Monday, July 11, 2011

Not So Nifty, Thrifty.....

Hi Bloggerettes!
Did you ever buy a piece of furniture that you were darn sure you could transform and make beautiful, and it turned into a nightmare???
It looked so simple.  I knew it had potential.  It was going to be easy....NOT !!!!
Here is the culprit.....

Ugly and in bad need of a redo.

Well.................I started sanding and nothing was happening.  The old paint would not come off!
Then I decided to prime it to see what would happen.  At first I thought the paintbrush was worn out because the paint looked all gobby and messy and then the paint started peeling!   Then, I realized that someone had done a bad crackle treatment on it and the crackle medium was coming through!

Anyway, I  attempted to remove the primer and it wouldn't come off, so I said a few choice words, okay a lot of choice words, and did I mention it was 100 degrees in the garage!!!

The "thing" still looked awful.
I finally turned to spray paint and then sanded and added some antiquing glaze.  I still dislike it.

I was so mad at this chair that I didn't take the time to add more padding to the pitiful seat.  I just started stapling the fabric on wanting it to go away.

Where is Miss Mustard Seed when you need her?
She would laugh at this one.

My chair should have looked like this....


Or this...

Or this...

 
Why am I blogging about this, you ask.
To let off my frustration and to ask if this has happened to you.

I've learned that it's never a good idea to continue working on a project that drives you crazy.  And to never get in a big hurry just to get it done.

I think that I will spray it a metallic silver, plump up the seat with some fiberfill and recover it in a gray and white fabric. Add a ruffle and maybe stencil the back of the chair with an image.

When I get done with this nightmare of a chair, I will have spent three times the amount that I paid for it!  Oh well, live and learn.


I just removed it from the room and took it to the garage.
Maybe it just needs some time out.

What would you do with this little tramp????

Stay tuned, I will be back with a redo of the redo!
She had better straighten up or else!!!


Okay, get out there and create, make, sew, cook, draw, paint, write, photograph or find something wonderful and share it with the rest of us.

~~hugs~~
Sissie

I'm linking with Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.  Hope to see you over there.












25 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sissie I am so sorry the chair is a nightmare.

XO
Linda

Amy Chalmers said...

Well that stinks Sissie! I think pink and floral fabric will cheer it up and make someone buy it!! Loud and borderline obnoxious is how I would proceed!

afistfullofweeds* said...

I would leave it the way it is and take it to your both. I bet it sells quick!

afistfullofweeds* said...

Oh pooh....booth that is.. spilled tea on my keyboard a few days ago..and the keys are sticking!!!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That is funny. Sorry you are having problems with this chair. You should have used chalk paint and the old crackle probably would have looked good.

Rebecca Nelson said...

I'm on the floor laughing. Yep...happened to me. I have too many chairs and I've sworn off on them. Unless I find one on the roadside for free NO MORE ARE COMING TO MY HOUSE TO LIVE.

Steveo said I have to move out if I bring one more piece of furniture home.

Sometimes he's such a pig.

xoRebecca

Jane said...

Hi Sissie,
I've had projects like that....the vision in your head doesn't match the finished project. I know your not happy with it but I didn't think it looked so bad. I look forward to seeing the redo of the redo!
Jane

Debra@CommonGround said...

Te he, I can relate! I just love knowing other people have had the same issues. Currently my sprayed white fireplace insert is testing me. Maybe if we ignore them they'll go away.
xoxo Debra

trash talk said...

Have I ever? Only about a gazillion times more than I care to admit! I say cover it in book pages and see if they can try and escape!
Deb

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Sissy,

You saw my problem furniture piece today! When I just can't get it right, I cut my losses and toss it in the dumpster with that lady! That said, I think the chair looks good...call me crazy!

Carol

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I don't think the chair part is bad at all. I'd maybe distress it more by showing more of the wood/paint layers all over it and maybe finding a fabric that is a bit more "shabby chic" to bring out that vintage and distressed feel.

Overall, I think you have the right idea and with a few tweaks, you'll salvage the chair. Good luck with whatever you decide to do this time!

Burlap Luxe said...

Sissy
There are no mistakes in shabby! You have proven that the paint on the chair is not going anywhere, it is on that chair to stay and this is a great thing in the chairs behalf you have added to its durability!

I really like it and you have added a less then perfect to it, it fits in with the euro flea market style I love so.

Take the next step and do a simple fabric like a french grain sack look, it will be more forgiving in its state, it will add the right kind of wow to it and you will fall in love with your chair.

