Sweater Chair Re-Do

Well, little did I know that putting my home on the market would cause a little fuss!    I was amazed at how many people checked out www.riverroadhouse.com when apartment therapy ran an item about it.   Although they call it a "mini Turkey Hill" and I'll basically leave my comment about that, well, to myself. 

And then the NY Post put it in the real estate gossip column, which I have to say was kinda cool.   Braden Keil usually writes about people buying multi-million dollar apartments in NYC or listing their $20 million dollar spread in the Hamptons in his column.   And here he is talking about my modest $400K home:

It's easy being green

Environmental lifestyle guru Danny Seo is selling his eco-friendly Bucks County, Pa., bungalow for not a lot of green.

The noted interior designer, who has his own radio and TV shows and has penned five books, is listing the cozy, restored two-bedroom home on a small hillside lot for $425,000.

The maintenance-free property is surrounded by Japanese maple trees, ferns and evergreens.

Inside the 1,000-square-foot 1920s cottage are an upstairs sleeping loft with views of the Delaware River, exposed ceiling beams and a stone fireplace. Seo's updates include a kitchen with energy-efficient appliances, central air conditioning, a marble bathroom and a renovated screened-in porch. There is also a separate outbuilding that could be used as an office or artist's studio.

If that wasn't enough, a copy of the DVD "Simple Steps to a Greener Home," which chronicles the renovation and restoration of the home, is included in the sale.

For more information, visit riverroadhouse.com.

But I digress.    All the interest has been great, but it's always brought up a lot of peculiar questions about my house, too.   

People like the dining room chairs.   They really like them.   Correction: they like my $5 scratch-and-dent Ikea chairs.    And I think I know why.

I reupholstered some floor model Ikea chairs I bought on super-clearance about a year ago with some cashmere and wool sweaters I picked up at Goodwill.   It was easy: just unscrew the seat cushion, wrap a sweater over the cushion, staple gun into place underneath, trim off excess, screw back on and voila!  Sweater chair.

People are asking what the chairs cost.   Or if I'll include it in the sale.   People!    Go to Ikea (or look in your basement for a chair), spend $5 in the scratch and dent and do it yourself!   It's the easiest project ever and the results are really great.

Comments

[susan]

Love your house and you must sell it with all of your furniture or it will lose it's charm. Bet you're looking forward to decorating your new place!

[jenni s-g]

Your house is wonderful--hope you sell quickly. And the sweater chair idea is great!

[Krista]

i find myself drooling over that house and wishing i had the cash to buy it for myself... the furniture really does make it in many ways and those chairs are ingenious.

[Heather]

Just de-lurking to compliment you on the sweater chairs. They're beautiful, cozy, and smart. I love reclaiming fabric to make new things, and felted wool is my favourite material. I make all kinds of things (including zippered pouches, handbags, throw blankets, and pillow covers) from old wool sweaters and blankets. Thank you for all the great green ideas in your books and on your blog!

[patty bolgiano]

Selling your home is always so much fun. I am being sarcastic. Being in the public eye makes you a lightening rod for every insane lquestion. Hopefully your post and how to do it will quell their thirst. Otherwise, you might actually think about selling it all and starting over. There is value in that!

[Tina]

Did you make the table too? I love the table, how did you attach the top (marble?) to the urn?

[Yin]

Those chairs are great! Your blog consistently amazes me! Keep it up!

[Mikes Air Conditioning Repair]

I would be interested to learn what decisions you made concerning heating and air conditioning