Dial 1 for DIY: A Gossip Chair Goes Glam
Some furniture pieces whisper potential. Others shout, “Pick me up—I still have stories to tell!”
This vintage gossip chair with its little phone table was one of those pieces. While Goodwill often sells furniture like this, this particular beauty was far too worn to ever make it to the sales floor. Faded, tired, and forgotten, it was headed for the trash—until I answered the call.
What followed was a true trash-to-treasure transformation using thrifted finds, simple tools, and a little gold-touched imagination.
Here’s how I brought this conversation piece back to life:
1. Dial Up Your Supplies (Make a Call to Goodwill!)
Always begin by finding your good and hunting for timeless treasures at your favorite Goodwill nonprofit retail store. When you spot something unusual—like this so-called “gossip chair”—there’s no need to dial 911. Take it home immediately!
One thing I truly appreciate about Goodwill is that all pieces are carefully screened before they reach the sales floor. This chair had loads of potential, but it was simply too beat up to make the cut. According to the manufacturer’s label on the bottom, this piece was made in 1923, when telephones were becoming mainstream and finding their way into most homes. Wow—we’ve come a long way!
I found this chair in the trash, keeping it out of a landfill. Shopping at Goodwill helps do the same thing every day—supporting sustainability and keeping our planet strong.
While at Goodwill, be sure to browse the dress section to find fabric. Clothing often provides beautiful, high-quality textiles perfect for upholstery. I found three possible options and brought them all home so I could see which worked best with the chair.’
2. Take a Seat… Off
The seat cushion was carefully removed and set aside. This step makes painting much easier and keeps the fabric clean and crisp for later. A small decorative knob was also removed and safely stored with the seat screws, so nothing went missing.
3. Smooth the Surface
The entire piece was sanded to smooth rough spots, then washed, wiped down, and allowed to dry completely. Think of this step as clearing static from the line—everything works better afterward.
4. Roll With It
The original black color was already very attractive, so I made the call (yes—another phone pun!) to keep that tone. I rolled on fresh black paint to revive the piece. The original finish was extremely faded and worn, and this step restored depth and drama. Black always feels classic, timeless, and elegant to me.
For corners and hard-to-reach areas, I used a small foam brush. It made all the difference and helped keep the finish smooth and even.
5. Add a Little Gold on the Line
Here’s where the gossip really gets juicy. Using a gold paint pen, I highlighted select details to bring out the character of the piece. A decorative cut-out was fully filled in with gold to make it pop, and the curved phone-table surface received a thin gold line to emphasize its elegant shape—because every good conversation deserves a little sparkle.
Expert Tip:
Gold paint pens are an easy way to add instant glam. I pressed the soft tip firmly into the table’s edge to slightly shape the pen before starting, which made it simple to draw a smooth, straight line along the curve.
6. Cover the Cushion with Care & Cool
For the seat, I narrowed my Goodwill fabric options down to three and ultimately chose a leopard-inspired print. Why this one?
- The gold tones echoed the painted accents
- The pattern felt classic, vintage, and glamorous
- It was wonderfully soft to the touch (never underestimate comfort!)
I know I made the right call with the leopard print, don’t you agree?
Cut your fabric to size, leaving extra around the edges. Pull it snug and staple it into place with a staple gun. Trim the excess fabric neatly and secure again on the bottom for durability.
Once finished, place the cushion back onto the chair and use your screwdriver to reattach it securely. No dropped calls here—this seat is staying put.
7. Stage the Moment
This is always the most exciting part—showing off your DIY talents and eye-catching Goodwill-found style.
To finish the look, I added a vintage phone—also from Goodwill—with beautiful gold details. The gold in the phone tied everything together: gold trim on the chair, gold accents on the table, and gold tones in the fabric.
Suddenly, this wasn’t just furniture—it was a true conversation starter.
Final Thoughts: Answer the Call
This project is a reminder that beauty is often just waiting for someone to notice it. With thrifted materials, a bit of elbow grease, and a playful eye, something destined for the trash can become a treasured statement piece once again.
So the next time you spot a forgotten chair on the curb or a standout fabric pattern on a Goodwill rack…Dial 1 for DIY—and let the transformation begin!
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Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
