Resolution Job #3…Chairs

Still working on the proverbial ‘must get my ass in gear and get it done’ list.

As of today, I’ve managed to check off number one- dechristmify..and that was a huge one which involved way too much glitter removal for any sane person to handle.

I also finished off number two - paint frame for TV white.

As for the next one, I’m sending a big prayer to whatever god is listening to help me finish off the chairs in the hallway.

They’ve have become akin to writer’s block for me…I just don’t know what to do with them…well edit, I think I do now I think but it’s taken forever and a lot of days.

The saga started with these (there are two)…purchased for $200 on Craigslist.

At first I wanted to leave the wood and thought (foolishly) that I could reupholster them myself…total fail.

As you can see by the evidence, upholstery a la me, not an option.

Moving forward, I think gold- love gold, want more gold, have to have gold…

Not so much- it’s too shiny and baroque and with the wallpaper/lamps…

 it’s entirely too much gold. 
Plus, if I add the fabric I was planning on…

the whole space has turned black, white and gold…and I hate that thought.

So…back to the drawing board.

I know, how about charcoal grey?

I have a can of Cracked Pepper left over from when we painted our front door.

Perfect.  I’ll do one of those painting techniques and wipe it over the gold to make the gold all aged and purty.

Fail.

It just looks dingy.

Moving on…forget faux/crap finish, just paint them grey.

Surely that will look great with wallpaper and lamps.

So I paint both by hand, which is tedious and awful.

And…I don’t like it.
{Sorry, forgot to document these steps/mistakes}
I’m sad and dismayed.

{only not nearly this glamorous}

The grey is actually a blue grey and as such, totally throws out my new idea of putting this fabric on the chairs.

BLAST!!!!

Ok- regroup, go to Home Depot- I have no idea what to do…no idea about paint, fabric…none of it.

Then I think, when in doubt, go black- black is classic, black is thinning (I figure even pretty antique French chairs probably want to look thin,) black is chic…

I decide to go with the flat because in my mind, that will work better with the lamp shades.

I rush home, set up and then spray like a crazy person slightly possessed in the garage- inhale way way too many fumes- freeze my bum off and end up spraying my white coat along with the chairs but….all is not lost.

{Oh and yes, some of the paint immediately starts to crackle because of the paint cocktail underneath  but whatever, adds to the historic charm.}

Anyhow….I actually like- alot!

{ignore spray painted fabric please…it’s not staying}

Halleluah!!!

And the best part, with the new black frames my originally (hence already paid for) Marimekko fabric looks fabulous.
Yes, I’m going to embrace the black and white and run with it.

If Audrey can pull it off, so can my foyer.

And with that, my brain sings a happy dance and reels with thought of one final addition…

.
..a little leopard purr to the cushions.

Jumping for joy at this point.

And now, it’s time to take a freaking massive sigh of relief- this project has actually made me question my love for chairs but I think, I hope, the final result will make me fall in mad love with the idea all over again.

{pictures found via Pinterest- Brides, We Heart It, Spoki, ffffound, Suicide Blond, Simply Seductive,
 Seen and Said, Go Live Wire, Once Wed}

For isn’t it the process, the sweat, the mistakes, that makes these types of resolutions so much more worth their while?

I’d say yes.  If not a slightly begrudging yes.