I got into one of my weird rebellious moods (rebellious is a relative term for me) and decided to tea stain two pillow covers that we already have (originally from this cute Etsy shop). Oh yeah, I’m wild and ca-razy like that. I just figured it was an 100% free project and it would (fingers crossed) be an easy way to take two extremely stark-white (as opposed to warm white) pillow covers to a slightly creamier and off-white tone that would help them layer in more naturally with a slew of other off-white, cream, and even super light metallic bronze pillows that are currently living it up on Big Karl (our dark slipcovered sectional from Ikea).
I’m pretty keen on switching out pillows at the blink of an eye (so these guys could all end up in another room next month or even next week), but I figured it couldn’t hurt to make them all “compatible” – no matter where they’d end up living someday.
See how they stick out like sore thumbs overly-white squares o’ stuffing? In person they really made the others feel kinda dingy by comparison. Not a good look.
So I dipped them into a nice tea bath that I made thanks to three tea bags that I had on hand (one french vanilla and two regular old black tea bags) and some boiling hot water.
I just soaked the pillow covers with cool water first (a tip to keep the stain from absorbing unevenly) and then stirred them into my boiling hot tea cauldron. Bubble bubble toil & trouble, baby. I didn’t want them to get too yellowed and antique looking, so I just left them in there for about five minutes.
Then I gave them a quick run through the washing machine (with cold water to seal in the color and get rid of any excess tea)…
… and dried ’em (tumble dry low) until they were almost 100% done (leaving them a little damp is a wrinkle relieving trick, since I’ve heard that allowing cushion covers to dry on the pillow instead of sitting in the dryer getting wrinkled can keep them looking better).
They weren’t 100% wrinkle free when they came out, but perfect is so 2010 anyway. Here they are now with their new creamy not-too-white undertones thanks to some free tea. They definitely still read as white, just not as blindingly white (think “normal person tooth colored” instead of “Ryan Seacrest tooth colored”). The whole shebang took me about ten minutes of actively paying attention and an hour or so to wash & dry them.
Now they “tuck” right in with the rest of their little pillow friends (they’re still some of the lightest tones, but they don’t make the other guys look dirty anymore). Hooray for tea.
Oh yeah, and see those two green zebra print pillow covers? The funny thing is that I’ve been sweating them (mom, that means crushing on them, which is the same thing as saying I really like them) since before we moved. I even stuck them into this just-dreaming mood board about our future living room last fall. So when they went on clearance for $19 (down from $34) with free shipping and an additional 15% off thanks to a coupon code (Take15) I couldn’t resist. Got ’em both for half price ($17 a pop with tax). Not that I needed more pillow covers. Oops. Told you I have a pillow problem.
The irony of all of this pillow talk is that we spend 85% of our time on our cushy rug with the bean. Three cheers for something cozy underfoot. Or underbutt, as it were. But at night once Clara is asleep, we do sink into Karl, where we usually watch something weirdly morbid that we love (like Dexter, True Blood, or The Walking Dead – what’s wrong with us?) and all those pillows actually come in handy for things like: back support, reclining, keeping our laptops from burning our legs, tossing at each other when someone falls asleep, and squeezing during suspenseful/scary parts. Ah pillows, such useful items. Maybe I need more. Just kidding.
What have you guys dyed with tea? Any other West Elm shopping going on (pillow covers or otherwise)? Do you remember making fake tea-stained pirate maps with burned edges as a kid? Just me? Oh man, those were the days.
Psst- I’m a dork for dye. Check out how I dyed my wedding dress here and how I dyed some cheap-o slipcovers for our $25 craigslist chairs here.
Pssst- We announced this week’s random giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I was contemplating doing exactly that with some fabric I have and making it into cushions.
We bought a bright green couch a few months ago and I’ve been hunting for the perfect cushions for ages with no luck. I’m going to give it a go now. Thanks for the push!
Natalie says
That is such a good idea! As I was reading, I was afraid they were going to end up all streaky and brown ~ but they look great! Thanks for giving us the courage to get out of our decorating comfort zones and try something new! :)
Barbara says
getting boring:{
YoungHouseLove says
We’re the first to admit that our blog is not as exciting as a Matt Damon movie. Not even close. Haha. But we’ve always blogged about the big stuff and the little stuff (from making the bed to the fact that our cabinet pulls look like eyeballs). We figure everyone likes different sorts of posts (it seems like 240 others are having fun with this one, of which we’re eternally grateful!), so we just recommend skipping whatever posts don’t do it for ya (that’s how J & I read other blogs since we definitely don’t expect to love every post from every blog that we follow). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Justine R. says
Geez, taking the time to comment that something is boring when you can just scroll past it is boring. I love this project. I’m trying it tomorrow.
Heather W says
awwww that’s not nice! I appreciate all the posts. Obviously the “big reveals” are fun but these small free simple posts are great too! I love ideas that don’t cost much if any money especially in this day and age.
Keep em coming Sherry!
Ginger says
I’d agree. Meh. Personally, it’s a lot more fun on this site when the brown blanket or awful light is a topic. Perfect pillows are b.o.r.i.n.g.
