Recent Posts

Saturday, March 12, 2011

My Innocent Project

It all began with my donated, stained, but comfy office chair. Most of our office furniture comes in by donations. I snagged this great chair two years ago because I loved the shape but it turned out to have several stains on the seat but as long as I am sitting in the chair no one will know.


In researching furniture, I came along a Martha Stewart YouTube video of "Simply Spray" a fabric and upholstery spray paint. I was thrilled! For $20 I could spray my office chair a funky color and call it a makeover. Well..... that's how it all began.


When trying to order one can of the spray dye I came to find that they only sell in packs of three, this is one of the ways they get you. I ordered plum and a box arrived a week later. I opened it up to find red, not what I ordered. I also found they don't have a 1-800 number, turns out most companies should have one. I e-mailed and they allowed me to mail it back to then receive my correct order. Two weeks later I got my plum order.


I started my removing the nail heads, I thought this would take 30 minutes, about 4 hours later (days actually, I never have four hours) I finally had removed all of the nail heads. Yay! Ready to spray paint! I took it outside on my back porch and laid down a newspaper. I tried but the paint wouldn't come out, it was as though there wasn't any air in the can. I tried another can, nothing. Bryan, thinking I was pressing the button wrong, tried to assist. Also, no luck. Third can... no luck. The paint would randomly and forcefully splatter, not evenly spray. I tried to take a sponge and spread but it was useless. All cans were faulty. Again, back to the e-mail to the company. This time I attached the picture of what appears to be a murder scene in my once adored office chair. Also, the back porch is stained with plum dye (not fixed yet, that's another story). They did however send me three more cans, two weeks later and I had better luck. But, when it dried the fabric was stiff and uncomfortable and the dye was uneven.


I still wasn't any closer to giving my chair a new look. I took a deep breath and knew I was reupholstering my chair, not ready but up for the task. I also under estimated the time it would take to complete the project. I am guessing about ten hours overall, it's hard to know since it took me two weeks, I have little free time to devote to my projects and have several going at once. It was easier than I thought. I removed each piece as it was layered, took many photos of how the seams came together and used the fabric as templates for the new fabric. I am impressed with how it looks, although my nailheads could use some more attention to detail.


I know Bryan is thrilled for me to get it out of the living room, after more than a month.


I purchased the fabric a Zarin's Fabric in NYC. I love that place, not cheap but I love it anyway! I did re-stain the wood after my final pictures to cover up the scratches that exist. E-mail me if you want any ideas or for me to complete a project for you.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Patch the Elbows

I think that all things can inspire. When thinking about home design I like to pull from my fashion. I like unique, different, practical and comfy. I adore elbow patches! They send a statement of vintage, professional and fashionable. I think it would be great to design a lounge chair with elbow patches. I mocked up what it might look like and I think it's fun! I also couldn't find any chairs on the market with the look I designed.




Monday, March 7, 2011

Custom Artwork

I love having a talented sister who is willing to paint custom art for my new home. I bet she taught I was crazy when telling her I wanted an Eames Chair painting, but look how great it is!

Window Bench Project

My second project in my self taught upholstery class is a $20 bench from an antique shop. I liked it because it was simple and affordable. My favorite part of the project was that as I began removing the fabric the layers of fabric just kept appearing. I reupholstered in fabric I purchased years ago, and I sanded and darkened the wood with a deep chocolate stain.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Design advice needed

This is my vanity at the new house, great space but I need ideas to make it me. Tiles? Color?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My list of thrift store finds that I should have bought

You can't wait too long or else the goods one find another home... I hope someone loves them....









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone