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Hello Gorgeous

Thursday, April 21, 2011

It's all her fault, I was very happy with  my old girl until I saw her, I was smitten and intrigued. How would she look in my house? I was saddened to know that she could never come and live with me. The price was to high. When you see her you will understand the source of my fascination and desire. Here see for yourself why I was smitten:



Photo shabbychic.com
Isn't she a beauty? I became  so enraptured that I started to look at my old girl in a different light. She had been with me for years, but like all girls eventually do, she needed a new look. We talked it over and she agreed a makeover was in order. But how? What could we do to take her from this





To something like this:

shabbychic.com
The Quest  started with a google search. There I found the answer.I learned what tools to use to transform my old girl into a newer version of her self. After much research and with a lot of excitement and anxiety she was transformed into this:





texture detail

She has given me permmssion to share the secrets of her transformation. Here's what we did:

  1. Wash  with a mild soap and water.
  2. Rub over leather surface with denatured  alcohol
  3. The alcohol removes all wax and polish
  4. Sand the leather lightly with fine sandpaper to allow the paint to adhere
  5. Mix a 50/ 50 mixture of  paint and water, this creates a wash
  6. Apply a very thin coat of the wash
  7. You should be able to see the original color through this first application
  8. Let dry one hour 
  9. Apply second thin coat let dry one hour
  10. Repeat until you get the desired coverage.
I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I was really worried that it would look painted and not like leather anymore. I'm pleased to say it really does look like white leather and not like leather that has been painted. It's also very soft and supple. I used Pink Sea Salt by Martha Stewart, its a very creamy white with a whisper of pink. It looks very warm and soft, not stark at all. The best part is that the texture of the leather is still visible. The secret is to use very thin coats and and let it dry very well between coats. The photos have a shadow on the right, the color is very even and smooth so what you are seeing in the pic is not on the ottoman.  I used about 8 thin coats to get the desired effect. It's  a time consuming process but worth it. Here is the before and after again:

Before


After

The bottom detail and legs are wood so I had to prime them before painting. I didn't dilute the paint for the wood part. I really love it and even my  husband who was skeptical  raves about it every time  he passes it by. I think he's told me its beautiful 100 times. I hope you  like it too. Stay tuned for the chair later next week. Have a happy and Blessed Easter everyone. I'm  joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.  I'm joining  Centsational Girl's Fair Weather Forum Linky Party. And Layla  at The Lettered Cottage for How To's Day and Funky Junk Interiors SNS and The Newbie Party at Debbie Doos Blogging and Blabbing  and Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party.
and Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage  

Homemaker On A Dime for Creative Bloggers Blog Hop.


63 comments:

  1. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! Karen she's beeeyouteefool!!!! She looks so different in her new dress. I love the details in the wood. I think the new color even brings them out more. You did such an amazing job. You should be so proud. It's always nice when our husbands love our projects just as much as we do, isn't it!!!!

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  2. AWESOME!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I wish I could read directions - FIRST!

    Here's my link, check out my painted mess! If you haven't seen it already!

    http://janesjunkandtreasures.blogspot.com/2011/04/read-directions-first-big-purple-mess.html

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  3. Hi Karen! Oh, my goodness. You gave your ole girl a new lease on life! She's beautiful!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. I have the honor of being your "linky neighbor" over at My Romantic Home, so glad I stopped by, this is a fantastic project! Who would have thought to paint leather! It looks amazing! xxx tami

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  5. Wow, I had no idea you could do this to leather. It looks really great! So light and bright now.

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  6. I never would have thought this was possible! That is an amazing transformation! I have an old green leather ottoman that I bought with blue stamps about a hundred years ago....hmmm...I am truly inspired! Have a wonderful weekend! :)

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  7. I truly wish I had known about this a few years ago......threw out a gorgeous white leather chair because it looked to awful.....ugh! I just love the way your ottoman turned out....it is fabulous!! And the wood details do show up better now. I am happy for you. Also, thanks for telling me the name of the paint you used as I have some plans for that.

