The Brunschwig and Fils snow leopard pattern ‘Les Touches’ is a favorite in the design blog world (I recently posted some cheaper substitute fabrics here). I get all kinds of emails asking if I had any remnants of this pattern to sell at a discounted price, which sadly I don’t. Here’s a solution for you if you love Les Touches, but can’t afford the price tag.
Emily sent me an email about her dining chairs that she bought on Craigslist and reupholstered in an inexpensive white vinyl fabric from Joanns.
She printed out an 8×10 image of the Les Touches pattern (first image, above) and used a sharpie to recreate the image on her vinyl seats!
I love this idea. I never would have guessed the outcome would look this good. And it kinda seems like a fun art project – like something you could do while catching up on reality shows!
I think the vinyl is a very practical choice for Emily’s dining chairs, but really, the sharpie would work well on any fabric with a tighter weave, like an indoor/outdoor canvas or a brushed cotton. Then you could use the fabric for pillows or cushions if you wanted to.
Thanks for sharing your great DIY, Emily!
Do you have a project you’d like to submit? Email me: jenny@ jennykomenda.com
This seems like so much fun. I don't have the talent required, but we are thinking of upholstering our dining room chairs (the seats are a rattan/wicker thing).
I love when people think outside the box! I often think the best ideas come when their is a tight budget! Great job!!
I love this and it looks so easy. Thanks for sharing I have been trying to think of something to spiff up the chairs in one of my rooms. Can't wait.
How funny. I would have never guessed.
I once made a faux zebra hide rug the same way – white vinyl cut inte a "zebra" shape and a Sharpie.
They look awesome! It's amazing what people can create when they don't have a huge budget and are forced to "make it work"! Thanks for sharing.
And to think I was actually upset when my daughter colored on our brand new couch with a sharpie? She was a trend setter LOL! great job Emily, clever girl.
Wow – I'm so impressed! Might have to try this one myself as I'm a Les Touches fan as well (isn't everyone?)!
Thanks for sharing!
I love sharpie projects! What can't those little markers help you with. Thanks for sharing.
love it!
That is brilliant! I love that she just went for it, and with such fun results.
wow that's fabulous! great diy, thanks for sharing!
So unexpectedly chic! I would have never thought to use the sharpie, I wonder how it will hold up with being used, but I guess if it started to wear a little you could just refill it in.
Great idea!
People's creativity never ceases to amaze me! The pattern looks great with her traditional furniture, too.
Jenny, so glad that you're back to posting daily again!
One of our local print houses can print on canvas/fabric for appox $12/ft, and I've been considering designing a pattern to have them print for throw pillows and upholstering a stool in my master bedroom.
This is a great project but i'd be afraid the sharpie would rub off on clothing. It's not super permanent…
hi jenny! you probably know this already but just in case I wanted to tell you I spotted one of your tips in the new Better Homes & Gardens magazine on their 30 tips for changing up a room. I was so excited to see that!
Jenny, thank you so much for featuring my take-on "les touches" project. You are the best! :)
That's a great idea…and looks good too! I used a pic from your touche post in my outfit inspiration today!
I can't decide what I think of this. My first reaction is that it's totally inspired but a little voice in the back of my head is wondering if it would really turn out a product I'd be willing to put in my dining room… I'm kinda dying to see this in real life!
I was looking through the March issue of BHG and saw your name in there as one of the contributers for the 30 decorating ideas… I was pretty excited. ;)
I think this is such a cool idea for those of us that couldn't possibly afford $200 a yard fabric for it only to get stained and trashed! I love that your blog features get the look for less projects. You stand out in the boring blog world because of this! Thank you!
Carrie
I think for the right room and client this is a great idea. You're right that it's not for everyone, but I like that you show outside the box projects. It teaches us how to think and approach decorating our own homes if we can't afford to hire an expensive designer. Keep those great ideas coming!!
This girl is a DIY genius!
What a gorgeous print! Pretty unusual but it turned out wonderfully! Have a lovely day, Kellie xx
Oh I love this idea;)
http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/
Wow!! That is super impressive!! Thank you so much for sharing.
looks great
OMG I could die…BRILLIANT…!!! Who would have thought of this??? impressed.
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
genius!
What a great twist to an otherwise traditional table!Thanks for the inspiration!
This is so fun! I love the practicality as well!
Genius……
Wow that is amazing. I would not have the patience.
I love this!
So just to plug the "incredible sharpie" a bit more, I was so impressed by this idea to use sharpies to create Ikat storage boxes!
http://www.examiner.com/how-to-home-design-in-new-york/how-to-make-ikat-inspired-storage-boxes
I posted a link to you as one of my sources for inspiration for DIY. My problem is that that I didn't succeed very well with my endeavor, but that has ZERO to do with what I have learned from you and is, instead, a reflection of my poor decision making. Just wanted you to know! A faithful reader!
Love the placemats…I could totally make something like that!!
Is there a protective coating to put on top of the sharpie design ( on vinyl)? I am worried it will rub off, smear or get on clothing!
Thanks,
Karen