Turning Micro-Suede Into the Look of Leather With Paint
by
Recreated Designs
(IC: blogger)
This is one of those times I wish you could just pop by my living room and see for yourself the transformation that happened to this foot stool/storage cube. I can describe the process for painting micro-suede here, but I know you won't get the full effect of the finish product; and it is truly amazing!
I have been wanting a foot stool to go with my oversized armchair in my living room for quite awhile. As with the rest of my projects, I didn't want to spend a ton of money, but wanted something that looked classic and beautiful. After searching for some time, I finally came across this very bright, very teenager-ish turquoise storage cube at the Salvation Army and for some reason if felt "right". It was in great condition and only $10 so I figured why not and carted it home.
I set out to paint the micro-suede fabric with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White. The first two coats got pretty sucked up by the fabric and made it kind of stiff and weird feeling. I decided to keep with it though and see what would happen if I added a few more coats. I ended up putting 4 coats of the white on it and I couldn't believe what happen; the fabric actually began to take on a leathery look and feel! It was truly remarkable.
Once I saw how the foot stool looked in the space, I knew it had to be brown NOT white. I had some brown latex paint so gave it another two coats in that colour and I loved the look! After all of the painting was finished I gave the entire cube a coat of antiquing wax to give it some variation in colour and depth. The wax dried up beautifully and gave it a very supple look and feel.
I couldn't (and still can't) believe the outcome... the little turquoise cube had magically transformed into a beautiful leathery looking foot stool. I felt like it was the story of the ugly duckling and the swan all over again! I sooo wish that you could actually reach in and touch it because my words will never do justice to how much the stool looks and feels like leather.
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Published March 17th, 2016 5:50 PM
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3 of 58 comments
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Terrell Solano on Apr 11, 2016Very nice!
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Jeanne Morris on Apr 28, 2016Amazing! SO glad you stuck to it -- and isn't chalk paint a miracle worker?
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Recreated Designs on Apr 28, 2016@Jeanne Morris I completely agree... it's amazing stuff :)
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