Okay Friends…It’s the day you have ALL been waiting for…
No, I’m not sharing my SNAP! recap…still need to gather my thoughts…I learned so, so much! Soon…promise!
I’m sharing how I created my absolute favorite piece…EVER…
You may remember this project from when I was competing in the So You Think You’re Crafty Competition…
Well…here’s the story…
Years ago, my dad came across this cast iron bathtub in excellent condition and since he knows I kinda like old stuff, he asked if I would like it. Of course! No idea what I was going to do with it at the time, but I knew something would come up. So, it sat on our front porch for a while and the boys swam in it. Don’t judge! We lived in an old farmhouse and it fit right in…
Then we moved and the tub moved with us…
And my husband said we had to come up with something to use this old tub for…it was just too cool…plus he kinda likes re-purposing old stuff too…
One day…and I can’t remember who came up with the idea, me or the Mr, but I’ll take the credit…since this is my blog and all…
How fun would it be to turn the tub into an outdoor sofa for our poolside patio?! I’ll just tell you now…it’s pretty stinkin’ cool…
Okay…I’ll quit blabbing and get on to How we made it…
Take a look at what I started with…
An old Cast Iron Bathtub with peeling paint, but in very good condition! No rust, beautiful porcelain interior and all four original claw feet.
How did I do it? Honestly, not alone. Cast Iron Bathtubs are VERY heavy and the porcelain can chip easily. I was lucky to have the assistance of Mr. Kriegerchick on this one! (and three little boys…)
I’m sure there are other ways to do this, but this worked awesome for us…
1 & 2: Measure and mark where you would like the cut out for the sofa. We found it was best to keep the lines straight to make the cutting step easier. I used a Sharpie to mark the lines. If I were to do another tub sofa, I would use a less permanent marker.
3: Using a Quickie Saw, cut along the lines. Make sure to wear safety glasses and pants. The tiny shards of bathtub are very sharp! Mr. Kriegerchick cut the majority of this while I kept the boys away. During the last cut, I held the cut piece to ensure it did not fall down on the inside of the bathtub and chip the porcelain.
4: Smooth the edges using a grinder. This creates a nice smooth edge and makes it safe for use.
5: All done! Ready to prep for paint!
I apologize, but these pictures are not in order…
1 & 3: Using a hand held scraper, I scraped as much of the old paint as I could. Yes, I wore a mask! Just not in this picture. You also want to find as many little helpers as you can find. In my case, three. Anytime a tool comes out, they are by my side.
2: After scraping as much as I could, I used Laquer Thinner to remove even more paint. Clearly, all the paint did not come off, but that’s okay! I love the old, already loved look. If this bothers you, you can continue with the paint removal step until all paint is removed.
4: I used Glad Press and Seal (similar to Saran Wrap) to seal down the bottom edge of the tub. It covered the area perfectly and stayed in place during the paint step. Why? I couldn’t find my painter’s tape and I wasn’t about to go buy some.
5. I removed the drain. This can be left in place too…personal preference.
Yay! We’re getting closer…Time to paint!
1: First, I sprayed the tub with two coats of spray paint primer.
2: I cleaned the claw feet and sprayed them with primer as well.
3: The feet received a few coats of ivory spray paint.
4: I painted the exterior of the tub with Valspar Ultra Paint + Primer in River Mist (exterior paint in a satin finish.) This only took one coat, but brands of paint may vary. I had this paint left over from our Poolhouse and it just happened to match my fabric perfectly!
Bathtub is finished…Woo-hoo! Now to make it pretty…and comfortable…
Did you see Part Two where I shared how I created the comfy cushions…I learned a couple lessons along the way…
If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to ask…
Sharing with…Sugar Bee Crafts, The Makers, Do Tell Tuesday, The Creative Collection, Whimsy Wednesday, Link Party Palooza, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Link it or Lump it, Frugal Crafty Home, Get Your DIY On
This is gorgeous, Ariean! And I’m so glad I got to meet you at SNAP!
I can’t wait to share this with my friend. I just gave her a clawfoot tub from my attic that she put in her yard. She will love this idea!
Oh my gosh…That’s Awesome! I would love to see what she does with it! Have a Creative weekend!
~Ariean
This turned out AMAZING! I’m in love with this couch, your choice of colors and fabrics! GREAT PROJECT! Pinning it to remember
Thank you, Thank you…You are too sweet! Thanks for pinning…If you ever make one, please share photos with me! Hope you have an Amazing weekend!
~Ariean
THIS is SO awesome! LOVE!! ~Sonya
Thank you oh so much! I’m kind of in love with it too…It’s always nice when a project turns out better than expected!
Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
This is sooooooo amazing I can’t believe it was once a tub! you are an upcycle genius! I would LOVE it if you shared this over at The Makers link party going on at my blog, UpcycledTreasures.com
Hope to see you there!
~Katie
Thanks so much…One of these would be fun for your wedding stylings! Linked up…Thanks for the reminder! Have a creative weekend! ~Ariean
Oh my goodness, this is so awesome! And I love the fabrics on your cushion and pillows.
Thanks so much! You should make one…I know you have the tools!
Loved meeting you at SNAP and am excited to learn from you. Have an Awesome weekend! ~Ariean
Oh my goodness, I want one! This has to be one of the coolest makeovers I’ve ever seen. Ever! Now I’ve just gotta convince my husband that we need to find an old tub. hmm…could take awhile.
Haha! I feel like many of my crazy makeover ideas begin with convincing my husband! Thanks so much for your sweet words…Hope you have and amazing weekend!
~Ariean
Oh. My. Gosh. This is one of my favorite blog projects EVER. From ANYONE’s blog. I love a good re-purposing project and this one is gorgeous!!!
