There's nothing we love more than an IKEA hack, but flatpack revamps can be pretty technical these days. We're always in awe of the impressive built-ins people create from IKEA's (dare we say it) bland furniture, but not all of us want our DIYs to involve power tools. Sometimes, it can be as simple as some bespoke upholstery.
That's all it took to transform these off-the-shelf armchairs into a thing of beauty. Interior designer Ashley Montgomery was tasked with transforming the June Motel in Ontario's Beaver Valley, and as part of the project she gave these basic barrel chairs a high-end makeover. The finished result is custom-made, budget-friendly, and so easy for you to try yourself and tailor to your tastes. If you thought IKEA hacks had to be technical, think again.
The inspiration for this IKEA furniture hack was born after Ashley Montgomery and motel owners April and Sarah had their eyes on a set of beautiful chairs. 'We fell in love with a design by Greenrowe but unfortunately it was out of budget, so we decided to get creative and find a fabric that gave us that same wow feeling,' says Ashley.
To recreate a similar look, they started with two IKEA TULLSTA armchairs. While the Swedish homeware brand offers three colors to choose from, none have the charm or character the team wanted to bring to the lobby space, so they decided some pretty pattern was in order. 'This was the pop of color we needed in the space,' explains Ashley. 'The chairs now help to ground the art wall and have become a piece of art themselves. It makes a great statement in the room.'
They sourced the fabric from Lulie Wallace and had custom slipcovers made for the chairs by J&J Fabrication. The unique, one-of-a-kind result has helped them achieve the 'cozy country girl' aesthetic they hoped for thanks to the whimsy botanical print that ties the whole space together. In total, their thrifty project saved them around $2,000 per chair!
It's so easy to replicate the same idea in your home for a statement living room accent chair, too. The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing the design of your material, and you could choose any chair that takes your fancy. If you're a dab hand at sewing, you could even make the slipcovers yourself, otherwise, send your measurements to your local seamstress to create your bespoke upholstery. There's no need to stop at one set of slipcovers, either. Having multiple designs stored away allows you to switch up your covers with the seasons - or your mood!
'Everyone has furniture they love but might not be your style anymore - but the bones are good,' explains Ashley. 'Hacks like this allow you to give pieces a new life and make it your own. This one allows you to get a custom-looking piece of furniture at a great price point - and fully unique to you.'
