Monday, April 29, 2013

Garden furniture nightmare!

Many years ago my husband surprised me with outdoor furniture for our redwood deck.  At the time green wrought iron was all the rage.  He brought home an oval table, six dining chairs, a glider and two lounge chairs.  The following spring we added four bar chairs and a baker's rack.  Sometime after that,  a bistro table and two chairs made the trip home.  All was well in our little outdoor space.  We hosted many bar-b-ques and have lots of happy memories.

Unfortunately, time changes everything. Now the furniture is too green, spindly and a pain to clean. The original cushions are long gone and the cheap replacements just don't cut it. Unfortunately, our budget does not allow room for new outdoor furniture. Oh how I long for beautifully uphostered sectional with lots of throw pillows!

Well, I can mope around and avoid the backyard or I can do what I do best.  Sew.  My go to fabric is canvas drop cloth from the hardware store.  It's cheap, easy to clean and virtually indestructible.  I slipcovered an old hand-me-down ottoman with a canvas drop cloth a few years ago. Our dogs use it as a perch while they monitor the front yard for enemy intruders-aka the mailman.  Once a week, I throw it in the washer, dryer and back on the ottoman.  No ironing needed.  It looks beautiful!

In the coming weeks, I will use canvas drop cloths to refresh and update my outdoor space.  So far, I used one 9 x 6 cloth ($10.95) to recover the dining chair seat cushions.  I have plans for drapes, to make the space feel cozy as well as frame the view, a slipcover and throw pillows for the glider as well as slipcover two of the dining chairs so that they look more substantial.

Check in to view my progress and share your ideas and comments.


Monday, April 22, 2013

Another great fabric find!

Here's another great find from www.Fabric.com.

Suburban Rasul Ikat
 I used 3 yards to make Roman Shades for french doors in the dinning area of a new home.

 Finished! Just the right amount of privacy and light control not to mention it adds a nice infusion of pattern into the space.





Fabulous!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Quick kitchen update

My little garden window has been looking a bit lackluster these days.  Maybe it's the view.  A redwood fence (that needs paint) and a bunch of rusty garden tools.  Not exactly the best spot in yard! I have always kept the window bare to bring in the maximum amount of light but clearly change is in order.


 I logged in to my favorite fabric website www.Fabric.com for some inspiration and found a great fabric (as always).  It's Waverly Longchamp Chambray at it's a steal at $6.97 per yard!
 Perfect for a Roman Shade!
I lined it and added some trim leftover from another project.

The fabric is stapled to a 3 x 1 board.  I installed some eye hooks, a inexpensive Cordlock and some string. Voila!


Much better! And under $20.00.  Now, if I can just unclutter those countertops!