Some times you find things in the most unexpected places, for instants a odd dinning chair in the middle of a park car.. yep this really did happen, I actually do think they are following me or the word is out on the street that I give makeovers to even the saddest looking chairs, when I saw her just sitting there looking a little bit lonely I thought this is your lucky day, your coming home with me. I had a good look around the car park to see if any one was watching me as I quickly walked over to this chair picked her up and popped her into the back of my car, my deed of the day.

 

 

 

As she was a freebie I thought I would experiment and just have fun, I wanted to go for a real distressed not so perfect looking upholstered chair. Embracing the imperfections, I painted this chair in a light coat of french linen, heavily distressed the frame (which I love). For the upholstery I wanted it to look like this chair was upholstered in old french grain sacking, as vintage sacking is very expensive these days I just upholstered this chair in thick natural linen and stencilled the french writing on the back and finished off with chrome studs that I aged using black acyclic paint. I love, love, love stencilling and I want to do this again I also like the studs as a stylish alternative to double pipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think she turned out just fine, and you wouldn't dare find her dumped in the corner of a car park but you will find her in her new home, Jamie's walk in wardrobe taking pride of place. 



Upholstery update :: sky blues the limit

when you start with a chair that looks like it’s been kept in a skip for the last 20 odd years its exciting knowing that you are going to bring this poor little chair back to life and by the time your done with it, it’s going to be a complete head turner.

I took this pic after I stripped it down, originally it was upholstered in red velvet with brass studs, making this chair look OTT and tacky as the wooden frame is already elaborate enough, I wanted to make this chair look elegant and more simple.

 

I got to learn how to button this term which was really interesting, working out the dimensions for the diamonds and covering buttons by hand is a lot harder then I imagined and the little arms can be fiddly to, but the end result is worth every minute as I’ve fallen completely in love and this will be a hard one to let go.

 

 

I painted this chair in Paris Grey - Annie Sloan {new addiction} I sanded the edges, I think this also helps bring out the beautiful detail that’s in the wooden frame and I decided to go for natural linen in sky blue.

I think this chair would look amazing in a bedroom or if you had a walk-in wardrobe you could have this chair to sit and try on all your beloved shoe collection. {I think Carrie would approve} yep I think I've found the perfect excuse ladies for us to own a chair like this.

Giving your books the perfect ending ...

 

pic was sourced from www.bookabookshop.co.uk

Inspiring hand crafted hare bookends by Carol Ridler painted in Farrow and Ball with two beautiful shades to choose from - Charleston Grey and Downpipe.I do think this pair of little hare's are stunning and any shelve would look super chic with this style bookends sitting nicely against your beloved collection , so today I got excited when I came across these vintage nautical bookends, I decided to take some inspiration and create a chic rustic look, painting them in Annie Sloan - Paris Grey and giving them a distressed finish and adding natural twine bows to give some charm... tadaah!