Transformers: Turning a Chair into a Rocker

Making Spaces in the Tiniest of Places:  Two weeks ago I posted a story, Bringing Up Bebe, where I shared nesting tips for a new arrival.  I included a brief write up on how my sister in law turned a favorite chair of hers into a rocking/swivel chair when she was preparing for her Lil' Birds September arrival.  We wanted to share her story and show you how you can do the same:  

 By Theresa Gonzalez

One of the joys about living in NYC is the many flea markets and vintage stores available at your fingertips.  You can really snag a ONE OF A KIND piece that no one else has to accent your personal style. I found my lovely armchair for only $25, at a "fire sale".  The chair fit perfectly in our cozy one bedroom apartment-tucked in the corner by the window.  So why, a few years later, when announcing the arrival of our Lil' Bird did everyone insist I get rid of it, something I love, in order to make room for one of these?

I mean really, does being a mommy mean dropping all sense of individual style and buying everything from one unnamed mega store with a giraffe mascot!?!? 

I was determined to keep my chair and my style!

I found inspiration from other mommies online who faced a similar dilemma - how to keep a family heirloom or a favorite upholstered chair without investing too much money on an essential nursery piece? The answer was simple - conversion!!!

Materials You’ll Need:

1.  A friend who is handy with tools! Even though you may be a crafty like myself, flipping arm chairs,     will entitle you to some help when you are 8 months pregnant.

2.  3/4" of hard wood board (minimum thickness). You can try a hard wood like poplar or maple.

3.  A swivel/rock unit 

4.  If you don’t have a thick frame on the chair like ours get 2 blocks of wood, 3/4" or thicker, by 1.75" or wider, by 11" or 12" long to build your chair’s frame  (Remember, for aesthetic purposes check the overall diameter of your swivel/rock hardware. Make sure it is slightly less than the base of the chair, otherwise the black legs will protrude out. This is especially important if your chair doesn't have a skirt.  That may be a deal breaker.) 

Step By Step Guide to a Swivel/Rocker: 

1. Take your favorite chair and flip it upside down. Examine the structure and see where the true frame base of the chair is. You may have to remove a dust cover and some chair legs for this step.

2. Measure the base and cut a piece of 3/4 inch hard wood to the dimensions of the base. You are a creating a plate on the base for the swivel piece to attach. 

  *Note: My chair has rounded corners, so we made a template using tracing paper and transferred it to    the piece of wood in order to have a true fit.

3.  Attach the swivel hardware to the base: First, center left to right on the plywood, then slightly off center swivel front to back.  

* Note: This may take a couple of test rocks to see where the best center of gravity falls on your chair so don't fully attach yet.  For example, if you attach the hardware too far back the chair will tip forward and if you attach too far forward you'll feel like you are about to do a back flip when you sit down.  A couple of tries will ensure you get "just the right fit". Once you get that "fit" attach securely. 

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    It's been a year now and we have been enjoying endless quality time with our Lil' Bird in this beautiful new swivel rocker!
    
    

• {For a more detailed step by step instruction visit}

  
  

  Let us know how you made space in your tiny place for your impending new arrival. We'd love to hear from you and share your story!