Monday, July 29, 2013

Painted Chair $1 (no sewing)

I have to admit, 
I can sew slipcovers, and I have in the past, but it is a time consuming job (for me).
That said, I did wanted to change up this rocking chair.
It went 

before I turned it into this.
this was before the final coat
***Before you stop reading, let me assure you this is not as crazy as it seems***

My inspiration came from my blogging friend Revi when she posted about her sofa on here. A $1.50 makeover.
Really? Yes, she is awesome.

So I got inspired to finally get a move on this chair makeover.
I got my $1 quart of paint (from the Restore), and white latex primer, and yes...I did paint the chair.
I am going to show you how to make the painted chair feel and look like it's not really painted.
I diluted the primer paint 3 parts paint to 1 part water, shake it, mix it and paint your fabric.
(don't worry about the fabric peeking through)
Next day I did it again.
Next day, after all was dry, I lightly sanded it with a sanding block. 

By sanding I mean lightly sand in a quick circular motion all over the painted fabric.
It took me less than a minute.
I cannot tell you how much softer the painted fabric is to the touch.
after 2 coats of regular latex primer
Then I diluted the final coat of paint "whiskers",
same ratio 3:1, and painted the fabric for the last time.
I didn't need to give it a second coat, as the primer paint had covered the original fabric pretty well.
After the paint dried, I lightly sanded the entire thing again.
This painting process was not hard at all, and not as time (and brain) consuming as the fitted slipcover would have been, but you need to wait in between coats and allow the fabric to dry. At least that's what I did.
The sanding really does the trick for the softness. I will have a feel as if you are sitting on a vinyl/leather chair, so the fabric will be "stiffer" but not "rough". 
(not that the fabric on this particular chair was that soft to start with).
That's the best way I can describe it.
Different fabric will absorb paint in a slightly different way. You might need to water down the paint a little more, or give it an extra coat if the fabric pattern is bleeding through.
My chair had a textured surface, and that's what I had to work with.
Another perk is that when the paint is dry, it seals the fabric, making it easy to wipe.
Best of all, the paint was really inexpensive ($1) and makes a great impact.
That paint used is the same paint I used in this other project right here.

I love my new chair.
Stay Frugal, 
Daniela
update: some of you might be concern about the paint cracking or staining your clothes when sitting on it.
This is just my educated guess:
I don't think the paint would crack, because I painted on fabric, and fabric absorbs the paint. Maybe on a vinyl chair (fake leather) it would crack. Also as far as rubbing off on clothes, I doubt it. When you get paint on clothes (fabric), it will somewhat wash off if you do it right away, but let the splatters sit a few hours, and the paint will not come off, even when you wash it over and over. So this finish should be pretty durable.
Linking to
A Stroll Thru Life
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
The Frugal Girls
twelveOeight
Between Naps on the Porch
The Style Sisters



40 comments:

Something Nice and Pretty said...

The chair turned out great! I have a hunter green wing chair in the basement that I keep thinking about painting. Thanks for the tutorial on it! Pinning this.

Kelly said...

That is really cool! I never would've guessed that it was painted until you told me. Does the paint crack when you sit on it though? I can't imagine sitting on a painted upholstered seat. I would worry that the paint would rub off and it would show wear real soon. I've heard of it being done though, so it must be ok. Thanks for sharing the tutorial. I love how it looks now!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

WOW!!! Thank you for sharing this. I will try this for sure. I cannot wait to tell my daughter. The chair is gorgeous.
May God Bless,
Marie Antoinette

NanaDiana said...

It turned out great, Dani. I have painted a few pieces, too, and had very good luck with them- xo Diana

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

I would have never guessed this was painted. What a great transformation. Maybe one day I'll get the nerve to do something like this. Your chair has beautiful lines - wonderful piece!

XOXO,
Meredith

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

I would have never guessed this was painted. What a great transformation. Maybe one day I'll get the nerve to do something like this. Your chair has beautiful lines - wonderful piece!

XOXO,
Meredith

Art and Sand said...

You are amazing. It looks great.

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

That is so awesome! It looks wonderful. What can I do this to....

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
It looks great after all those coats and the light sanding. Hope it stays put even when sitting on it for a while. Would hate for the paint to kind of stain your clothes.
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Daniela, Well I never, I did not think you could paint material, I thought the paint would sink into the fabric and then would be rough and itchy to sit on.
This is a marvellous idea because as you say, it is much less fiddlier than recovering the chair.
Looking at the photograph, the paint has made the material look like linen and the chair really looks fabulous.
Best Wishes
Daphne

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

Ma veramente? Mai visto questa idea... bravissima!

Thecreativeme23 said...

Wonderful idea! thanks for sharing the process...now I won't have to walk past the ugly fabric chairs at the thrift store because I don't know how to re-upholster!

Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG

Marissa said...

I think I read this post 20 times to make sure I was reading it right. I have never heard of painting your fabric. I think this is an awesome idea. This is such a nice piece. I think I will first try on an old couch see what happens aye dios mio..

