Bohemian coverlet + victorian parlor chair = funky makeover!

Today I finished what will probably be 

my last custom project for 2016.

(I'm having hand surgery on Monday 

and will be out of commission for a month.)

 Virginia delivered this little victorian parlor chair 

she wants reupholstered.

You know how I LOVE

using non-traditional materials....

She wants to use this printed coverlet for the upholstery.

 I'm all over it!!!!

 

First step is removing all the piping and loose tacks.

Step two is removing the cat,

and figuring out how to lay the fabric.

We've decided to toss the ordinary out the window:

No symmetry...no centered patterns.

Instead, Virginia wants to use as much of the beautiful

blues in the fabric as possible.

So after I figured out the positioning,

I cut out the fabric and then cut fusible interfacing 

which I then ironed to bond with the fabric.

This fabric is very thin.

 The interfacing will give it more weight

and make it much more sturdy and less prone to tears.

I staple and glue all along the edges, then trim, the chair front.

Next, I cut a piece of batting for the seat.

 Again, after positioning the design,

I cut out interfacing and ironed to bond it to the fabric.

 Then I stapled along all the edges, 

pulling the material taut.

 

And next I did the same for the chair back.

 I used the solid and striped borders of the coverlet for the double piping......

 After sewing, I trimmed, then glued the cording to all the edges, 

to cover the staples.

 I believe she's finished!

 Yep, she's definitely a SHE.

I love the assymetry of it all.

This chair is now a piece of art!

Thank you, Virginia!!!!!!

Check in with me in a month,

when I'll be taking on more custom work!!!

Oh, and just in case,

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!!!!!
(Typing with one hand....hmmmm....

this might be my last blog of 2016, too!)

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370

Thanksgiving!!!!! Floral Arrangements and Nancy's New Dining Room

Here it is Thanksgiving eve.............

Wow..........

I've been working on my client, Nancy's, new house.

Particularly, getting the dining room ready for

the first Thanksgiving dinner she will be fixing

for several years.

(She lived in a condo previously with no dining room.)

Here's the new dining room....

Nancy got this awesome MCM dining set 

from Epoch Furnishings.

The rug was one we ordered for her 

basement bedroom in her previous home.

Works great in this room.

And the light fixture was just added.

So...

here's what I've been busy with.

She needs some furniture -

a buffet/sideboard, and something smaller

on the shorter wall.

A focal point for the wall..

She wants a festive holiday centerpiece for 

the table,  and a long table runner.

I finished last night!!!!!!

Whew...

 I spied this little piece recently 

at The Lazy Daisy Gift Store in Short Pump.

I thought it was interesting........

so I bought it!

 I taped off the bottom shelf.....

And used this...

to spray paint the old sewing machine base.

Now it looks like iron again!

And then on the wood parts,

I simulated a reclaimed wood technique..

My arsenal

of products.

 I left the existing paint,

and just started layering stains...

wiping off, until I liked the patina.

 Now it has a total industrial vibe!

 I love it!!!!

And here it is in the dining room.

I propped it with Nancy's crystal decanters,

and a thrift store lamp I painted.

 

I also found  this awesome mirror.

It goes great with the MCM vibe.

I  hung it on the opposite wall,

below which 

one day will be a serving piece/buffet.

The table is rather narrow and long,

and I couldn't find a runner that was long enough.

So yesterday I whipped up this custom runner 

using fabric in my stash.

And I shopped for all the items to use for the centerpiece.

I used a basket, inserted a plastic liner and wet foam,

and then added various cut flowers. on a slant to keep the arrangement low.

I also added some dried eucalyptus

for the delcious aroma.

I ran evergreens along the runner on each side of the basket

 and then added various fruits and vegetables:

Pomegranates, lemons, and squash.

And finally, I placed several LED flameless candles.

(Don't want to set the eucalyptus aflame!)

I used more evergreens - yews, holly and nandina -

to create this arrangement which I placed 

in a beautiful crystal bowl of Nancys.

It greets you as you come into the front foyer.

Wow! Look!! I'm a floral designer!!!!!!!

You can do it!

Have no fear!!!!! 

(That's my secret weapon!)

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

May your holiday be filled

with wonderful food and family and friends.

And for those of you who are dealing with loss and hardships,

I pray for your peace and comfort.

Blessings to you all!

----------------------------------------

Christmas is just around the corner.

Decorating needs?

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370

A $400 Kitchen Spruce Up

 Sometimes,

I just can't have my way....
Wah Wah.

So I have to let go, and
 just do my very best under the circumstances...

I was brought in on a consult last week for this kitchen.

The owner had to put the house on the market.

QUICK!

I'm sure you've seen these cabinets a zillion times.

Almond melamine,

no hardware,

and woodtone strips.

You find them in a lot of rental units.

The laminate countertops had some edging issues.

 And there was a lot of water damage 
to the drawer fronts under the sink...

The melamine had chipped off,

and the MDF had swollen from

the moisture.

The ktchen walls were a dingy yellow.

Here were my recommendations:

I would paint all the cabinets.

White uppers, and a mid blue-grey tone

for the base cabinets 

to tie in the stainless appliances for a streamlined look.

To add some dimension, 

I would add panels of beadboard wallpaper to the doors

surrounded by thin moulding.
Sort of like this...

And I would add some satin bar pulls.

I would paint the walls a soft light grey,

and add this backsplash:

An awesome self-adhesive stainless steel tile I found

at Home Depot.

BUT...

I then found out the work could not exceed $400.
Eek.

The owner really wanted black or metallic doors
for an industrial vibe. 

And she wanted to keep the woodtone cabinets and trim.

And that was all she wanted to invest....

I was very concerned that black cabinets 

would just create a "black hole."

So I did up some paint samples on one of the cabinet doors:
Two metallics and a deep charcoal.

My recommendation was the top:

A stainless steel appliance epoxy
which had to be shipped. 

The house had to go on the market in a week.

So we went with the middle option: 

A flat antique nickel.

And so....

All the doors were removed and numbered.

All the doors and drawer fronts were spray painted two coats,

and replaced after they dried.

I wish we could have at least changed the wall color. (Pout.)

But the walls were left as is.

I filled the countertop hole with wood putty.

I added a mirror for some extra light over the sink.

To fix the sink cabinet drawer fronts,

I cut to size and painted a long strip of hardiplank.

Then used a power adhesive to attach.

Then I wiped down all the wood 

with Howard's Restor-a-finish in Dark Oak.

Added the chopping block,

a few props,

and it's ready for market.

It's not perfect...

 But it's definitely BETTER.

Have a kitchen that needs some cosmetic lifting?

I can help!!!!!

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370