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20 May 2013

THE MOOMINS EAT - WHY WON'T YOU?


Co-pilot started solids shortly after 6 months (sort of) and when I pulled out Little Pilot's old high chair I knew it needed a makeover.  This mahogany stained Svan high chair stuck out like a sore thumb in our new light and bright dining room.
The high chair was a yard sale find that I got even before I had any kids.  I work with children in my day job and this chair was perfect for allowing little ones to sit at an adult-sized table with excellent support.  The Svan high chair is similar to the Stokke in that  it is one of those that converts all the way into an adult-sized chair (the foot rest becomes the seat).  I had thought about just buying the Stokke in a white colour and selling this one, but I really liked the option of having a tray (the Stokke doesn't have one).  So a makeover this little high chair got.

I have been getting a lot of Moomin/Muumi things for Co-pilot for some reason.  He has a Moomin sleep sack and even a Moomin mobile.  So, quite naturally, I added some Moomins to his high chair.  (P.S. can you spot Little Pilot in the photo below?)

The tray got a Moomintroll/Muumipeikko and Little My/Pikku Myy.

The footrest/seat got the Moomin Family:  Moomintroll/Muumipeikko, Snorkmaiden/Niiskuneiti, Moominmamma/Muumimamma and Moominpappa/Muumipappa.

To paint my high chair I sanded, primed (zinsser), applied three coats of Benjamin Moore Simply White,  1 coat acrylic sealer, 2 coats poly in gloss and 2 coats poly in satin.  I made my Moomin Drawings using a sharpie.  I printed off some images of Moomins and used carbon paper to transfer them onto the tray and foot rest pieces.  I then went over the carbon transfer with a black sharpie.  Super Easy!  I think painting the chair white was the most tedious since there were so many little pieces.

The acrylic sealer was a really important step as you can see below in my test spots: 
On the left I put poly straight over the sharpie heart and on the right I sprayed it first with an acrylic sealer (available at the craft store).  I am so thankful that I did the test first or otherwise my Moomin drawings would have ran all over the place!  Phew!  Disaster averted. :)  

Here are a couple of photos of the high chair in action.  Co-pilot is nearly 7 1/2 months and is still refusing solids.  At best, you can sneak a couple tiny bites into his mouth, but lately the thumb in the mouth has become his food avoidance strategy.  Look at those eyes - the only time when he's not happy.   It breaks my heart a little that he dislikes it so much. :(  At least he loves breast milk!  Hopefully we'll start succeeding with the solids soon.
Here's a picture of it inside. :)

Here's my favourite photo from our front yard high chair shoot.  Doesn't everyone take pictures of their high chair with the street in the background? :)  Little Pilot loves to play hide and seek in the front yard with all the big trees to hide behind.  Here he decided to hide behind the high chair.  I think Co-pilot found him. :)

That's Co-pilot's high chair!  Have you been painting anything lately or tried to get your baby gear to match your space better?  

P.S. this isn't my first high chair makeover - you can read about our Phil & Ted's Me Too here.

15 comments:

  1. Of course you have to have Moomins! :D Beautiful job! I have the Stokke. And I love it. I have it walnut color but have been thinking about painting it lighter. I think I'll let it be for now as it is and wait until the little miss stops banging it. :)

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    1. Thanks Ina. It would be nice to have two of these chairs or the Stokke ones for both boys. Little Pilot is using a booster right now, but it's not as supportive as a chair with a proper foot rest - but then again he's growing so fast that I'm not sure how much use it would get. :)

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  2. Adorable! I really should paint some of my furniture but I just cant decide on what colours to paint them. White is classic but part of my screams that I should have some fun with colour - yellow or red!

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  3. Love this makeover and I love that you included some Moomins. That really brings back childhood memories. Aaaahhhhh.

    Love your "new" chair. It's stylin'!!

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    1. Thanks Katja! We love our Moomins around here. :)

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  4. Oh my goodness these photographs are beautiful Anu! XO, Aimee

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  5. This turned out lovely! The white alone makes such a difference but the moomins are perfect. Well done with the sharpie.
    Now I want to try making my own stencils with a sharpie- thanks for figuring out how to do it!

    Don't worry too much about co-pilot and eating solids. These things have a way of working themselves out- it seems our littles do such things just to trigger a bit of mommy anxiety. You know that he's getting what he needs with breast milk and when he's ready for solids, there'll be no stopping him.
    I extended nursed my son and he ate very few solids for the first year. It will come in due course. Especially with his own chair at the table; it's natural for toddlers to become curious about your food and while sitting at the family, it will encourage him to participate.
    Really nice job on the high chair.

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement. Co-pilot actually ate a little more this morning - figures, right after I post about him not eating. :) I had a similar experience with Little Pilot, but co-pilot has been even worse with solids. I'm glad that both boys nursed/are nursing well since breast milk is so good for them. Thanks again, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and help lift my anxiety. :)

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  6. you know i love it :)
    what a process!! but i'm sure it's all worth it!!

    poor little guy... maybe it's time to try 'baby lead weaning'... i so highly recommend it... here's some ideas to get you started: http://www.mintinthemiddle.com/search/label/lucy%20eats...

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    1. I have been thinking about your baby lead weaning. Maybe it's time for me to look into it. :)

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  7. Such a cute makeover! I love that highchair. Love the drawings. If you get a chance, please share this on my linky party: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-link-party-8.html

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  8. love that! I'll need a highchair for Abe soon...I've been keeping my eye out for a fun one, and now I'm going to keep doing something like this in mind in case I find one that just needs a little help to make it awesome :)

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  9. This is super cute! We use a stroller as a high chair, and the color's so dark you'd never see Sharpie drawings, but I love the idea.

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  10. Ahh!! This highchair is so, so cute! I love the paint job and those little characters are super adorable! :)

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