Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Garage Sale Pile to Treasure

Here's the other little project I did over the weekend that I promised I'd share with you.

I pulled this old chair out of my "sell-whenever-you-get-around-to-having-a-garage-sale" pile and decided to improve upon it a bit. And yes, I really was going to sell this unique little chair, but in my defense it had bad memories so I didn't want it around. Instead I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and make it something wonderful that I can love.

I distressed it a little with some sandpaper and then painted the year "1924" on the back rest (which happens to be the year my sweet Grandma was born...I like things around the house to have meaning to them).

I was crazy enough to draw the numbers freehand (with pencil) first, and then use a tiny brush and black craft paint to paint by hand. It seemed to work out ok.

And then....wait for it....wait for it....shazam! I decided to go the extra mile by painting a garland on the back...even though the chair is up against the wall most of the time and nobody will ever see it. At least I know it's there.


Overall, I'm loving the "new" chair. It adds a little more character to the living room...and cost next to nothing!
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33 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 29, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    I've been wanting to do something like this to my dining room chairs--thanks for the inspiration!!
    :D
    Chandra

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  2. Amber FilkinsApril 29, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    It looks AWESOME, AnNicole!! Love it!

    Good job on the free hand too!!

    Have another one laying around in your pile for me?? :)

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  3. the BLAH BLAH BLAHgerApril 29, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    I'm doing a chair this weekend, too! LOVE your paintings!!!

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  4. MarthaApril 29, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    Absolutely beautiful!! I love it.. awesome job on the free hand! :)
    Martha

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  5. the undomesticated wifeApril 29, 2009 at 4:12 PM

    Cute! I'm impressed with your steady painting job! Looks so good, as if you'd used a stencil.

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  6. Daryl at Vermont CottageApril 29, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    I love the numbers on the chair, and the special significance. Excellent job with hand-lettering too. It looks great!

    Daryl

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  7. Darlene - Our Creative LifeApril 29, 2009 at 4:26 PM

    That is great that you made a number that means something special to you.

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  8. TaraApril 29, 2009 at 4:28 PM

    Well done! Great idea using 1924. I'll have to figure out away to do something like that in my house.

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  9. lisaApril 29, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    I don't know what cuter...the chair or your use of the word "shazam" :)

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  10. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.comApril 29, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    That chair is darling! I can't wait to start yard saling. I think I might first have to have one here so I can have room for some new stuff.

    I love your numbers. I was going to ask you if it was a stencil. Amazing!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  11. Mandi @ Sweetly HomeApril 29, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    I'm inspired! What a sweet redo. And I'm mega impressed that you painted it free hand. Mine would look more like a three year old painted it. Great job!

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  12. hixsongirlApril 29, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    What a good idea! I'm so impressed Cole! I'm glad you could turn that bad memory into a good one. Sometimes that's really hard to do...I know.
    Very cute! :)

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  13. UnknownApril 29, 2009 at 8:46 PM

    You hand drew those numbers? Amazing. I love how the chair turned out. Here's to good memories!

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  14. DawnApril 29, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    I love it! What a sweet little chair!

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  15. ErikaApril 29, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    SO sweet! I love the chair and the meaning is priceless!! Super job!!!

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  16. Victoria HaydenApril 29, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Adorable! I think it turned out great! I am getting ready to do some handpainted letters and numbers on some chairs...the things we do to add those little details. :)

    Hugs,
    ~Victoria~

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  17. AuraApril 29, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    I love it! I just attempted to recently hand paint letters, too. It was just...okay ;)

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  18. patApril 29, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    Your chair looks just terrific. What an outstanding job you did, you are so creative! Always enjoy the posts on your blog.

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  19. Amanda @ Serenity NowApril 29, 2009 at 10:03 PM

    Love. it. :)

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  20. AnonymousApril 30, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    Gorgeous! Like everyone else, I'm impressed you did the letters freehand. If I did it, it would look like chicken scratchings in the dirt. And I LOVE the idea of using a date that is significant to you. I'm going to use this idea, somehow, someday.

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  21. paigeApril 30, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    perfection!

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  22. UnknownApril 30, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    LOVE the chair and it's so special that you put a special date that means something to you on it! The garland great too....GOOD JOB!

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  23. ellie maeApril 30, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    I love love love how you put the year your sweet grandmother was born. I think that is just so special and how you turned something that you really werent too crazy about to something wonderful! Great job!

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  24. Sa-Sea April 30, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT CHAIR!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! CHECK OUT MY QUEEN BEE PILLOWS, THEY WOULD MATCH THAT CHAIR WITH WREATH WONDERFULLY!!!!! WWW.SASEABOUTIQUE.ETSY.COM
    GREAT IDEA!!!

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  25. KatyApril 30, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    Really nice looking!
    Like how you put the date on it.

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  26. MaRiNApril 30, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    Awesome job- especially freehanding the numbers, they really look great!

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  27. janetApril 30, 2009 at 7:19 PM

    im glad you were able to make it a happy chair, it looks fabulous, and is that a window seat i see....lucky you! lol
    hugs
    janet

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  28. Susan/StandsureMay 1, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    The Lemonade is looking mighty tasty AN! Congrats on taking a forlorn piece and putting your personal stamp on it.

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  29. American HomemakerMay 3, 2009 at 12:56 AM

    I love it! It turned out so great! I'm impressed with your freehanding skills.

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  30. Beki - TheRustedChainMay 5, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    It looks lovely, but I'm cracking up at your "wait for it... wait for it...".

    My kids and I say that all the time!

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  31. AnonymousMay 6, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    Wow . . . you are so talented. When I read that you free-handed the numbers I was so impressed. What at talent we have in our family! I started thinking about all the buried furniture in my basement and the fun you could have with it.
    {Shelley

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  32. AnonymousMay 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    AnNicole, this chair looks SOOOO cute! Your numbers look fantastic!

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  33. UnknownMay 9, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    Shazam is right! I'm all about the lemonade deal myself- well done!

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