Shabby Chic Thread?

rosieben

I've rarely had the luxury of an outdoor space or shed/garage that was fit to work in but I've built bookshelves and boxes, stripped and painted furniture indoors;

Lay some heavy plastic or polythene on the floor first - I've used an old shower curtain- then cover with a good layer of something absorbent (newspaper, old towels etc); cover as wide an area around where you're working as possible;

collect and organise all your tools and supplies before you start (find a box of some sort, empty cardboard will do) and have lots of rags handy for odd spills etc.

Beware of treading any spills outside of your work area (I take my shoes off if I go to make a cuppa!).

Where there's a will, there's a way as my Granny used to say!

luxor4t

Well, it has taken me a long time, but I think I have finally got my head around Flickr :eek: .

This is a test:
Bedside cabinet before / after






IT WORKED!!!!!!
I would be very grateful if somebody could point out how to paste just the links, rather than complete photos, as I know these slow the thread down!

icandream

Emptypurse: I am the world's worst when it comes to using my sewing machine: I really haven't much of a clue, I just plough on and try, and it gets easier! I'm trying bigger things now (a blind!, get me!!).
I've never made a wall hanging - I'd imagine you'd need a dowel rod, and slip it into a holder top and bottom - wait for a better suggestion! But there you go, wallhangings always look fab, and it sounds as if you've got the basics to start you off. With a sewing machine, you can do so much! A warning, though, it becomes addictive. lol. I'm meant to be working at the mo! Sneaky "tea break".:rotfl:

Wow, luxor: that came in while I was typing away. It's gorgeous. I love the way these things get a new lease of life. You must be so pleased.
Personally, I like seeing the pics of before and after! I think to link, you just copy and paste the address at the top of the page. I think!

vintagepleasure

icandream wrote: »

I'd go for random patchwork as well.

As to 50 p for a cork! :eek:

For those who remember my sewing box:
(I'll include a before pic in case nobody does as it was so long ago!)

And the after:

And I finally came down on a different fabric altogether, to line it, as it went better with the Dimity.


So if anyone sees a sewing box like this: snap it up. They are so lovely, and the kids want their own because of all the itsy-bitsy compartments. It's also a fairly small project (though it's taken me an awfully long time!).

That is so beautiful.You have worked so hard on it. Next one I see I am going to snap it up and add it to my to-do pile in the garage!!

vintagepleasure

rosieben wrote: »

I've bought demijohn corks from wilkinsons and also found them for sale on the net (try ebay?); I have a few friends collecting the small ones for me, some of hte bottles still do have 'cork' corks rather than plastic

Your pub is definitely trying it on - they'd lose my trade for their meanness!

Patchwork? I really like random, the patterns seem against what was the original idea of patchwork, to me? I'd go for a max of 4 patterns and 1 or 2 plain on a big piece, but probably less patterns on a smaller item. Its more important to have the colours right I think, so I start off by choosing colours that match or contrast.

hth

For the batting in quilting I use a natural cotton one that washes and wears so well.I get it online from www.doughtysonline.co.uk. It is sold in various sizes or by the metre (very wide width too)

luxor4t

Here is the trolley / dumbwaiter that I cut down:





I used some spotty oilcloth to protect the top. The glass candlesticks were all from charity shops and cost 40p each for the single ones, OH paid £5 for the matching pair (:eek: ). I found the ready-lined basket in Instore for £5 and it hides all my junk.

This is the plate rack my lovely dad (75) made for my birthday:


The plates on top were £5 for the three in Past Times sale shop in Street (OH bargained the price down from £7 as the 4th plates was missing), the middle row plates came from TKMaxx reduced shelves, the blue enamel jug was from the National Trust sale shop (Clarks Village in Street), and the two cupcake plates with the cupcake pot came from Buyology and each cost £1.
I love bargain hunting .

This is one of a pair of Ercol chairs we bought 18+ years ago, after I had sanded it down and stripped off the latest cover:






This is the other chair (first one is the rocker) after F&B 'matchstick'. I bought the upholstery fabric in Dunelm Mill.

This is my next project:


£3 from a charity shop! I really like the cutlery drawer under the lower tray.

vintagepleasure

EmptyPurse wrote: »

I am sooooo depressed. I live in a rented flat with cheap Argos furniture that I don't really like but can't replace/refurbish. I'm really envious of all the projects here; I just wish I could do something like that to make my own place a little bit nicer. I don't even have access to a garden so even painting small boxes is impractical - I'd be terrified of getting paint on the carpet :-(

Has anyone got any bright ideas? Or am I doomed to blandness?

You can paint small items on your kitchen wrok tops.Just cover with newspaper and only use water based paints.That way you can clean up easily.
I would use fabric to introduce some colour and soften the overall look.Just have a go you will be suprised how easy it is once you get going!

vintagepleasure

luxor4t wrote: »

Well, it has taken me a long time, but I think I have finally got my head around Flickr :eek: .

This is a test:
Bedside cabinet before / after






IT WORKED!!!!!!
I would be very grateful if somebody could point out how to paste just the links, rather than complete photos, as I know these slow the thread down!

It looks lovely such a difference.I'm not helping you to post links as I prefer the photos! Tee hee!!

luxor4t

vintagepleasure wrote: »

It looks lovely such a difference.I'm not helping you to post links as I prefer the photos! Tee hee!!

Thank you - I have now put the rest of the photos on!

moanymoany

luxor4t wrote: »

Well, it has taken me a long time, but I think I have finally got my head around Flickr :eek: .

This is a test:
Bedside cabinet before / after






IT WORKED!!!!!!
I would be very grateful if somebody could point out how to paste just the links, rather than complete photos, as I know these slow the thread down!

It looks really triff. Which paint did you use and how did you get the inset to stick?