I just love a good collaboration, don't you?

I just love a good collaboration, don't you?

We've had some amazing ones through the years and are now embarking on our first one that involves the art of upholstering!

I have long nursed the dream that one day I could learn this very involved craft, but so far have not had the opportunity or bandwidth to do so. (Can I hear an "amen"?)

But as with many crafts, I've come to realize that honestly, I don't need to be an expert in each one. (A little dabbling here and there doesn't hurt, though!)

Instead what I need to do is find friends who are experts in certain areas so that we can all enjoy the beautiful creations they specialize in!

For instance, my friend Holly keeps bees, my friend Tracy crafts jewelry, and my niece Hannah crochets. The list could go on and on, and I am in awe of each one!

What my new friend Nadia does is to transform furniture ~ taking it from tired to show-stopping. Nadia's business card for her business called Sweet One Designs says that she is a "Chair Stylist" and I love that clever term!

Nadia does way more than chairs, though!

Check our her Instagram and website to see more of her masterpieces like the one above.

Nadia's "welcome" message on her website really speaks to me.

This part is especially poignant and gets to the heart of what a creative strives for: "As a seasoned author, editor, and English educator, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the art of self-expression. Today, I still love to tell stories — through fabric! I strive to bring narratives to life not only with words, but also with the colors, textures, and patterns of my designs."

Oh, that makes my heart sing!

I recently got to go behind the scenes at Nadia's studio and learn how she takes chairs and sofas down to their bare bones and rebuilds them, tying springs together and adding all the necessary batting, etc. and then just-the-right fabric needed to bring new life to well-loved pieces.

Chris and I teamed up and used the color French Linen (it's a French chair, we had to!) and white wax, both by Annie Sloan® to refresh the arms, legs, and back of the chair.

Now we are going to pass it off to Nadia to do her magic using our Toile of Thomasville fabric!

We cannot wait to share the finished project with you!

xo,