Let the chair tell you where it wants to rest and your hard work will pay off.
Sissy I really like the chair, I am inspired to find a chair of my own!

Thank you for your beautiful visit my friend, your comment I will treasure :)
xoxo
Dore

raggygirlvintage said...

Did I ever tell you about my Queen Anne chairs that I got a YEAR ago, wrecked the hardboard pulling out screws, the foam disintegrated, the staples wouldn't go in, I used oil based paint etc etc. Yes, I know the feeling, but we perservere and don't let some silly chair beat us!!

I would say if all else fails give chalk paint a try...
Tracey

Alaina said...

How fun are you. Yes, I think any one who fixes up furniture has had this happen. Mine have ended up at the end of the driveway on garbage day, let some other sucker think they can make it beautiful.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I think we all get one of these at some time or other, Sissie. You are not alone! I know I've done a couple of things recently where I wondered "what the heck were you thinking??". Some pieces just don't want to conform to our visions for them. I love the fabric you chose for the chair; maybe it can be redone. I was thinking chalk paint when you said it wouldn't cover because on that dresser I did recently, the chalk paint covered three different materials on that.

Claudia said...

Oh, how frustrating! I've been in situations like that - where you really want to dump the whole project but won't let yourself give in.
I bet it will sell anyway!

xo
Claudia

Lynn said...

I feel your frustration! Yep, I think a 'time out' is in order, and then I look forward to your redo:@)

Jenna said...

Hi Sissie, I'm sorry your chair didn't come out as expected. I have had similar situations the one I recall is a chair we recieved from an old law firm... it seemed like days trying to get all the stuff off and we thought we did....but no. when we started painting, it looked hideous!!! we ended up paying to have it professionally stripped which ended up costing 70.00!!! for a free chair.... not including all the stuff we bought to refinish it. When it was done it looked so nice. I don't think I will be doing another chair though. I hope everything works out, I would love to see it done to your liking. Have a great day! hugs, Jennifer

Patty Sumner said...

So Sorry your chair did not turn out like you wanted, but I think it looks great! Love the Dumpster Diving Diva pic! lol

Blessings!
Patty

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Somebody's gonna love that bad girl to pieces...
Who ever buys her is gonna want to know how you achieved such an awsome finish!!!
I like living in La-la-land...Lol...
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

of course it happens to all 0f us!

stefanie said...

hahahaha!!!! good luck!

Cindy said...

Yes, yes, and yes! I've had that experience with paintings... in fact I'm in a war with a painting right now... i know enough not to give up yet... but there is a point when it's just time to put the canvas away and get over it. Of course, I'm mad as a hornet the rest of the day when a painting doesn't go well, and I've spent 4 hours working on it!

Cindy

Unknown said...

hmmmm....I have found most of the crackle finishes to be water based and respond well to a good spray of water and some steel wool....but having said that, with the coat of paint you already sprayed on that ship might have sailed. Your new redo idea sounds wonderful......but I do agree you need some time apart.....LOL
xojana

Maureen said...

Ohhhh yes....been there, done that! I spent a few weeks dealing with a waterfall vanity with veneer issues. I had it all glued down and sanded and when I painted it, the veneer lifted in new spots. Fixed that, painted again, then the veneer lifted in other spots. It was a nightmare and I was ready to kick it to the curb. We had a little time out and I decided to distress it and marked it "as is". It sold in less than 2 weeks! I learned that not everything has to be perfect and we all have different tastes.

Maybe a little time out is what you both need! LOL! You might just decide that it looks fine the way it is. I must say, I love the fabric.

Passionate for White said...

Good to know not everything you touch turns out perfectly!! :) Suddenly...I don't feel so bad :)

My favorite stuff

  • Donuts
  • Iced Vanilla Coffee
  • Finding Junk and making it beautiful
  • Spending Time with my Sister
  • Holidays with my family
  • Poirot movies
  • reading murder mysteries
  • searching shabby chic stuff on ebay
  • writing stories and blogging
  • snuggling with my husband and my kitty kats
  • comfortable pajamas
  • slot machines
  • yard sales
  • hunting through estate sales and thrift shops
  • going to antique shops
  • eating out with my sister
  • having lunch with my husband
  • having lunch with my son
  • vanilla wafer cookies
  • pedicures and pink toenail polish
  • Lavender scented soaps and body wash
  • Good makeup