Sunday 30 March 2014

Bamboo Chairs Makeover

I picked up these bamboo chairs a couple of weeks ago - and thought to myself  'a nice quick makeover job' - plus I haven't done any upholstery for a few years now and have quite a few projects waiting to be upholstered and it will get me back into 'the groove'!

Of course I should have remembered - when you think it's going to be a nice quick job - it never is!
I can't believe I looked at all those dark 'criss-crossy' bits and thought I was going get them painted in next to no time!

I used Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint - Shutter Gray with bonding agent - and I think I did 4 coats in the end - to be honest I lost count and it was difficult to see where I was in the process on each coat - I tried to be methodical but there were just too many pieces which looked the same, and slanted in the same direction!  I finished with 2 coats of Polyvine Decorators Varnish - with a 'dead flat' finish - this will give the paint plenty of protection especially if they are going to be used in a conservatory where temperatures get pretty hot.  The dead flat finish gives no sheen at all and so retains the integrity of the paint finish - I use this product a lot - its great for protecting from water splashes as well.


 
In my rush to get back into upholstery I clean forgot to take any photos of the process! - I took off the old fabric and the foam underneath was turning to powder so I replaced the foam as well. I covered both chairs in a piece of Vintage French Linen - and I was so lucky I just managed to eek it out to cover both chairs. I use a Stanley electric staple gun - which is great for this kind of project.
I love the new fresh look - and I really enjoyed upholstering them - so there will be more upholstery projects coming your way from this blog!
Do you like my twisted topiary bay tree? - I treated myself - I have been meaning to get one for ages now - I just love the look of them!
CJ

Monday 10 March 2014

Milk Paint Dining Table - featuring 'Milk Paint as a Stain'

 My experience with Milk Paint just seems to get better and better!  I was given this table, from a colleague of my husband Mike - it was going to be taken to the dump! I love the big chunky barley twist legs.  This is a really solid well made piece of furniture, and I couldn't wait to get started on her.
The top was quite worn and the original lacquer needed to be sanded off - the wood - solid oak, was in good condition so I knew it would be fine to sand there was no sign of veneer of any sort.
 Here she is before - lovely detail and legs.

I always sand - 3 times - going up from course to medium and then fine to finish off and get a really lovely smooth finish.  It sanded beautifully, as the wood was so good, I tried applying hemp oil on a small inconspicuous spot to see what the colour would look like if I applied the Hemp Oil straight onto the sanded oak.  It was a little on the orangey/yellow shade which I don't like, so I decided to use the Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint shade called Curio - which makes a fabulous walnut shade.
I gave the base 3 coats of MMSMP - Grainsack - which is one of the white shades - it's a lovely soft greyish white - I added bonding agent to the first coat, although I would have been very happy to have some chipping, as the table is quite old - approximately 1930's and has  had a lot of use sometimes, especially on a dining table there could be grease, which will resist the paint and I wanted to have more control of whether I had a 'chippy' look or not.
The table has 2 extending leaves which tuck underneath the main top - when fully extended using both leaves the table is 185cms long! It's gorgeous!

 To finish and seal the paint I used Hemp Oil, and the finish is really smooth, and the colours of the stained top and greyish white base compliment each other perfectly.
 This label shows the table was bought in Arding & Hobbs which was a well know reputable chain of  Furniture Stores across London established in 1862, I do love a piece with some history!
 I love the scalloped detail - and of course those barley twist legs are fabulous!
Now that I have used the Curio Milk Paint as a stain with such tremendous results I will certainly be using it as my first choice for a stain for some other projects which I have lined up!
Lots more Milk Paint projects on the way!
Bye for now
CJ, Juniper & Roses