Not so simply painted furniture...

Ok, I was curious as to if it could be done and....drum roll please. IT CAN!




"It" is painting fabric couches, chairs, or sofas. Why would I want to know that? Well, if you have to ask, just hang around and get to know me.

I purchased these at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.



In the pic, you see how dark the chairs were? Initially, I was attracted to the clean modern lines and Then i sat in them. Wow, Comfy! But they were a soulful, dreary, blue, dotted, former office, something or other. I was NOT diggin' that. The good part, was they had no smells...for the sake of time, we won't even go there!and no sweet doggy would not get out for the picture

We needed something comfy for our living room, because this is where we spend most of our time. The goal was to have something we could sit comfortably in and watch TV, or just browse the net. I wanted something with a low back, so it could fit in front of my bay window; I love an unobstructed view of nature.

I knew this project was going to be a challenge, but had no idea of how much of a challenge until I got into it. Leave it up to me to choose the hardest way to do everything. Going from a dark color to white. As I look at my white knuckles, and sore back, ...... Hindsight is a real "bee-yotch"!
This is my inspiration...not sure where these pictures are from honestly. If you know please tell...



Or this one...




So, now I have a nice clean palette to create with. I can't wait to add a design or some nice embellishments to it! The finish is smooth and soft and the best part? Yup, the finish is transitional, so I can change what the chair looks like whenever I change my decor, or mind for that matter.

So here is the finished project. I decided to put fabric on the seats and cushions. Because painted seats crack and are not comfy. I also lef tthem white and painted a translucent pearl glaze color from Lowe's on them for a pearl finish.




Tip: when doing this for the first time, choose an easier color transformation (light to dark maybe).

Now that I am experienced in this...What piece do you have and love that deserves a fresh start? I would love to show it off here!

Be in touch to discuss...

Fabric Facelifts!

I simply love fabrics. Mostly heavyweight upholstery or pillow fabrics, as they have so much girth. I particularly like the ones with distinct, masculine patterns and bold fun patterns. They keep my eyes focused. I am not much of a flower or toile girl. I tend to get "lost" looking at those.

Fabric can be used to beautify and create almost any project, as it has all sorts of effects while adding texture, depth, and drama to a room. Remember the faux ostrich material used on the Chocolate Boudoir dresser makeover? Or the interchangeable fabrics used in the Kitchen redesign? And who can forget the distinguished Ottoman (I am going to send that to President Obama! Really! I would love for him to rest his feet on it)

Now, while there are lots of color predictions and color trends, my favorite presentation of 2009 colors is this video from Pantone, that I found on Apartment Therapy . It was lots of fun to watch and increased my color vocabulary immensely! I hope you enjoy it!



As you can see, there are lots of fun color choices, especially when it comes to making a few inexpensive changes to your decor. By changing pillows, curtain panels, slipcovers, lamps, etc. ... you change the look and feel of a room for next to nothing.



You can also create totes, checkbook covers, purses, laundry bags, shopping bags, and on and on with different fabrics. Yes you can! How you ask? Well, I have done a bit of the work for you. Here is a site that demonstrates the how-to's for a tote project you may want to tryout for Earth Day, which is coming up soon.

I am fortunate enough to live close to the furniture design mecca in NC. I often shop there and come across fabrics that are to die for! Although they are recycled, they are clean, on the bolt, and ready for reuse!

These fabrics are so awesome and great for one-of-a-kind specialty items as they are purposed for upholstery, but with a bit of imagination, you can create whatever you can imagine...in regards to fabric anyway.

With that in mind I am now offering fabrics via my Etsy shop . For the grand opening for my shop, I will be hosting a giveaway for the next week, with the fun fabrics that I have available.

The winner will receive 4-upholstery sized, fat quarter pieces, for a total of one free yard of these upholstery fabrics. FREE! Shipping included...

The names are made up as i have no clue what the actual pattern is called....lol

Technorati Blue...


Red Diva...


Juicy Orange


Grey Infusion...


To enter:

Simply leave a comment on any one of my posts. One entry per person please. US residents only.

I will announce the winner next Wednesday morning, here on my site. Be sure to leave identifying information (email only), so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Feel free to browse here often, as I will add new fabrics weekly.

I also offer shopping services for anyone looking for a specific fabric color, texture, or style. Email me to discuss that.

Here is a sneak Peek at items I will be offering!

Recycled AQUAFINA bottle

This is for the man in my life who told me I can make just about anything I see! I am not sure if that was a blessing or a curse;) Thanks Daddy!



Here are some ideas I got, while in despair over putting ten 1 liter bottles in the recycle bin. I thought these are sturdy and large pieces of plastic. I knew they had to have another purpose. So, I turned them into useful items in my home. They are all so easy to do and very inexpensive.



The shape of the top of the bottle was my inspiration for this project. I wanted pendant lights in my newly redesigned kitchen, but I did not want to pay a lot for them or go through the task of hiring an electrician to wire them. Again my style is transitional, so everything I do has to be easily changeable.

While shopping for affordable lights, I was constantly trying to figure out how to make my own. I noticed how the top of the bottle swirls around and looked very attractive, like the pendant light globes I'd seen in the store. So, after staring at 10 bottles waiting to be tossed, it hit me! Use the bottle, Ms. Redesign Diva! Yes, I talk to myself often.



It is so cool how the lighting kit fits, perfectly, into the wide mouth of the bottle. I have very sensitive teeth and "plump lipage" so, I buy this size bottle, so I can rest my lip comfortably on the opening. "Who-da thunk" it would have another great purpose?

I cut the top off and spray painted it and...VOILA!



