A Cottage Chair Makeover Story: Yes, You *Can* Paint Fabric!
Edited 8/2/09 to add: Since I'm out of town and don't have a recent Make Your Monday project to share this week, I'm including this project in the Make Your Monday link event.
n your thrifting adventures, have you ever run across a perfectly well formed, good boned, sturdy upholstered piece at a great price...but you didn't buy it? Was it because you didn't like the upholstery and you thought you didn't have the skills to reupholster it yourself? Or maybe you knew it wasn't yet in your budget to higher a professional to do it for you?
Here is an alternative that can work for some low nap fabric: Paint it! Yes, you really can! And you don't have to purchase those expensive upholstery spray paints that come in limited colors, either. Just use a brush and a can of paint in whatever color you like.
I found four of the chairs above at Goodwill a couple of years ago. Obviously, they were from the 70's. (They came with the small, sturdy but beaten up dining room table that I turned into a large coffee table). I paid just $20 for the table and four chairs! I loved the form of the chairs but hated the color of the cushions. Originally, it didn't even occur to me to paint them and so I just stuck the chairs in the garage until I could figure out what to do. Then I came across a discussion in a decorating forum and someone there had actually painted their entire sofa. It looked great...it looked like leather! I was inspired and thought that if someone can paint their whole sofa, then I could try painting my chair cushions. If it didn't work out, I could always recover them down the road - and anything would be better than harvest gold, right?
The original fabric was velour, I do believe. (I am challenged when it comes to knowing fabric types so I apologize if there is another name for this.) As I mentioned, smooth, low nap fabrics work best for this project.
I made sure that the fabric was clean and dry before I began. Then, with a brush and a can of interior latex satin paint (Olympic Premium, "Dark Granite" is the name of the color I used), I started painting. I started with the edges, making sure I pulled back the decorative cording on the cushion so that I could paint in the the grooves. The first coat probably won't cover well and will look absolutely hideous. If you try this, you will want to throw out your furniture project at this point. Ah, but please don't! It gets better!
I let the first coat dry completely. It took a few days because the first coat really gets absorbed into the fabric. When it was completely dry, I sanded it well with fine sandpaper. This step is necessary because the paint raises the fibers in the fabric and it will feel rough to the touch. I sanded the fabric smooth, wiped it down, and then applied my second coat. It was the same process...I let it dry for a few days and then sanded and repeated. I believe I painted a total of four coats. The final coat did not require sanding because the fabric was completely sealed by the first layers of paint and no longer was rough to the touch.
The result was a chair cushion that looked like soft vinyl or leather. This "finish" can be cleaned easily. Just wipe it with a damp cloth!
Or you can bring it up a notch and even stencil something pretty on the seat. I didn't but I just might in the future. I think it would look great! The photo below shows the nice, soft sheen that a satin paint finish produces.
I painted the rest of the chair as well. I "distressed" it by gently brushing some of the edges of the chair with brown paint. Since this chair was photographed a few weeks ago, I've repainted the frame in a solid white as I decided I wanted it to look a little less distressed. I believe my reasoning behind brushing on the brown paint on the edges was to paint over it again with white and then sand back down lightly to the dark brown. But solid white looks just fine. This chair and another just like it will go in my craft studio.
While I don't think I'd be brave enough to paint an entire couch, I'm glad that attempted chair cushions at least. To me, they look a so much better! And we have more room in our garage now!
Sadly, my memory card for my camera just died yesterday. I had a camera full of "before" photos of various studio accessories. And the photos of my youngest child's first missing top tooth :( Hopefully we'll get a new card soon so that I can share the other projects I've been working on. Until then, I'll let you know that my farm style craft table is completed and ready to prime and paint - hubs did a fabulous job! The steps in the studio are also painted a deep chocolate brown and just need a little touch up work. I have another table that I need to start sanding in preparation for paint as well. Three more major pieces of furniture for my studio need to be built and/or made over: a large L-shaped unit, the shelving unit that will sit on top of it, and the makeover piece is a large cubby style system. So much to do, but I will be thrilled to finally have my own space to create!
