DIY Les Touches

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 8x10 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
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36 comments:

  1. Nick and/or LaurenFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    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).

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  2. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    I love when people think outside the box! I often think the best ideas come when their is a tight budget! Great job!!

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  3. Jordan@the2seasonsFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    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.

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  4. SamanthaFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    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.

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  5. HeidiFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    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.

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  6. lizziefitzFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    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.

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  7. My Interior LifeFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    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!

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  8. laxsupermomFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    I love sharpie projects! What can't those little markers help you with. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Danielle Oakey InteriorsFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    love it!

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  10. Liz @ It's Great To Be HomeFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    That is brilliant! I love that she just went for it, and with such fun results.

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  11. caitlin wilsonFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    wow that's fabulous! great diy, thanks for sharing!

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  12. LisaFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    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!

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  13. Meredith M.February 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    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!

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  14. maggie_raneFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    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.

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  15. Brandi@ Flights of WhimsyFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    This is a great project but i'd be afraid the sharpie would rub off on clothing. It's not super permanent...

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  16. KatelynFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    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!

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  17. EMILYFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Jenny, thank you so much for featuring my take-on "les touches" project. You are the best! :)

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  18. Cassie {Hi Sugarplum}February 17, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    That's a great idea...and looks good too! I used a pic from your touche post in my outfit inspiration today!

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  19. Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.comFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    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!

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  20. StaceyMFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    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. ;)

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  21. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    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

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  22. SarahFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    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!!

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  23. The Goods DesignFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    This girl is a DIY genius!

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  24. Kellie CollisFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    What a gorgeous print! Pretty unusual but it turned out wonderfully! Have a lovely day, Kellie xx

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  25. Pudel-designFebruary 17, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Oh I love this idea;)

    http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

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  26. Cocktails and CupcakesFebruary 17, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Wow!! That is super impressive!! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  27. UnknownFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    looks great

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  28. Jen of MadeByGirlFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    OMG I could die...BRILLIANT...!!! Who would have thought of this??? impressed.

    www.madebygirl.com
    madebygirl.blogspot.com

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  29. GT Home ExperienceFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    genius!

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  30. D.L.RheinFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    What a great twist to an otherwise traditional table!Thanks for the inspiration!

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  31. JoiFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    This is so fun! I love the practicality as well!

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  32. SHERRY HARTFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Genius......

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  33. Melissa Marie HeadFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Wow that is amazing. I would not have the patience.

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  34. JennyFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    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

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  35. The MomFebruary 19, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    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!

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  36. Cherish @ My Cup of TeaFebruary 22, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Love the placemats...I could totally make something like that!!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)