UPDATE- A lot of you have had questions about the possibility of dye coming off on your clothes. I am happy to report that Tim and I have taken the white shirt challenge and there has been no transfer! 🙂 The fabric has a burlap texture and was worn and therefore was very absorbent. I don’t expect any problems since things are coming up clean already. . . but if you choose to try this on a different type of fabric/chair you can try setting the dye with a vinegar bath (brush vinegar on with a paint brush), using a hair dryer to help set the dye further, and/or using a scotch guard product to prevent any bleeding that could occur. You could also test the dye on an inconspicuous area to further ease your concerns. I did this on the fabric that wrapped underneath the chair before having the guts to do the whole thing. I also want to mention here that Rit does not claim that their dye is ideal for upholstered pieces, so DIY at your own risk. It’s just an idea I had that worked out well for me. Hope this new info eases concerns and inspires you to try out the idea!
Today, I am sharing what I think is a great idea! I had been looking for a couple of accent chairs to use in a client’s living room. I was excited when I finally found a couple that had a great shape that fit my client’s taste perfectly. The fabric on the other hand was not perfect. The fabric on the inside of the seat was very worn as compared to the fabric around the outside of the seat. You can see the difference in the photo below.
The arms were worn and yellowed as well.
So, what do you do when you need to reupholster a chair but it’s not in the budget?
I called on my trusty standby- Rit Dye!!! The idea was simple. Freshen up the fabric by deepening and refreshing the color. My client loves purple so instead of keeping the fabric blue, I went with the royal color. I think it worked well because blue is by purple on the color wheel. I would not try to turn a blue chair red or a green chair orange.
I simply mixed a 1 1/2 cup of hot water with a cap full of dye and painted the mixture on with a paintbrush. I am putting on my second “coat” of dye in the photo below. I wanted to color to be very rich.
So, here’s the BEFORE. . .
And here’s the AFTER!
I decided to leave the “outside” seat fabric in tact. I love the two toned effect and that it’s an unexpected touch!
In this photo you can see how the worn, yellowed arms are now a beautiful, rich purple. No one would ever suspect that the color change was a cover up.
How about a side by side comparison. . .
I’m thrilled with how this project turned out and I can’t wait to show you guys how the chairs look in the room when it’s complete!
So, what do you think? Was this a great save or what?!
It turned out great! I love the two-tone effect.
This looks great. Such a good idea!!
Looks fantastic!
Will it wear off if someone wearing white sits in it?
I was wondering the same thing – does the color hold fast?
Love the look but I worry that the color will rub off and stain someone’s clothes. Have you tested this?
I absolutely love how it turned out! Such an easy fix too.
Nikki @ the ambitious procrastinator
Yikes…I love it! But I know when I dye jeans they bleed/rub off for several washings. Please tell us if we need to worry about that.
xo jana
Thanks Dana! I love your feather projects lately! I’m about to do a feather project as well. I just love their texture! Sending you an e-mail later today!
Thanks Haley! PS- I went to your blog. . . I LOVE gold!! I hated it when I was younger and always preferred silver but these days gold is my go-to! 🙂
Hey Staci! I wrote a little update at the top of the post for those concerned with color transfer. Check it out! 🙂
Hey Rosanne! I wrote a little update at the top of the post for those concerned with color transfer. Check it out! 🙂
Hey Erin! I wrote a little update at the top of the post for those concerned with color transfer. Check it out! 🙂
Thanks Nikki! I was so pleased with the look and the fact that it took me less than 2 hours to do both chairs! You should try it!
Hey Jana! I wrote a little update at the top of the post for those concerned with color transfer. Check it out! 🙂
What an awesome way to makeover a piece of upholstered furniture – I never would have thought of this. Brilliant! (Love the color scheme, too.)
I LOVE the color block. The chair looks sooo good! Great idea!
http://leeanderin.blogspot.com/
Wow…I bought a $14 wingback chair at the goodwill and was wondering if I could google how to recover. I’ve been looking at it for awhile and was thinking…maybe I’ll paint it. You’ve given me some confidence to go ahead. I was going to use regular paint with medium …I’ve painted window sconces etc before….but now. I think I’ll dye it brown…maybe cover the seat cushion in funky animal print or stripe. Thanks…right time for this.
Love it! Looks great!
Brilliant, love the way you guys take risks and love color!
Wow! That is awesome! I will remember that one:)
awesome!! love it!
AHH! I am in love with these chairs! Seriously gorgeous and the color you went with – divine (as always)!
Thanks for checking out my blog! Your blog is very inspiring in a lot of different aspects. Thanks for sharing your work.
What type of fabric was the chair? Was it synthetic fiber?
Brilliant!!!! I have been staring at my two $8 bargain chairs for a couple of months now. Impulse purchase I thought might be able to reupholster, but way bigger job than I realized. Problem solved! Except color…..they are also burlap type material but in a rich bright gold yellow. Any suggestions of colors that will work to dye over this???? My house is a very warm neutral scheme with warm blue accents.Colors like the Pottery Barn Simone fabric. Thanks again for this blog. You have a new fan!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah!! Pinned this baby! Thanks for the great idea!
xo Becca
My couches are worn, but I’m wondering if the textured upholstery fabric would take to dying. I suppose if it saves them from being tossed, it’s a win and if not, they were going to be anyway. They’re bright red and I think a nice black would do them some good.
Amazing! What an incredible change! I have a pea green chair that I want to do a color switch too… You have inspired me to try dying instead of waiting to afford an upholsterer. 🙂 thanks!
Jen at http://www.migonishome.com
This is pure brilliance! I picked up a white slipper chair cheap – it’s in great structural shape, and the fabric is fine except for being a little dingy. This trick will fix it right up!
Awesome. Great alternative to the painted upholstery. I may link to you as I hadn’t found any good dye examples. Love the new look on the chair.
I have dark purple leather furniture or at least it was. Now the seats and backs are almost white. I am wondering if you have ever dyed leather furniture or if you know of someone that has tried this and what the outcome was. I love the furniture, but it really needs some color!
I was just talking to a friend about doing this to a chair I have! Thank you so much for this post! Its great knowing that I can actually pull it off:)
This is absolutely fantastic! Too bad the fabric needs to be porous. I have an ugly chair that I would love to change up, but I don’t think it would work for me. Great idea though!
thanks so much for the tutorial Kara! I absolutely LOVE the dark purple and have actually incorporated dark purple throughout our master bedroom (one way- by using Rit to dye my bedsheets a deep, rich eggplant color).
I’m getting ready to receive a hand-me-down vintage chair and have been debating on how I want to approach it. This might be perfect!!!
Gave this post a shout out!
http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2012/05/painting-and-dyeing-upholstered.html
Marilyn
I just wanted to let you and your readers know that I featured your awesome chair on my page with examples of painted upholstery! I linked right to you so they could find more information on your blog. Hope you don’t mind.
http://www.hypheninteriors.com/chairs
I finally got around to doing this today and it turned out fabulous. I was a little weary at first because the first coat was so light (I was dealing with a light blue chair to begin with), but after the second coat dried I had a gorgeous rich purple chair that looked so expensive, and in reality cost me next to nothing thanks to this project. Thanks for this great idea!!! I will have to restrain myself from overusing this technique. I did wind up scotch guarding the whole thing because I just wanted that extra bit of protection, and while it’s only the first day, I think it will hold up well.
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I love the 2-tone. Is there anything you did to make sure the purple didn’t bleed or splatter onto the gray?
LOVE this & can’t wait to give it a try. One question. Is your mixture 1 cap dye to 1/2 cup water or 1 AND 1/2 cups water?