How to make random chairs into a set

A client recently purchased a table in my booth, 

and wanted a set of four small chairs to go with it.

Mismatched!

A client after my own heart!

I love mixing things up!!!!

I started with this little random cafe chair.

I painted, waxed and distressed the frame.

 Next, I recovered the seat in this sturdy 

navy/linen striped hemp fabric.

One down…….

 Three to go…

I had to build bases and make foam seats for some of these…

It's important to keep the scale/height

somewhat consistent...This ladder back chair

was a bit too high, and pointed, 

so I simply cut the top off……..

Here's the finished set, all painted and recovered. 

I also varied the way I used the fabric so that every chair is unique.

These were hard to part with….

they are so me.

Instant Makeover for a French Bergere Chair: Painting Upholstery!!!!

I just love a bergere chair!!!!!

I purchased this one a couple of months ago on Craigslist.

I love the size and shape of this chair, 

and the fabric is also in great shape.

It's just, well, not me………

So I've had intentions of reupholstering it one day.  

For now, it's been living in my bedroom.

Yesterday, while I was out and about doing a little retail therapy, 

I ran across some fabric paint that was on sale for $1.99 a tube.  

I've painted vinyl upholstery before with chalk paint with very good results, 

but I've never used fabric paint on fabric.

So this was a first for me.

Well, take a look!

For a $6.00 investment and a couple hours later, 

I have an awesome, gorgeous, white bergere chair!!!!!!

This paint was amazing.  

(I'm still wearing some on my hand.

It's VERY hard to get off….)

 I didn't wet the fabric or anything, 

just vacuumed and started painting.

 It was very easy to use, and covered well.

 This is just with the first coat.

 At first I thought I would just paint the chair, 

and use a white fabric to cover the cushion,

but then I decided what the heck: 

If I hate it, I can recover it.

 And here it is with two coats.

The cushion painted up great as well!

Here's the back.

The paint definitely stiffens the fabric, 

and while I probably wouldn't want to use it on a den chair, 

this is going to work great for an occasional boudoir chair.

 I took it outside and added a coat of wax to the fabric

which definitely took the roughness away.

I think it will also prevent cracking.

Then I buffed.

The fabric feels like a heavyweight cotton duck.

I also used a little Howards Restore-a-finish in Dark Walnut

on the wood frame.

It's beautiful!!!!!

Best $6.00 I've ever spent.

How to make a dresser into a desk!

Here's what I tackled this weekend, and might I say, 

my body still hurts.

But it was a fun assignment. 

And different!

 It started like this:

My client, Robin, had this old dresser 

that belonged to her grandmother who just passed away.

It was a very sturdy piece, just not in the best cosmetic shape….

rather beat up around the base..

And the top was in disrepair…….

But it held sentimental value for Robin. 

However, she didn't need a dresser….

What she needed was a desk, 

and she asked if I might be able to convert it.

Well, heck yeah!

Step One: Remove the drawers.

 Step Two: 

Get a very nice neighbor 

with a sharp handsaw to do the hard work!

(Thank you, Ken!)

 Here's what's left of the dresser after removing the three interior drawers
and frames.

 Step Three: I removed the base molding, 

and shored up the bottom bases with plywood.

Step Four: I cut and nailed bead board to the inside sides and back.

 Here it is at the end of Day One,
back inside for the night:

 Day Two:
Back to it!

I removed all the drawer hardware and
sanded down all the surfaces.

 I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite 

to paint all the drawers and the base.

 Drawers after two coats.

 Next, the top.  I used an orbital sander 

which took all that nasty stuff off and revealed

the beautiful wood.

Here's the piece with the top sanded, 

and everything painted.

 Next I stained the top with Minwax in Special Walnut.

 And here's the piece after all the waxing, buffing, and gilding, 

and the original hardware returned to the drawer fronts.

 Looks fanTAStic!

 Inside, you can see more of the distressing and gilding.
And also the patina of the painted wood, which is not a true black.
It's more of a charcoal and has lots of depth with the waxes I used.

I brushed King Gold gilding wax on some of the edges and details…..

Here you can see the distressed edges. Note the rope trim I added to hide the seams 

where the bead board was nailed to the sides.

Ready for pick-up!!!!!

Thanks, Robin.

That was fun!

And such a clever way to utilize this family heirloom!!!!

Hooks and Racks and Hardware and Knobs…….

I have this thing for hooks and knobs and hardware of all kinds…
Maybe because my mom worked in a hardware store?

Who knows…

I just know I seem to
buy them every chance I get.

I have quite the stash growing.

It's fun to get a little creative
and figure out something fun to do with them.

I purchased this "fin" hook at the beach this past weekend.

With some scrap lumber remnants from an old table,

Some hand painting….

and the hardware, it's a fun wall rack.

These were shiny brass hooks that I painted and stained
to give an antique look.

And here's the 3D fin in all it's glory!

 This plaque I cut from old lumber.
I added an owl piece that I made with a
candy mold and plaster of paris.

I painted…..

Then decoupaged an appropriate saying and framed in scrap rope trim.
Added hooks, and a little hand painting..

Here's a wall rack I made from an old piece of fencing
that I stencilled with type.
I left the weathered finish just like I found it...

 Added a cast iron mermaid that I painted.......

 And some shell knobs……              

 

 Here's another piece of leftover fencing that I painted in pale blue..

Added yet another mermaid and a couple of hooks.

And hand painted some type and waves..

Snail knobs…

"happy trails to you."

(Get it??)

 ..spatulas for hooks..

 Goodwill wooden plaque...

 becomes a "this little piggy"
hook rack

 Another thrift store plaque..

 reinvented with a bovine theme.

Foot fetish?

I have one for you, too.

I used an old wooden shoe form for this one.

And here I used dog head knobs 

for a place to hang leashes.

Oh, Deer!

Stop me!

Please!