Friday, March 28, 2014

Drop Cloth Settee

It was drizzling and misty. I was glad I had a van. 
A curbside rescue! 


When my work day ended, I got in the car and it reeked - musty, cigarette smokey yuck.
I came home and immediately started ripping off the upholstery. The poor thing almost ended up back in our trash but it had such cute lines. I decided to wait it out to see what would happen.
It sat in the garage for a while until all the fumes were out of it. The smell had not permeated the wood, only the upholstery. The wood got a once over with cleaning solution.  


A soft brown chenille was an almost perfect match for our existing sofa at the time. 


It was around $200.00 for fabric and supplies which was a bit pricey.
When we moved it into the garden room it taunted me. 
It needed to be lightened up.  
I recovered it last winter with painter's drop cloths from Lowes. Drop cloth canvas is economical and durable. 



 I knew as soon as I was finished that it needed a coat of paint to feel "sunroomy". 
It was a perfect job for the long evenings I was home alone - those lost months following the death of my brother- when Bill was traveling for his old job.  



It looks exactly how I thought it should.
  


Why did take me almost a year? 
I think long and hard about which pieces to paint.


I've stripped "antiquing" off of some furniture in my time and I don't want to have to do that again.



I paint with the understanding that when this 
painted furniture craze is over that some of my pieces will be given away. I only paint the "not too precious". 









That being said, I haven't regretted painting anything. 
In fact I wish that this style had started before I gave some other cute stuff away. I keep thinking that I'm nearing the end of what I want to see with a coat of white but the paint brings out lines, curves and detail not seen with stain.
 I'm falling in love with my furniture again. 
I have some more to show!  
Katie   
Linking with,
French Country Cottage
Common Ground   
Thoughts From Alice  
Funky Junk Interiors   
Blissful Whites Wednesday   
A Stroll Thru Life   
Savvy Southern Style 
Ivy and Elephants


15 comments :

  1. An absolutely gorgeous makeover. The wood is fabulous!

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  2. I am so like you. I only paint pieces that I feel I can live without. I do think that paint craze will eventually have seen its day-although I love it....like everything else there are cycles. I don't paint any family heirlooms or pieces that are of really high quality.

    I think we lost a brother about the same time. It has been 13 months for me. His widow got married yesterday.........xo Diana

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  3. It really came out great! I love the color combination of the pillows. You gave it new life!

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  4. You did a wonderful job...and love all the pillows too!

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  5. I can't believe that was a curbside find, Katie! It looks wonderful recovered and painted! I'm like you. I have to think long and hard about painting wood pieces. I've done a lot of furniture refinishing over the years and you and I both know the wood look will come back in vogue again. Will all the blogs be about removing paint finishes, do you think? hehe

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  6. What a wonderful curbside find...especially after you got the smell out. You transformed the piece into such a pretty and comfy addition to your sunroom!
    Thank you for stopping by,
    Mary Alice

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  7. I hope that painted furniture isn't just a trend. I love it too much and will be in deep trouble if it goes out of style! LOL! I love the new look you gave the settee. I'm a huge fan of drop cloth anyway. It looks right at home in your sunroom.

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  8. Love the look and I don't blame you for painting it. It is a beautiful piece.
    Thanks for stopping by Timeless Treasures with a nice comment on my DIY Jewelry Display Stands.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z.

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  9. Oh I love it, what a fabulous piece and I love the new lighter version. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Just love your sofa. It looks so French. I must be driving in the wrong area, I hardly ever find anything worth picking up. lol

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  11. It's absolutely wonderful Katie! I'm hoping the craze won't be over, I'd have to give away most of my furniture, LOL!!! love all your wonderful assortment of pillows, too!

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  12. You did a wonderful job ! :) Lovely room too! :)

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  13. Love the sweet little sofa, what a find! You did an incredible job with it, it looks amazing!
    We'd love to have you share at WIW.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  14. I feel like I'm stalking you today-sorry! Just wanted to say how much I love your settee! I just did my first ever drop cloth project {I'm a little slow, I know}
    I'm amazed at how you transformed this piece with drop cloth and paint!

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