Woman Thrifts Vintage Chairs—Year Later Realizes What Was Hiding Underneath

Newsweek

6 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When 26-year-old Sabrina McClenithan flipped a chair to mop her dining room floor, she didn't expect to stumble on a secret.
The Florida-based content creator and her boyfriend had scored the dining set for just $25 at a local thrift store. "We knew it was a great deal," McClenithan told Newsweek. "The table had handwriting underneath showing it was handmade, and I liked the light green fabric—it had this soft cottage feel that really fit our space."
The couple had been using the set for a year when McClenithan spotted a tiny thread of yellow fabric poking out from underneath. "I didn't have the tools to take them apart properly, so I procrastinated," she said. "Then months later, lying in bed, it hit me: just take an X-ACTO knife to it."
Pictures of the moment McClenithan first saw the fabric on the chair, and when she uncovered the original upholstery.
Pictures of the moment McClenithan first saw the fabric on the chair, and when she uncovered the original upholstery.
@social.butterfly.babe/TikTok
The next day, she filmed herself cutting into the chair—and captured her stunned reaction when she unveiled the vintage yellow floral fabric hidden beneath the gingham covers. "The look on my face is totally authentic—I was shocked," she said.
The vintage fabric was underneath a gingham fabric that had been upholstered over the top, and the yellow florals were in amazing condition.
Online, McClenithan's followers were just as amazed as she was, and the video quickly gained more than 1.3 million views on TikTok since being shared a week ago.
Some offered restoration tips, while others speculated there could be yet another layer hiding underneath the seat. "I had no idea the controversy it would create," McClenithan said. "People from around the world weighed in on what I should do next. It's wild."
"Incredible find, love this for you" said viewer Ry. While TikToker Kaitlin wrote: "The way my jaw DROPPED."
A picture of the chairs before and after the vintage fabric was uncovered.
A picture of the chairs before and after the vintage fabric was uncovered.
@social.butterfly.babe/TikTok
Another viewer said: "I like to think the old owner was keeping it in good condition for you lol."
McClenithan now plans to properly refurbish the chairs, and possibly investigate further. "I wish I knew where they came from," she said. "But that's the magic of a thrift store: giving new life to something that's already been well loved."
This isn't the first time someone has stumbled on an incredible thrift-store find. In 2024 a man was dubbed a "thrifting legend" when he stumbled on a genuine Louis Vuitton purse worth upwards of $300.
While earlier this year a woman was digging through a tray of costume jewelry when she struck gold. The woman based in Michigan stumbled on a $2.71 pair of earrings that she snapped up after noticing their high-quality details, only to later discover that they were vintage Chanel, worth up to $750.