Thursday, May 19, 2011

One Day, One Chair Reveal

Yesterday, I gave myself a challenge.  I wanted to finish this chair in one day.  I was packing for a quick trip down to The Florida Keys and had to finish all the laundry in the house as well.  I also needed to get a mani/pedi so that I looked presentable to my husband's business contacts on this trip.  Somewhere in between, I wanted to redo this chair.  I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with this chair.  I had no preconceived notions or hang ups.  It's was a clean slate.  I was winging it......   I started with this chair that I got for 2 bucks at a yard sale last weekend. 
"Before"


After dropping my daughter at school, I headed to Joann's Fabrics.  I had rummaged through my fabric piles and nothing inspired me.  I wanted something with some personality.  After grabbing an awesome 40% coupon at the door, I headed back to the decorator fabrics and found this awesome fabric.  I noticed a nice light grey color in the pattern and immediately thought of Annie Sloan's Paris Grey paint.  I happen to have a pint of this paint. The idea of using it on this project excites me because the process of using this paint allows me to skip the priming stage.  Just what I needed for a one day project! Yeah!  I also decided to pick up a new foam cushion.  Before I had left the house I had taken the cover off and found this disgusting chair cover, and was not going to re-use it.
Gross.
On the way home, I stopped back by my daughter's school.  Over half of her class were not in attendance because of some skip school rumor. She had been texting me non-stop.  The guidance counselor confirmed her dilemma, released her and she jumped in the car with me.  I have to admit that it ran through my mind that getting the chair done would be easier without the extra pick up in the mid-afternoon!!  Besides, she is one heck of a laundry captain and I knew she would be helping!!!  I know, bad mommy.....

Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint requires very little prep, so I got right to work painting.  This chair had been neglected for so many years, it devoured the paint. 
I was super pleased. It was already worlds better.  Between layers of paint, I push through the laundry and started on the chair cushion.  It really gave me a run for my money.  These little chair covers are the easiest thing to do.  All it takes is a pair of scissors and a staple gun. But, this one was teaching me a lesson!  The thicker foam cushion made the folding at the corners challenging.
I kept eyeing the center slat on the chair knowing that I wanted to add an accent.  I placed the cushion temporarily in place and decided to add a stencil detail in the same deep rich blue in the fabric.  I have a huge selection of stencils that I have collected over the years, I knew that I could find one with a similar 'feel' as the pattern in the fabric. 

Out came my acrylic paints.  (I am always thankful at this point for my art degree. Oh!!! All the hours spent perfecting mixing paint colors does actually pay off!)  I matched the color mixing two shades, taped on the stencil and went to town.
  
 I also decided to add a little detail to the top of the chair legs.
I lightly sanded the chalky, yummy surface of the chair.  I love this paint because it just melts under the sanding block.  All the drippy and gloppy places easily sand away to a smooth surface. I brushed some of the paint dust lightly over the surface of the stenciled areas to soften their intensity. 

So I got to this stage and stopped.  Sorry that the image is a little dark, the sun was going down. Long day.  I just wasn't satisfied with it.  It didn't feel finished, plus there were some super cool markings on this chair and they are just not visible in this state.  I knew I needed to add some dark accents....but what?

I decided to take a huge risk and mix up a wash out of my dark blue acrylics.  I added a ton of water to it, got a junky brush out and a few rags with extra water.  I thought, "What the heck!  I got nothing to lose."  I knew that I would be posting the results on my blog and I decided to let the chips fall where they may. This Annie Sloan's paint has a seriously powdery surface and I didn't know how the wash was going to 'take' to that surface.

 I just liberally brushed the watered down paint onto the chair, working in small sections. 

I let it set up a little bit and came back with a soft wet rag and wiped off the excess, except in the crevices.  I followed with just a damp cloth and buffed the surface. 
It was at this point that I started to get excited because all those bubbly, yucky, drippy wonderful paint marks were being showcased! Yeah!  It was definitely changing the overall hue of the chair to blue, but I was okay with it. 

Details of the bubbles, brush strokes highlighted
by the glazing.

I finished up the entire chair, buffing the surface one more time rubbing more blue off in certain areas to let the grey show through.  I think it is done and here are the results with the "before" and "after" images.....


