I've had this French chair with a wicker back and upholstered seat in the works for a long time, since November last year and I'm finally happy with the outcome.
I bought this little chair at auction and it was in a sorry state. The wicker was all discoloured, the upholstery was filthy and the wood was not looking too good.
I painted the chair with my home-made chalk paint, waxed it and reupholstered in it a drop sheet. I thought it was a little bare and bland so I never bothered to add the trim as I knew I wouldn't leave it as it was.
Then in January I bought a Paris stencil from Maison de Stencils and thought this chair would be a good candidate. The stencil is lovely and cost $40. Maison de Stencils has a fabulous range. go check them out here.
However I didn't like it. I thought it was a bit too tacky/try-hard. Really not my style. So I finally worked out what I needed to do. I've not seen this done before and I am beyond happy with it.
A woven drop sheet!
This was quite time consuming - all afternoon - but I was able to use a drop sheet I had on hand. The colour of the drop sheet perfectly matches the paint I've used on the wood, but the woven pattern gives it some interest. I even made my own binding using the sewn edge of the drop sheet.
To ensure that the woven fabric doesn't pull apart, I've used a little glue from the glue gun along the joins. The glue isn't visible but it will mean the weave will be durable) and will be safe from prying little fingers.
To make the trim I just rolled up some a strip on the edging seam of the drop sheet and then glued it together and then glued it on to the chair. It looks great!
The corners were very tricky to get looking good especially as there was a lot of material to deal with but I think it's turned out okay.
So what do you think?
I'd love to hear about some of your projects that have taken a long time to get right. Come on make me feel better about how long this has sat in the corner of our bedroom half finished!
cheers
Fiona
So cool, I reckon that this post is going to go all around blogland!
ReplyDeletethanks Karen, well that would be exciting! I've been thinking about doing this for months now but it's taken me a while to get my head around how I would do it and also to get time to do it. but I really love it.
DeleteI've been in the upholstery biz for 35 yrs and think this is so cute. Drop cloth is popular for slipcovers and I'm looking forward to doing this on some dining seats. Like that you used edging instead of double welt.
DeleteI've been in the upholstery biz for 35 yrs and think this is so cute. Drop cloth is popular for slipcovers and I'm looking forward to doing this on some dining seats. Like that you used edging instead of double welt.
DeleteSuper cool! I was thinking of doing this with another type of fabric & dropcloth never crossed my mind. How wide did you cut your strips? Did you weave it all first & then cut/shape it to the chair? Thanks
ReplyDeletehi. thanks very much! I'll do a post on how I did this in the next couple of days. I weaved (wove?) the fabric first but on the chair and then stapled and then cut. it is much easier to do on the actual chair as I wanted it to fit well around the corners and I was able to manipulate the width of the edge strips so it all looked good. very fiddly...
Deleteoh i totally love this solution! it's creative and has great texture!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassie. I like the texture of it also. Worth the effort, especially when I'm keeping it for our house.
DeleteGenius idea for the weaving! It looks just right!
ReplyDeletethanks Julie!
DeleteWhat a great idea! i LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marita, I've been thinking about it for months, working out in my head how I could do it all neatly and nicely.
DeleteThat is seriously amazing! I love it!!! Megan
ReplyDeletethanks Megan!
DeleteSoooo attractive! How did you make the stips that your wove together?
ReplyDeleteHi Janie - thanks, I ripped up drop sheet and folded it. I'll do a tutorial in the next few days.
Deletecheers Fiona
I love the revamp! The basketweave cushion is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHope you'll link up to my party!
http://www.vintagemauve.com/2012/04/02/mauvin-monday-6-link-party/
It really does look beautiful - and you did a great job! Those corners are perfect!
ReplyDeletethanks Catherine - and thanks for noticing the corners, LOL. They took a lot of fiddling!
DeleteAbsolutely love this!
ReplyDeletethanks Adrianne! much appreciate you stopping by and commenting. have a lovely weekend.
Deletecheers Fiona
Absolutely gorgeous! The weaving really adds fabulous texture and pattern.