{Note: The discussion forum where I originally found the instructions for this project was on the HGTV website. The instructions have recently been brought up in the forum again and can be found here. I basically followed these instructions with the exception of using paste wax as the final step.}
58 comments:
Absolutely wonderful. You are so inspiring. Whats the worst that can happen right? It is paint but sometimes it is hard to get the courage to go for it. Thanks for sharing. Wow, four beautiful (now) chairs and coffee table for $20.00 plus a little work. Gotta love Goodwill, Pam
I'm in awe. Seriously! I had no idea this can be done. Do you know if it can be done with all low or no pile fabric? I have a chair that has thin-ish upholster and wonder if it could be painted. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try! I'm also curious... doesn't the paint crack when you sit down?
Wow!! I totally passed up a chair I really loved because I was afraid of the upholstery. This would have been the best solution. Thank you so much for sharing that. It never would have occurred to me. Your chair looks incredible!
Thank you! Songbirdtiff, so far mine hasn't. I think it helps that latex paint is fairly flexible.
Wow. I never would have thought this was possible. I have tried to get paint out of fabric before, but never on it!
Oh, and I would think that most low pile fabris would work. I don't know about *all* though...
WoW.. great job... who would have thought... I love the AFTER look!
I NEVER realized you could so something like this! Thanks for sharing the tip. Sonya
what a transformation! i love it, and now know i can paint fabric too:)
How did your card "die"? There are a LOT of free programs that you can use to get images off of corrupt cards that won't work or say they can't read files.
Love the chair redo and that's totally amazing! Love it! My only question is - does it feel ok to sit on? :)
Wow! You are such a smarty pants. I mean that as a compliment. That is awesome. I love painting stuff. But was shocked to here you say that. I guess canvas is a cloth too and they paint that all the time. It makes sense. Beautiful job on the chair!
Are you kidding me??? WOW! This is awesome!
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That looks fantastic!
~Michelle
WOW that looks so good. And I never would have thought you could paint your fabric. That is such a useful thing to know! Thanks for sharing!
All the best,
Allison
Well, it wouldn't hurt to try on fabric we hate, right?! I'm totally going to do this.
WOW! That is something good to know for sure! If I would have known that when I was a newlywed, I could have painted my courderoy couch that was the same color as you chairs "before"! May be we could have lived with it a while longer!
Wow, I had NO idea that you could paint fabric like that. Thanks for sharing!
It sure does look lovely! Can you tell us what it feels like? Does it feel like dried paint on fabric or does it all soak in and just feel like fabric?
Great idea and what a wonderful price you got it for.
Hugs,
Joanne
In my case, painting on velour, the resulting finish doesn't feel like velour. It feels more like leather or vinyl. I've read of some folks using wax paste as the final step, rubbing it on in a thin layer and buffing it out for an even smoother, softer finish, but I didn't try this myself.
Wow!!! What an amazing transformation! Hmm, wonder what I can paint?
Your transformations are totally amazing; I get so excited looking at them. Doesn't it give you great satisfaction every time you see them? Rita
One Woman, you did it again! I remember when Magna first posted how he did this with his sofa and I couldn't believe it was really possible. You have taken some pretty ugly chairs and you beautified them! You really have the touch - and you chose the perfect color, too!
Oh Kim, You've been busy! (Where have I been?)
That chair turned out FANTASTIC! I never would have thought to paint upholstery fabric...but it looks stunning.
Kimberly :)
I just found you (link from Nesting Place) and I think your blog is going to give me lots of inspiration and ideas. I, too, am renovating a cottage that my grandmother owned. It's a considerable downsize for us but I'm looking at "cottage life" in a whole new way! Thanks!
BTW - I've always wanted to try this project myself - your chair is beautiful!
I painted a chair once. It turned out horrible.....I used spray paint so it was blotchy and ROUGH!!!! Not my finest painting project for sure.
Yours is lovely!
