Shabby Chic; Volume III

pollyanna_26

Hi Bibbitybob . It's been pretty quiet on here for a while which seems to be the way until the sun shines and people come out of hibernation .
I'd be interested to hear about your projects and also to catch up on other posters .
Just going to mention this thread to a poster on another thread so if you've ever upcycled a kitchen you could be of help .
polly

pollyanna_26

Bumping again for pa ja . It's worth bookmarking the page
polly

choille

Hi Polly - I did a kitchen in our new build & got a 'new' load of cabinets off Gumtree very cheaply. I sanded them - they were wood effect & painted them a pale mauve-grey and used crazed pottery handles on the top corner of the cupboards. I bought a 2nd hand Laura Ashley cabinet - cupboard with a dresser back painted that to match & applied matching pottery handles on the top corner of the cupboard doors. So it took a few coats, but still worth it and it's all wearing well so far. Used the remainder of the Gumtree units in the utility with a 2nd hand worktop that someone gave me for free. I used the handles that came with the cabinets in the utility. All the kitchen & utility units cost £100 with the handles - I still have some left over. The Laura Ashley unit was nearly £200 off Gumtree, but I think it had cost about £1,200 new.

I haven't distressed the units, but did want a hand painted Shaker style of look which I have achieved, but at a fraction of what it could have cost. I'm pleased with it.

Next project - finish the house, but I bought some chairs & foot stools - heavily carved in a hard wood - think they are Indian. Not ancient, but ornate. The upholstery is done & I need to redo that and some minor repairs to the actual wood. I would like some good upholstery fabric, but don't know where to look - any suggestions greatly appreciated.

pollyanna_26

Hi Choille I bumped the thread for Bibbitybob and then twice for a poster on in my home . She is the one who wants to renovate her kitchen .
Sadly it's the winter quiet spell on here but hopefully a few will find their way over while we're on page one of the OS thread . It sounds as if you can give her lots of advice . I will try to pop back at the weekend and see how things are , enjoy your renovating
polly

choille

Winter's a good time for projects with the dark evenings. Or plotting & planning them!

pollyanna_26

Sorry I missed the bit in your post about upholstery fabrics and haven't mastered editing my posts :rotfl:
I have bought from a number of online sites . Kingdom interiors have a large suggestion and I've found cheaper sources of those fabrics from other sellers .
As you're a Laura Ashley girl have you thought of looking at their upholstery fabrics ? I wait for the sales which they seem to have very often and get between a third to half off .
That was a bargain kitchen you created . You must be so happy .
polly
Sorry that should read selection not suggestion , don't know how I managed that

choille

I did splurge on a granite island unit that I got in a clearance sale, so I did do some spending, but when I see what complete new kitchens cost I couldn't/wouldn't ever go down that route I doubt. It just doesn't do it for me - look wise or costs wise.

Thanks for the fabric tips - I'll take a look.
I did end up looking at a site called timorous beasties, but £300+ for a metre of fabric is just pop star prices - fabric gorgeous, but how can anyone normal pay those prices? Makes me want to look at hand painting fabric or somehow concocting something, but I doubt I could.

pollyanna_26

Choille Did you post on the greenfinger thread ? your name rings a bell but I can't remember where from .
I agree about overpriced fabrics , nothing is worth silly prices . I've found wool.linen and cotton fabrics top quality and at good prices . In fact anyone looking for wool fabrics can take a look at the recycled wool blankets sold by the national trust , brilliant for cushions , footstool covering or just throws . You can choose the colours in the nt outlets or take pot luck online .
Anyway I'm wittering so will say goodnight and see you soon .
polly

choille

I sometimes have, but usually Daydream Fund challenge.

Thanks for the tips about the NT - that's worth a look - cheers again.

Bibbitybob

Thanks for bumping the thread up for me pollyanna! I've been sorting out little man's bedroom this week - not much shabby chic'ing going on but I did colour my own cotton ball lights to go in his room (so cost me £3.99 instead of £30!).

Regarding upholstery fabrics choille, have you looked in store at Laura Ashley? I've seen fabric offcuts in their bargain bins before that are quite a bit cheaper than usual. Other than that, I buy bits off eBay as it's usually cheaper than bricks and mortar shops.