Yesterday I showed you how I finally painted a piece of furniture turquoise (what a weird life ambition), but I admitted it got a makeunder soon after. What happened? I loved the strips of exposed wood at first, but a day later I realized that in the basement, where it will live, things are already mismatched and my goal has been to pull together a cohesive look (I got halfway there before I left for Hungary). A crazy chair needs a stark space. The crazy basement, on the other hand, needed a bright, but paired back chair. So away went the ziggy zags.
I sanded the edges of the stripes until I couldn’t feel them (and then primed and sprayed) but that was the lazy gal’s way. You can still see the pattern ever so slightly. Le sigh. I shouldn’t have rushed. I should have sanded right down to the wood. Ah well, the basement is dim and I can barely tell in the brightest light. But here’s the chair, looking simple but good. The paint still shows the wood grain’s texture and the little dints and dings look sweet, like there’s a story hiding under the cheery, modern hue. I am perfectly content now. I love this chair.
For a bit of variety, I snapped this set of after photos outside (how avante garde, lol):
For some reason, I really love dints and dings covered in a creamy coat of paint. Old mixed with new.
Our neighbourhood cat, who will sit on the exterior ledge of the dining room window, staring at us eating dinner and meowing for us to come out and play, approved. (Seriously, he meows until we go out onto the patio and then proceeds to try to bite us. Weirdo. Maybe his opinion doesn’t count? Wonder if he misses me)
P.S. We think the cat might really be a human in cat clothes. He stands on his hind legs and stares at us, as if trying to tell us something. Or maybe I watched too much Sabrina the Teenage Witch . . .
I love it! I thought it looked cool with the zig-zags, but I like it better now too! Sometimes the 2nd or even 3rd times is the charm!
Sometimes the idea is good, but not right for the piece. I might zig zig something else, something with cleaner lines and maybe less contrast.
I'm glad you chose the route that you did and covered up the random strips showing through- just my opinion but I think it looks much better this way!! That cat is adorable too…cats have so much more personality than people think they do!! I'm sure he misses you! 🙂
Awww, thanks! I'm happy you like it. I was worried I'd get a dozen comments on team zig zag and then I'd doubt my decision, lol.I have never had cats because of allergies, but this little guy is teaching me that behind their stoicism, they do have wildly different personalities!
What a beautiful cat – reminds me of our Leo (who also stands on his hind legs, yesterday to yowl at a Comcast rep canvassing the neighborhood – who thought a cat could be a watchdog?). Love the chair – the color is amazing, and the lines of the back and legs are fantastic. I'm glad to hear about your experience with the Liquitex too – I recently painted a kitchen island an electric blue color, and I just hate brush strokes so much, I'm considering sanding it down and doing it again with spray paint…
Awwww, Leo must be hilarious!! The shape of the chair is cool, I'm glad to no longer detract from that. An electric blue island?!? I have to see this. Spray paint, for all the paint it wastes, is awesome for a smooth finish.
Love the end result!
Thanks Jenna!
What's fascinating is the way the paint treatment has totally changed the character of the chair. Before, your eye was drawn to the seat. Now, it's the elegant shape of the whole chair that predominates. Either way, great little chair. It's always worth experimenting.
Yes, I did detract from the shape with my crazy pattern! I think this suites it better and I'm happy that I experimented a little, because now I know!
Whew! So much better. Way to get it done!
Ha, thanks! We've both had makeunders, huh? Your table looks good back to brass too.
Aw! What a cute kitty, im sure it misses you! LOL- Sabrina and the teenage witch…..that was my favorite show way back! I liked the chair with the exposed wood but i think having the chair in a solid color looks perfect! You used the same spray paint correct? You mentioned that it was trickier to work with, is it b/c of the texture of the paint? Is it fast drying?
I used the same spray paint and just sprayed the seat (after I primed the wood areas). It isn't fast drying but it isn't meant for furniture, so the can is more finicky. I promise a full run-down next week. It's more expensive but pretty much NO directions on the can! Hopefully I can help 🙂
Interesting……I'm really surprised theres no directions on the can! Yes, please let us know how you worked with this type of spray paint 🙂 Thanks Tanya!
I much prefer the make-under! But sometimes you never know until you try. And paint is an easy change, so keep up the adventurous spirit!-Revi
So true! Although I do regret my laziness – I wish I had sanded down the seat completely. But it's only noticeable if I really look for them reminder of the pattern.
Oh I have to say I liked your take on the first try but it looks so good solid.I think you did good!Now as for that cat, I think he is trying to tell ya something.Our cat meows like crazy and gives love bites but he is just wanting affection or food.I am sure he misses your face greeting him thru the window. :)Amy
Thanks, Amy. I think the first try just needed a different space to work. I'm glad you like both!Hmmm, so bites are for affection? Good to know. I was a bit affronted, lol. Little bitey cat.
Changing the color according to our need is a tough job though but after seeing the finished products it looks that its easy.Good job Tanya looking for video version of it how you have changed it looks.