Oooo, I tried to paint an Ethan Allen wingback once and it was forever known as "the velcro chair." Guess I'll need to follow instructions next time.
Great job!
The chairs look incredible! I might have to try this with a couple barstools that I have. Thanks!
Wow! That looks really great! I'm going to have to file this idea away for future use.
Oh my your finished chairs made me gasp for joy! Just beautiful. I've heard rumors about painting fabric. Well---no doubts any more. Just fabulous!
Good idea and it looks very nice.
Wow! That is awesome. I am so not crafty and would never think to do that.
How did you paint the chairs? Do you use primer?
What an inspiration you are!!! I knew carpet could be painted, and t-shirts, and faces, but duuu, I never ever considered upholstery painting.
Somehow, you got through to me, and I thank you.
Gotta' run buy me some paint.
Blessings,
Wow, I had no idea you could paint fabric like this! The chair is beautiful!
I was looking back at your kitchen pictures and was wondering what your counter tops are. Would you mind sharing the color?
That is AMAZING!!!
WOW!
Thanks for sharing your project. I love HGTV.
This idea is fabulous! I wonder if it would work on my IKEA dinind room chjair covers? I am tired of them!
That is a super great idea! I love those chairs!!! Good to know that you can do that. What a transformation!
We had to link to this post today because these are truly, truly FABULOUS!
Thanks for sharing your creativity!
smiles, kari & kijsa
wow, I love that idea. I have some old fold up chairs that I am going to give that a go on
this is so great! I love how well that turned out for you! you are inspiring!
Oh my goodness! This is the inspiration I needed! Now to wait for the hubby to go to work...ha ha! PS....did you ever make that faux fireplace/mantel? It is such a cute idea! I hope you did!
OMG....this is amazing. I am going to try this on one of my chairs for sure. What colour is the cusion painted. It's hard to tell for sure on my screen. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT !!!
Thanks everyone!
Molly, I decided to use the materials that I have for shelving for my studio instead. I found a great hugs mantel on craigslist for $40 but someone barely beat me to it! Will keep my eyes peeled!
Incredible! I love that you say the fabric takes on a smooth leather-like quality. That wipes clean!
Fabulous work by you on this one. WOW.
What a great ideal ! I have a chair I was going to upholster but I think I will try to paint it first. Thanks !
i love your blog! i too have that same ugly chair with the gold fabric so i am off to the store tomorrow to get the necessary tools. i will report back to you. Thanks so much for the fantastic read.
I hope I have this right. If it is, I want to thank you for hosting this wonderful event.
I have never heard of painting the seat!.
It looks fab
Thanks again Kim
Love Claudie from Canada
xox
I too have painted fabric. I have saved many a curbside find in such a way. Amazing isn't It? Your chair ended up looking great.
Isn't it amazing what paint can do. They look great,. What a deal.
I thought I had pretty much tried painting everything until I saw this. Upholstery has NEVER even crossed my mind! Looks great!
I would never have even thought this possible! And it looks great, Kim! Now I have a new way to fix things up! Thanks!
Brenda
Wonderful...I love white-- and you did a fantastic job here. I'm so glad I stumbled on your blog today!
Oh your chair looks fabulous. I was there on HGTV when it was first discussed. That is where I first saw your talent and creativity. I've followed your blog since. I created my own blog yesterday. I still visit HGTV and post as "Paintlady." Again...this turned out beautifully as everything you touch does!
It turned out beautiful. Thank You for hosting this new event. I aptly titled my post with part of your blog name because it fit! I hope it is alright:) Enjoy your trip!
Beth~♥
I have heard of this technique before, but always wondered how it would turn out. I have the perfect chair to try it out on. Thanks for the step-by-step.
Thankyou for your tutorial!! I never would have thought to do that. I tried it on a wingback chair and I LOVE it!! My blog has pics, and I linked back to your page!
That looks great! Though it doesn't sound like you used my tutorial, I'm going to list you as an example, if you don't mind. I have an entire page of examples - success, fails, other methods, etc.
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