You’re Awesome…You sure know how to make me blush! Loved meeting you at SNAP and hope you’re having a great week back. Enjoy the weekend!
~Ariean
OMG soooooo impressed. It’s beautiful! Pinned! Please come share at the Anything Goes linky.
Thank you so much! Appreciate the invite…I’ll be sure to pin it next week! Have an Awesome weekend!
~Ariean
Awesome sauce! Love, love, love…. Superb project, have been searching for an old claw tub for a while for a water garden, love a great repurpose!
A water garden would be so cool…Can’t wait to see it! You’ll have to share a photo! Have a Happy weekend!
~Ariean
Best of everything? I LOVE THE FABRICS!! Oh, the tub is awesome, too.
Linda
Oh you are so sweet…I love the fabrics too! So much that they are currently on my living room sofa…may need to make new ones for the Outdoor Sofa.
Hope you have a Creative weekend!
~Ariean
Wow! I LOVE this idea, yours turned out absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you so much! It’s definitely a conversation piece on our patio! Hope you have a great weekend!
~Ariean
Wow! This is gorgeous and so creative! I love all the different fabric for the pillows. They’re so bright and colorful and just lovely! I’m pinning this to my fabulous furniture board.
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
Thank you so much! I actually liked the pillows so much I’ve been using them inside. May have to make new ones for outdoors.
Thanks for sharing your link party too…I’ll be sure to link up on Sunday!
Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
This is seriously adorbs!!! I cannot believe how incredibly genius you are to have thought of it! Pinned and shared
Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much…I was pretty impressed with how it turned out too. Please share a photo if you ever make one!
Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
WHAT. ON. EARTH. This is CRAZY amazing!! I can’t believe it. I never would have imagined the possibility! Simply outstanding, Ariean!!
Oh my…You are so fun! This turned out better than I even imagined and still looks great. Try it if you can get your hands on a tub!
Have an Awesome weekend!
~Ariean
Simply fabulous and cool!! Nice that your hubby likes to re-purpose with you and it looks like he had a lot of fun cutting the tub with the Quickie saw, too.
Haha! Thanks so much…Sometimes he thinks my ideas are a little out there, but he was totally on board with this one. Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
Thanks for linking up to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – your awesome project was featured yesterday!!
–Mandy, SugarBeeCrafts.com
Awesome Mandy! Thanks so much!
~Ariean
I am in LOVE with this, and would LOVE to see you link it up at my Skip The Housework party! http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/skip-housework-saturday-11/
Thanks so much! I linked up! Have a Happy Day!
~Ariean
What a fun and awesome idea!
Thank you so much…We love it!
Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
What a fantastic idea! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams on Fridays
Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party.
Thanks so much for your sweet comment and for the invite too! I’m afraid I missed it this week, but will link up next time for sure! Hope you have an Amazing weekend!
~Ariean
This is about the coolest project ever!! What a fantastic repurpose!! XO
HI Ariean,
I just can’t get over this project! I’ve seen it pop up a couple times, and again featured at The Maker’s this morning! I just can’t believe you made this into a sofa!! It is fabulous!! Your boys are adorable, too!
Hope you’re having a great week, and now I’m on to read your SNAP recap. Next year … I’m SO going (hopefully!).
XO,
Katie
I absolutely LOVE this!!! It looks so awesome! I have an old tub too, though not claw feet. I wonder if I could do something similar to this. You did a great job, it is just beautiful!
Oh my…Yes you can do something with yours and I cannot wait to see! Thank you so much!
have a Happy Day!
~Ariean
Absolutely beautiful! I LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh, Thanks so much! Have a happy day!
~Ariean
Thanks so much! Hope you have a great day!
~Ariean
This is incredible!! Wow, what a project! I have always loved claw-foot tubs, but our tiny house cannot possibly fit it, but maybe we can make this work!! Pinning it for a hopeful future project! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much! Hope you find a tub, then share a photo with me…I would love to see your take on it! Have an Awesome weekend!
~Ariean
This project is truly amazing! You’ve inspired me to think outside the box! Happy Thursday!
Oh gosh…Sometimes I think too far outside the box! Thank you so much and hope you have an Amazing weekend!
~Ariean
This is one amazing transformation! I’m now going to be on the lookout for cast iron tubs! Love this so much I’m featuring it at the next Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!
Oh my gosh, Carrie! You should definitely make one…Your kids would love it! So excited to be a feature…Hope you have a Happy Mother’s Day!
~Ariean
This is SO amazing! I sure hope you don’t mind, but I’ll be featuring you as part of this weekend’s upcoming Party Junk, with upcycled outdoor furniture as the theme. Outstanding project!
Of course I don’t mind! You have honestly just made my weekend! I’m so glad you like it…You create the best re-purposed pieces. Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
Shut the front door! This is unbelievable! Wow. Totally love and totally love that you linked it up with us at the LInk It Or Lump It party! Definitely a feature this week!
Wow! Thanks so much! Love Link it or Lump it and am so excited to be featured! Have a great weekend!
~Ariean
This is amazing! I have NEVER seen anything like it! Thank you so much for linking it up to the Link It or Lump It Link party. I’ve picked your amazing bathtub as a feature this week. Come on over and grab a button to brag- you deserve it! http://www.twoityourself.com/2014/05/link-it-or-lump-it-link-party-37-plus.html#more
All I can say is WOW! I’ve been seeing your tub a few different places and decided I’d better come have a look myself!! I always wondered how to cut it! Thanks for the tute! Would be thrilled if you’d join my Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday Party. Love your style!
http://www.kammyskorner.com
Thanks so much! So glad you stopped by…Off to check out your party!
Happy Day!
~Ariean