Sunday, June 14, 2009

Met Monday - French Chairs

This is my first time participating in Metamorphosis Monday, hosted by the always engaging Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. I thought it only appropriate to share the making of the "French" slipper chairs I made from FREE, semi-broken, icecream chairs for the tablescape I did this past Thursday in honor of Joni, from Cote de Texas. First, the chair I started with:


Ugly, huh? Now, I have to confess - I took these from the garbage in hopes that I'd be able to copy a whimsical planter I saw at the Buffalo Gardenwalk last year. But, I never got around to that, and since they were sitting there ... I thought why not try to French them up. They had a great leg, and a round back - slipcovered they were bound to be a good fake.

After some consult with my very good, and oh so talented friend, Isa from The World According to Isa, the legs of the chair HAD to be painted. That brassy blonde wood tone from before just wasn't going to help give this chair that French flair. So I sprayed the chair cream - a light coat, so to act as a base and a primer for the faux finish that came next.
Once they were both painted, I grabbed my "Dove Grey" paint from Behr, and went to town. Dry brushing the chair with random strokes until:

(Make larger for better picture of the finish) I had created this French, nearing the edge of Swedish coloring that looked SO much better with the slipcovers I made to mask the chairs ugly form.

And voila! Presto-chango! It's a French Slipper Chair! Well, my interpretation of one, anyway. Now, I'm not a sewer - so I expected these to fail miserably and didn't take pictures of the process. I will tell you that it's two pieces, a skirt for the seat, and a slip for the back that tie together. It was much easier for me that way - and lent for a better match to the slips Joni uses on her own French antiques.

From the back, you can better see the ties. The hems here are stitch witchery. Love that stuff. The cushion perhaps was the most difficult of the entire process. Lots of thought went into this - and I have to admit - they were both made differently. No patterns, no true measurements. I totally flew with this one. Stuffed with a down pillow, it's a great seat cushion that believe it or not - is also very comfortable!

And when it was all said and done - here was the table, (again). Set in the garden amongst the non-flowering summer blooming perennials, and beautiful hanging basket of dragon wing begonias, purple queen, and goldie locks, the table was a hit. Thanks to everyone who came by to see the results - now you've seen the process. I hope you enjoyed, and I'm sorry I didn't get better step-by-steps. I really expected these to fail miserably.
Now, off you go to see the other Monday Metamorphis posts ... but if you have time, please, stop by and check out the gardens from this Sunday's Share a Garden Sunday. You won't be disappointed!

37 comments:

  1. Hi Artieness, and welcome to Met Monday! I love your chair makeovers and the slipcovers! You're good! Now I wish you'd tell me about that giant cushion! It looks divine!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  2. WOW !! I love the way this chair turned out and the cushion is to die for !

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  3. Gorgeous chairs Artie!
    ~Happy MM! :)

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  4. This is a fabulous metamorphosis, Artie. I love the slipcovers!! Beautiful!

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  5. You did a great job of wingin' it Artie! Very clever to create separate pieces for the back & seat of the chair & I never would have guessed you used a feather pillow. Sometimes flyin' by the seat of your pants is just the best way to go! ☺ Diane

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  6. Artie, Oh you worked your magic to turn trash to treasure, way to go!
    And welcome to Met Monday, I got mine on late tonight as I didn't work on it till watching the telly this evening.
    Blessings,
    Linda Q

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  7. Thanks for sharing the chair make over -- what a difference. For someone "who doesn't sew" -- you did a fantastic job!

    I thought that was a begonia -- it is beautiful and the perfect backdrop to those chairs!

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  8. Hi Artie, you are soooo multi-talented! Is there anything you won't attempt when it comes to gardening/decorating? This looks fabulous!

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  9. Artie, before too long you will be putting 'the pedal to the medal' and whipping up sofa slips in no time.

