A fabric dilemma

    

     Can you see the diamond in the rough here? C'mon, look past the teal-turquoise-aqua pattern. Way past that. Now, picture the frame painted black (it is dark now, but it's just stained wood) and then, picture this re-purposed fabric on the cushions.

     Do you remember this fabric? Mmm hmm. From the last wedding. It happens to be outdoor fabric, so it's sturdy. Perfect for a sofa like this one (...and think about it. It can go indoors, or out on the patio!)Edited at 8:15 a.m. pacific time to add: Karyn just suggested the black and white brocade fabric with the wood frame of the sofa painted red..or...my favorite Robin's egg blue. (I am loving this idea, folks! How 'bout you?! A little unexpected pop of subtle color?!)

Or...shall I have the sewing queen use this fabric? It's also coincidentally outdoor fabric, from an old patio curtain we had created for the Auntie-to-be's patio several years back. If I go with this fabric I will paint the wooden frame of the sofa a soft cream and then antique it.

Okay, so the question is...Brocade or shabby chic? (I've got to be honest. I am leaning toward the black and white brocade...)Which way do we go here? You know it's going down to Junkees and it's gotta be perfect.

Comments

[sharon]

I would go with the first one ,it's more you

[Victoria]

All depends is it for you or are you selling it? If for you where is it going? Love the brocade with the black...equally love the floral with a cream that's been glazed or even that fab blue you do. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Victoria]

Oops I see that the floral is greenish therefore cream with the glaze or black with brocade. I vote brocade with black.

[Sue]

Personally, I would choose the black but the cream would also be nice. Your work is always wonderful!

[michelleb.]

Oooohhh, you gotta go with the black and white. Can you tell me the name of the brocade fabric? I'm looking for indoor/outdoor fabric for a black daybed that I convinced my husband to put outside on the patio. He thought I was nuts, but my gurlz and I just love it! Currently it's just cover with an old quilt. But everything else out there is black/white/red.
michelleb.

[Barb]

The black-and-white brocade is my knee-jerk reaction. I think that will have a wider appeal, too, if you're trying to sell it.

[Robin-Thrifty Miss Priss]

I say the black and white will sell in a heartbeat.
By the way...I signed up for the little inspirations from "the universe" and the emails I get are right on the dot meant for me! Thanks for sharing the other day.
And so happy that you have decided to live for today and bloom right where you are planted!

[Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!}]

I say go with the black, but I know it will be fabulous whatever you decide. That little cup in the photo with the black/white fabric? I have five of them very similar. Several months ago I was at the thrift store digging through a bin of napkin rings when I found a bag with those cups. Not exactly napkin rings, but I was quite excited to pay $1 for the bag.

[Sher's Creative Expressions]

My vote. . . paint it black and use the black and white brocade. I think that will appeal to a wider audience!!

Blessings,

Sher

[kathy]

I pick the brocade very chic.

[suzanne]

Oh, that is adorable! And I cast my vote for the black/white also. I can just imagine it in the other choice as well, but I LOVE the black/white idea! Can't wait to see it!
Suzanne

[Kim]

Black and white all the way! Love it!

[kelly]

Black and White is my vote
Kelly

[Suzanne]

Black -- it'll work anywhere and be pretty in various rooms and settings.

[tina]

The black & white. I have a question. I've noticed on pictures of your patio some painted wood furniture and now you mentioned doing this (the wood frame) for outdoors. My question is - does the painted wood stand up to outdoors? Rain and such? Do you have to seal it with anything special?

Thanks!

tina

[Marie]

If I saw that sofa in the black and white I would have a very, VERY hard time walking away. What a wonderful piece of furniture! Please post pictures when you are done!

[Barbra]

Brocade, brocade, brocade!!!!!! Love it!

[Miriam]

Brocade...no doubt about it!

[Mitzi]

Definitely the brocade. I think the floral is pretty. But with the shape of the sofa, I think it has the potential to get "old ladyish" looking. I have a feeling you're gonna pick the brocade and I am DYING to see the finished product. Oooooh.

[Kathleen Grace]

I have to go with the black and white. When I first saw it I thought it would be wonderful, and I'm a black and white junkie.

