Painting Microsuede to Look Like Leather


 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 (you can see it in the pictures with the knitted pillow here) 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.Since this blue matches nothing, and I mean nothing in my house, I figured I would give painting it a go.  Yes, painting it.  I have played around a bit with painting fabric in the past (see here) but have done nothing major.  I figured it was time to do “major” and if it failed, well, I could handle the $10 loss.
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.I actually loved how the white looked, but it did NOT look good in my living room with the overstuffed chair.  I am usually very good about colours and what does and doesn’t go together (I can see them in my head without even trying them) but something happened to my colour-mometer this time…
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.
 I still can’t believe that this $10 cube turned into such a beautiful piece; way beyond what I could have imagined.  Give it a whirl, I would highly recommend it!
painting microsuede to look like leather

14 Comments on " Painting Microsuede to Look Like Leather "

  1. Lisa

    How do you think this would turn out on a bigger piece like a chair or even *gulp* a sofa?

    1. Lisa

      πŸ˜‰ I have to say that it held up very well on my foot stool… I have also painted leather and it held up too. How well a larger piece help up would really depend on what it is made out of. If it is fabric, you can most definitely paint it. (make sure to wet the fabric first and then water down your paint – it will take a few coats but you will get a nice coverage). Velvet or velour does not do as well painted because of the pile so I wouldn’t recommend it. A leather couch or chair would hold up pretty well too. If it were me, I’d go for it, if it were an older piece that I didn’t like. You could always test it on the back at the bottom or in a corner no one would notice to see if you like it before going full on πŸ™‚ If you decide to paint a chair or couch be sure to let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear πŸ˜‰

  2. Lisa

    This is SO clever!! I’m asking bloggers to share their leather projects this month at the Create with Me party, and I’d live for you to come to Love Create Celebrate and share this!

    1. Lisa

      I will check that out for sure Lindi! Thank you so much for letting me know and for stopping by.

      1. Lisa

        SO glad you shared!! Pinned!! I hope you come back next month to share your jute string or rope project!

        1. Lisa

          Thanks so much Lindi πŸ™‚ I will be back for sure!

  3. Lisa

    Lisa, I saw this on HT and thought it was amazing! Thank you for sharing your project with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned and tweeted to share.

    1. Lisa

      Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by πŸ™‚

  4. Lisa

    You can't even tell that's the same piece! Well done!
    I would love for you to stop by my blog and join our link party Something to Talk About!
    Have a great day and hope to see you there!
    Karen

    1. Lisa

      Thanks so much Karen! I will definitely drop by your blog as well! See you soon πŸ™‚

    2. Lisa

      I loved this idea. Where did you get the Anne Sloan chalk paint?

      1. Lisa

        Hi Pamela, I am in Ottawa, Canada so got it at a stockist here but there are numerous around North America. If you go to http://www.anniesloan.com you can find a list of their stockist there and should be able to find one in your area. Hope that helps πŸ™‚

  5. Lisa

    I saw your comment on the Funky Junky β€œHow to Build a Dream Job” posting and came up with an idea. I decided to visit each person who commented on that particular posting because we are all likely facing similar situations. If each of us do that for each other and then return regularly to the sites we especially like, we can help each other build up our readership. You can find these comments of the Funky Junk Interiors post here: http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2014/02/how-to-build-a-dream-job-while-you-work-a-day-job.html.

    For the record, Betsy Skagen of PaperCalliope.com came up with this fabulous idea and she would be eternally grateful if you would keep this credit in and more importantly, visit her blog at PaperCalliope.com.

    If you want to participate in hopping to these blogs, just copy this text, visit the sites of those who commented, then paste the text and add your own signature and web site to the bottom. However, please be respectful and take the time to actually look around each person’s blog. Just like you, they put a lot of hard work into it.

    Have a creative day!
    Betsy Skagen http://www.PaperCalliope.com

    P.S. Holy Moly Guacamole! How on earth did you get so many big project done in Jan and Feb. You must be a wiz at managing your time.

    1. Lisa

      Thanks Betsy! I think that is a great idea! I will definitely make some time to visit some of the other blogs in the upcoming weeks and will be sure to keep the comment intact. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to visiting your blog as well!

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