Navy Chair Makeover
Last Thursday, I found myself at Restore. I got there early enough that I was one of the first through the door. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot in the way of great furniture, but I did find this chair. I knew immediately it could be a great chair re-d0!
Looks pretty ratty, but it was old. Bonus…it was only $15.
Now let me preface by saying that I normally would never do what I did, but…the spindle connecting the legs was broke in two and it had several dings and gashes in the wood itself. Plus, I only had one chair, not a set. So…I painted it. I would never paint an antique that was in great condition or was a family heirloom. But, I got a wild hair and this is what I did…
I really like it! It’s bright, fun and different. I used spray paint and fabric that I already had, so hardly any expense at all! My kind of chair!
First, I removed the seat. It was simply screwed into the bottom. Once the seat was removed, I cleaned the chair frame with a mixture of blue Dawn liquid dish soap and vinegar and then removed the fabric from the chair seat. I used a flat head screwdriver and pliers to pull the staples out.
I went ahead and removed the padding, because I had some that was new left over from another project. I covered the seat with padding and batting. I cut the padding to the shape of the chair seat and the batting was cut about an inch longer on all sides, because it wraps around the edge of the seat and is stapled underneath.
Next layer was the fabric. I laid the chair, upside down on the back side of the fabric and cut about two inches around the outline of the seat. I just needed to be sure that I had enough to go over the edge of the seat and staple onto the bottom. After it was stapled, I trimmed off the excess fabric.
I pulled the fabric taut, so that it’s not loose and bumpy when someone sits on it. For the corners, I pulled the corner in first, then the right side, then the left side. It looks like this…
For the chair frame, I began by fixing the broke spindle. I applied wood glue and clamped it together. Now, I didn’t have a clamp, so I made do…
Next I put wood filler in all the cracks and dings. I let it dry and then lightly sanded the entire chair.
Next, I had to wipe down and clean the chair after I finished sanding. The products I used for priming and painting were Zinner Cover Stain Primer and Valspar spray paint in Indigo, satin finish.
I put on one coat of the primer, waited an hour and put on the second coat. (It is oil based, so you will need to use mineral spirits to clean your brush, unless you use just a cheap chip brush that you don’t care to throw away.) That’s what I did…a lot easier. (After the primer dries, there may be a few places that might need to be lightly sanded, if the primer went on to thick.)
I spray painted the chair the next day. It took two coats. I made sure to spray it lightly and smooth. I didn’t want drips or runs in the paint.
After the paint had dried, I sprayed two coats of Miniwax Polyurethane in clear satin on the frame. I didn’t have to use the spray version, but I think it’s easier when it’s not a huge project. (You need to put the second coat on within 2 hours of the first coat. Then you have to wait 24 hours before doing the next step.)
Finally I was able to reattach the seat and there she is…
The fabric is Robert Allen’s Cat’s Cradle in Papaya. It can be special ordered from Hancock’s or JoAnn’s fabrics.
I love it! I wish I had three more! I think they’d be awesome around a kitchen table.
My grandmother would get me for painting an antique chair! But…I’m glad I did. Let me know what you think…
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This post was featured at: Finding Fabulous
Linking to: Celebrating Everyday Life, East Coast Creative
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Oh how fun!! I have a chair that needs a re-do, and you have given me the confidence to actually DO IT. It doesn’t look that hard…. which usually means, it is?? Thanks for the awesome tutorial!! So glad I found you!
Thanks Ashley! I’m so glad you did find me! You can do it. It wasn’t hard at all. I’m sure you will do an awesome chair makeover. Send me a pic when you do…
I love how you used two of my favorite colors…looks GREAT!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Drop by and enter my current GIVEAWAY…you will have a chance to WIN a canvas print from your family pics.
Thanks Linda! I appreciate the compliment.
Linda,
I’d love for you to join my new linky party. It’s Twirl & Take a Bow, every Tuesday. Your coastal charm would be great!
Leslie
WOW!! That chair looks AWESOME! Great job!!!
I found you through Stringtown Home’s Tips and Tricks Linky Party!
Thanks! Glad you found me. Stop back by anytime!
The chair looks great! I love that blue
Thanks! I liked it too.
Darci,
I wanted to invite you to my new linky party, Twirl & Take a Bow. It’s every Tuesday. Hope you can stop by!
Leslie
Oh, so lovely! I really like the color combination. I just can’t get enough of navy blue lately.
Thanks Erin! Just checked out your blog. I would love for you to link to my new linky party, Twirl & Take a Bow! It’s every Tuesday. Hope to see you there!
As a women who woodworks I love your clamp! Just perfect. The chair and new cover are beautiful.
Thanks Jeanette! I checked out your blog. Awesome! I’m your newest follower!
I don’t know if you do linky parities, but I have just started a new one, Twirl & Take a Bow. It’s every Tuesday and your tutorials would be a great addition!
Leslie, I love your blue chair. So cute and fun with the bright new seat. Great accent chair.
Mary Alice
Thank you Mary Alice! I really appreciate the compliment.
Really quite perfect! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from HOH. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-10.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thanks Kathryn! I linked up to your party. Thanks for the invite. I’d like to invite you to mine as well. It’s every Tuesday through Sunday. This was week 1! Hope you can stop by.
Thank you for sharing I found you at a link party. I have been trying to redo my kitchen chairs and I am agonizing over what fabric to choose. Yours are darling!
Thank you Laurel! I’m glad you found me. I love any of the new geometric print fabrics and I love bright colors. Check out my new link party too, while you’re here!
It looks great! I recently painted a chair blue too. Great minds must thing alike, right? Sarah
Oh yes! I’m really “into” blue right now.
I am on the lookout of a similar chair…you did an amazing update! I’d love for you to share at my party…it just opened! XO, Aimee
Thanks Aimee! I appreciate the invite and I just linked up. I just started a new blog party this week and would love for you to share something. It’s Tuesday through Sunday. Hope to see you there!
Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. FYI, I’ll be joining you on Tuesday for your party. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Love your chair! It turned out so pretty! Really love that fabric! I have a link party on Tuesday also! I’ll have to remember to stop by for yours!
Thanks! I’ll be sure to stop by your party to!
What a great after. Love the color combo. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday. Hope to see you tomorrow.
Thank you! I will see you tomorrow! Looking forward to your party.
Lovely chair, well done, I would love to do one like this, thanks for the instructions
Thank you and you’re welcome! Glad you stopped by!
Hi Leslie, Love the colors you chose!!! Shared a like to your facebook page. I posted “vintage chenille pumpkin” to this party. Visit and join my blog or like my Facebook page at http://www.sewsweetvintage.com
Thank you! I will stop by and pay you a visit!