Shabby Chic; Volume III

Thrifty_Sister

bargainbasement wrote: »

Hi, i am getting a new conservatory and i want it accessorised shabby chic/cottage style ( I love cath kidston) I have a two seater sofa and two armchairs in a pale blue/cream stripe like this fabric
http://www.edenhousefabrics.co.uk/ekmps/shops/wdtrading2/images/light-blue-and-white-stripe-100-cotton-poplin-fabric-62-p%5Bekm%5D533x400%5Bekm%5D.jpg

and so far all i have thought about buying to accessorise are these cushions http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130497041569&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT. I have only ordered two for the sofa as i thought i would get a different pattern for the armchairs but now i haven't got a clue if the blue floral on blue stripe is going to be too much, i would like a contrast colour for other cushions but what colour....... !!! you all seem to have some fantastic ideas can someone help me pls!!! I think if i can get my cushions sorted i will be ok with everything else!

thanks

I think those cushions would look lovely so for contrast what about picking out one of the pinks/reds/creams etc which would look lovely and fesh on the blue striped fabric? hth

Bebs

tiff wrote: »

Its called Bekvam, here http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60178887

Bought mine about 10 years ago when my son first had his cabin bed but couldnt manage the vertical ladder! Its been so handy to have for decorating, putting up curtains etc. We have just decorated our hall and the revamped stool will now sit at the end. When I get around to it that is!

Ohhh I love this stool!!! Does anyone think I could paint it cream and put it in the garden???? If yes, what paint should I use?

irishgirl62

i am thinking of bidding on this dressing table and stool to paint it do you think it be worth 39.99?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120697906551&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123#ht_500wt_1041

Keiss_21

irishgirl62 wrote: »

i am thinking of bidding on this dressing table and stool to paint it do you think it be worth 39.99?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120697906551&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123#ht_500wt_1041

Well, I would consider it...if I had room that is (and lived nearby). A good solid looking piece, the storage in the stool is a bonus! If you do it up and don't like/want it, you can always sell it at a vast profit, like this one!!!!

Just think how much you would pay for a modern one that is probably nowhere near half as well built!

diluvsdiscounts

Bebs wrote: »

Ohhh I love this stool!!! Does anyone think I could paint it cream and put it in the garden???? If yes, what paint should I use?

I have just bought some cuprinol shades paint which is for outdoor use on wood so I can't see why you couldn't use that.
It was £19.99 for a 2l tin but they do a smaller one (1l I think) but I'm not sure how much they are.I got mine last night because I wanted 3 different shades so I took my mum with me to B&Q and used her 10% off.

Bebs

diluvsdiscounts wrote: »

I have just bought some cuprinol shades paint which is for outdoor use on wood so I can't see why you couldn't use that.
It was £19.99 for a 2l tin but they do a smaller one (1l I think) but I'm not sure how much they are.I got mine last night because I wanted 3 different shades so I took my mum with me to B&Q and used her 10% off.

Thanks, I think I need a trip to Ikea lol, I think it would look lovely in the garden, now to decide on the colour....

Daydreamer2011

Hi

New to this side of the forum so have just spent my lunch break having a look around and I must say it has really inspired me

I would love to be more creative in my home and finally have found the place to get some support!

Me and OH live in a rented flat so have some limit on what we can do decorating wise but this weekend we are attacking our 2nd bedroom.

We moved in July last year and since then, that room has just been our dumping room. So far it has our fridge / freezer (doesnt fit in kitchen) wardrobe that came with flat which is home to our outdoor coats, OH's bike (moving to shared shed) and his tool box.

Everything else is more or less a mess, a few storage units housing various ornaments / filing - you name it!

So this weekend we are giving it a right sort out, being ruthless and throwing out as much as we can.

I love the idea of having a shabby / chic look to it but I have no idea where to start! We want everything to be organised and a bit more clearer as there are 2 big windows in there and would love to get some light in instead of having the curtains constantly closed because we cant get through the stuff!

Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated as this really is going to be a big project for us, and I would also like us to point out that we really are on the strictest of budgets - cant afford to buy anything whatsoever lol

Thanks for reading

DDx

BitterAndTwisted

I have some whacking-great cardboard boxes which I store a lot of my out-of-season clothes in. These are labelled and stacked so when the seasons change I rotate everything. It's at the folding-and-putting away stage when decisions are made as to whether something stays and earns it keep or goes to the charity-shop. I use labelled shoe-boxes to store small things like swimwear and thermal undies. Obviously I use them for shoes and boots as well and these have polariod photos on the outside so I can identify what I want when I want it.

Could you ask your landlord whether you could install some robust shelving so you're not storing everything on the floor? That might give you more room and help to keep everything a bit tidier

pookiewn

Have you looked on your local freecyle/freegle/gumtree for people giving shelves and cupboards away? Perhaps you could paint them so they all match, would go very well with the shabby chic look. While I was in the poundshop the other day I noticed they had crown gloss and satin paint in rather nice colours, you could get something looking fantastic for not a lot of money.

Good luck with the sorting!

annie-c

Bebs wrote: »

Ohhh I love this stool!!! Does anyone think I could paint it cream and put it in the garden???? If yes, what paint should I use?

I have the stool in my kitchen and love it. However, I wouldn't expect it to last long in the garden, even painted with outdoor paint as it is made of softwood (most good quality garden furniture is hardwood and so can withstand the weather).

I have used Cuprinol garden shades in white to try to extend the life of some old ikea garden furniture, but I was disappointed to be honest. The paint was very thin and gave more of a whitewashed than solid effect. Although it withstood rain it looked very dirty after a short while. Maybe the darker shades are more enduring?