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  8. This is one of the best I've seen for a long time - such a great job!!!!

    By the way - I have no special camera :)

    I wish you a fantastic weekend and Happy Easter!!!

    Big hugs
    Tine

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  9. Are you a magician? An Interior Designer? Or just AMAZING!!! That is fantastic! I can't believe you did it!! I remember saying (i think as my comment on your other post?) that it looks nice the way it is, but BOY! Was I wrong!! It really is beautiful!!!
    xxDaniella

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  10. Wow! I can't believe that is painted. I thought you had recovered it. It is fabulous!

    Have a very Happy Easter.

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  11. Very impressive!! I love your ottoman better that your inspiration piece!! Great job!

    Sherri:)

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  12. WOW!! Didn't know you could paint leather. I have to save this too my favorites for future reference. It turned out so beautiful. Well done!

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  13. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, WOMAN...this is BEAUTIFUL. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL...white leather..what's not to love to pieces.
    OMYGOSH..you have more guts than I do. I would be so scared to do it. Yours looks PERFECT...I am sooo impressed.
    xoxo bj

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  14. Wow, Wow, Wow!! I never knew you could paint leather. This looks fabulous. I am now eyeing my brown leather bench for a makeover. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  15. It looks great. So shabby chic, at a low cost, thats my kinda project...U have such a way with furniture! Thanks for stoppin by to see my bedroom. ...Happy Easter to u and ur family, Bonnie

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  16. I never ever would have thought in a million years that you could paint leather. I am so glad to see and learn this. I love leather pieces and now I will be on the look out at garage sales would old ottomans. Wow...loved it!

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  17. Yikes that came out nice!

    Thanks so much for your kind comments on my blog - may you have luck growing sweet peas and whatever you plant!

    xo

    Sandy

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  18. What a great makeover. I didn't know you could paint leather. It looks amazing.

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  19. Ok it's official YOU are a Genius!!! I would have never thought to try this.
    Now I'll have to find something leather to try this on.

    hope your Easter was fab,
    Carole

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  20. That is an absolutely amazing transformation! I think I like your newly painted one a lot better than the one you fell in love with. Truly amazing, girl!!!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  21. You have got to be kidding me! I can not believe this is the same piece! It looks fabulous! I think I would have been too scared to try it.
    xo,
    Sena

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  22. OH MY GOODNESS!!! That is FABULOUS!!!
    And funny thing, I have just been googling... how to paint leather.... Thanks for the How-to
    I am going to try it.

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  23. Wow...you are brave:)...that is something I have never painted...GOOD job!
    Rene

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  24. Whoa! Looks great. I would have never thought to paint leather.

    Thanks for the how-to and thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  25. this is exactly why i love blogland, Karen.

    get down wit yer bad self! this an awesome transformation that i adore.

    omg.

    michele

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  26. WOW....who knew??? What a transformation...way to go for it :) Laurel

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  27. Gorgeous! So impressed that you painted leather!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  28. That is so great, I didn't know you could paint leather either. Did the "wash" technique keep it from cracking? What happens when you sit on it? I'm assuming it is still perfect! Great job!
    Susan @ homeroad

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  29. Wow! This is so pretty... thanks for sharing and inspiring!

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  30. OMG!! I have been so busy, I have been late getting around. I was looking forward to seeing this. It is so incredibly beautiful. It looks brand new and to think that it is still like leather. Amazing, I just can get over it. You are a genius. Can't wait to see what happens on the chair. Kudo!! No wonder you were featured. Hugs, Ginger

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  31. That is awesome! I knew you could paint leather, but never knew how. Thanks for the tutorial and the solution. Have fun at the newbie party!

