Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A New Look For An Old Chair




 This old chair has been around my house for about ten years.
After seeing a similar chair re-done in a shabby chic style and loving it,
I decided to give my old chair a face-lift
(or maybe we'll call it a seat-lift).

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First I removed the seat to recover it.
I set it on top of the fabric to cut the amount needed.
While the seat was off I gave the chair a couple coats of white paint. 

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 Next  I folded the piece of fabric into quarters to find the center.  
Then marked the center with a pin.
This aloud me to position my transfer sheet dead center.

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Then I mixed a couple free clip art pieces from The Graphic Fairy.
Reversed the lettering and printed the clip art on to transfer paper.

Everyone knows that The Graphic Fairy is a top notch site for beautiful clip art.
Find them here:

http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/


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After centering my transfer, I taped it just long enough to get it to the ironing board.
Then removed the tape and ironed it according to the direction on the transfer paper.

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Then centered it back on my chair seat and stapled it securely down. 

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This is the result, when turning it back over. 

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After painting my chair, I used a little sandpaper and distressed it in a few places.  
Then sprayed it with a clear acrylic to seal the paint and give it durability.

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I love the detailing on this chair.  
It's clean and simple, 
but with a touch of understated elegance.

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I think it turned out perfect. 

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What do you think?

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Have fun with whatever you are going this week,
each new day is a precious gift.
Enjoy!

Connie :)



73 comments:

  1. OK Connie. I know you make it sound so easy, by detailing all the steps involved, but I still can't imagine handling this project myself! Well done. This is what I call a very successful makeover! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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    1. Hello Veronique, Thank you for the lovely compliment on my shabby french make-over. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  2. I love it better than the original. Great!

    I've been repainting some furniture to go with the decor I've chosen in Germany and it's like new furniture. It's amazing what a coat of paint can do...and then you took it a step further and reupholstered. Beautiful job.

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    1. Hi Denise, I agree that a coat of paint can make a huge difference . . . and it is about the cheapest thing that you can do to have a change. Thank you for your lovely comment and best wishes in Germany. Connie :)

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  3. Your chair is perfect! It completely changes the look of the chair and I love the new look!

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    1. Hi Sandy, Thank you, I'm delighted that you like my re-do. Connie :)

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  4. In short: I think it is FANTASTIC! Christa

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  5. It is absolutely perfect,well done once again Connie.

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  6. I think it's perfect too. Thanks for sharing with us how you did it, but I'm with French Girl! You make it sound so easy. Of course I love the motif!!

    Cindy Bee

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    1. Hi Cindy, I'm happy that you like my chair and really it is very easy. How are your guitar lessons coming along? I know that life is busy, but even 15 minutes a day will keep the finger positions fresh in your mind and help those finger tips to stay toughened up. Have a marvelous day, Connie :)

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  7. Beautiful, Connie, and what an inspired move to image transfer that faux Hotel stamp! 200% improvement and a real asset to your home! Well done you!
    Lx.

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    1. Hello Lynne, I am always happy when I get a visit from you. Thank you for the lovely compliment on my shabby french chair. I do not intend on keeping it, but instead I am adding it to my market inventory. I have a dream to open a market booth in the spring. So far it is just a dream, but you have to have a dream before you can have a dream come true.
      If you would like to see my inventory you can view it on my new blog http://shabbyfrench.blogspot.com/
      There are items that you have seen on my past posts and some new ones, too. My goal is to add something each week. I am also looking into where I can do this market. At the present time there are no antique and craft malls in our area . . . I might have to drive 70 miles away (not sure about that).
      Have a wonderful day and thank you so very much for stopping by, Connie :)

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  8. What a fab transformation. You wouldn't believe it was the same chair!
    June

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  9. It looks amazing! SO different, and so pretty! You are so clever!

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  10. Great job Connie, it looks fantastic!

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    1. Hi Carolyn, thank you ... I'm very pleased that you like it. Connie :)

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  11. Wow- that's fabulous! I really like the white paint- you've given me some ideas this morning!

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    1. I'm very happy to be an inspiration. Have fun, Connie :)

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  12. I love it...it's fantastic....I saw one similar to that this morning on the side of the road....I think I shall go and get it....

    blessings,
    Cindy♥

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    1. Wow!!! Do hurry . . . I never see anything but tin cans along the road. Have fun, Connie :)

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  13. It looks great Connie! You are soo talented!!!

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  14. Connie..
    it looks like a million bucks! Great job!!

    Thanks for sharing your project with us.
    You are an inspiration, my friend.