-Before-


-After-

 
-Before-
  
-After-


-Before-
-After-
I am super happy with the results now that I took the risk and used the blue wash.  It was great marriage with the chalk paint.  Here are some more images.




I did get the huge piles of laundry done, with the help of my daughter who was playing hookie.  The packing got done late last night and I probably forgot to include something important in the overnight bag due to my sleepiness.  Oh well....  One thing I didn't accomplish....Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnn.......the seriously needed mani/pedi.  Normally I wouldn't care, but this trip is a husband work related excursion. Yep.  I'm in trouble.  We drive out of here in just a few hours.....  I gotta run and get these tootsies done and get this leftover Paris Grey paint and blue acrylic wash off my skin!  Arg!

-The End-
So excited!! I was featured on:


SO EXCITED!! FEATURED ON:


I was FEATURED!!! on

Linking this project up to:


















26 comments:

Katie said...

I absolutely love this!! I think the blue wash looks great! I love that fabric too! I can't believe you finished it in one day! Great work!!!

Kay Kay said...

Hi Les! This is amazing. I'm exhausted just reading it. I've gone thru all of your posts, many of which brought tears to my eyes. I remember that doodle pad next to your bed in your perfectly coordinated college bedrooms. You always had an artistic gift. I am so happy that you are sharing your passion with the world. I can't think of anything more perfect for you.

PS - Thank you for giving me the opportunity to show Jeffrey that some husbands actually do things around the house - including hanging light fixtures! Go Gerry!

laxsupermom said...

Wow! Terrific makeover! I love the extra painted detailing on the chair! Thanks for sharing.

Beth said...

This is an amazing transformation! Love the paint, the fabric, and the details that you painted on! Beautiful!!

Beth

Sherry Hicks said...

This is a very beautiful redo! I love the vibrant blue it is truly a one of a kind!
Sherry

Decor & Harmony said...

Thanks for sharing nice transformation!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Such a great transformation!

Anonymous said...

Hi - visiting from the Shabby Nest party. What an amazing change! I just got my first order of Chalk paint & can't wait to use it this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration! :-)

Katherines Corner said...

Wow! Love that you wen with the blue in the end. Well done!!I enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog. I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner and leave a comment, and maybe even enter the latest giveaway. Hugs!

tofubeast said...

Nice job!!! I can't believe you did it all in one day. wow.

Debbiedoos said...

Girl that is amazing! So pretty, and I love the fabric. Thank you so much for sharing with my newbie party.

xinex said...

Wow! Love the transformation. I like the colors you used too...Christine

Melanie said...

Oh my gosh. I love everything about this chair! The colors and details are amazing! I'm visiting from Debbiedoos and am now following you.

Melanie
youmadethat.blogspot.com

Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers said...

This chair is gorgeous!!! It makes me want to go find a chair of my own to redo. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm visiting from Homemaker on a Dime.

Marie Anne said...

What a gorgeous transformation! I love old chairs and keep saying I want to learn how to refinish them, but I've never tackled the job. Some day ...

Found you through Creative Bloggers Party and now following!

Sylvia N. said...

Great work! Love the stencils! Totally makes the finished project great!

idesign said...

love how this turned out :) and the fabric is to die for! found you over at mad in crafts, stop by for a visit sometime

Jackie
http://jaclyndesigns.blogspot.com/

Helen's Decor said...

Love the newly blue chair! I love makeovers, too. Hope you visit my blog tonight and see my latest makeover.

Unknown said...

I love the quick chalk paint makeovers! ASCP is SOOOO addicting!

very merry vintage style said...

Lesley,
I featured this post on my blog today from last week's link party. I love the finished product!
Mary

Ispirato Design said...

It really looks awesome! So much better after you added that final layer! Keep the projects coming- Newest follower!

sandy said...

This is amazing! I am so glad you went through the process of how you did this. I would love to try this out too!

Amy said...

Your chair turned out fantastic!!! i LOVE chalk paint too!! Love how that you had to get it done in a pinch and did it too! We are featuring you tonight!
Amy
www.Sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Lesley! I love everything about this chair! The stenciling really made me smile, but then when you did the "wash" I fell in love with it.
"catching" you this week,
gail

viagra online said...

I recently doing the same thing with a couple of old chairs that I have in my garage.

Anonymous said...

I love the faux-Suzani fabric!http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&includes%5B%5D=tags&search_query=suzani