Meghan says
Are you kidding Ginger? You read this blog waiting for something that you think is awful and you’re mad when Sherry and John successfully execute and share free projects that anyone can do? What a waste of everyone’s time – including yours. Why don’t you find another blog to grace with your amazing negativity?
Love the post and your blog in general, S and J. Sorry you have to spend a second reading why-are-you-even-here comments like this. Keep on keeping on!
lizzy says
i am cracking up at the 2 negative comments above! so funny! my son turned 9months old today and i don’t have time to shower – let alone complete a quick home improvement project like dying pillows!
geesh, why can’t you guys add a second story addition or landscape your entire neighborhood everyday?! you’re totally slacking! ;)
Vanessa says
Looks great! I actually used coffee to antique a Texas flag that I made for my son’s room. I couldn’t find a Texas flag that would fit into a ready-made frame so I sewed one myself. Then I soaked it in coffee, crinkled it up on a big cookie sheet and baked it in the oven at a very low temp. Crinkling it before baking made the colors variegated. In the end, it looked like a 100 year-old flag!!
Ilana says
Though not related to this post, I thought this story might make you guys smile and hope that Clara might pull off something similar in the near(ish) future: http://gamesbyemail.com/WoodTape/Default.htm
YoungHouseLove says
Adorable! What an awesome story.
xo,
s
Sally says
Sherry, you are so hilarious! And thanks for yet another great tip!
emily @ the happy home says
we do the morbid thing, too, for some reason! after a long day of work, we sit down to marathons of “criminal minds.” so strange.
but i loves your new pillow color. and the tooth analogy.
Andreina says
I’m from Aruba, and when I was a kid my mom used to dye white stockings for for me to wear in the Carnaval Parade. White stockings turn into ‘skin colored’ stockings and were then perfect for my costume.
AbbyD says
Hey Sherry have you seen the pillow cover lady at South of the James Farmers Market on Saturdays? Not that I want to enable or contribute to your “pillow problem” but she has some awesome fabrics and patterns! PLUS the covers are pretty inexpensive ($8) and she is local!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that’s dangerous info. I’ll have to keep an eye out for her!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Speaking of laptop leg burns….
I bought a laptop cooling pad on the recommendation of my computer geek friend when I purchased our new laptop. There are dozens of different models available – this is the one I chose: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Notebook-Cooling-Green-Accent/dp/B001U3ZH7W (bonus that I got it on sale at Best Buy for $20)
It makes a HUGE difference in how cool my laptop runs – no leg burns, and according to my computer geek friend, will greatly extend the life of the laptop.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip! Maybe I should get one for J as a surprise. Shhh, don’t tell him.
xo,
s
Carly says
Love it! I can really tell the difference!!!
Sherry – I see this room pop up on pinterest ALL the time. Must mean it’s lookin’ good :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Carly! I love Pinterest (a little too much) and it’s so crazy when I see our rooms over there!
xo,
s
Karri says
Oh, not only did I do the pirate map thing when I was a kid, I recently recreated the experience when making my sons pirate-themed birthday invites. I burned the edges outside because I didn’t want to set off all the smoke alarms – I probably scared our then new neighbors – which was alarmingly more difficult then I remember. The payoff was great, however, especially when one of my friends told me she and her husband spent 10 minutes “sniffing” the paper to try and see if it was, in fact, authentic burnt paper.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I love that they checked your work.
xo,
s
Michelle says
That is such a great idea! I love the outcome.
Shannon says
I did the tea stain for my son’s Pirate themed birthday party. We printed in a “piratey” font with “piratey” wording, then tea stained, then crumpled, then burned the edges. We rolled them up, tied with twine and stuck into a glass bottle with some sand, shells and jewels. Closed the bottle with a cork and hand delivered them to his friend’s houses (with him dressed as a pirate). It was the best party ever!
Annette says
No dyeing with tea bags so far. But I’ve dyed easter eggs with onion skins. You know, the outer, dry brown or red part. Boil them in hot water an it gives a pretty good dye.
You just pop the eggs in and boil them along with them.
Depending on what kind of onion you use, they come out brown or reddish. My aunty taught me to do so. Works best with white eggs, naturally.
To make them look fancy, you take some flowers or nicely shaped leaves, position them on the egg, secure them with a nylon stocking and them boil them.
If you did it right, you’ll get a white imprint of the flower as it kept the color from leaking in.
There you are, slightly out of season but dye-related and very organic in comparison to chemical dyes.
YoungHouseLove says
Man, why is Easter so far away. Sounds fun.
xo,
s
Brooke says
Great idea! Love those zebra pillows too! Btw…where did you get that ottoman? I have been trying to find something like that..thanks for your daily posts,you guys are my morning cup of coffee! Lol
Brooke
YoungHouseLove says
Marshall’s a while back. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
cassy says
I love that pillow dying idea!!!!! You guys are so creative it amazes me.
