29.5.12

twin sisters

I always wanted to have a twin sister.  Maybe that explains my fascination with pairs of chairs.  Mia has diagnosed me as having a serious illness and endless need for petite pairs of chairs.  And I hate to say it, but she's dead on. Who can leave a pair of chairs at a thrift store?  NOT ME.

I think I'm rubbing off on her because last year when she went {camping for Mother's Day}, she brought a pair of French armchairs home with her, not knowing where she would use them.  They sat in her garage for 6 months, and one day I asked her if I could take them off her hands.  She was a pal to sell them to me for exactly what she had paid for them, $7.50 each.  I love nothing more than a pair of chairs that total $15.00 and are just begging for some love. 

 

Have I mentioned I have a team of excellent friends?  Well, G came over last week to help me start the re-birth of the French chairs, and she had the grandest idea.  Why not paint the upholstery?  She had helped Mia {paint a French chaise} last year that turned out beautifully.  I was sad at myself for not thinking of it on my own, but G pulled through for me, like always.  The upholstery was in perfect condition, and the workmanship was excellent.  With nothing to lose, we got started.


Since this pair of chairs sits at either end of my kitchen table, the finish this technique creates is perfect for a daily wipe down.  The painted fabric becomes almost vinyl-like, making cleaning it a snap.  Just like Mia, I followed {this tutorial}, waiting patiently between each coat for proper drying.  I also used very fine sandpaper after each layer of paint dried to make it really smooth. 


The chairs were painted a soft gray then lightly distressed and waxed for protection.  I painted the cane a crisp white, inspired by this picture I have had saved forever.  I love the contrast.


It was also G's idea to paint the cushions white and add a faded stripe or two to create a vintage grain sack look.  I loved the idea, and as soon as the paint was dry, I taped off the stripes and got to it.  (at midnight, sorry for the awful picture)  I made sure to press the edges of the tape down really well so the paint didn't seep underneath.  Also, I used the same "recipe" for the paint mixture when I mixed up the color for the stripes.  The textile medium is a key component.


And here are my twins! 


This project was so economical because the only thing I had to buy was some textile medium from  Hobby Lobby.  With a 40% off coupon, it was around $3.50.  I don't know if the painted upholstery will last a lifetime, but it's certainly a great solution for the time being, and the price was perfect.



I'm super happy with the way they turned out.  It's great to mark something off of my mental checklist of endless projects.  Every time a friend comes over, things get done around here.  Thanks G.  I'm going to will these terrific twins to you!

36 comments:

  1. I am a twin and we are {pretty} close. Mia sounds like the closest thing to a twin sister for you, though!

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  2. Gorgeous! Well done, well styled and well photographed. Awesome work. I love them as much as the painted chaise! I added them to my page of examples of painted upholstery AND I did a post today that includes them and links to your fabulous blog.

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  3. excuse me? I think they're going to be willed right back to mwwwwaaaahhhh!
    Love them. Mia

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  4. Well, what a transformation! I love the brown stripe... different from the predictable grey and so classic!

    And if Mia can tear herself from your coffin, they're all hers. I'll be racing ahead with my walker and companion oxygen tank to loot your home as soon as we say "amen" at the funeral, anyway. Not that you won't be missed, my dear Jilly... but let's not even pretend about that day for another 50 years!

    They turned out beautifully!

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  5. These are soooooo fabulous! I am dying to have some chairs like this and can't find them period, much less for $7.50 a pop!

    Jealous. :)

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  6. They look really great. What do they feel like when you sit on them? That would be my only concern. Otherwise, what a great and economical change. Thanks for sharing, liz

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    1. Hi Liz:
      The fabric feels like vinyl now that they have been painted, which doesn't bother us at all for the kitchen! I wouldn't want my favorite family room chair to have painted upholstery, but they wipe down like a dream after every meal served up in my kitchen!
      xo,
      Jilly

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  7. OMG!*!*! I just can't believe how FaB they turned out!*!*!
    Jeanine Burkhardt

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  8. REally love... in the last picture they almost look pearlized ! So pretty, a great Repurpose
    of lovely chairs. And, the stripes to mimic grainsack are a sweet touch.
    I think I hear an old chair calling..

