My Turquoise Bag

Now that we are Wintering in our new home, I’ve been slowly checking off some home projects from my checklists.

One of those projects was to re-upholster my beloved, but worn out, antique chair.

This chair has been loved once before. I originally refurbished it back in 2011 when I found it in a cluttered St-Jacobs antique shop, and took it upon myself to give it a new life.

After fourteen years of moving from home to home, used as a catch-all chair on my vanity or as a guest chair, it was time for another refresh.

Some of my day-one readers will remember this chair. Years ago, I blogged about my exciting DIY transformation here.

From dark and dreary, to ivory and sage green florals, this project sparked a deep joy for my 26-year-old self.

Fast forward to now, my chair only needed new fabric since the ivory paint held up well.

Given our lakeside bedroom is airy and coastal, I opted for a light blue-grey shade.

“This reminds me of a Bridgerton blue”, I told myself when I held it in my hands at the fabric store.

After a bit of manual effort that I forgot was required for this project (and feeling impressed my younger-self tackled on her own as her first furniture project), I patiently removed the old staples, pulled the old fabric, and I re-upholstered a fresh new canvas of coastal blue.

With this project checked off as complete, I feel a sense of sentimental pride to see the different versions of this chair, because it has followed different versions of myself.

My single Twenty-something version rummaging antique shops and selecting staple guns and paint samples at the hardware store, to my Thirty-something version sitting on this chair getting my bridal hair done for my pandemic wedding, to this near-Forty homeowner version who wakes at 7am on frigid mornings to catch Wintery sunrises by the lake.

This chair has seen it all.

The thought of what this chair could look like in its future iterations crossed my mind.

Would I go back to florals? Maybe try geometric print? Perhaps I opt for a velvet texture next? A new paint colour? So many potentials to transform.

Drifting off to daydream, I ponder the same thing about myself.

What is next for me?

Satisfied with the peaceful vignette I created for myself by the window, I tell myself that all will be revealed in due time.

For now, I want to stay here: my lakeside blue version.

In the words of Rupi Kaur:

“I will never have
this version of me again.
Let me slow down
and be with her“.

So, friends and readers, here’s to appreciating each version of ourselves as we evolve.

After all, they are the ones that got us here.

A “here” is a good place to be.

xo