DIY PAINTED UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
The potential of an old fashioned chair may not spring to mind immediately for everyone. I have a little bit of a super power when it comes to being able to see how things could be rather than what they currently are.
The great thing about this chair was that the shape, cushioning and legs were all in really good condition and had no obvious signs of wear at all. I could see how the refurb could really brighten up the overall look and bring this piece into different dimension in terms of its look but also its potential use. Practical and beautiful and really great for room styling too. Thinking about interiors in general, a chair can change the whole look of a space when staging a room!
Using the right materials for this job was really key because the fabric needs to be breathable, movable and flexible to a degree. Of course the last thing you want to do is to be spending a lot of time on a piece like this only to find when you sit on it , it cracks or bubbles.
I ended up using a mix of two paints to achieve the colour I wanted. I started with @dixiebellepaint in the stunning colour BURLAP it was a beautiful choice for this project to ensure a great finish. However when I was styling the room I realised it was a little too beige for the look I wanted so I lightened it using @frenchicpaint ‘s wedding cake.
New to DIY (Do it yourself ) furniture restoration or self created interior design? If you haven’t attempted a project like this before do not let the chalk/mineral element worry you – its an excellent feature for something like this to be workable and practical and to give you some leeway in terms of getting to grips with the technique of painting onto soft materials and fabrics.
The transformation of the room with this refurbished chair complete gave a brilliant new fresh styling to interior and allowed for a completely renewed.
To Mix the paint you need :
>1/3 paint
>1/3 water
>1/3 Fabric Softener
Mix the three together (it doesn’t matter which Fabric Softener you use) personally at home we use Fairy because I just love the smell but just go ahead and mix well in circular motions until you can see the ingredients nicely combined. Although it’s a little strange you are looking for cake batter consistency!!
One of the most important (and often missed) steps is spraying your fabric with water first to open up the pours of the fabric. You want a light mist rather than a full soak but do make sure you have misted the entire fabric area to give yourself the best chance of a good finish.
Then you want to paint your fabric completely in one sitting without stopping to ensure it doesn’t end up patchy. Pay careful attention to the amount of paint on your brush so you don’t accidentally encourage runs or drips. Don’t be scared to be generous with the layer of paint once you have created and even coating. This fully allows for the fabric to absorb the paint.
Once you have painted the entire area it’s super important to allow the chair to fully dry. It can be tempting to go back to the project with the fabric still damp but try to resist the urge and allow the paint to set as needed.
Once you have allowed for the fabric to fully dry you may notice that the texture of the paint is a little crispy and brittle. This is where sanding the fabric down to break through the crusty top layer is really important. Sanding the top layer off takes a way the cracks of paint and leaves the fabric underneath dyed and soft and flexible. I would suggest using a sander of 120 grit, using gentle rubbing motions in one direction allow for the covering to dust away leaving behind the soft new coloured furnishing underneath.
Not all chairs are made equal and depending on the original colour of your refurb you may need to repeat the process above a second, third or even fourth time to ensure you get the best finish. Remember to allow the chair to dry fully a each time and be careful with how much buffing you are applying when you sand it down.
Ideally you want a light buff that allows the outer paint to dust away leaving a flexible well covered fabric underneath.
As I said the colour I used was Burlap from Dixie Belle Paint, which I love! However, it was too dark for this project after the first coat so I simply added some Wedding Cake a white from Frenchic Paint to lighten it up a little bit. I got it to a Pale cream hue.
This worked perfectly and when the project was complete it suited my aesthetic for my home beautifully. The hue of the fabric really allowed the darker legs to pop and give that industrial yet chic look. Really consider the accent you want the piece to give to your homes look or if creating for resell then consider easy to adopt colouring and styling to appeal to your potential buyers.
To paint the chair legs I simply turned the chair over, cleaned the legs with sugar soap, sanded the legs down with 120 grit sandpaper to scuff them which allows the paint to stick better, wiped it down again and and painted carefully in BlackJack from Frenchic to allow for the main fabric colour to really stand out.
Things to think about when recreating this project would be, picking a chair that has easy to cover features such as colours, textures and the right (little to non) visible wear and tear.
Texture is particularly important as you will see in the reel , our chair kept its texture which very much added to its charm. It wouldn’t be my first choice if I was to repeat this project but I actually love that it has a little something more too it now.
You do not need a professional set up to recreate this. Some dust sheets and a couple of brushes. If you intend to use a brush in the same paint on the second day then you can save yourself the hassle of washing it out by wrapping it in a cling film so it is ready to go the next day.
Lets summarise:
Step 1:Spray your fabric with water to open the pours of the fabric. Then paint your fabric with your mix.
Let it dry completely.
Step 2:
You need to sand your fabric to soften and break the paint down so it acts more like a dye. I used a 120 grit
Step 3:Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 again as necessary
Where to find the original pieces? I get asked all the time where I find the originals that I upcycle and the answer is really simple! I find my pieces on Facebook Marketplace, garage sales and car boots. I am looking for the potential of a piece and the wear, with the cost being a secondary factor as I like to keep the cost of the original and unloved furniture to be at a minimum. I have even on occasion adopted pieces for free!
For any upholstering renovation projects I would always be on the look out for stains, rips or tears, bobbling and sorry to say smells too (always ask if it’s not clear if it is from a smoke and pet free home). Make sure what you begin with is a fair used item rather than a very worn and used item and you are already set up for success.
I love to see your projects, especially those I have helped to inspire or that have been created using my methods or tutorials. Tag me in your story reveals @thewhitethisle so I can see all the amazing things you have been up to!
Want to see the reel again? Click here to watch
The White Thistle was founded by Abi Hugo an influencer who has a grown a following of over 100k on Instagram. She shares creative DIY and upcycling tips and tricks by rescuing furniture and transforming it into a lovable and modern addition to a home’s décor. Abi also offers courses, resources, and downloads for creative entrepreneurs looking to grow an organic Instagram following.
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