Hello AT,
I recently purchased shades on-line from the Shade Store. I am very happy with the quality and function of the shades, but I wish I had gone with a darker color or shade (pun entirely intended).
I purchased a natural shade made out of organic materials, the MS-4. I wish I bought the MS-3. Because the shades are custom made, there is no return or exchange policy available. My question for AT is, would it be possible to stain or paint these shades a darker color myself? I was thinking of maybe brushing on a stain or using spray paint. Has anyone tried this or have any advice?
All the best, Stephen
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I think you should go for it! Try sponging it on--dip the sponge in the stain, squeeze out the excess and sort of "dry brush" it on. Good luck!
Honestly, I think that if you're hating enough that you're just about to go out and re-buy them, then trying something like this may be a last-ditch effort to try to avoid the expense.
But seriously, I think you're looking down the barrel of REAL trouble when it comes to trying to alter the color of these things. I just can't imagine them coming out well. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but it really does sound like it could spiral into heartbreak.
If the shades pictured are the ones in question, I'd try find a way to reconcile myself to them as they are. From the picture, I can't see them in the context of the room, but they're lovely. For one thing, though, there is more than one color of thread going through them, so that adds to the trickiness of that process.
You could always cut your losses. Try selling them on Craig's List or Ebay and use the $ toward the shades you really want.
Good Luck!
Soak them in black tea if they are made of cloth. My mother does it all the time to darken yellowed, formerly white, tablecloths.
contact the company - they may be able to put in a liner. I assume you want them darker because they let in too much light? Blinds for less did that for me after I ordered blinds that turned out to be very see through.
You can absolutely paint them, and I am 99% sure that you could stain them. I have been painting things that I don';t like for years and years. Here what you do for painting:
buy a good primer like Bin or Kilz and prime the shades well, if they have a shiny finish try sanding them lighly to get some of it off. Then paint them with a good oil based paint (it lasts longer) and finish them with a good clear poly coat, i'd suggest satin finish. I know it works, i've done it. Here is a link to a project that i did like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctp1/199807466/in/set-72157594215641203/
Now, if you want to try to stain them, I'd suggest buying my favorite product, Minwax Polyshades, it is polyeurathane (sp?) with stain in it, it is awesome, it usually takes two or more coats for me to achieve the darkness that I desire and make sure to sand between coats. I have nto stained material like this before, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that it would look great.
p.s be sure to use a plastic drop cloth underneath because this material will allow paints etc. to seep through.
Also, i'd heard about this product called "Miracle Finish" which is supposed to be one step refinisher, i've not used it myself but thought you might be interested: http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?class=0011&cont=mhhi&cm_re=PAGE-_-MASTHEAD-_-HOMEIMPROVEMENT
Re: Tea staining
While tea works very well to dull down too bright whites, it sometimes produces a very peach/orange tint.... use with caution.
Yeah, and I'd be worried about how tea might react to the UV light coming in thru a window. Even if it looked good at first, the color might change/fade over time.
There's an old trick you might be able to use to help make the shades look darker - trim them in a light-colored fabric, in this case probably white (although it looks like your walls are already white, so that may not be much help). You might also want to swap out that hanging plant and pot, and get a plant with lighter foliage in a white pot. The shade will then look at least slightly darker in context.
Why don't you contact the company and ask to buy some offcuts in the colour you purchased.
Try the various paints and dyes on the offcuts and see what works.
If all samples look vile, buy new blinds or live withthem as is.
how about ordering samples of the color you have and try painting/staining/etc???