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The Makerista

I'm Gwen, a modern traditionalist who isn't afraid of color. Kansas City.

Making it Work: Kilim Bench Makeover

I’ve been crushing on Kilim for a long while now.  The graphic punch it can add to a space is all the reason I need to hop on this trend.  But it can be expensive: rugs in the thousands, pillows in the hundreds, and oftentimes the colorways are earthy and muted.  Back in the fall I was strolling the aisles of Target, a favorite pastime of mine, and I stumbled on this.

Now, at first it was like $60.  And for me, it wasn’t worth that.  But, the upside to living in a “not so cool” area is that people around here don’t know what’s good.  All the best stuff at Target that I hear about other people in bigger cities fighting over…I just wait for it all to go on sale.

A few weeks later I snatched in up at around $20 and brought it home.  I knew the colors weren’t going to work in my space, but I thought I would try and change them, and if that didn’t turn out how I had hoped I could always reupholster.

 

I figured a marker would give a similar effect to what was already going on, so I broke out some sharpies and got to coloring.  This takes some time and patience (and braincells: don’t breath too close!), but it was rather mindless and let me catch up on a good portion of my D.V.R.

 

 

 

I think this technique could be used on any form of the weave: pillows, rugs, tapestries.  It was a quick and free (I had all the sharpies) fix to tie the bench into our living space.  The extra seating is great when we have guests and my husband loves to put his feet up on it when he gets home.  I love the extra pattern and texture it gives the room.
Have you had to think outside of the box lately to make something work in your home?

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    Wow! I would've never thought of doing that – what a fabulous idea, love the way it turned out!!!

    Also where did you find that adorable leaf coaster?!

  7. Candi says

    I absolutely love this! And your house for that matter!

    I'm curious though…is the texture, where the sharpie is, does it feel stiff?

    Also, does the ink bleed?

    I have a rug that I love the pattern, but not so much the country blue color in the design, but I don't want the sharpie marks to bleed onto my floors. What do you think?

    Thanks!
    Candi

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks so much, Candi! If your asking if the sharpie makes the fabric stiff, no, it does not change the texture at all. The weave was already pretty stiff on this though. I didn't really notice any bleeding, but this weave is pretty forgiving. If you're worried about it bleeding through, I would do it on top of some paper or cardboard and let it dry for a day or two just to be sure before placing it back on the floor. If you were planning to get something different anyway, it's worth a try! Thanks so much for reading!

  8. Chelsea H says

    You are SO smart! I love, love, love this and would never have thought of it! And I had to laugh at living in a not so cool place. Right on, sista. 😉

  12. Jenny says

    What a great idea! I just found your blog through "Little Black Door" and I'm so excited to find someone from my neck of the woods (I live south of OP) with such an awesome DIY and design blog. I love finding the Target treasures that everyone else in the country is fighting over in the clearance isle too!

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Oh, so good to meet you, Jenny! Thanks for your kind words and for reading! I really love the new dark blue you did in your "lounge!" And what a great idea! My home doesn't have a dining room, but I've always thought I wouldn't know what to do with one! Smart of you to use the space in a way that you actually utilize it! Have a wonderful weekend, Jenny!

  13. Erin Nelson says

    Love this! When we redid our bedroom I was looking for a cheap, graphic throw pillow. I ended up using some leftover upholstery fabric and a Sharpie to stencil a personalized pillow 🙂 Sharpies are so versatile!

    There are pictures of it at: nelsonhouse.wordpress.com

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks for sharing, Erin! You have a lovely home and I really enjoyed seeing all of your personal touches (what a fun chevron table and the paint chip are you made was something I hadn't seen before in that context…loved the neutralness!) Thanks for reading!

  14. The Style Dunce says

    Oh, wow. So glad I found your blog! Somehow I think I would over-think this and totally mess it up and then have to start all over, but this looks fantastic!

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Over-think might just be my middle name. 🙂 It took me about 6 months to complete this bench, as I would sharpie a bit and then think about it, starting with the black and ending with the brighter colors only a few weeks ago. Ha! It's good to know I'm not the only one who spends more time thinking than doing sometimes!

  15. Autumn Beach says

    Oh my goodness…I am seriously giddy right now! I just discovered you via Emily's blog, and I have to say that I am ecstatic to find a blogger of your caliber from KC. 🙂 I'm a Kansas City native, so it thrills me to no end when I read about your finds from Nell Hills or see a copy of Spaces resting on your bed. I have become quite the blog junkie over the past year. It's almost dorky. Anywho, I just had to stop and say "hello" and tell you that I LOVE your blog. And your house. And just your style in general. Congratulations on this new adventure! Best wishes for blogging success. Consider me a fan!

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Autumn! Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words! I've been a blog junkie for several years now, all the while dreaming of doing it myself, so I can totally relate! I feel like people I've never met are my friends and I constantly tell people in real life about them and their projects and houses…ha! I appreciate you reading and the support! Its been a fun but crazy ride already! Have a wonderful weekend, Autumn!

  17. Angie says

    When I saw this link I chuckled because I just finished "coloring" on a vinyl chair seat 🙂 So glad I have company! Love your bench makeover!

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Thanks, Angie! It's fun to hear what innovative things others are doing! I'd love to see it! I hopped over to your blog…that couch…I hope you got it and I hope you added fringe! Fringe is so amazing! Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend!

  23. Molly says

    Oh my gosh. I just started reading your blog tonight and now that I've seen this post it's official. I'm hooked. I only read 2 other blogs, Little Green Notebook and A Cup of Jo (every day for a few years) and it's rare, oh so rare to see something with the balance of appreciation for DIY, humbleness yet awesomely amazing taste! Great work!!

    • themakerista@gmail.com says

      Oh, Molly, that is so kind of you! This means so much to me. That you would even mention me in the same sentence as those two ladies is so lovely. I appreciate you reading and am thankful you get my sometimes nutty ideas. 🙂 Have a great weekend!