Here’s the story: I had two cream pillows I had bought from a garage sale for $1 each. They were nice.
But kids + cream pillows = homeless chic.
And I needed color in my new family room, so why not give them a little bit of happy?
I applied some painter’s tape to the pillow. Working with an already made pillow instead of fabric added a nice bowed touch to the stripes. I didn’t measure either, imperfection is an art. 🙂
Tape only one side for now, but carry the tape over slightly to the back.
I wanted to try chalk paint because I heard it works well on fabric. I used my Annie Sloan chalk paint sample from the Haven conference in “Arles”. Love this color!
Dip into the paint pot ever so slightly, and swirl and tap the brush into the lid.
Paint away from the tape in a soft, swirling motion. As soon as you’re done with the section, grab the tape,
and peel!
Let one side dry before you start the other. Look at that beautiful fading!
and here’s the pillow hanging out in its new spot with its garage sale pillow friend, and on my free RH couch 😉
and here it is chilling in the family room.
I loved how the chalk paint worked on fabric. There is a difference in textures when you move your hand across the stripes, but it’s not crunchy. And it looks like I bought it! Doug even asked when I went to Target with one of those glaring “really?” looks. NOPE. Made it mah-self.
Now, on to find more cream or white cheap pillows!
Have you painted pillows before?
This tutorial originally posted at Sand & Sisal. Thanks for letting me guest post, Kim! 🙂
Jenice says
I just discovered chalk paint, and I am painting everything I can get my hands on! 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try it on fabric, and now I think I will! I’m going to go find that lamp shade right now!
Ann Marie Heasley says
oh how fun! What color lampshade are you thinking? Let me know how it works out, I’d love to try that!
and I feel the same way about it 🙂 just chalk painted a stool last week
caroline @ c.w.frosting says
husband + cream pillow = also bad. Haven’t painted pillows before but that’s totally something I’d do. They turned out fabulous, great color choice! xo
Rebecca says
Great idea! It turned out great. The yellow really ties in with the rest of the room 🙂
Jessica says
I love this! Did you use chalk paint for walls or is this chalk paint specifically for cloth? I have some red chalk paint at home that I got on sale and used it on card board to create a game board but never thought about this idea. I hope its the same chalk paint!
Leigh G says
Wow these are SO cute! Love that they look relatively easy to pull off. They definitely make your living room ( which I’m totally jealous of for being so delightfully uncluttered ) 🙂
Ann Marie lives here says
uhhhh, Leigh? You want me to take a picture for you right now? If it makes you feel better, it looks like Toys R Us and maybe 5 garage sales threw up in there. My kids took pretty much every toy up from the basement when I was organizing.
Such is life. 🙂 Thanks for the compliment, but never be jealous of how clean my house is, LOL.
Megan says
Still trying to get my hands on chalk paint! They’re beautiful.
Ann Marie lives here says
Have plaster of paris? I’ve been meaning to try this one out! http://www.iheartnaptime.net/chalk-paint/
Beth says
So going to have to try this!
Ann Marie lives here says
they were so so easy, Beth! If you can’t get your hands on chalk paint, a fabric craft paint would work well. 🙂
pavitra Soans says
Good one!a little color made such a difference! The color goes perfectly with ur living room 🙂
Ann Marie lives here says
thank you, Pavitra! I’m quite fond of the yellow, and maybe a bit biased so it’s good to get an outside opinion 😉