Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Another project from 2012.

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Because I'm on a "spending diet" here, I can't work on any major projects. And even a couple of smaller ones that I'm really itching to do will require painting, and it's just too cold outside, even in the garage. So that will have to wait.

That's why I decided to share with you a project that I actually finished back in September of last year. I'm not sure why I never told you about it, especially because it's one of my most favorite projects ever.

In our living room (that also doubles as a media room) we always could use extra seating. But for the longest time 3 out of 4 corners of the room had the same coffee tables. Finally, I decided that we needed a chair in one of them. But after looking for a while, I couldn't find anything I liked. It was either the color or shape, or, most of the time, the price. The thing is, I wanted something bright, a pop of color. Honestly, I wanted my favorite color - teal. Unfortunately, teal colored chairs are rare and expensive (like the one right here). I knew I needed to cut some corners.

After looking at thrift stores and classifieds, I one day stumbled upon this beauty:

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I loved it's shape and trim work. I absolutely hated the color (especially next to our old carpet :). You can't really see it from the picture but it was actually pretty beat up. The previous owners - a cute elderly couple- had it sitting under a porch for a while. But it was only $20, and I couldn't resist.

At first, I was thinking of reupholstering it. I knew I couldn't tackle it by myself (just look at the chair back alone!!). But after an appraisal, well...it was cheaper to buy new! So after looking online and getting inspired by some very crafty people, I decided to...paint it. Yep, you heard me right! I painted it using this:

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I think Hubby thought I was crazy at first... Let me be honest with you, it was not a VERY cheap project considering the price of each bottle was about $7 at Michaels. I ended up using 8 bottles but I bought every one of them with a 40% coupon. This project did require some patience while I accumulated all of the paint :)

In a bottle this paint looks this pretty teal but as I started painting, I got this:

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A fluorescent aqua-blue...Brrr!! So I went and got another bottle of black paint. I only needed a teaspoon of black per each bottle of turquoise to get a color I wanted. I used a soft brush and  it took two layers of paint for full coverage. Originally the fabric of this chair was kind of scratchy, and after I painted it, it feels a little more like vinyl. And that's how it looks right now:

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L.O.V.E! It looks exactly how I wanted it (and even my Hubby loves it now). I haven't decided yet if I want to paint the wooden parts but I do want to keep the trim, so more than likely I'll keep it as it is:

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And here's my favorite chair, people. I often curl in it with a book, and kids love to play on this chair too. It's very sturdy and gives our room just the pop of color we needed. One more picture, a little bit closer:

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Unfortunately, the pictures don't show the real color (I'm still learning to use my camera) because the color is subtle teal, more like the inspiration chair from World Market. And this chair ended up costing $60 which is more than $200 in savings. As I said it wasn't cheap but you still can't beat the price.

Now I wonder why it took me so long to share it with you? :)

I shared this project with these awesome parties:

My Turn For Us 


Blissful and Domestic
HookingupwithHoH  
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

mop it up mondays feature

Button pic 9
Furniture Feature Fridays UndertheTableandDreaming
TDC Before and After

27 comments:

  1. I've never heard of painting a fabric chair and it looks amazing. A nice fresh colour.
    Carolx

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  2. I love it. The lines of the chair itself are beautiful and personally I wouldn't paint the wood. I never though of using the paint for the fabric though.

    It really does look beautiful. I wonder if the paint would work on my queen anne chair that I can't afford to recover but love to much to get rid of.

    Great job

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  3. Lena, once again you "rocked" the World of DYI Projects ! I would personally leave the wood myself too as I love old wood. LOVE it!

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  4. How cool is that!! I would never have thought to use fabric paint on a chair. It looks great and a one of a kind to boot!!!

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  5. Holy cats; you are a genius! That chair looks amazing and not painted at all! Seriously, when is your DIY tv-show starting? :) Awesome!

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  6. That turned out awesome! I have been wanting to try to paint a piece of furniture like that but was concerned with how it might turn out. Now I know :) I'll have to be on the lookout for a chair!

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  7. I swear, if you lived closer to me, I'd be dragging you over here to help me do these awesome DIY projects that you're so awesome at!!! lol! Love the chair, it's beautiful! :)

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  8. My living room corner needs a chair, I wish I had the DIY skills to do one myself!

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  9. So, I'm guessing that the beat-up part of the chair was the wood, and fabric was in pretty good shape or you wouldn't have painted it? You have opened up a lot of possibilities as I think of painting other fabrics besides a T-shirt.

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  10. Love it! Teal is becoming my new favorite color! I have never painted fabric but have heard of it. I am looking for a chair for our computer desk so if I find one I like but not the fabric I will think about painting it after seeing this!

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  11. SHUT the front door. You are my new hero. I canNOT believe you painted this chair. I saw it on Blissful & Domestic and was like, "That piece is stunning." So, here I am, admiring your chair! The color you chose is perfect and bold. You truly have a gift for seeing things as they CAN be, rather than for what they are.

    Blessings from Oklahoma,
    Meredith

    P.S. I'm your newest follower.

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  12. I to have never heard of doing that. I am guessing it still has movement in the fabric that it doesn't "crack" or anything? I too would not touch the wood; or if you really hate the colour restain it, but do not paint it. I love the shape also.

    Gill

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  13. Such a great idea! I need to keep that in mind when I go to redo some chairs!

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  14. Beautifully done. I love the way the back of it fans out. Amazing what a little paint has done to bring back the beauty.

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  15. So glad I got to see it in person. I got a sneak peek!

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  16. Love this chair and you are right, you can't beat the price. I would still call it a steal. Amazing work Lena.

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  17. That looks awesome! Ok I gotta get a chair & try that I had no idea it was so easy! U have a great blog.
    I am stopping by today from Mop It Up Mondays Blog Hop!

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  18. Hi I found you on the Blog hop. Now following you. Please stop by and say hi when you get a minute. have a great week. :) Please check out my new Weekly Goals Blog hop. You can find it here. http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup.html#more Would love it if you would link up with me. Have a great evening.

    Lenetta

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  19. I love what you did with your great find. I bought a chair just like it and had it reupolstered and it was expensive. The guy that redid it for me told me it is called a barrel chair because of the shape of the back and it is a very good structure. You found a great deal. I wish I would have known about painting fabric when I bought me. Great job!

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  20. What a fantastic idea! I just became the owner of an old chair with great bones but dated fabric. I think I'll have to try this! Thanks.

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  21. Wow! It almost looks the same as the one on the link! Great thinking! This is arts and crafts 101; always think outside the box! I'm sure this make your media room more alive! I like the color that you chose! It looks so fresh and pretty! :)

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  22. Wow!! i love it. Gosh, I really do. Tell me something is it soft to the touch? Does it feel painted? I am in awe.

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    Replies
    1. Honestly, it was never soft to begin with, and it got just a touch more rough. But we love it, and kids sit on it all the time!

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