I'm a Turnupstuffer

I am a turnupstuffer from way back. What is a turnupstuffer you ask?

‘Somebody who finds the stuff that turns up if only you look, of course. What else would it be?… The whole world is filled with things that are just waiting for someone to come along and find them, and that’s just what a turnupstuffer does.’

(Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren)

As in the books of Pipi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren read to me in my childhood, I still enjoy a bit of dragging home stuff that turns up. This happens more often since we moved into a postcode where the local council collects larger items of household refuse every two weeks.

Back when I was in my running every morning phase (you may remember my lucky 8 promise - that has kind of stalled)

I planned a run one morning after school drop-off and then it started raining - I got peeved and went anyway.Which was great- I felt oh-so righteous, and then I met this chair..

Someone actually put out this amazing chair on the curb, for council clean-up on the Monday morning, and it was really unique not to mention wet and a bit sad looking.

I thought, with the seat curve the reflecting those of our 1950's club chairs, and the wicker and square back working with our boxy modular sofa and our wicker toy-box, it might just tie in all our pieces. With a clean- up, dry out I thought it would be a synch to recover in suede.

Anyway, Mr Frenchie was horrified so I gave him the stink-eye to show him I meant business.

Anyway, I thought it may still go out on the curb, for Monday or I might donate it to my friend @SewPaintIt who restores furniture for light entertainment.

You could easily see how it screwed together and it looked like a synch, but the BLOODY SCREWS WOULD NOT COME OUT!

My Ryobi power-drill/screwdriver shrieked and groaned until the pair of us where shrieking in unison and the screw heads where being ground smooth. I sent an emergency text to SewPainIt, and she replied to bring the chair around, leave it with her and then, well leave it with her.  She had an idea it would be very nice whitewashed with a fresh aqua fabric base, sitting in living room. :0)

In the end I took it over and she and SewPaintIt hubby got my screws out for me, and gave it back to me, God love 'em.

Enthusiastically I pulled the chair to bits, coated  the cane back in Reviva acid wash to remove the tannin tinge and followed that with a coat of new stain to freshen it up.

Then I took one look at the base and lost my will to DIY or rather DIM (Do It Myself).  So many tacks! So very many staples! oh my fingernails...

So the back was leaned up against the living room bay window and the base was sent upstairs to be tripped over and cursed for a month or so.

If only I had a dollar for every child who came to our  house on a play-date during that time, who asked about the big cane thing leaing against the window;

"What's this?"

"It's the back of a chair."

"It doesn't look much like a chair.."

Sighing; "I know."

So finally, months later, and many offers (from you know who) to take it off my hands. Many offers from my lovely husband to go out an choose a 'nice' new chair...

I broke every one of my nails but the deed is done!

The difference in pictures is subtle, but I can assure you it rocks in charcoal (faux) suede and the cane has lost it's greenish tinge. I may still have to invite the SewPaintIts to dinner and subtly suggest they bring their power tools because I CANNOT GET THE BLOODY SCREWS TO GO IN all the way.

Not that you can really tell....

 Now if you are interested in this Turnupstuffing caper there is further fun and information on: The Museum of Turnupstuffing: celebrating found art treasures.  AND if you want more inspiration than I've provided here (wouldn't be hard) try Funky Junk Interiors and be blown away.

PS: I also found this little beauty on the roadside, with a broken suitcase jammed unceremoniously into it.

It's a perfect fit for my ceramic planter and looks a treat on our balcony. It's a good match with our cafe setting and the iron lacework. :0)

Hey SewPaintIt lady, it's Council Clear-up Monday, do you want to swing over this way and do a drive around with me tomorrow?