I haven't mounted them yet, but they give off such a calming light and make the room feel romantic. Cost for one including bulb is about $6 without painting.

*NOTE: If you try this idea do not use more than a 40watt bulb in it. I tested a 40 watt bulb in it for 8 hours and it worked with no changes (melting, exploding, nada),just fine.

The next idea is also a keeper. I love using tea lights all the time. And wouldn't you know, the tea lights fit perfectly into the lid! I decided to see if this idea would "float".



These can be used, in the pool, in the tub, while entertaining, having a quiet dinner or even meditating. I cant wait for summer to try them out in the pool. Cost (tea light expense).10

Next, is a really good use I thought of. I love fresh herbs and flowers. I use them a lot for cooking, and it is helpful to have them handy when you need them. I filled the bottom part of the bottle with rocks, wrapped it in some leftover paper bag, and replanted my Oregano in it.



Cost, including herbs, $4

There you have it, an entire Aquafina bottle re-purposed/recycled! Ok, so the label got put in the recycle bin, but hey....

2/19/09- Found another use! The joy of having an inside herb garden, was recently interrupted by pesky fruit flies! So after searching the net, I found a fruit fly remedy with step by step instructions, via this site . I won't post a picture...unless you want to see dead flies;/

Red, White, and Wood kitchen redesign

This kitchen redesign is dedicated to my family. My mother because she really likes red and my sister Pam, because she encouraged me to do redesign a few years ago. I love you ladies! Though we are on opposite ends of the country, I look forward to sharing a glass of wine and a good meal here soon!




This redesign is geared towards anyone, wanting to try something bold; without painting their kitchen, on a tight budget, or paying a fortune for remodeling.

I will post the cost of each section as it is pictured, to give you an idea of how cost efficient it can be to use a lot of what you have or can recycle. There is also slideshow link, for the entire redo at the bottom of this post.

This idea comes from the fact that, I am a rent to own tenant. I am not totally committed to my house yet, so I did not want to invest a lot of money or do anything permanently altering to the kitchen. However, I wanted to make my kitchen feel comfy, inviting, fun, and Tuscan. Now, that is a lot to want from a 12'x 14.5' space, I know, but hey, I want what I want.

I had only one rule for this project: There will not be ANYTHING in my kitchen I do/will not use, it must have a purpose and in some instances, more than one.

In the interest of timeless redesign, many things in the room are interchangeable, so you can recreate the look according to the season or mood you want to express.

Here is an unashamed view of my kitchen before.


It was a true, Kitchen NIGHTMARE!

Notice the two storage cabinets pushed together. I needed more storage, because there is just one section of cabinets on the other side of the kitchen.


Here is the after, in the same view as the before picture.



I decided to separate the cabinets and put up ceiling to floor curtain panels to conceal them when guests arrive. The panels add depth and drama to the room. The cost for the panels was $17.50 including hardware.

This section makes me feel relaxed, when I walked into the kitchen. Here is a closer view...



The cost for everything you see in this makeover was 47.36. Most of the cost came from the accessories. which were $20.09, Now that I have the picture, I may have to take them back...Hmmm? Kidding, I love all the red!


Another view....


I cut a big octagonal table in half and I find a ton of kitchen table bases tossed out, so I just picked one and put them together. I covered the table in a very thick wallpaper. Funny thing I went to a VERY upscale restaurant Sunday and they had something similar on their table, only covered with a table cloth. I thought yup, I am on the right track...he he. I found the bench behind an ice cream shop. I reupholstered it and turned into a storage bench. The shelf in the back was a curbside find, as well as, the chairs.


Now, in keeping with the idea of having a relaxed, but fun, space for my boys and their friends, I created the cafe area. This section of the kitchen cost $78.80.




This is a really fun area, as the view out of the window is on the pool, so you can keep an eye on what is going on as well as watch the fun. I am looking forward to looking out the window in the summer as I have a forest behind my home and at night the fireflies look like Christmas tree lights flickering. It is a humbling site.

Here is a daylight view. I made the curtains from $1 store cloth napkins, the table was made from some extra wood I had. I paid for the trim. The chairs came from Craigs list for $40 and the rug was $20. They were the most expensive things in this section.




Here is the view of the cabinet and sink area before. NOTE:My kitchen was neat and organized the day before I took this picture, sorry you missed it.. he he. "DON'T U JUDGE ME!..."

As you can see we have a counter top dishwasher that was hoggin' space, BIG TIME!

ANOTHER NIGHTMARE!

I got a CLUE and ...




I framed the cabinets with molding and used the same fabric from the panels on the opposite side for balance...**Remember: the fabric can be easily removed and switched for another look** The cost for all the cabinets including door pulls, was $17.00




This transformation was easy and inexpensive but a bit time consuming. It was only time consuming, because I could not remove the cabinet doors. The screw holes were painted over, so I had to frame, level and nail it where it was - yes, By MYSELF!...yes, I went for a massage the next day! Well, I was saving so much money, right? The curtains, grapes and back splash, were 16.00. Not bad for decorating on a dollar huh?






Stay tuned, I will show you what I did with the counter top dishwasher tomorrow.

Ok it is another day and here is what I did with the dishwasher. Remember that monstrosity of a counter top dishwasher? Well I found a kitchen island roadside and..."pimped it out"! (added some shiny coat hooks to the side of it for my towels and pots). There was also enough room to add my electric counter top cooking range to the bottom of it! When I want, what I want...I make it happen it!




Here is the link to all the pics in a slide show.



Feel free to subscribe to my blog and check back often. I will keep you "in the know" of what's new with redesign, as well as, show you what I have been up to.

Hopefully, I have inspired you to rethink your kitchen just a bit. Let me know, I would love to hear about it.