Nesting With Heidi

Friday, January 24, 2014

Painting Upholstered Furniture

11:52 AM No comments

Wow, I am embarrassed and guilty. BUT, I just did not have time or energy, to enlighten you with my thoughts, work and ideas. I was several times in Germany last year, and going again this year. My health was dilapidated, doing much better now. I was in Dallas, teaching the Idal chapter. Met wonderful faux finish artists and made new friends. Thank you IDAL Chapter Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Anyway, many of you know, that I am sharing my home with Bella

and my sweet cats "Bärli and "Sammy"

Don't' they look like they are "trouble free"? NOT!!!!!

I don't believe in de-clawing my sweethearts, thus they developed a very bad habit. They are ripping my furniture to pieces. And that is like a thorn in my eyes.

After deciding not to order slipcovers, because they too would be ripped in a short while. I did what I know best. I decided to paint my upholstery. I am a firm believer, that everything can be painted.

Years ago I painted my kitchen counters and I really got in trouble for it. Colleagues, friends and family, claimed that I would poison them and that the finish would not last. Well, we know better now. My family is still kicking..... and the finish did last.

Back to my upholstery. I messed around with paint etc. and came up with a paint recipe, which I am still experimenting with. However, I did paint my chair and I love it. In the beginning the fabric was kind of stiff, but it has become much softer. The chair is very easy to keep clean(washable), feels kind of cold, like leather. I don't mind that. But, what I really, really love...... Bärli and Sammy don't like the chair any longer. That is a great bonus. Pretty soon I will be working on the rest of my furniture. I will keep you posted.

Here the results:

Sorry my first banner!!!

First paint strokes. I am wondering "is this crazy"?

First coat completed. See all the rips and tears?

Second coat completed. Now I began to sand, sand, sand and applied an additional coat. Thoroughly sanded again. Never did I say, that it would go fast. Just to make sure I applied a fourth coat. And ....here it is......My new jewel!!!! To all my friends, clients and colleagues......Guess you have to eat your words. LOL

I used Plaster of Paris, mixed it with Downy to a smooth paste (yoghurt), added it to flat paint to thicken the paint. Sprayed the furniture before painting with Fabric medium. Kept the furniture somewhat damp, so the paint would spread better. And sometimes, when I thought it was necessary I sprayed the still wet painted areas.

In the meantime, I have started with my red couch and changed the recipe a little to

replacing the Downey and fabric medium with water. Stay tune......

Take care and be save, until next time.....

Heidi

PS: Preview.....I am bringing back a eighties kitchen to this Century......and mostly with paint

Before. Kitchen with oak cabinets, melamine counters and wallpaper.

Stay tune and see how this becomes an HGTV jewel

I missed you all

3:27 PM about Heidi No comments

....and I am feeling the ever so painful "Guilt".

I don't even know how to start this post. For days, I have been thinking about a "catchy" headline (according to the wisdom of many professional bloggers, a catchy headline is an absolute "MUST"). I am wondering if I have I succeeded with this "headline" thing? But this "Headline" came from the heart!

I do know that my limited English is one of the reasons I seem to suffer from a self-inflicted pain, called writer's block. But, I want "the show to go on", consequently, I do hope that you overlook my "accent". All of the above being said, I also must tell you:

I love and appreciate your comments.
I really did miss you and I appreciate each one of you.
I hope that I will see you again and often.
I will try to overcome my accent complex......

And BTW, in Germany and Austria I am always being asked where I learned such good German? My native tongue is German. However, living for such a long time in the USA, it seems that I have developed a heavy American accent, speaking German. I am homeless, and I can't win for loosing.!!!!!!!!!!

During my long silence, I was not idling in La, La land. I was ill for a long time, but now I am much better. I traveled several times to Europe, teaching these German master painters the art of faux painting. My, my, there are only male painters!!! It is extremely hard to get them to believe that they can actually design and create a beautiful wall finish, instead of just whipping out a fan deck.

Another apparent and challenging difficulty I constantly come across, is to convince these budding faux finish artists to create sample boards. The sample boards are created by manufacturer reps and sales representatives who I also trained. Yes, it is true..... the painters just call and request a sample board and the reps oblige. Totally hard for me to understand!!!! And I am being told that I can not change the "German way".

I finished some really great projects, which I will introduce here soon, if not sooner. LOL

I taught several classes, one of them in Dallas, the local Idal chapter.

I am re-inventing myself and trying to "smell the roses" at times. One of my students told me come up for air and breathe a little. Kathy, I am trying very hard!!!!! LOL..
I finally created a German blog

Again, I miss you all. I am glad to be back and please stay tune and check out the completed projects:
.

Before and after.... Bringing a dated dining room to today's style.
Before

After- Back to the Future - Classic and up-to-date

Sending blessings and good wishes,
Fondly,

99 bunte Ostereier!!!

Noch ganz schnell ein paar kreative Ideen für Eure Ostereier.


Blümchen herstellen: Mit dem Locher ausstanzen und auf das Ei kleben.Southern Living.com

Sorbische Ostereier sind die schönsten der Welt


Sorbische/Batik Kunst

Ostergrüße! Eier in Tee färben und dann beschriften.

Süße Blumengrüße

Die klassische Variante Ostereier zu verzieren ist natürlich das Färben. Aber vielleicht wollt ihr ja in diesem Jahr eure Lieben mit sehr kreativen Ostereier überraschen.

Anstatt des klassischen Färbens, versucht doch mal eine Schablonentechnik.

Werkzeug

Kleine Blätter ( Thymian, Farn, Pfefferminz etc.)
Gekochte Eier
Nylonstrumpf, in ca 10cm lange Stücke schneiden
Wasser

Essig
Eierfarbe
Gummibänder
Große Gläser,ein Glas pro Farbe
Löffel

Anleitung

Blättchen auflegen und dann das Ei in den Strumpf legen.
Den Strumpf drehen und dann mit dem Gummiband befestigen.
das Ei wird in die Eierfarbe gelegt.
nach ungefähr 5 Minuten wird das Ei mit dem Löffel heraus gehoben und der Nylonstrumpf wird sorgfältig entfernt.
Ich finde diese Eier ganz künstlerisch super. Was meint ihr????

Ostergrüsse aus den USA

1:50 PM Decorating on the cheap , Grüße aus Amerika , Hot Trends , Thrifty decorating , Toller Shabby Chic 7 comments

Hallo meine Lieben,

Hatte heute ein bisschen Zeit auf der Internet herum zu surfen. Ich dachte mir, dass es vielleicht für Euch interessant wäre zu sehen wie kreativ die "Amis" sind. :)