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  32. Oh my golly gosh! I had NO idea leather could be painted. I can't wait to see the chair and to hear how the paint holds up to use over time... be sure to keep us updated. I am a new follower and am visiting from Debbiedoo's

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  33. Wow! I would have never guessed someone could paint leather. Oh the possibilities running through my head! It is beautiful and thanks for sharing it!

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  34. That turned out so great!
    I'd have never thought of that...thanks for showing it. Over from the Newbie Party,
    ...enjoyed your post, Pat

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  35. This is fabulous, it is bookmarked for my own leather chair that needs some lovin'.

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  36. Wowsa! I can't believe how well that turned out. Beautiful and oh so clever!

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  37. You are a brave person, but it really paid off. I love it, what a differance!
    Vintage Farmhouse

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  38. i love your daring and the beautiful results. what an inspiration!

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  39. Great job! I guess anything can be painted if you set your mind to it.

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  40. Wonderful transformation. My first thought would be that it would look painted and might crack. Thank you so much for the tutorial and the secret...multiple light coats. It's gorgeous and I would never know that it was painted. Great job.

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  41. I can't get over this transformation. It is incredible! Thanks so much for stopping by Art@Home. I am now following you :D

    I think the ottoman looks like it was bought @ Shabby Chic. *love it*

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  42. Wow, what an amazing transformation! I've never heard of painting leather, what a great idea, and the result is so pretty! Just fantastic =D

    PS: Paris and Bijoux are the cutest!

    xo Linda

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  43. Wow you did paint the ottoman I have!! I thought you must have been mistaken...my ottoman is leather (like yours) and I thought there is no way she would have painted a leather ottoman!! It is incredible. And I usually paint everything except people and animals...but I never thought to paint leather.

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  44. I had NO idea you could PAINT leather either!! This is fantastic!

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  45. wow! great job! I never would have thought that you could paint leather! I would have thought that it would crack but I guess all those thin coats is the key? :)

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  46. Looks great! Thanks for the how to steps. Now maybe I can paint a side table that has one of those leather tops!

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  47. This is amazing!! Fabulous job!! :)

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  48. Hi Karen -

    This is truly remarkable. It looks so modern and fresh now. Who knew you could paint leather? Now we all do - thanks for sharing such a great idea and transformation.
    My best- Diane

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  49. great job!!! it looks brand new. love the white

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  50. This is amazing! I have wanted to try painting leather, but was afraid, now I am going to give it a go!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and visiting!

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  51. Hi, can you tell me what kind of paint you used. I just got a trash/treasure chair off freecycle. it has super cool rivets on it...but the color is MUSTARD -----70's mustard. so please tell me! Love what you did with yours! ;)

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  52. Yes, did you use latex flat? What kind of paint did you use? I have one I want to paint too! AMAZING!

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  53. This turned out beautiful! Thank you for sharing,,,,I pinned it to my inspirations board and hope to be able to find a version to create someday. Right now our move is #1 on my list and projects, posting and commenting have taken a backseat....just had to take the time to address you beauty!

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  54. Very impressive!! I love your ottoman better that your inspiration piece!! Great job. cheap beds with mattress sale

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  55. i love your daring and the beautiful results. what an inspiration. UK Leading Bed Manufacturers

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  56. I really love it! Want to so the same with my sofa but could you please tell me what paint you used (since im from the netherlands)and how much (ml)?

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  57. I know this is an old post, but I have a few questions that I hope will be answered. Was this done on real leather or faux? Also, what finish of paint did you use, semigloss, eggshell, flat?

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  58. Girl! You are a magician!! I have been searching for hours and you gave her an absolutely FABULOUS make-over. This is exactly what I want to do - except I want to paint an older cream Broyhill sectional white (think it’s faux leather) and paint a faux leather ottoman a turquoise color - not sure how bright to go and have the same question as above. Can you do it on faux leather? Can I use this method on a couch? One that is used often!! Like above, what type of paint? Did you use a brush? Or sprayer? Hoping for a reply!!! Beautiful!!!

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