I am PRIT-TY darn excited. I finally LOVE a space in my house!
Our back hall/entryway/mudroom/dump-your-shoes-wherever-there’s-space entrance has needed a refresh for some time.
I completed part of it just before Christmas (yes, way back then), and the rest of the elements finally came together last week. There will always be tweaking, but I’m giving it a check mark in the “project status” column.
The cushions and Roman Shades that I originally made for our back hall (around 10 years ago) were pretty drab by today’s standards. When we eventually painted the walls a mushroomy gray, the whole entrance became drab overload.
The cushions, however, were verrrry comfy. Just ask Jack and Kelly.
Let me tell you, 10 years of dog drool does not have a positive impact on upholstery.
You’re probably afraid that this will turn into a whiny post about how hard it was for me to pick fabric, Am-I-Right?
Well, my fabric choices this time were EASY. I do think a nice light oversized check would’ve looked great with the wall color. But as much as I love the modern farmhouse look, I just wanted something different.
Plus, I wanted something with yellow in it to work with my had-it-forever, authentically chippy, antique chest of drawers that I use in the back hall to hide all our crap if someone is coming over store off-season items. (It was a $30 Craigslist find that I was able to use AS IS! Love that dresser!)
I also love high contrast yellow/colorful prints on a black background…so I chose this paisley/jacobean print for the Roman shades:
Bonus: This print looks great with the Courtly Check black sisal rug that Mr and I found at the Mackenzie-Childs’ Barn Sale last summer!
All of which means, ideally, that I should probably choose a LIGHT color for the cushion covers.
Uhhh, didn’t I just complain about the nasty effects of dog drool on the last cushions?
Yes, not to mention paws that track in junk, backpacks that sit on dirty floors, purses, grocery bags that leak, water and gatorade bottles, snowy mittens, briefcases and computer bags…and, well, life.
Oh, yes…so let’s DEFinitely choose a nice light color for the bench cushions, what could possibly go wrong?
Believe it or not, the light color has worked out perfectly, thanks to a new (…well not so new if you’re a fabric junkie like me) game-changer in performance fabric called Crypton.
Crypton fabric is advertised to be stain resistant, odor resistant, moisture resistant and earth-friendly. Crypton is actually a brand name, like Kleenex is to tissue. And while there are likely other performance fabric vendors, this brand is easily accessible via hundreds of colors and textures, and dozens of readily available fabric samples from fabric chain stores.
So, sticking with my high contrast colors, I put my faith in a bright buttery yellow to ward off all the items the six of us regularly toss on the back hall benches.
I also piped the seams with welting made from the curtain fabric…
and selected a board-like an extremely firm cushion foam which poor old Kelly does NOT like. AT. ALL. I do feel bad that she’s had to find a new spot to rest her poor, tired bones.
Still, let’s revisit those stain-resistant, odor-resistant blah blah blah claims for a minute. Was I really going to put the time in to make, then sacrifice, buttery yellow bliss to dog foulness…AND serve it up as the first impression to company (who almost always prefers to use our back door)?
NO! I needed to see for myself.
I thought I’d take a chance on losing the $20 deposit I’d left on the fabric sample and take it for a test run. My stain of choice, the red wine we have on hand (in abundance, haha).
Check this out:
It beaded up and blotted right off!
I picked a different weave for the cushions and I decided to put it to the test on that fabric as well. Hold your breath! Ready:
(WaHoo!…and good to know, because Kelly has a drinking problem. No, not really. It’s because she ALSO likes the threadbare wing chairs in our kitchen that are due for recovering. There’s definitely Crypton in the future of those chairs!)
Okay, let’s get back to the hallway: I forgot that I haven’t shown you yet!
Even though it’s a slight deviation from the Mackenzie-Childs’ check, I also picked up Buffalo plaid pillows for the benches. Buffalo check/plaid does not always play nicely with Mac-Chi’s signature Courtly Check print, but in this case the pillows are far enough from the rug for it not to be an issue.
It also played pretty nicely with our Christmas decorations:
What WAS an issue for me, however, was the main area rug! And–because I’m trying to make shorter posts that don’t take three months to write, edit (and READ)–I’ll tell you all about my exciting and INEXPENSIVE find in the next post.
Can use the Crypton fabric for Roman shades! You’re makeover
Is fabulous!
Have been MIA for awhile from all things Internet while taking care of my mom in Kentucky. Just now catching up on my blog reading. I need an entire wardrobe refresh with all clothes made out of Crypton and so does my poor sweet mama! We are spillers and dribblers! That wine stain test WAS gripping television. You had me holding my breath with suspense. Not a trace of a stain. Amazing stuff.
This back hall is just adorable, Em. Such a welcoming space you would never dream the window seat cushion might be a little on the firm side. Poor ole pup. Love the contrast in lights and darks and patterns and prints. I remember that you scored big at a Mackenzie-Childs’ sale last year. That rug is so fun. A+ on the shades, the piping and the way everything came together.
Hello, Leslie! Thanks for stopping in with SUCH a nice comment!
I know you have been SO busy! Been following your journey via your blog and FB posts. Such a difficult time, yet filled with the opportunity for the tenderest of memories with your mom. I’m fortunate to still have both my parents (and they are doing relatively great, still in the house we grew up in at 83 and 88). BUT…we were the main care support for Mr’s parents, and while there were times we’d like to forget, there are so many we love to remember. Making those derby hats, playing bingo with her and her friends, holding her hand in the hospital…you will treasure those sweet memories. I can see your young face in her older one…lovely legacy!
Wow!!! I am in love with your color palette. And talent. Thanks for posting about Crypton fabrics as I am about to redo our breakfast room chairs, and dining room….and maybe a sectional sofa. These would ALL be in need of resistant fabrics…pets, tottery parents and an exuberant granddaughter.
Hello, J! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I looove the sewing part but always second guess the choosing, so I’m VERY grateful for your reinforcement!
The Crypton fabric was super easy to work with. I’ve continued to test the limits of how much spill is too much. So far, the wine has still blotted out completely on the surface, but occasionally there are tiny ghost spots on the reverse that have lingered. The cushions have held up great. I tend to use a brush on any soil that dog paws leave behind, and so far they look like new. YAY!
I see more and more choices coming in stain resistant fabrics! I just ordered a fun abstract print for the kitchen not even knowing it was stain resistant. BONUS!!!
Thanks SO much for letting me know you read the post!
Girl!! There are SO many things that are absolutely perfect with this space. First off you know I adore yellow. And print mixing. And you are showing how print mixing works!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
As for the stain resistant…I just bought a pair of jeans with this property….hopefully they work just as well as your material. You’ll see it in a couple of weeks on the blog. I love how you only tried a little wine on the material…that’s not how my stains happen…LOL!!
And Kelly…what a sweetie. I remember when we first inherited our first cat. I had to weigh the pet issues with the love they give us. Obviously since we have two cats now, the love won out!!
I need you to come decorate my place. And while you’re doing that, I’ll work on your closet…see? it’s a win win!!
XOOX
Jodie
Hey! Let it never be said that I am a wine waster! When I spilled the same amount on the counter top it looked like a lot bc it spread out, but it beaded so well on the fabric that it stayed pretty compact. Close enough for me, haha!
Thanks for your nice words about the back hallway. I definitely know what to use with that check (and thanks to you, stripes)! It’s when I start adding less traditional mixes that I get into trouble. Gotta work with my wheelhouse. Funny thing (spoiler alert)…I ended up putting that rug outside!
…always an adventure!