This is a story about a chair and painting fabric.
This chair has been through the ringer. It started out
in my daughter’s room, then
it was broken (we won’t say by whom… hint she is a college student)
put in the garage,
then put it on top of my armoire,
the readers hated it, (I mean you really didn’t like it!)
then I fixed it with screws (sort of).
Then it got sent off to the farm.
As I do with some of my decorating decisions, I took to Facebook and asked readers if I should paint the chair, recover it, both or neither. Boy, did you have an opinion on that!!
In the end (you guessed it) I painted the chair, but here’s the twist, AND the fabric.
Now I don’t often paint REAL antiques like this hand-carved chair, but remember it had been broken and therefore was not worth much. I repaired it in an awkward, unprofessional manner, but hey it is still together and Mr. CH sat in it WITHOUT breaking it, so there you have it.
Yes you heard correctly, I even painted the fabric. When you paint the fabric, it does get stiffer, and feels more like leather. That’s okay, this just got moved to a bathroom, so the seat should hold up rather well in there.
I used a chalk based paint.
It covered well, needing 2 coats, which I would expect. No priming, or prep work was done before painting. I did lightly sand after painting to distress the paint.
I then applied a coat of Howard’s wax in the Walnut shade. Let me just say the paint and the antiquing wax made the carving pop. I ADORE this paint, and have used it on quite a few things so far.
When you paint a chair that has nail head trim like this chair, it is difficult to just paint the wood, without getting any paint on the nailheads or the fabric. That is why I decided to paint the fabric. I thought i it didn’t turn out, I would just recover the chair or make a slipcover. I wasn’t worried. But I have to say I have been wanting to try painted fabric, and now I have. If you want the fabric to maintain it’s softness, I would not paint it.
As you can see, the pattern is still visible through the paint. I kinda like that. I might have been able to cover that up with a few more coats of paint, but I liked being able to see it.
I have to say the chair turned out even better than I imagined it would. I am very happy I painted it. I am pretty pumped to show you the other things I painted as well, but we’ll have to save them for another day.
You can order the paint online, so you don’t need a retailer nearby. The color chart is on the website. I have used Stanley, Mini Pearl, and Otis. This chair is less blue in person than it appears on my computer screen. Also keep in mind that the antiquing wax does slightly change the shade of the paint.
Another happy ending at the farm, well unless you voted for me to not paint it. But remember, when the chair was broken, readers were suggesting that I saw the legs off and use it like a shelf, so who’s the barbarian now? Oh I’m just messin’ with you. I enjoy all of your suggestions, unless they include jumping in a lake.
If you have any questions about the paint you can leave your questions here, and we get your questions answered.
I’ve been convinced for over a decade that paint cures all. The chair is so pretty and the details stand out…..excellent job Anita!
I love your chair. Would thinning the paint make fabrics softer?
I’m a sucker for chairs, lamps, and small tables. Think I;ll try this new brand of paint.
Hi MJ! Ashley here from Southern Honey:) That is a great question! I have painted a fabric chair before and fabric lampshades and thinning the paint will not make the fabric softer. The paint will still dry the same leaving the fabric stiff but you can apply a clear or dark paste wax to make the fabric smoother, just not softer. These kinds of pieces make great accents though!
I am not sure about that MJ. I wouldn’t paint a big comfy chair, but one like this is fine.
Love it!! I’m going to check out the paint website now too. One question: Did you apply Howard’s wax to the fabric as well, or just to the wood? Thanks for sharing!
I waxed the fabric also.
Beautiful job Anita!!
Beautiful. And now being highlighted in the house rather than lost in the garage. So pretty.
I have a chair very similar to this stored in one of our barns, I was worried about reupholstering the fabric because of the nail heads! I have reupholstered before, but only with using a staple gun and piping! I adore this chair, and after seeing your results I think I will paint my fabric!
I love what you did to the chair. It looks beautiful ! I have one question. .is the wax a paste or liquid ?
The wax is a paste wax.
Lovely, and a special thank you for pointing out that you would not paint a real antique but that this one had been broken. You really did make it more beautiful and since the leg had been misrepaired it’s intrisic value was in it’s beauty. I am thinking I may have to try that paint. Very inspiring.
Well, I wouldn’t say I don’t paint antiques. I would say it is rare though. I paint vintage pieces a lot.
I love your chair! I found Southern Honey Chawk Paint in Nashville. I do agree it goes on so great. I covers well and the colors are perfect. I have also used the Minie Pearl, Otis and Stanley. The stanley is my favorite. I will send you a picture of the things I have painted later. Bye for now from the mountains of N.C.
i love the painted chair, how very beautiful and classic
Good job,it is so hard to figure out what to do with a beautiful piece of furniture when it gets broken,wonderful idea.
