Make an Art Project out of Painting a Chair

Since we're on the subject of outdoor spaces, why not do a post on 

creative outdoor chairs?  It's amazing what just paint can do to a room

or a chair in this case.  I'm not artist but stencils and other tricks make

painting or decorating a chair fun an easy.

You can take any sort of outdoor seating and spruce it up.

As such.  It doesn't need to be perfect and it can really

add some pizazz to a set of tables or chairs.

All you need is an outdoor space where you can spray paint, either some 

paint brushes or the proper type of paint or spray paint and some tools to 

help you paint such as tape or stencils just to name a couple of examples. 

There are a lot of things around the house that one can use as a stencil such 

as paper doilies, lace, cut outs or more.  You can make your own as well 

by cutting out shapes with thick paper.

This one has a particularly summer feel to it with the fruit.

It's hard to go wrong with stripes.

Polk a Dots perhaps?

Or bring out the inner artist in you.

Even plastic chairs?  Why not?

Shabby Chic outdoor store style?  Here you go.

A wooden bench paired with a bright colored seat pad.

I always love a large scale focus or motif.  

Hope this post and these examples have inspired you to make your own

art project out of an outdoor chair.  Definitely a way to have fun and 

make something go from bleh to spectacular.  So how about it?

Photos from Do It Yourself

How about Colorful Chalkboard Paint?

Chalkboard paint has been really becoming popular lately.
Although the above is one of my favorite images that illustrate
the use of chalkboard paint, one does not have to go all out
and paint an entire room in chalkboard paint - although this
shows how it really can work. Did you notice that even the
ceiling is painted in chalkboard paint? I thought that was
pretty unique.

Hallways and doors are excellent for painting with
chalkboard paint as well.

How about the front door?

This entry hall is very cleverly done with just the top
of of the room and the ceiling painted with chalkboard
paint. I love the pink/peach juxtaposed against the
dark paint. The beautiful chalk swirls and cursive letters
really do make a big statement.

Painting a teenager's room in chalkboard can
be fun.

And of course, it's absolutely perfect for kid's
or children's rooms.


This is an interesting wall that separates
the kid's beds from the main living space.
By painting the dividing wall with chalkboard
paint, it effectively creates a great play space.

I really thought this was very clever. Ever get
tired of craning your neck at the cookbook while
trying a recipe? Well now you can literally write
the recipe on your kitchen wall. Painting the kitchen
backsplash with chalkboard paint can come out with
unexpected benefits.

Here's a more traditional and rustic kitchen
paired with green chalkboard walls. I adore
the old door used for the pantry.

Isn't this a hoot? Bathroom graffiti is the
way to go.

This post was actually inspired by Hudson Paint. What's
unique about their chalkboard paint is the many bright
colors it comes in (as you can see from the color palette
above.) They give some great tidbits about using chalk-
board paint here.

I think a great point to remember that outside of painting
on a smooth surface, remember that not all chalk is made
equal. Here's a piece of advice from Hudson Paint about
using chalk.

Chalk sticks are not all equal, some are very hard, some
even contain wax or oils which make them difficult to
erase, try different brand for best results.

Some examples and ways to use Hudson paint
from their site. I love how they mixed colors
to make a grid for this mudroom.

A child's room or play room is fantastic for colorful
chalkboard paint. How often have you seen an orange
chalkboard? Pretty fun and cool.

An office is a great place to use chalkboard paint as well.
Here we have an entire wall with a red chalkboard.

This photos is just for fun where a school painted one
of their halls entirely in green chalkboard paint.

Remember the chalkboard paint isn't just for walls, you
can use it on all sorts of mediums such as furniture or even
appliances. I'll have follow posts on this in the future. So
how about it, would you consider using chalkboard paint in
your home?


Photos from Hudson Paint, Apartment Therapy,
Style-Files, BHG.com, Lowes and JeanierHoades.com

Use Paint to Liven Up Your Furniture ~ Boldly Paint Furniture with Vivid Colors

It's amazing what a simple coat of paint can do to a room.
You can also use paint to give your furniture a complete
make over to liven up your room. The above bedroom
is absolutely gorgeous and it just wouldn't be the same
without the boldly painted wicker divider in bright blue
for a headboard. The lime green is a really nice accent
to go with blue and dark brown comforter.

It is absolutely okay to go wild with color on an antique
or vintage piece of furniture. The French bergere styled
chair to the left is proof of this. Vivid pink with cheetah
patterned fabric, it's loads of fun.

How about a pop of cherry red in this simple country
styled room?

The Orange headboard just screams out at you.

Opposite the headboard, a burnt orange chest
of drawers.

A White chair with a zebra pattern to mix it up.

And a sunny yellow faux bamboo chair.

I've posted this photo before but I wanted
to show it again so one can see that instead
of Teal, it could have been any other color.

Black to anchor this colorful blue living space.

A bright blue desk is certainly unique.

50 Ways to Paint Furniture

And with my addiction to books, here are
a few on the painting of furniture.

This is a more technical primer with step
by step instructions on how to paint furniture.

Painting and
Decorating Furniture

Painted Furniture

Great examples and ideas.

Painted Furniture: Decorating
Ideas and Projects

Better Homes & Gardens publications
always have fun ideas.

Your Home: A Living Canvas


And last but not least is a beautiful book
with photos and inspirations to painting
not just your furniture, but your home.
This one is worth checking out.

Any of you thinking to makeover or paint
a piece of furniture this summer?

Photos from Canadian House & Home