Thursday, March 27, 2014

Painting a chair-- Upholstery and all

I can't believe I painted the whole thing--

For many years now I have watched blogger friends do wonderful projects with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I feel like I have been getting an education. I have seen furniture--upholstery--even a refrigerator painted with this wonder paint. I am on a tight budget so I always thought that it was just too expensive...and I made my own version of "Plaster Paint" which I still will say I love. You can find my post about that here.
 
I decided I had to see for myself what the hype was all about and I had the perfect project.
 
 

I knew the colors I wanted and I decided I could get sample sizes and give this paint a try.

Janae and I had to drive into Portland to pick up Chantel at an amusement park and decided to stop at a shop we knew sold the paint.


The couple who owns this store are so nice and the shop is just adorable! If you live in the Portland area I would suggest you visit their store. http://thepurplepear.me/  

Well...here it is....


I was pretty tickled when I found this chair at Goodwill for $4.99


I thought the plaque on the bottom seemed kinda impressive too :)

Transformed with AS Chalk Paint to become this...


Just in case you were wondering--I didn't paint the cat :)

I am so happy with it. I am starting to understand some of the hype about ASCP. This paint is so versatile and that is what makes it really amazing.

I painted the frame of the chair first...with Old White. It is a wonderful creamy white color.


I was a little frustrated with the first coat--it was streaky and didn't seem like it was covering well. I knew from "my education" that the second coat would make everything all right...and it did. I was pleased but at this point still didn't think it was "all that".

Then I started painting the upholstery. I was a little scared about this part but I figured what do I have to lose? Afterall the chair was $4.99 at Goodwill. I could burn it if it didn't turn out. lol


I sprayed down the fabric with water as I saw Annie Sloan herself do in a video. Then I started painting--dipping my brush in water as I went. The upholstery was soaking up the paint--which worried me but now that I realize it this part was good. You don't want the paint to sit on the top you want it to become one with the fabric. Don't listen to Annie though when she says it only takes a few minutes to paint a chair pad--it took me an hour--and a beer to calm myself down. That paint just kept soaking in.


I was feeling better at this point--I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

After getting one coat down I messaged my blogger friend Amy from Maison Decor. I know most of you know who she is--in my opinion she is the Queen of chalk paint. It has been her excitement over this product that made it impossible for me not to try it. She has a great post about upholstery painting here.

Anyway--she told me to wait for the first coat to dry--lightly sand with fine sandpaper and put on the second coat.


Here it is--you can see the part that has the second coat and then you can see the sanded part. I think on some projects that sanded look might even be kinda cool.

I didn't invest in the wax that Annie Sloan carries but I tried a little wax from another designer chalk paint company and it worked nicely so I gave the cushion a couple coats of wax.

Then I started lightly sanding the chair in all the places where I thought it would naturally show wear. That is when I really started loving this paint. In all the talk about painting fabric and refrigerators I had forgotten what the original hype about this paint was all about...it distresses beautifully.


It took just minutes to bring all the details of the chair alive.



Then I was in love with it. The chair and the paint.

Everybody's first question is about how it feels. It feels like leather! My 15 year old daughter Chantel--who basically thinks everything I do is stupid--was impressed. She thought I covered it in leather at first -- she is a extreme animal lover and does not agree with the use of leather. No animals were hurt in the remake of this chair. She liked that.

I had my son Wyatt push on it to try and show the softness. It really is amazing. Janae came over tonight and said it looked better in person then it does in pictures. I see an upholstery painting project in her future!


I know I am getting long winded here but I have to show one more before and after.

I remembered this picture I took of the "before" of my recent basket makeover.


So I took another picture of both projects done...


I started thrifting and remaking things out of financial need. I have to have pretty things in my home to make me mentally okay and this is how I found to do it. Now--even if I won the lottery I would still be doing this. It is so much fun! Also it is so satisfying to my creative soul. I am so thankful to all of you bloggers that give me so much inspiration and also are so encouraging to me in your comments when I do a project. It means so much!

I wanted to ask for continued prayers for my future sister in law. Kirsten is already in her second round of chemo and she is young and strong but this is emotionally exhausting. She has sores in her mouth and is starting to lose her hair.


Her son Jaxon is staying with us for a couple days while his Mama is having her chemo. I adore him. He is asleep at my feet right now as I type. Two year olds--they can sleep anywhere. This has to be so hard on him but we are doing all we can to make him feel secure. Like his Mom...he is going to get through this.

The kids and I are enjoying our evening walks with the dogs and I wanted to share these beautiful parkway trees our neighbors have.


I told the kids I could get married under these trees and they reminded me I am already married..lol!

I hope this post inspires some of you to paint some upholstery...and if you do please do share it with me!

Thanks for visiting!

27 comments:

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

I have been afraid to try to paint fabric but maybe I will give it a whirl... The chair turned out great! I will pray for your sister in law and her little boy, And I would love a tree like that next to my house. It is beautiful.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Grandma Carolee said...

WOW, the chair turned out beautifully! Also, you did a great job "teaching" how to do it. You are so good to take care of little Jaxon. I know he has fun with you and all of your fur babies. Loved that last picture of the blossoming tree.

Patty @ That's So Pretty said...

looks so pretty!

Sweet Melanie said...