Mindi@MyLove2Create said...

It looks awesome! Great tips, the sanding especially, I have often thought of trying this, glad to know it worked for you!

Sew a Fine Seam said...

It looks great Daniela! It's the water and the sanding that make all the difference! And as to the paint coming off? I say NO WAY! If you can't get it out of a shirt that it's dried onto why would it come off the chair??!!

Revi said...

WOW! Your chair is so beautiful! Thanks for giving me some credit, and thanks for taking my attempt further and using the sanding block. I'm going home to sand my sofa. :)
-Revi

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I have seen several upholstery pieces painted and I think this is such an amazing idea. Your chair turned perfect. I love it. Thanks so much for the detailed tutorial. Thanks also for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, marty

Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage said...

Your chair turned out beautiful! It looks like a completely different chair. Great job! Love the Restore!

Anonymous said...

I am so going to do this too. I worried about painting furniture that it would be hard and uncomfortable but with little ones visiting all the time the idea that I could wipe it off sold me.

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

What a wonderful transformation. You made that chair look so chic and so frugally.

Our Hopeful Home said...

I love it, too! I've also been meaning to paint some fabric furniture for a while now and you've given me another reason to get moving on it!

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Daniela,
Now i havé to admit I have seen this done to chairs before but never like yours with the primer and sanding in between technique, the out come is amazing. I so wish I had something to paint right NOW! Because having all the materials on hand I would love to rey this.
Well the next little fabric stool that comes along you know what I will be doing to it.

Thank you for sharing, now get hat chair anyplace it in its beautiful spot where everyone can see the beautiful fit :)

Thank you for your beautiful visit to me and your words are treasured dearly.

Xx
Doré

Kadee Willow said...

I am so anxious to try this.. I mean, how easy was that?! And I so appreciate all the details including how to soften the painted fabric with a mild swipe of sandpaper. Amazing!

Ivy and Elephants said...

What an amazing transformation! I am so impressed with this technique, thanks so much for the tutorial.
I have a few pieces that I need to try this out on.
Hugs,
Patti

Karen said...

Your chair looks amazing,I didn't know you could paint fabric this way.

Leslie Harris said...

this turned out absolutely beautiful! I'm starting to hear more about painted fabric and I agree with you, there shouldn't be a problem with durability. Gosh knows every piece of clothing I ruined when I've painted... The paint definitely doesn't come off! :)

Libby said...

I recently started seeing this idea of painted fabric chairs and I have been amazed. I did wonder about the harsh feeling, but you've answered my questions with this post. I love this latest look of your chair. :-)

Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.com said...

It looks great...never realized you could do this with a chair. I like your patchwork pillow too.

Christy James said...

Well it looks amazing and I never would have known it was painted! I'll be curious to see how it wears. It will probably resist stains pretty well too, I would think. It's beautiful! :)

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Looks fantastic and oh, so classy! Stopping by from BNOTP

CamilleW said...

This looks fabulous and I too now have questions about stiffness answered. Has anyone tried this with a bedspread? I've considered dying it, but you just don't always know what you're gonna get! I'd love to hear from you if you have and what your results were!

Miss Kitty said...

Your chair looks fabulous! Thanks for posting a full tutorial on how you did it. One time I slipcovered just a piped cushion and I swore I would NEVER do it again...way too much trouble. Congrats on being featured over at " A Stroll Thru Life" blog.

Nancy-loodie said...

Hey! Great idea! 2 questions...
1. Does the paint feather out as you paint? In other words, could I paint a design and get straight lines?

2 The feel puzzles me. I think it would have to be stiff? Does the sanding take care of that??? Would you sit in it naked? :)

thanks!

Highpoint Circle said...

I'm gonna do this too! I have almost and identical chair but without rockers and I want it neutral too. Thanks for the tutorial.

must love junk said...

Amazing-I love this!! :)
Susan

The Style Sisters said...

Wow! Years ago I painted some parsons chairs that were badly stained and at that time Dark green was popular hahah they worked for a bit but then didn't hold up so well. Your chair looks gorgeous and I think it will hold up great! Come link up at my party going on now at the Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday and share this post. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/08/centerpiece-wednesday-87-and-something.html
Karin

Unknown said...

Saw this post at StoneGable. You did an amazing job..Love yuour tutorial. I am your newest follower.
Sarah

The Style Sisters said...

I highlighted this post on my blog http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/08/centerpiece-wednesday-88.html
Karin

Cottage and Broome said...

I have seen painted couches and chairs before but you answer my question on isn't really stiff? I think sanding the paint makes perfect sense and good to know it makes in softer. Great job I love how it turned out! Thanks for sharing a great project, Laura

Mom2347 said...

Okay... I've seen painted furniture for a few months now... You did a great job with the tutorial. Maybe I'll try it on the floral loveseat that I would love to make a solid color. Thanks for the inspiration!