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You are here: Home / DIY / Chalk Paint Chair Makeover

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover

September 1, 2014 By: Leslie2 Comments

Makeover an old thrift shop chair into a new pretty seat

I had found this lovely little chair at a local thrift shop earlier this summer.  I know the seat was ripped and a few worn spots in the frame, but there was nothing else wrong with this chair, it was a solid seat.

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover - Before

First thing I did was remove the upholstered seat, which was just a matter of unscrewing 3 screws from underneath the chair.  Then, I was left with the frame and got to work on it first.  Since it was such dark wood, I primed the chair frame first using some primer I had on hand…I honestly can’t remember if it was Kilz or Zinsser, because I have both.  After the primer, I gave the chair two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover - after paint

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover - after paint (2)

Once I had the chair painted, I gave it a light sanding all over, using an extra fine sanding block.  Then, I knew I wanted to lightly distress, so I used a piece of 220 sandpaper in certain spots to let the wood peak through.

Chalk paint chair makeover - after distressing close up

After the distressing, I wiped the whole chair down to prepare it for a coat of wax.

Chalk paint chair makeover - after distressing before wax

I used Minwax’s Finishing Paste in Natural.  It works like a charm.

Chalk paint chair makeover - after waxing

Waxing helps protect the paint, and it also highlights all the details, like the distressed spots.  Since the frame of the chair was done, I moved on to reupholstering the seat.

Chalk paint chair makeover - old upholstered seat

I knew when I got this chair that reupholstering would be relatively easy.  I always inspect underneath the chairs before buying to see what I’m getting myself into.

Chalk paint chair makeover - removing old upholstery

I used the flat head screwdriver to loosen the staples and then the pliers to pull them out.  This fabric wasn’t stapled too many places, so it was simple.

Chalk paint chair makeover - old upholstery removed

The foam was in good shape, so I kept it and just got out my fabric.  I had bought this Waverly fabric at Lancaster Creative Reuse, for only $1.00.

Chalk paint chair makeover -waverly fabri

I flipped the seat over onto the fabric and trimmed the fabric to closer to the size.  Then, I went to work stapling…I didn’t take pictures of each step because it was so quick and easy.  I always start stapling on one side, go to the opposite side and staple and then do the same on the other two sides.  I left the four corners for last so that I could make them nice and tight and eliminate any creases.

chalk paint chair makeover - new upholstery underneath

chalk paint chair makeover - new upholstery stapling up close

The chair itself was technically done as soon as I reattached the seat.

chalk paint chair makeover - chair after

But I had this piece of coordinating fabric that I bought at the same time, so I decided to make a pillow out of it too.

chalk paint chair makeover - pillow fabric

The fabric wasn’t quite large enough to cover a whole pillow, so I used it just for the front.  I pulled some cream colored fabric from my stash to use for the back.  I was planning to make an envelope style pillow case, so I cut the striped fabric to 16 x 16, which was the size of the pillow.  I cut the cream fabric to 16 x 20, so that I would have the extra 4 inches for overlap in the back.  I cut the cream fabric in half of 2 – 10″ sections.

chalk paint chair makeover - pillow front and back fabric cut

So that my envelope seams that would show were finished, I ran a straight stitch (well as straight as I can sew) on one side of each piece of the cream fabric.  I laid the fabrics with the right sides in and the two sewn sides overlapping in the middle.

chalk paint chair makeover - layering for envelope pillow

Then, I pinned the whole way around the fabric so I could sew all 4 sides.

chalk paint chair makeover - fabric pinned for pillow

After a little bit of fighting with my sewing machine…we aren’t always friends 😉 I got all 4 sides sewn and flipped the pillow case right side out.

chalk paint chair makeover - sewed envelope pillow with plain back

I stuffed my pillow in the case and put it on the chair to take some pretty pictures of the finished product.

chalk paint chair makeover - After with pillow

This beauty is for sale at Thrifty Elegance…if you follow me on Instagram, you might have already seen it in shop.

Have you ever reupholstered a chair?  I seem to have a thing for chairs, and love giving them a new life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. 1

    Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says

    September 2, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    You did an amazing job on this! I love the fabric choices! I’m sharing your blog on my FB page today.

    Reply
    • 2

      Leslie says

      September 2, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      Thank you Megan!!

      Reply

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Leslie

Leslie

Hello! I'm Leslie Wireback and the owner and creator of Puddy's House. Puddy is our cute little dog. I love to yard sale and thrift shop, paint just about anything, use my creative energy on projects, all while trying to enjoy life.

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