    Diana

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  9. i've painted chairs like this, but, the stripes are so awesome! i might have to add some to mine:) tfs!

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  10. OMG, I can't believe your friend bought these for $7.50 each. I'm English, so that's about £5.00, and no-one anywhere would sell them for such a reasonable price, over here.
    They look amazing, in fact I've been meaning to paint a bucket chair for ages, with stripes (honestly, I did have the idea before I saw your chairs, lol !) - you've inspired me to get on with it !

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  11. I tried following, but for some reason GFC just won't work for me tonight. I'll try again later

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  12. When I read paint and upholstery in the same title I was curious enough to hop over from Miss Mustard Seed. Such an expected beauty in those cushions. I love that style chair and cannot believe they sat in someone's (who shall remain nameless) garage. Lucky, lucky you!

    Distressed Donna Down Home

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  13. love and looking for someone who has a set in their garage.love every step of the way

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  14. Oh, my gracious sakes! These are beautiful!! And honestly? I didn't know fabric could be painted like that. I must read your tutorials now... Thanks so much for sharing and teaching me something new.

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  15. Seriously? Ok, this is just SO cool!! I love how these chairs turned out, and the stripes are just the icing on the cake!
    Really lovely! Found you via Funky Junk. Am following you now.

    Have a great weekend!
    xo-Lisa

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  16. Oh my word, they are amazing. I have seen others paint the upholstery. I need to keep that in mind for future projects. Stunning results. Hugs, Marty

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  17. Wow!!Great job! These look fabulous now. I bet your friend is wishing she had the chairs back now that they look soooo good!

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  18. I love this so, so much! Such a fantastic project.

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  19. I just saw this on Before & After's blog and had to come tell you that your chairs are the bomb! No matter who's idea it was, it turned out FANTASTIC. You girls rock.

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  20. Those look awesome...and I never knew you could paint upholstery! Awesome! I hope you have a blessed day!

    Blessings, Grace

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  21. beautiful! I need to be so brave and paint a chair pair of ours :) thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. I adore your chairs! I can't believe you painted them - I love how they came out! I would really be so happy if you stopped by my blog home to link these up to my party! They are too fab not to share!
    Stacey of Embracing Change
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

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  23. What brand of paint did you use? I hopped over from Miss Mustard Seed also, so excuse me if you had that on a previous post. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Hi Kimberly:
      I used a bright white kitchen and bath enamel paint. Every tutorial I have ever read on painting upholstery says you can use any latex paint. (water clean-up) I just used what I had in white, which just happened to be the kitchen and bath enamel latex. Worked great!
      xo,
      Jilly

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  24. Stopping by via MMS. Gorgeous chairs. Great job. You just inspired me to get to work on a couple of vintage folding chairs I was dreading reupholstering.

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  25. I've never painted fabric before. Does it feel hard after you've done? It looks great!

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    1. Hi Debbie:
      I would describe the fabric as feeling just like vinyl after it has been painted. Probably not ideal for a family room couch, but perfect for two kitchen chairs that are going to be wiped down multiple times a day.
      xo,
      Jilly

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  26. First time visiting and it won't be my last! Love the chairs and I NEED to grow some lavender just like that!

    Brigid
    Favoriteblingsandthings.com

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  27. These are just beautiful! I'm going to be haunting my local charity shops for some chairs in need of some love :)

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  28. Featured you!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  29. Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I have been trying to figure out what to do with the 6 dining chairs I purchased A YEAR AGO that have sat...all brown and ugly...in our house just waiting for their day in the sun. Two toned. GENIUS. If I lived near you I'd drop a case of diet coke off on your porch.

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  30. What a gorgeous chair makeover! Love the stripes.

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We LOVE comments and we read every single one. Go ahead, make our day!
Mia & Jilly