Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Updating a Chair Without Reupholstering

So, Cara picked up this chair at a yard sale for nearly nothing.  It was the end of the day on a Sunday and the people were practically giving things away.

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The wood finish and caning, though not horrible, had certainly seen better days, but the upholstery was in really good shape.  I just could not see putting a bunch of time into reupholstering when the chair didn’t really need it. 

So then it begs the question:  How do you update a chair without changing the upholstery?  The first step is obvious: Paint.  I decided to go with a soft white (No distressing this time.  Shocking.  I know.) 

Then, I picked out a fun, modern print in a coordinating color and whipped up a little back pillow, and kabam!  A chic-looking new chair!

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And since I loved the fabric I used on yesterday’s project, and thought it went well with the blue and white, if someone wanted to go a little more wild with the make over, it could look like this:

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FUN!!

So, no need to rip off perfectly good upholstery.  You can completely change the look of a chair with just some paint and a leetle bit ‘o fabric for a fun pillow! (…or two)

 

Linking to:

Domestically Speaking, Primitive and Proper, My Backyard Eden, Coastal Charm, Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Chic Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed, The Shabby Nest, Finding Fabulous, Freckled Laundry

Visit thecsiproject.com

41 comments:

  1. What a NIFTY THRIFTY chair...come by and show her off at my party...hope to see ya there:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  2. Looks great~ I have happened upon a chair that needed updating but had good upholstery several times... usually I end up re-doing because the fabric just can't work well... but your chair looks great in it's coat of white and the fabric works perfectly!! Great job! :)

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  3. Great job on this chair! It's amazing how much better that upholstery looks with that crisp white paint. I especially love that you chose not to use the glaze on this one. ;)

    Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont

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  4. I think white on anything will do wonders. I love the blue color you chose. It is just stunning.

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  5. Great makeover! I am curious as to how you masked off the upholstery to paint the chair?

    xx Karen

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  6. Beautiful chair. Please share how you painted without messing up the upholstery.

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  7. looks beautiful! i did that with a chair once and just used plastic sheeting to protect the upholstery- it was a pain but it came out so nicely. yours looks beautiful!

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  8. The paint changes the look of the fabric, it seems brighter and the overall effect is really updated.

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  9. Wow. This is gorgeous. I think you did an amazing job. So beautiful.

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  10. Wow, I love the white with it. Were the cushions removable? I am curious how you covered them so perfectly to ace that paint job! Awesome awesome!

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  11. You were SO right. I love the modern fabric you chose, and the white makes the original fabric look great.

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  12. did you take off the seat to paint? How did you avoid getting paint on the back?

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  13. Hey folks! I guess I should have explained the painting without removing the upholstery. :) The seat cushion came off, so that wasn't a problem. For the back cushion, I painted as closely as could safely with my regular paint brush, then went in with an art brush to get RIGHT up the upholstery. It took a steady hand, but I was proud of myself that I didn't end up screwing it up! ;)

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  14. I was going to ask the same thing.....I would have had paint all over the cushion!! HA!

    Looks great :)

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  15. Wow..The white sure did make that fabric pop! I love the addition of the throw pillow too...

    Take care,
    Lisa

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  16. It doesn't even look like the same fabric at first glance, the paint really gives it a great update. I'm about to head outside in a few to spray some vintage caned rockers, was wondering how the white would look, and I think you sold me! Thanks :)

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  17. I agree, doesn't look like the same fabric. It's so much brighter looking now. How did you cover it up while you painted? I have some caned chairs coming from my mom's house that will need to be redone.

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  18. Pretty! Those upholstered chairs always get me. I see the potential, but then remember I know nothing about upholstery! And I rarely come across a chair with upholstery that's in great shape like that. Wow!

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  19. Love it ! Great job! Love the colour combination of the white paint, the blue upholstery and the lime green cushion.

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  20. Love it. Really cute and so simple.
    April from HomeHinges.com

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  21. Wow! Looks like a completely different chair!
    Just wanted to let you know I mentioned you in a post I did today! I used your idea of cutting painters tape into a wavy line to make a pretty little design! Hope you don't mind!
    Kim :)

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  22. What a fun chair! The upholstery in the before shot didn't impress me, but did in the after picture. I love what paint can do to a piece like that. I love the pillow you made, it blends well with the original fabric.

    Christa

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  23. Looks so good. Love what a little paint can do - especially white!
    Shannon
    www.akadesign.ca

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  24. What a lovely chair! It is amazing how much better the upholstery fabric looked after you painted the chair white. Love the pillows, too.

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  25. What a transformation! It looks like a totally different piece. Thanks for explaining that the seat came off - but you must have quite a steady had to paint the back like that - well done!

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  26. I love it! I had a chair almost identical to this one, but I actually decided to leave it along and sell it as is. I honestly just didn't want to mess with it! :) This is how mine should've looked.

    By the way, I've been praying for Cara.

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  27. That's a cute chair and it looks good painted white! Love your little back pillows too.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  28. I really love this. I have a similar chair with original vintage 1960's upholstery in perfect shape. I want to paint it white, but I was worried about getting paint on the fabric. Looks like you pulled this off without damaging the fabric. It gives me inspiration to go ahead and do mine! Thanks for sharing!!

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  29. I linked over from Remodelaholic. It looks so good I thought you had changed the fabric. Amazing what white can do. Nice job.

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  30. Now this is something I might be able to manage. That chair looks really comfy and inviting!
    Brenda

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  31. Darling. I love how paint makes such a huge difference.

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  32. Awesome work! That is my favorite color combination!

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  33. If you guys were located in my area (DC) i would buy this in a heartbeat! its beautiful!

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  34. Wow I'm amazed at what the white paint did for that blue fabric! It almost doesn't look like the same fabric, I had to double check to make sure. It looks great!

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  35. Love this chair! I'm already a follower of your blog, but popped over her today from DIY showoff [as per Roeshel's instructions]. :) Hello! Thanks for sharing your "Twice Lovely" projects. -Heather

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  36. Amazing what a little white paint will do. You did another beautiful job. Love this.

    Jami

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  37. Almost can't believe it's the same chair. You're amazing Ann Marie!

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