6/26/16

Giving a New Fun Look to a Couple of Old Chaises ~ Painted Outdoor Cushion Project



Ahhh it's SUMMERTIME and the living is EASY!!! Well maybe it is if you are a couple of kids enjoying the fun of splashing around all day in the swimming pool. That's pretty much what Michael and Grace have been up to since school has let out. And when they are done with the pool they have always taken their respective towels to our front driveway and spread them out there to sun themselves.


I've always found that to be a rather uncomfortable way to sunbathe, so recently I did a little internet searching to see if there was a way of sprucing up a couple of old wrought iron chaises and their cushions we happen to have in the garage. I wanted to do something practical but fun...you know with bright summertime colors.



I found a spray paint specifically made for painting fabric, but I felt that the price was way too costly for the old beat up and faded cushions we already had. So I stuck with a common tutorial which seemed to work for the people who tried it.


The one I decided to go with involved just a few products. First I purchased a quart of exterior paint in a flat finish. The color I chose was Rainwater by Behr paint. Next I purchased a fabric medium by Martha Stewart over at Michael's craft and supply store. The last few items I needed were a paint brush, which I already had, along with some good old tap water and a clean sponge.


The technique is pretty easy with no exact science to it. 
Just mix roughly two parts paint to one part fabric medium along with an equal amount of water. I made sure my cushions were clean by running them through the washer and dryer before starting. Next use your clean sponge (I stress clean because you don't want any little pieces of "ick" stuck to a dirty sponge falling off onto your cushions) to dampen the cushion before you begin to paint. It took about three good coats for complete coverage. I brushed the paint on thinly and then let it dry thoroughly before adding the next coat. (Hint: make sure to do this on a dry sunny day, this will help to reduce drying the time between coats and move the entire project along much faster.)
The below pic is my cushion after 2 coats.


Once the cushions are painted they do have a bit of a "plasticy" feel to them. A few tutorials suggested sanding them down between coats, but for me that "plastic" feel was just fine. I liked that they will now repel water, can be rinsed off to clean, and hopefully not fade out as easily in the intense summer sun. (I'll have to post an update at the end of August)

I also went ahead and spray painted both chaises white. I thought this would be a much prettier contrast to the new bright blue color of the cushions.


The little brown table between the two chaises also received a fresh coat of ivy green paint.


I picked up a couple of cute outdoor pillows from Walmart for five bucks each.


This project's total breakdown...


Plus $10 for the new pillows for a complete cost of $55 before tax.
Not bad since it would have cost at least $70 just to replace the cushions!

Are they using the chaises now??? 
YES!!!



And it is two thumbs up from the peanut gallery!!!


Hope you are enjoying a glorious start to your summer!!!

XO
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12 comments:

  1. This is such a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to try this on my tired, worn out chair cushions. Yours look great!!!

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  2. They look great! I would have never imagined that you can paint over your outdoor cushions. Quite innovative.

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  3. I love it, how fabulous is this. Great makeover.

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  4. Good idea, Barbara, and they look pretty too. No matter how they might pretend otherwise, I'm sure the kids are much more comfortable now. Wow, have they grown up..Happy Weekend..xxo Judy

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  5. Great idea! Love the colors you used for the cushions and little green table! Very pretty, summery, and fresh! :) ~Rhonda

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  6. Barbara, what a fun and summery makeover for little cost! Love the colors! Blessings, Pam @ Everyday Living

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  7. Barbara, you did a great job with this makeover! The blue is such a pretty color, against the white frame. Great idea!

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  8. I was just outside looking at our pool loungers, thinking they could use a make over. Never thought about painting the cushions....awesome! I am also heading to Walmart to check out the pillows. I need some new ones too. Yours look like they would match my umbrella beautifully. :)

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  9. I don't know where to begin! Let's start with the kids; uber cute! I wonder if mine were ever that young. :D Then onto those chairs, fantastic. I don't know if I would have attempted that but the result was spectacular. Loved the little chartreuse table and then those pillows. Seriously? Walmart? I die. The pillows pull it all together and look high end. I will be over and we will catch up and share on cocktail while chilling on those loungers. :D
    Enjoy your summer and thank you for swinging by BeColorful Coastal

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  10. Sounds like your kids are having a wonderful summer. That is great, isn't that what summer is for? I love your project, those chaises really look nice. What a difference the cushions look! I keep seeing these tutorials on painting fabric and I think yet this year I am going to dip my foot into that kind of a project! I am glad to see yours turned out so well!

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  11. I would love it if you would stop by the Celebrate Your Story! link party and share this great post. Here is the link if you have a chance: http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-story-32/

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  12. I LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing this with us!

    Cottage Blessings,
    Rebecca

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