ReplyDeletethanks Aimee, it really changes the chair completely doesn't it!
DeleteAren't you clever! It looks amazing Fiona :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg! How are you? You've been very quiet lately...
DeleteOh my gosh this is amazing and absolutely gorgeous. I mean, I have to admit the stenciling was quite nice but this basket weave is elegant and brilliant. Thank you for this wonderful post! I would love it if you would share this at our What’s It Wednesday blog party. Hope to see you there.
ReplyDeletePaula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
thanks Paula -i'll link up. much appreciate your comment.
Deletecheers Fiona
Love it, Fiona! Very creative and unique with the basketweave design. I like how you did the "cording".
ReplyDeletethanks Kathy, and I knew there was a better word than trim. couldn't for the life of me remember. have a lovely easter,
DeleteWow, this looks great. Very pretty .I would love for you to stop by My Dream Canvas.
ReplyDeletethanks Anu!
DeleteYou did such a beautiful job on your chair. I never would of thought of weaving drop cloths. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletethanks! I love how much texture and interest it adds.
DeleteThis is AWESOME! And I totally love the look, the texture....LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteLou Cinda
thanks Lou Cinda, I'm going to do another one with a tutorial so stay tuned. Happy Easter.
Deletecheers Fiona
I absolutely LOVE the weaved fabric on the seat. The chair looks amazing! Great job!
ReplyDeletetotally gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehope you'll stop by my blog where i'm hosting a great giveaway:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-giveaway.html
smiles.
michele
I love the look of this chair! The weave of the fabric really makes it stand out. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share this with my Unveil Your Genius Link Party! (New linky every Thursday). Here's this week's linky link:
http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/04/unveil-your-genius-link-party-5.html
Happy Friday!
thanks Taylor. - linked up now.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeletethanks Anji!
DeleteOh my goodness... gorgeous! I absolutely LOVE it and I'm with you... the Paris stencil was nice but just wasn't the right look for this chair! :)
ReplyDeleteTania
thanks Tania. much appreciate you stopping by and commenting. I really love the chair now and I've used the stenicl on other things and it looks much better!
Deletehave a great weekend.
Wow! That is a really fantastic seat cover! The entire project is beautiful, but I love something a little different and the woven seat is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
--Katie
@ Creatively Living
That looks great. I will be featuring it tonight at my Swing into Spring party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletethanks so much Judy - i put the featured button on my facebook! love your party. hope all is well with you,
DeleteWhat an awesome idea! I am pinning this for future inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
karianne
thanks Karianne for commenting - sorry for my slow reply! much appreciated.
DeleteI love the way the weaving looks! As I sat here staring at it I thought it would look fantastic to do this on a bigger scale on an accent wall! Hmmm.... How can I pull that off! I can see it in my minds eye but not to sure how I can do it! Thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeletethanks LL, it would look amazing on a big scale. if you do something can you please send me a picture? I am glad to be able to inspire you!
Deletecheers Fiona
I love the weave, it is so different. It really looks great!
ReplyDeletethanks Tina - I am so in love with this chair. LOL. it makes me smile every time I walk past it.
Deletehave a lovely day
cheers Fiona
Wow, I love this...it's just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI would love if you would post it and share it with my readers! Join the Community and share any of your creative project!
Susan @ Oh My! Creative
Fiona,
ReplyDeleteThis is truly amazing! I've pinned. And I may need to borrow this idea and make a woven drop cloth pillow for my drop cloth designs Etsy shop! I'm truly inspired ...
:)
Linda
hi Linda - glad to inspired - send me a link when you've finished. I'd love to see what you do
Deletecheers Fiona
I adore drop cloth have always loved the "woven look" It's amazing what you have done with this chair - you have truly taken it from trash to treasure!
ReplyDeleteI have an unfinished woven pillow that you have just inspired me to finish! Thanks so much!
thanks Mimi and welcome to Lilyfield Life! I am so in love with this chair even a few months later. It's in our bedroom and I see it all the time but appreciate how it looks still! I'd love to see your pillow when you've finished. can you send me a link?
Deletecheers Fiona