Lilly says
This is so funny. I was reading the post but since the first pic I kept on repeating to myself, “Oh no she didn’t(buy those west elm zebra pillow covers n not write anything)”LOL. So I’m reading n like ok Enough with the tea what about those gorgeous west elm pillows? And I thought u were going to end the post without sharing. It’s just so funny because I’m used to u guys sharing all of ur amazing decor choices n buys. N then at the end I was “Oh, ok” Like ur really supposed to tell us everything. Hillarious, n crazy, I know. The living room is really looking amazing kuddos.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you know we’re chronic over-sharers. There are no pillow secrets in our house!
xo,
s
Robin Grey says
I have to ask if you’re still loving Karl. I had a sectional several years ago (when I lived in Chesterfield, no less!) and I really thought I would love it, but didn’t. The sections would slide apart and I was always rearranging it. Do y’all have that problem or is it something they’ve sorted out in the years since I’ve been a sectional owner? Please say you don’t! I really love the look of a sectional, yours in particular. Thanks!
Robin
YoungHouseLove says
No complaints so far! Still love Karl and snuggle up to him every night!
xo,
s
Janet says
love the tea bag staining idea! Never would have thought of that, but now I’m definitely going to have to try it!
Mary Ashburn says
Hello! My question actually relates to the Ribba frames hanging in the background in your living room. Love them! I’d like to do something similar in my home, but I am a first time homeowner with virtually no decorating/picture hanging experience. Any tips on drilling into a never-before-drilled plaster wall? I am freaked out I’ll hit an electric wire or something equally as dangerous. I’ve heard people say to look for the studs…but what if the studs don’t line up to where I’d like the picture to go? Any advice? Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
We just make paper templates to play around with arrangements on the wall without making any holes. Then when we settle on a nice even grid arrangement, we mark where we should hammer and drive in a nail (we use anchors and screws when hanging heavy things in our plaster walls, but a regular old thick 2.5″ nail works for holding our Ribba guys up). And you can always do it during the day with the power off if you’re nervous about wires (we haven’t hit one yet- and we hang a looooot of frames, haha). Good luck!
xo,
s
Lus Pirela says
I sure use my pillows when I get scared watching true Blood and Dexter! I love those shows. They have me hooked.
ruthie says
I have to ask — where did you get the fuzzy white pillow on the couch at left? I love it and have been looking for a couple that look like that! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Target! $12!
xo,
s
Coren Kline says
THANK YOU for this easy, easy post. It got me thinking about my too-white & chocolate brown toile pillows, and your step-by-steps were easy for a novice DIYer like me to follow. I’m anxious for your cabinets-painting post — I have a green kitchen, too, and am dying to transform the cabinets white! :)
Morgan says
Do you think this would work for slipcovers too? I bought 2 chairs from Ikea and the covers are stark white, while our couch is a more natural looking, off-white. Do you think this would make the slipcovers look more like our off-white couch?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I think it probably would. Definitely be sure to pre-wet them to hopefully get really even absorption (you don’t want marbled and dirty looking covers). You also could look for dye packets at Michael’s or JoAnn (we like the brand iDye at JoAnn) in cream or off white or antique white since that might be more reliable for larger items of fabric!
xo,
s
Jazzy says
Just want to let you know I really enjoy your design blog.
You are a beautiful family and you obviously have great taste. Your living room is amazing. Looks modern, fresh and very livable.Really like the colors. Ironically I also have a pillow addiction. Glad i am not alone. Ha Ha.I think we have the same lamps. Are your 2 silver lamps from homegoods?
YoungHouseLove says
I think they’re from Marshall’s but TJ Maxx and HomeGoods and Marshall’s are all sister stores. Hope it helps! And thanks for the kind words!
xo,
s
Stacey says
Sorry to comment on an old post, but just saw it (researching a Karl sleeper sofa for our living room and looking at all of your Karl-related posts). In college, I once tea-stained a homework assignment – on purpose! I was a history major and we had to write letters set in the early 19th century. So I popped regular printer paper into a tub of dining hall tea in my dorm bathroom, dried them on my desk, picked out a scripty font, and ran them through the printer! I got an A. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- love it!
xo,
s
Ashley C. says
So I’m a little late to the tea-staining party, but I have a duvet cover I want to try this on. Do you think this same method would work with something that large?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I think it should, just be sure to get it all wet before putting it in (and stirring a lot) since you want even color throughout and not darker and lighter areas since it’s a larger object. Good luck!
xo
s
Ashley C. says
Awesome, thanks! Now I just have to get brave enough to try it, haha.
Andrea says
looks great, what a perfect idea! Love the other cushions too!
Katie says
I bought drop cloths to make curtains with for our adjoined living room and kitchen. I bought all the same brand, but two of the drop cloths are a lighter shade than the rest. Already threw out all the packaging like a dummy so I cannot return them. I am thinking about dying all of the drop cloths so they are the same color, but I want to keep that oatmeal tone. Wondering if I can use the tea stain method to dye them in the washer, like you did with the green dye for the chair slipcovers?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I bet that could work or it might be easier to buy little oatmeal colored dye packets somewhere like JoAnn Fabrics. Good luck!
xo
s
Cicelie says
I can’t wait to try this! I don’t drink tea or know anything about it. I will be buying it for my project. Do different brands/flavored change the color?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not sure how others work beyond regular tea being that tan/brown tone, but maybe raspberry tea would have a pink/red tint?
xo
s