Cute project Anita. How do you have room for all the beautiful things you do?
I have sold or given away a lot lately.
Love the chair! I just ordered 2 cans of paint, can’t wait to try it. I’ve been looking for affordable chalk paint. Thanks!
Oh that is exciting Liz!!
Wonderful outcome for a chair of its caliber, and with repair work to the chair I’m thinking it adds to its charm.
Painting it was a plus, and as for the fabric being painted giving it that PAINTERS CANVAS look and feel and I love that feel…. I painted some fabrics on window cornices that the fabric had dated itself yet the design pattern was so theatrical so with then painting them I turned outdated into drama for the arts in my last home where the room felt like walking into a grand theatre of French Opera! 🙂
You did good by this chair, plus if not heirloom from ROYAL family the value of the chair is as it is and most painted piece cost more then a stain grade piece.
You in my opinion by fixing it and painting it have added that much more charm and value to the space it sits in.
Bravo! To its outcome.
Xx
Dore
Love the chair painted. Would have changed fabric. Just me though. I don’t like painted fabric.
Sandy, I had never painted fabric before, so I wanted to try it. If I don’t like it, I can easily make a slipcover for it, so it was a no risk experiment.
I love it, Anita. I’m looking forward to trying some of this paint. I did two chairs with ASCP and love them. I think the fabric pattern adds to it’s beauty! Poor chair- imagine the trauma it suffered from all the hate mail in the armoire “incident”. She feels so pretty and validated now. 😉
I am so inspired!! I love what you’ve done with the chair. I’ve been toying with reupholstering a couch that is just made up of all pillows. I hate the durn thing — very dated. So I thought why not paint the pillows and see how they look. If I don’t like it I could always cover them, right?? How hard was it to paste wax the fabric??
No not at all, but if you have several pillow it might take awhile. Not sure I would use paint on pillows. Why not just buy more or recover them?
The chair is amazing but I have to tell you I love the name of the paint. LOL, way to get around calling it chalk paint. LOL, Love
I have used AS paint to paint a chair and the fabric, I love it. My problem is I have painted several pieces with AS and waxed them but the paint will come easily if you barely scrape it. I went back to the retailer and she told me I didn’t clean the pieces very well. That there must be some oil or wax residue on them. When I read your process you say “no prepping “. What am I doing wrong? Love your style.
Annelle, ‘no prepping’ means no sanding or priming, the piece still needs to be clean. I have painted over wax with no problem, but maybe it had oil on it.
Anita,
What are your feelings about using this process on a (in the corner, not sat on) wing back chair? I’m afraid it would not only be extremely stiff looking and to the touch.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful
Talents!
I have seen it done, but not sure I would do it on that kind of chair if anyone is going to sit on it. It does make the fabric stiff.
Hi Anita,
I’m going against your readers opinions, I kind of like the chair up there atop the armoire. It’s quirky. I think doing off the wall things like that makes a space interesting and fun. One of my favorite stores up here in Alaska was about one hours drive from me. I live in Anchorage. Anyway, they had the cutest boutique. It was actually fairy large compared to the size of most boutiques. The building had a definitive cottage style exterior. The had ladder back chairs that were hung at the same height all the way around the building. Each seat held beautiful flowers that cascaded down. The entry door and windows were all French windows with tailored shutters. The blend of farmhouse, French and cottage really worked well together. Ever since I saw the chairs used like that, I have always favored quirky ways to use chairs. I just think it is fun and others probably think it’s horribly funny. LOL.
Olivia
There are fabric paints that will leave the fabric soft. I would never use a paint that would leave it stiff I guess.
Anita, I know this post was some time ago but I want to add that yes, I think painting it was a good idea. Also, I have found though painting fabric makes it a bit stiff that it will soften up as it is used. I painted outdoor cushions to a patio set I have had for years. The first set of cushions lasted 13yrs and the replacementshad to be custom made. Another 10yrs have passed and the pattern was outdated and faded. Out of curiosity I chalk painted them. Though the pattern shows through the color changed everything ! The color blends with the rest of my patio and looks updated. Over the course of the summer all the use it has received softened the painted finish. It was an experiment I am glad I tried even though I will eventually replace them.
I absolutely love the chair painted, and the carved details are gorgeous. You definitely did the right thing by painting this chair. I even like the painted material, I like the fact you can see the pattern through the paint. Wish I was as gutsy as you are.
Hi Anita,
The chair has been transformed into something even more beautiful and aged looking than before. I just love how the fabric pattern shows through. She definitely makes a statement now!!! BEAUTIFUL 💖
Thanks so much Michelle!!!