    *K.

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    1. Hi Kerin, I'm am delighted that you like my project and what a sweet thing to say. Have a great day, Connie :)

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    2. Hi Kerin, I'm am delighted that you like my project and what a sweet thing to say. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  15. It looks fantastic Connie. You did a beautiful job!

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  16. Thanks Connie for visit on my blog, always nice to meet new friends, you have done a great job with the chair, it is so beautiful now, wish you a lovely day.
    Anni

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    1. Hello Anni, I am so happy to see you and thank you for following my blog. I am looking forward to getting to know you better through blogging. Connie :)

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  17. Wow! You have given this chair an amazing transformation ... it is indeed "Perfect" love the clothe you chose for the seat cover and the distressed white is the perfect accent! Job well done Connie!

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    1. hi Brandy, thank you for the lovely compliment. It was great fun seeing the transformation. Have a marvelous day Connie :)

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  18. I love your new chair! I just did one very similar. I'm your newest follower!
    XO Cindy

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    1. Hello Cindy, I am so happy to see you and thank you for following my blog. It sounds like we have a lot in common as far as decorating style. I am looking forward to getting to know you better through blogging.
      Have a wonderful day, Connie :)

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  19. What a transformation lovely idea too using the transfer.
    Sarah x

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  20. The new chair is gorgeous.:):) Smiles, Susie

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  21. Hi Connie, it DID turn out perfect! You are so smart. I love how you distressed the new paint job also, I noticed it right away. Your tutorial is so complete that it makes me think that I can give a project like this a try. Thank you, and enjoy your new chair.

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy, you are always there to build me up and encourage me. . . it's wonderful to have my very own cheerleader. Thanks so much, Connie :)

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  22. Love the NEW chair!! Great job. I have to be honest and say I didn't know anything about transfer papers. If you get a chance, let me know where you get this and obviously it's OK to put into your printer.

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    1. Hello Carol, Thank you for the lovely comment on my chair re-do. I purchased my transfer paper at Wal-Mart in the fabric department. You must reverse any clip art with lettering (your finished project will come out a mirror image of what you print on the transfer paper). When you have what you want on the screen, put the paper into your printer. My printer is an ink jet, so I have to be careful when I purchase the paper that it says for ink jet prints. There are some transfer papers made for laser printer, too. Then all you need is a hot dry iron (no steam). There are so many possibilities to the things that you can create. Have fun, Connie :)

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  23. It is just amazing! What a difference a little paint and a lot of talent make :))
    Inka

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  24. I absolutely love what you've done with that chair (super cool & classy)! All the best! :-)

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  25. I love what you have done to the chair. Wonderful!!

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  26. Oooh wow! This chair is absolutely adorable :)!! Thank you so much for chairing ;) another successful project with your readers. I wish you a wonderful week end.

    Maria

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    1. Hi Maria . . . Great play on words, LOL. I love a great sense of humor and I'm happy that you like my chair re-do. Have a great day, Connie :)

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    2. Hi Maria . . . Great play on words, LOL. I love a great sense of humor and I'm happy that you like my chair re-do. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  27. Gorgeous - you did a fab job. That chair looks just lovely.

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  28. Oh, what an amazing transformation. Such fabulous work, Connie!
    Thanks for popping by - much appreciated.

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  29. Love it! Will have to check out graphics fairy too and see what I can use to transfer on pillows.
    I like the white paint.
    betsy

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    1. Thank you Betsy. Have fun with Graphics Fairy, they are awesome!
      Have a great day and thank you for stopping by. Connie :)

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  30. Beautifully done, Connie! I love this transformation! What a lighter, brighter chair you have now. Love the graphics you put together. I love using images from The Graphics Fairy, too.

    Thanks for following! I am following you as well! : )

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    1. Hi Kathy, I am so happy to have you as a follower and I'm glad that you like my chair, it was a fun project to do. Have a great week, Connie :)

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  31. Wow, what a fab makeover Connie......a new lease of life for sure.

    Great graphics too.

    Claire x

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  32. Connie, NOW that chair is my kind of style! You did a fabulous re-purposed look~~~~so shabby and french at the same time! I'd buy it!! from one sweetie to another~~~Roxie

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  33. It looks wonderful Connie - love that French shabby chic style!

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  34. Great job on the chair -- love the fabric and the transfer. I've made some pillows and added transfers using The Graphics Fairy.

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    1. Hi Cas . . . yes, The Graphics fairy is a wonderful site . . . I love it!
      Thanks so much for stopping by.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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