Feb 3, 2012
It'll Wake You Up: Coffee Sack Upholstery
Sometimes I get on these kicks where I just need bright, tropical, calypso colors in my life and I'm only convinced I'll be happy if I surround myself in pops of neon. (I have my melodramatic moments, don't I?) Usually, I'm an earth tone, cozy color kind of girl, but there's always an exception to the rule, right?
The last time the calypso-color-calling-bird sung to me (he's totally the star of the Amazon), I happened to have two old chairs (donated by the in-laws) that were begging for an upgrade. (Now, a forewarning, this happened a while ago and of course, pics are limited. I love the results so much though that I still had to share.)
Here is the before (already sanded a little):
And the upholstery they came to me with:
Underneath which was this beauty:
They are both oilcloth fabrics (read: durable, but so '70s). After unscrewing the seats from the frame, I diligently sanded to rough up all surfaces:
I cleaned and wiped away all the sawdust and got to painting. Everything was brushed on and took about 3 coats. I didn't use a primer. Poor life choice.
Then it was upholstery time, and I opted for some coffee sacks I'd found at Building 19 months earlier. (I washed them in the washing machine before using them. They reeked of coffee and burlap.) They were graphic and colorful, just what I was going for. I cut them approximately to size, and then staple-gunned the fabric right over the beige oilcloth, wrapping like a present as I went. I screwed the seats back to the chair, et voila! Coffee Sack upholstered chairs that fill the bright color vacancy in my heart.
And over a year later, they are still holding up in our little kitchen.
Have you ever used unusual fabric in usual ways?
(P.S. Last day to vote bar cart or desk!)
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How did you keep the colors (print) from washing out -- the sacks I washed were a bust
ReplyDeleteBummer! To be honest, I didn't do anything special to prevent wash-out. I used cold water and very little detergent. You can see there was a little fading of the green in some spots, but nothing too bad. Maybe hand wash next time? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love how bright and happy these are! The colors look great, and I love how they look in your kitchen area! Featured them today!
ReplyDeletehttp://craptastickatie.blogspot.com/2012/02/five-feature-friday-25.html
these are adorable! i love the bright colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
ReplyDelete