Ladyfingers Side Patio Makeover Part II

My projects always seem to grow hair.  What started out as just tidying up the concrete turned in to a full grown inspiration.  The very day I started the painting portion of the patio, I hit upon an Estate Sale in my neighborhood.  I lucked out and found these two metal patio rocking chairs for a mere $40.  They were a little 'tired' looking, but I had a vision and went to work on them right away.  I bought some spray paint and some fabric and went to town.

 

Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to bring out the life in something.  My grass suffered in the transition, but....it will grow back.

 

Here's a before/after photo after I painted one of the chairs.

Next I ripped off the old fabric/padding of the seat cushion and replaced it with some wonderful fabric I found that was originally $125 per yard, but I got it for a mere $22 to cover both chairs.

This fabric is hand-woven in the rural areas of India where there is no electricity.  The villagers weave the base cloth called 'dosuti', typically a hand loomed cotton duck, on pedal operated looms.  It's woven in to 25 yard lengths or less and then dyed and processed in the villages.  Aretisans then prick the desired design on to the fabric with a needle to create perforations. Once the goods are marked, the artisans embroider the lengths using a hook needle called an Aari.  It takes about 3 months to complete a 25 yard bolt.  There is no electricity so the finished lengths are washed by hand in the rivers and then folded and bailed.  There's actually some sand from the river that you see if you shake out the fabric.

 

Because the fabric was going to be exposed to the elements, I decided to put a vinyl waterproof barrier over the fabric to protect it outdoors. Here's the outcome of the chairs. 

I promised the rug makeover this time, but I really needed to show the chairs first.  It's all a work in progress, and I want to give each step due justice.  I love how the chairs turned out and can't wait to show you how far I've come with the patio.

I still have lots more ideas spinning around in my head.