Adding Pizzazz!

Of course this is an AFTER picture. I get my tools out to work on something, get it taken apart and then remember to take pictures!!!
 I've had this stool for quite awhile. It's a nice, very heavy piece, but not vintage...just looks that way now!

It worked for me but it lacked pizzazz.  And I need pizzazz!!!

 Molly decided to photo bomb the picture! But you can see the before fabric that she's standing on. Sort of blends with the floor.

And here's a shot of the original fabric and a leg that I haven't wire brushed yet.

It doesn't show in the pics but the white paint has a green tint to it, probably from the gold underneath, so it has a cool look and I prefer warm colors. Also the backside of the leg was severely white, I don't care for distressed pieces that still show "new paint" underneath. As in this case it would really be noticeable.

So I took it apart and wire brushed the legs with my cordless drill fitted with a wire brush.

Wire brushing metal is an easy way to remove rust and paint.  It's also an easy way to remove

your skin...so be careful.

See all of those little wires poking out every which way? I use a pair of long handled pliers to hold the chuck while tightening.

 I used the razor blade to scrape along the sides of the legs to chip off paint.

 After the wire brushing I applied stain with a brush to get into all the nooks and crannies (wiping most of it off with a rag) to change the tint and to help age the paint out. I also distressed the underneath and used stain on it so it has an overall aged appearance.

I got about 4 yards of this beautiful rose upholstery fabric at Goodwill last summer.  There's bits of light blue color thorough out the fabric. It's a nice visual surprise and gives it a modern feel.  I have a couple of projects in the guest bedroom that I'll be using more of it on.

I let the stain set for a day before I used clear wax to add a bit of luster and reassembled.

Here she is all pizzazzed and finished and in the bathroom, a great place to sit while drying my hair!!!

 ~~~Thank you for Popping in
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Wrought Iron Footstool Makeover

It's been awhile since I posted, I've working non-stop getting all my garden areas in shape.  It feels so good to go out and get something accomplished.  They were in fairly desperate straights after not being able to do much last year.  And then we had a bad freeze and I lost quite a few things to boot! I've taken a little time for junking expeditions by hitting a few sales on the way to buy plants~~~that's the kind of multi-tasking that makes life fun!

I just picked this wrought iron footstool up about two weeks ago.  It's been sitting on my deck awaiting it's turn at a makeover.  And as with anything that's on the deck the cats thought it was quite nice to nap on.

The blue top is a faux fur that has seen better days!

Aren't these legs the best! Of curse I love anything that's wrought iron.

I used this bright and cherry floral fabric.  It's an old rubber backed curtain panel from the 60's. I have two very large panels, so when the cats (and they will) mess this one up I can re-do it quick and easy.

I gave the base, which had turned a grayish dull black, a quick coat of black spray paint. Had the whole project done in under an hour!!! It's a great addition to my wrought iron collection, and will come in handy for extra seating at the table and of course it's main purpose~~~To hold napping CATS!

 

Who's that over there reading a book? Why it's my beautiful little garden fairy!

Thanks for popping in~~~

Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

Quick Slip Cover

I purchased this chaise lounge two to three years ago with the intention of recovering it. A cat had used it for a scratching post before I bought it, and my cat hasn't helped matters! It also had a few stains and needed a new cushion.

When the grand kids come in from outside they just "flop" down on it~~~hence a few more of the stains. So I knew traditional fitted reupholstering was not a smart idea. I was going to need something I could just remove and throw in the laundry. Slip covers??? I find the challenge of a slip cover just as daunting as complete reupholstering.

This is a large piece and I knew this was going to be an involved makeover so I really wanted to be sure of my fabric choice.  So I procrastinated~~~ And dreamed~~~

Photo from Victoria magazine March 2002

This is how I envisioned it to look when done. Crisp and tailored with a clean floral pattern. I passed up a chaise in the style above prior to my armless purchase. And I guess I thought mine would magically grow arms~~~

First I couldn't decide on fabric, then I read all about using drop cloths to recover with.  That sounded like my kind of fabric and my thinking had gravitated to a more neutral covering.  So, decision made!

I purchased a new piece of foam and a couple of drop cloths.  When I opened them I wasn't that excited about the color, so I thought some more.  Then I read how to lighten them with bleach, did that~~~After laundering it became apparent that the texture, weight and color  is different between the two  (these were from the same manufacturer and bought at the same time). One developed small thread bare holes while the other came out with rust spots. I needed both to complete the project. And the color is not where I want it to be...CREAMY not greeeny!!!

Then I found this bedskirt...oh my wouldn't that look lovely with the drop cloths...well, NO it didn't. Were back to the color issue again! These might look as if they match...but not in real time.

So I pushed it to the back burner while a chair in the living room played host to an ever growing pile of fabrics. I had also picked up a couple of white flat sheets to use for cutting and fitting templates. You'll also notice a rolled bundle at the back...well that is a mattress cover...they make wonderful covers for in between your foam and outer fabric.

Well this weekend I decided the pile was going to be put away. Heck, maybe the chaise lounge should just go away too!!!  In the end I couldn't resist just one more try to see if I could make it work. And this is what came about~~~

 YES! I used T-pins and string to complete the fitting...this is only semi-permanent!!!

It's not what I want fabric wise, I'm thinking more of a canvas type material. I still want the floral, floor length, flounce around the perimeter.  And I definitely want a slip cover.  But I'll use this for now.  I like how it brightens the area as I transition to a lighter palette.  Also I'll get an idea how it's really going to work with the grand-kids. And hopefully I'll be more inspired to finish the project!!! But for now~~~

 I added my vintage Belgium tapestry pillow to pretty it up~~~

  

"The Fortune Teller"

 

I made this pillow almost two years ago for my booth space...I thought it would be a quick seller...but alas, no one seemed to want to pay $78.00 for it, which I thought to be a reasonable price for it's size (22" x 22") and being uniquely one of a kind.

To make it I added two rows of lace (3" width each) one is an off white crochet cotton and the other is a black polyester.  And I backed it with a gorgeous bronze, satiny fabric. Inside is a wonderful down insert. Took quite awhile to find one that was large enough for the tapestry, as I didn't want to alter the size by cutting. I wanted as much of that lovely pattern as possible.

  

 Well, at least the pillow is done!!!

Thanks for stopping by~~~

Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!