pieces home in the fall – the chair, sewing table, and wall shelf – with no plan other than the desire to rescue them from storage.  It was about damn time I put them to use.

The Metal Wall Shelf:

The shelf is no longer staying here on the wall.  I though it would be useful, but now that it’s hung, it looks too puny for that space. I’ll probably move it to my guest bath.

For my entire childhood this shelf hung on the bathroom wall. It was a worn-out beige, with baby blue hiding underneath. I stripped it down using Citristrip.  So much fun to watch the paint wither up and fall off! Then I painted it a glossy navy.

Vintage Metal Wall Shelf

The Chair:

It’s a solid, vintage piece (maybe mid-century?) by Hooker Furniture.  The finish is worn but not terrible, so it just needed new fabric on the seat.

I pulled out all the staples and removed the vinyl in one piece.  The foam and plywood were both in good condition, but I added a layer of thick quilt batting for just a little more cushioning.  Then I wrapped the seat in the new fabric, a navy and white herringbone.

Vintage Hooker Furniture Chair

The Sewing Table:

I saved the best for last!  I’ve always loved the unique look of this folding table, with its awesome 1-yard ruler branded on it.  The underside is stamped Washington, DC.  Welcome home, little table!

And guess what? It turns out that this table was most likely made between 1875-1890. I freakin’ love that. I wish I knew its story.

Antique Simplicity Sewing Table

I grew up wanting to use the table as a desk, but was unable to because it was too short.  Someone had cut the legs shorter a long time ago. I brought it home thinking that I’d replace the legs, or make them longer, but it turns out that the height is just right when I’m using my serger.  It’s high enough that I can still sit on the chair and slide under it, which is all I need.

After learning that the table is a collectible antique, I’m not going to modify the legs or refinish it for now. If and when I do so, I will seek guidance from a professional so that I do not hurt the table’s value.

Now there’s only one corner of the room left in this makeover, and it poses the toughest challenge. I’m converting my 7 x 4 foot sewing table to a drop-leaf table.  Wish me luck, and I’ll report back next week at the latest.

*Shared in the Vintage Revivals “Rock What Ya Got” party.

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2 Comments

  • Reply Studio Update, Part 14: Converting My Sewing Table to Drop-LeafThe Borrowed Abode | The Borrowed Abode at 11:01 am

    […] Studio Makeover, Part 12: Furnishing my Serger Corner […]

  • Reply Room Tour: My DIY’ed Sewing StudioThe Borrowed Abode | The Borrowed Abode at 9:03 pm

    […] For my serger corner, I found an antique sewing table and chair in my parents’ basement, and recovered the chair.  I painted the artwork frames with gold leaf […]

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