[Jen R Sanctuary arts at home]

What a great piece! Oh the black and white, though I would possibly think about cutting the knobs off of the top and wood filling before painting.. just an idea! :)

[Katherine McKamey]

Oooh the black & white brocade! Too bad I don't live close enough to purchase it! : )
-Katherine

[Theresa]

Really, I think whatever you pick will be wonderful. You are so very talented. I can see it with either fabris really, with the coloured shabby chic look having the wood painted in an antiqued creamy colour. No doubt it will be fab-u-lous!!!!

[JoAnne]

OOhhh! The black and white fabric is stunning and gets my vote.

[Karyn]

BROCADE BROCADE BROCADE

Um- but don't paint the frame BLACK ...

Houw about red or robin's egg blue????

[Karin]

Black and white. But then, it's my favorite classic combination, so I'm a bit partial. I'm not really a shabby chic kinda gal. :)But I'm sure the other would be beautiful.

[Rhonda from Minnesota]

Wow! I guess I am the minority this morning. I would go with the "shabby" look. I feel the lighter paint and your antiquing of the piece would show off the details. Just my two cents.

[emily]

my vote is for the brocade. Love the couch! It's the kind of thing I'd bring home and my husband would go "huh?"

[Terry Czarnecki]

Absolutey go with the black and cream. More "modern" vintage!

[Cathy Miller]

Black and white!! I would love to find some fabric like that to use in my kitchen! My mom has similar furniture that we are deciding what to do with, so we are anxious to see what you do with it! I'd love to see the frame with the cream/antique color scheme, but I'm a black and white girl!!

[Sandi]

ohhh, i so LOVE the black.
the flowers are pretty, but, and its a BIG BUT- the black just looks like it should be there.
good luck, and what a find!

[laurie herring]

black and white with out a doubt...... glad to see your back in the saddle again. remember.... dont let things that matter the most in your life be at the mercy of those that matter the least......think about it. May you be blessed with good health, wealth, and happiness, but most of all love. And may you never be afraid to be loved or love again.....

[jennifer]

Ooooh... I can picture it now! It's gonna be beautiful either way but my vote is for the black too! Have lots of fun doing this project and as always, show us all when it's finished!

Smiles,
Jen

[jeanne]

Oh Tracey, I vote for the black and white fabric. I think it will be way more dramatic and stunning! Can't wait to see this completed.

[heartartz]

The black & white brocade look!
It will sell!

[Queen B]

Definitely the black and white. I wish I lived close to your shop!

[Tracy]

Absolutely black & white...it will be beautiful!

[Gretchen]

Black paint with brocade fabric!

Gretchen

[Tamara @ Pondered in My Heart]

black + brocade...absolutely! love it!

[Cori]

Another vote for the black and white, love it love it love it!!! I'm partial to a robin's egg blue frame, as someone else suggested, but it will look fantastic either way. Thanks for the continued inspiration!

[Adrienne]

Go for the black and cream. It would be perfect! ~Adrienne~

[Katy]

Brocade with a red frame - awesome!

[meghan]

Go the black!
Go for the black!

[patinamarie]

I love the black and cream brocade. I would go with a black or cream frame. I love Red and think it is striking with black and cream, but I think the "classic" colors would coordinate in more homes. I agree with Mitzi about the floral choice, given the vintage of the frame. Still loving and inspired by your ideas!

[Laura]

I vote for chabby chic. I think the spindles especially and the shape of the sofa lend themselves more to that. But whatever you do, I'm sure will be beautiful. ;)

[Amy Wathen]

OMG Love it! OK, the 1st one gets my vote, with the blue frame, and please hurry and ship to Colorado ASAP!

[kathy]

I really like the different color choices for the sofa frame. I'm just wondering if this is for resale what would appeal to the most people? I kind of thinking the soft blue could blend a bit easier than the red...which is odd for me I LOVE red. What a nice post from Laurie Herring.
Best,
Kathy

[cindy~my romantic home]

I think the Robin's Egg Blue paint with the black and white would look amazing!

[Terry Czarnecki]

I think painting the wood white is your best bet with the black/white fabric. Otherwise, it is going to look too "kitchy" and you will have a harder time fitting this into someone's decorating scheme. And the robin egg blue is getting a little toooo overused!

[Karen]

IMO, black! It will be wonderful, thanks for sharing!!