A custom arm chair reupholster project was definitely not on the list of work tasks in the studio this morning… but you never know when inspiration’s gonna hit!

So let’s talk about cats. You gotta love em, right? We have two rad rescue cats in our home and I would have a million more. I just love their attitudes, their snuggles that quick-turn into snaggles, and watching them watch birds outside.

But man, being anti-declawing has some downsides… like when your mom in law gives you a super rad armchair, and the cats decide it’s where they need to be scratching. All. The. Time. For a chunk of years.

Despite whatever you spray in that spot, no matter what cat scratcher opportunities are placed directly in front of it…

I even got cute a couple of years ago and started glueing vintage patches I had picked up from EBay over the damage. And nope, within the last week or two I started seeing those clawed off of the chair and on the floor.

In the studio this morning, as I was about to head to my cozy armchair for some client work, inspiration hit. I don’t need to keep trying to repair that arm of the chair. I literally have the coolest custom reupholstery option sitting right nearby, in the form of a painting drop cloth that I’ve been using for almost 20 years now. Bonus? My mom in law also gave me this drop cloth (it started out as a cute tablecloth), so it’s like kismet that there was just enough of it for an arm chair reupholster project. And it turned out super rad!

Is it a flawlessly perfect reupholster project? Not by a long shot. I spent 20 minutes stretching this painty canvas piece and staple-gunning it in place. But, I’m an artist not a furniture reupholsterer, and I think it’s looking pretty dang sweet. Bonus points? It’s been a work in progress for literally 20 years, and zero other people on the planet has this same exact chair. And the trace smells of paints, mineral spirits, and clear coat seem to have completely offended my feline studio mates.

So thanks, cats.

But you’re still fired.

Special note: Our cat Anthony came from Street Paws Animal Rescue, and they’re needing some help with finding a new building for their operations. Here’s more information on how you can help.

And maybe you love my chair upholstery ridiculousness and want me to help you with yours! You can contact me here.