All New Shabby Chic Thread!

pennib

awww blushes profusely thanks!

this is another one of my many hobbies, its also on sock monkey thread but gonna sneak them in here

pollyskettle

Lovely footstool, pennib. Reminds me of this one found in the back of my mum's garage:



I found a last piece of LA Bibi which was just enough and recovered it, replacing the Hessian at the bottom with LA heath green gingham :





I did it in a rush or I would have put domed upholstery pins in it to finish it off properly. They wanted it quickly to take to their french home, but have decided they like it recovered too much so are keeping it in their UK home! It's a shame as it matched my sitting room lovely!!:rotfl:

Have got lots of little pieces on the go at the moment so haven't been active on the thread, just generally juggling too many balls in the air, but I have a few projects started, a few in my minds eye and a few that are just sparks of ideas atm. Have kept up to date with it though - you're all so imaginative and clever, it's lovely to see the pics. Unfortunately I never, ever go to car boots as I don't drive and the village we live in has one once a year which is really pants . I'd love to go to a proper CB again - you all seem to get such lovely finds x

lindadykes

Someone on another thread was asking if anyone still used sheets and blankets on their bed as opposed to a duvet. While I do still use a duvet, I prefer to use it as if it was the blanket layer because I like to use vintage bedding on my bed. It is more in keeping really as my bed is my best ever bargain Ebay furniture buy. It is over 100 years old, Edwardian and cost only £25. I love the look of it when it is all dressed with my vintage sheets and Durham quilt.

Sorry but I'm having problems uploading images, but if anyone is interested I have some photos on my blog

Mely

Oh Linda...your bed/bedding is just beautiful! I think i may have to pinch your idea of using vintage sheets with a duvet

Princess_Vix

pennib - did you make those monkeys? They are amazing!
There's no way I can get pink and flowers in, I can sometimes get away with 'leaf' patterns but as my kitchen is red I'm thinking maybe Polka Dots? They had a really nice cake stand and other kitcheny things in LA in the sale yesterday but as I'm currently unemployed (boo!) I couldn't justify buying them even at 30% off! I haven't got anything painted white yet, I've never undertaken a furniture project and I can't find anything cheap enough to play around with and nearly all our furniture is second hand Ikea stuff which was great when we were moving in but now I want to make it a bit more homely, hence me joining this thread!
I love the idea of having a CD Rack sideways on a wall painted one colour on the outside and different on the inside - would look lovely. I'm not sure how difficult it would be but if you could wallpaper inside of each alcove in the same wallpaper in different colours I bet that would look really pretty, but might be difficult to stop it going all wrinkly
xxx

debbsi

Pennib - yes I thought acrylics would be best - even though I have never used them before - I used paint with gouche or oils - do they feel anything like the same to work with? Or I was going to buy some match pots in pretty colours like eau de nil, duck egg, grey, etc.
I got all of my old art stuff out of the loft yesterday - paint brushes have seen better days - but at least I can have a practice, and I have been watching some acrylics on ebay, been doodling with flowers and leaves - cant wait to get started :j

pennib

" Unfortunately I never, ever go to car boots as I don't drive and the village we live in has one once a year which is really pants . I'd love to go to a proper CB again - you all seem to get such lovely finds x"

Pollyskettle you can sit with me in the no car boot corner!:mad: That is one lovely footstool overhaul....think you should go
back and have another nosy in parents garage!:D

Princessvix; yes I make and sell the monkeys. They are a lot
easier to haul around than furniture :rotfl:

If you want to use wallpaper as long as you let it rest for 4/5 mins after pasting (same as you would on a wall) there
shouldn't be any wrinkles at all. Maybe your local wallpaper
shop has got some scraps they dont need anymore?
I am also fan of red polka dots.
I hope that you find work soon it must be stressful for you.
In the meantime have a look at your old furniture and get
busy;)

Lindadykes; I use sheets/duvet/counterpane/quilt on bottom of bed. This doesnt change winter or summer as the temps dont go up much up here at the tip of Scotland. :rotfl:
Lovely photos on your blog.

pennib

Debbsi; Acrylic is totally different from oils. (never used gouche so dont know what that is like)
Acrylic is hard wearing and dry's fast whereas oils have a different texture and drys very slowly. You can get a
gel that you mix in with acrylic that slows the drying time
down which I have used (also used made up wallpaper paste
which does the trick as well - just need a touch otherwise it
dilutes the paint, although I have only used this on wood
not paper)
The small pots of emulsion are a good way to go. I have
used touches with good effect.
It pays to invest in some new paintbrushes when you
get going properly. I use a combination of cheap (Tesco) and more expensive ones.
I will take a photo of the ones that I use and post it later.

Mely

Pennib..... your furniture is absolutely amazing...beautiful! You are so clever...cant stop looking at them!

cmazza

Hi, I have really enjoyed following this thread, I love everyone's projects and transformations. Do you sell the things you renovate or are they just for your own homes? If you do sell them, do you make a profit? Is the Shabby Chic vibe still fashionable?