The Chairs that Got the Big Gig

Monday, February 4, 2013

If you've ever painted and refurbished a piece of furniture, and then sold it,
do you wonder about the home it went to?

I do, quite often...
I wonder where it will be used in the home,
how well it fits into the decor,
and just what about the piece caught the new owner's eye,
...maybe the color, maybe the fabric, maybe both.

The chairs below,
...I didn't have to wonder.

I knew from the beginning they were destined for the big lights,
stardom! 
{"smiles"}



They had a humble, not-so-attractive beginning!
{see picture below}



But the pair had great bones and scale,
which was perfect for the purpose for which they would serve.



So for the story behind these chairs...

For the last three years,
I've co-chaired an annual weekend local women's conference 
that serves about 700 ladies in our area.

The conference is held at our local High School Auditorium
after outgrowing our church sanctuary the first year!
How awesome is that, to God be the glory

Standing colors for the conference are aqua and green, paired with black and white damask.

Last year,
the decorating team borrowed furniture from the local furniture store,
and among the stage set were a pair of gorgeous damask print chairs.
The wood of the chairs was ebony, and the shape a more modern design.

The chairs were sold to last year's speaker
before they ever left the stage,
and after searching, 
it was revealed they were discontinued and another pair was nowhere to be found.

Our search began for a set of chairs that we could paint and customize
to keep and store for future conferences.

My co-chair found the chairs pictured, at a consignment store,
and a couple of weeks before the conference their new makeover began.

I painted the chair frames with Annie Sloan Provence
and clear coated them with Annie Sloan wax.

The damask fabric was purchased at Hobby Lobby,
and a local upholsterer recovered them.

Below,
the refurbished chairs take center stage...






The other furniture piece and lamps were on loan from 
the local furniture store and a boutique.

A local florist donated the beautiful fresh flower arrangement.









The chairs shared the stage with
Laura Story,
our praise and worship leader for this year's conference.

Laura Story is best known for the song she wrote "Blessings,"
a number one hit on the Christian Songs Billboard Chart,
 that also won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.

If you're not familiar with this song,
please take a moment to listen to it on YouTube,
it will truly bless you!






 Also headlining the event,
was Kelly Ingram, 
singer, speaker/comedienne, Television host of Friends and Neighbors,
and host of the radio show Sweet Tea with Kelly, from Atlanta, Ga.


Everyone loved her, and she will be back with us next year!


And our main speaker for the conference,
waiting in the wings below, to go on stage to speak.... 



...was Lisa Whelchel,
a former Mousekateer,
"Blair" from the 80's sitcom, The Facts of Life,
and recent second place runner up and winner of the fan award on Survivor.

{Lisa and my daughter, Ashley, below}



My husband was her driver for the weekend,
from the time her plane landed.
...Don't think I haven't heard enough about that! ha!


And since my post has wound it's way around to the conference,
I'll close with the focal verse,
"Search me, O God, and know my heart,
...and lead me in the way everlasting."
Proverbs 139:23-24
_________________________________________


Linking Post To:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Creatively Tuesday @ The Rustic Pig
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth and Co.
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Be Inspired @ Common Ground


17 comments:

  1. What a great story! Your chairs looked awesome...so very chic!

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  2. Sounds like a beautiful and very special weekend... The chairs are gorgeous.

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  3. So much to comment on. First, I loved her in "The Facts of Life" and think it's awesome that you got to meet her. I had heard she was sick but she looks so well and happy. The chairs, oh my...are so gorgeous! You do such a fabulous job. I so wish I could have been there to hear your conference and feel uplifted. I'll definitely be listening to that song on you tube too. You make me anxious for own own women's conference that will happen in April. I gives me strength to carry on until the next one! So happy you're back and posting such gems!

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  4. LOVE this story!! Lisa went to our church when we lived in Dallas and she lived in our neighborhood, although I never saw her. I so loved her on The Facts of Life!! Anyways, your chairs are gorgeous and what a great story to go with them!

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  5. How fun! I've heard Lisa at Women of Faith and love her. Wasn't she lucky to share the stage with your amazing chairs? They really are stunning. Thank you for sharing your talent and a great story! Patti@OldThingsNew

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  6. how neat to meet lisa, and those chairs are AMAZING!! wow!

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  7. Cool story! Beautiful chairs!! Loved Lisa on Facts of Life!

    Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com

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  8. Those chairs deserve center stage! Fabulous job!
    melinda

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  9. Unbelievable chair upscale & blessed story...Thanx for sharing! My castle doors are always open for browsing over at the royal blog. Tiffany

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  10. The chairs are stunning and the conference sounds amazing. Great post. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  11. Wow...how great that you found those chairs...the conference sounded wonderful...and yes. what a thrill to be among so many talented ladies including Lisa...yes, I bet your hubby never complained about chauffeuring her around!!!

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  12. Love the mix of color, pattern and texture! Great redo :) Found you over at Elizabet & Co.

    --Kelly

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  13. Thanks for sharing the story about these pretty chairs...sounds like the conference was GREAT!!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  14. These chairs don't even look the same! What a difference. And I love Lisa Whelchel. What excitement!

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  15. I love those chairs. You did a great job in pairing the fabric with the bold Provence. I wouldn't be surprised if someone begged to buy the pair from you. They're simply gorgeous.

    And please tell me how Lisa Whelchel still looks like a teenager? I hope your husband asked her about her skincare secrets while he was driving her around town. :)

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