I love painting upholstery with the home made version but haven't tried the Annie Sloan brand because of my budget. Maybe I will give it a try....when I have a few extra bucks. The chair turned out beautifully Sandy...perfect in my book! I bet you are so thrilled with not having to tackle the chore of re-upholstering that lovely chair now, lol. All of those nail heads would have been a paint. Thanks for the giggle about the beer...the vision of you sipping one as you wipe the sweat from your brow and giving a deep sigh made me laugh! Great job once again!!!

Cynthia said...

Oh my gosh, that chair is absolutely gorgeous! You did a fabulous job on it. I would have chosen the same colors. Your easy to follow steps are very helpful; I may have to attempt this myself. Prayers to your family and future sister-in-law. She is surrounded by love, and that must be a comfort to her. God Bless you for your kind heart!

Curtains in My Tree said...

I loved your chair before and definitely after
I painted some chairs once with latex paint before I knew what chalk paint was and it worked also
Jaxon is real cute and so glad he is happy with you, only God knows why his Mother has to go through this ordeal

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

It's gorgeous. So sorry for your SIL. xoxo

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your chair turned out beautifully, Sandy! I love the colors you decided on, too. I haven't painted upholstery yet, but I will have to remember to follow your instructions if I ever do. Love seeing the flowering trees. I can't wait to see some kind of flowers blooming here!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

This chair is just stunning!!!
I love her paint but have never tried it on fabric...yet!!

lashawnmontoya said...

That upholstery paint is astounding. Truly! Looks sooo much like leather. I totally gotta try this and buy myself an old chair to work on!:) I LOVE your blossoming trees in your neighborhood, too!

Jasper's Cottage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jasper's Cottage said...

Oh my goodness, I never even knew you could paint upholstery. There is so much I need to learn, thank you! Your chair looks absolutely gorgeous, great job! xo Jonni xo

farmhouse-story said...

beautiful redo, sandy! love the blue seat. wishing healthier days ahead for jaxon's mom. he's a doll:) gorgeous flowers in the last pic!

Fran said...

That you so much for taking the time to show us the how-to. I hope to do this soon. I will keep your soon to be sister-inlaw in pray. My sister had to go through chemo and radiation. It was so hard. But she said it was Gods grace that got her through it. She has since came down with cancer one more time, but God took care of it yet again. I pray he will do the same for your SIL. Enjoy your time with your nephew and that beautiful chair :-)

Janae said...

The chair turned out so good! I still can't believe how nice the painted upholstery feels! I think I am going to have to try it!

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Wow Sandy!
I am completely impressed! Gorgeous job! I have always wondered if painted fabric could be nice (not crunchy),this looks soft! great tutorial!
Now I must find something to paint, Hmmm...
Hugs,
Bella

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Wow, that looks amazing! Can you believe I still have NOT tried ASCP! I must be the last person on earth! LOL! Wonderful post!

pipigirl said...

fantastic job on the chair. with a beer to boot...lol. glad it turned out as you were obviously sweatin it a bit. hope all ends up well for your family. its so hard. i know from experience. and amy is great... oh, is there any way you can let us know what kind of trees those are. i need to plant some. i could sit and STARE at those all day. beauty at our Lords finest.... nice job....

Unknown said...

It turned out just gorgeous - I had to lmho - you needed a beer LOL
I'm in the process of painting 2 chairs - guess I'll have a couple of beer then :)
And those trees?
Paradise!
|XOXO

JP said...

Sandy, I'm pinning your gorgeous chair....people have to know that painted velvet doesn't have to turn out hard and scratchy, but rather soft, like leather!
Best wishes to Kirsten....I'm sorry for her and hope that this round will pass quickly.
I love those gorgeous cherry trees...what a beautiful place to take a stroll!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
JP

Anonymous said...

Sandy, your chair is stunning! I have never painted fabric. I appreciate the tips! I have to give this a try. Continuing to lift Kristen in prayer!

Ana said...

Hi Sandy,
The chair and basket turned out amazing. Great job. Will keep your SIL and sweet little boy in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Hugs and Kisses,
❤️Ana

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

The chair is Beautiful! It makes me want to try something. My prayers are with you and SIL at this time.

Ollie said...

Very pretty. I love the colors - calming. Is the seat scratchy? I just wonder if you sit on it with shorts will it feel prickly.
Great job in the "how to do". prayers to your sister-in-law and her family as they battle such a devastating illness.

Connie said...

Hi Sandy, I haven't visited in such a long time and I am so happy that I chose today to visit. This post is wonderful. You have inspired me and answered so many question that i've had about this paint. Your chair is amazing. I will have to travel about 120 miles to buy this paint, so I am not so sure when that will happen, but it is something that I really do want to try and seeing what you did with the upholstery, well, I am totally intrigued.
I'm adding your future sister in law to my prayers.
Have a lovely day.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)

Girl in Pink said...

Beautiful job on a lovely chair, Sandy! That little plaque on the bottom is so neat! That would have me excited too...especially at $4.99! Wow! I will pray for your future SIL! Her little guy is so cute and I am sure that she is so thankful to have you to help care for him during this trying time. Bless you!
Amanda

Unknown said...

Hi. I am a first time visitor to your blog and am completely impressed! I LOVE the chair and am considering finding a chair of my own to experiment on. I can appreciate your need for a creative outlet and you have found the perfect one. I enjoy this type of creativity too. Prayers for your sister-in-law to be and prayers for you and your family too! You are such a kind soul!