    Super Metamorphis! -Brenda-

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  10. Pretty good there Artie, for just flying by the seat of your pants...you make it look like a pro! ~ Robyn

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  11. Good Morning Artie... So glad you shared your French Chair makeover with us.... How easy you make it sound but I am not that talented... You are! Have a super duper day my friend...

    (((HUGS)))
    Donna

    Ps… they are gorgeous!!!

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  12. oh Artie, I have those exact chairs sitting in my attic! My father-in-law caned 3 of them (and did a beautiful job), but your right, there not the prettiest, nor are they comfortable! That's why there in the attic. I like the remake you did.
    Great job, again!

    Hmm, now you got me on a mission!

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  13. Artie, great job....it is wonderful.

    Barb

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  14. Wonderful transformation, Artie! Not many things are more comfortable than plopping a body into a down stuffed cushion. Anywhere, anytime.

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  15. Are you kidding me? What a fabulous transformation! I have a chair just like it and never thought it had such potential. Thank you for the inspiration! I'm new to your blog and love it.

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  16. Thanks for the how to Artie...noone would ever suspect what was underneath! Great way to salvage something that was just getting tossed out. I love that deep cushion...I can just imagining sinking down into it for a wonderful dinner out in your beautiful garden! Thanks for a great Met Monday post!
    Susan
    P.S. You disappoint? NEVER! :-)

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  17. We just bought a nursery rocker that is pre-upholstered because we were just to nervouse to attempt slip covers! You did a great job :)

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  18. wow, Sir!
    fabulous job!
    it *looks* incredibly comfortable!

    even by reading you
    we feel classed-up...
    thank you!

    peace~
    Chuck

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  19. Great job, Artie! Your creativity truly amazes me....Christine

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  20. I love what you have done - they look great :)

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  21. Artie...these are gorgeous!!! I love that you slipcovered them...as always I am leaving here inspired to try something new!!!

    Enjoy the day!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  22. Hi Artie, I love the overstuffed chairs, and you claim you're not a sewer? Pretty neat how you filled it with a feather pillow. Gotta love those feather pillows,they refluff beautifully! Nice job.

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  23. I have some similar chairs in need of a bit of love and you have provided some inspiration.
    I also love the burlap table cover.
    You should do a tutorial on that~ :)

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  24. I love these!!!! you did a great job on these chairs - they made the whole tablescape.

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  25. You just amaze me. Even when we talk about what we are working on, blow by blow, I'm still always gobsmacked when I see it all put together - you are a true Artist, Artikins. Great, great job.
    xo Isa

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  26. Artie! So glad you shared with us how you transformed the chairs! I never would have guessed that the chair once looked so sad and unhappy! You made them looked terrific! Huggy Hugs!

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  27. Artie, don't sell yourself short...believe! These are great! Nice job! Jewel's Wild Horses song played as soon as I clicked on your site....how appropriate for me!! Enjoyed hearing it! Luanne

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  28. Wow, these are really terrific! I'm totally unable to sew, and yet you made this process seem easy, even for me. :)

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  29. Uh huh, you're a frickin' genius! Beautiful!

    Justine :o )

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  30. Great job! Yes they have a ton of Sun loving Coleus available these days!! Oxblood color intensifies in the sun...

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  31. Hi Artie,
    Your chairs are just darling. You have the talent!!! Well done.

    Maryrose

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  32. Way to go Artie! I can't even thread a needle & here you are making slip covers!!! Do you even realize how creative & talented you really are? Well, that's probably because you're a native TEXAN! Thanks for your encouraging comments on my blog... I need all I can get! ;-) Bo

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  33. Artie, this is an amazing transformation! Those chairs look fabulous! laurie

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  34. Ooops that shud have read 'pedal to the meTal'. LOL (I must learn to proof read more carefully.) -Brenda-

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  35. Your chairs are fabulous! You've inspired me to take my sewing to a new level.

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  36. Nice blog, here is some more information on Baby High Chairs.

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