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Breathing New Life into an Old Chair

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Sometimes when you hit the thrift stores, you really have to check out every inch of the place to score a great find. On a recent trip to Goodwill, I found this chair tucked underneath an old dining table.

It was hidden out of sight, yet it was the treasure of the store. I immediately carried it to the checkout and paid for it just so no one else had the opportunity to touch it. Surprisingly enough, it was only $19.99. I was going to make it look like a million bucks.

I was lucky that this Drexel piece was in nearly perfect condition. I think it was manufactured in at least the mid-1960s (according to the label), so I wanted to replace the batting and fabric in the frame of the chair. I knew that all I would need to do was replace what was already there, so as I took it apart, I photographed each layer so I could remember exactly how it all went together. I’ll explain these steps in a bit.

Next, I sanded the chair with 220 grit sandpaper and sprayed it with Dove White spray paint (I used the Krylon Fusion line, only because it was the only line that carried the color I wanted to use). I was so excited about the chair that I totally forgot to use primer (Um, yes. I’m that easily excitable.), so I had to use about 3 cans of spray paint. Dork.

After the paint was dry, I distressed the edges with a sanding block and applied two coats of rub-on poly. The poly really gave it a nice sheen and will protect my paint job.

When the poly was dry, I replaced the pieces of the chair that I removed for painting. The bottom layer (3 in picture above) is a new layer of canvas with 18 gauge wire woven in it (to make it more sturdy when pressed against the springs). The middle layer (2) was a new layer of batting. The top layer (1) was a new layer of duck cloth. I simply stapled each layer in place with a staple gun and cleaned the springs on the bottom of the chair (4). Please, don’t shy away from doing tasks such as this when rehabbing furniture. It was very easy to do, and it made sure that years of dust and filth weren’t trapped in the chair.

I wanted to cover the caning to make the chair look more upholstered, so I followed Kate’s excellent tutorial on the process over at Centsational Girl. I used matting board purchased at a craft store for the “bones” of the inserts (it’s pretty stiff, yet flexible enough to bend if you need to fit something like a curved chair back). I attached a thin layer of batting and a layer of light blue faux suede over the board with my glue gun and then hot glued them over the caning. I lined each section with the nailhead trim Kate recommended, and it worked great.

Now that the chair itself was finished, I turned my attention to the cushions. Luckily, the original cushion cover on the bottom cushion was underneath the fabric the previous owner used to (very lazily) recover the cushions, so I simply pulled it apart and used the pieces as a pattern to cut out my new fabric. I had to wing it on the back cushion since the original cover wasn’t there, but I think it turned out okay. Not perfect, but good enough. I won’t explain how I did it since both pieces have hidden zippers and piping covered in self-fabric. I’ll just say that 1): I totally rock for teaching myself how to insert the piping without instructions and 2:) if you ever need to insert a zipper in a cushion, follow this tutorial from Curbly (as it’s way easier than the other methods I’ve learned).

So now, my chair and the cushions were ready for their big reveal.

At this point, I realized that I wanted a little pillow for the chair to break up some of the pattern on the cushions. I had some extra blue faux suede, but I couldn’t decide if I wanted a square or rectangular pillow shape. I grabbed a rectangular pillow I had on my window seat to see if I liked the shape on the chair.

Not only did I like the shape of the pillow, but I loved that pillow itself on the chair. The colors are perfect. Score one for the home team! This is an example why it’s so important to try to use what you have before you make or buy something new.

I couldn’t be happier with my chair. It looks so elegant in my living room and adds much needed seating to the room where we spend most of our time. Here’s a little before and after, just because I pink puffy {heart} before and after shots.

Don’t be afraid to try something new with an old piece of furniture. You just never know what kind of new life you may be able to breathe into it.

I’m adding this post to Kimba’s DIY Day Party at A Soft Place to Land. Visit ASPTL to see all of the projects!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. Empty Nest Full Life says

    Girl, that is amazing! What a professional looking job! I saw one similar at our Goodwill, and passed it by because it was 29.99. Our stuff always seems quite a bit higher here. I will be on the lookout because I have a room that one or two of those would be great in. Good idea of taking the pictures. I am a visual person, so that helps me a lot! Have a great week. Jackie

    Reply

  4. Nicole @ BugaBoos says

    Incredible! I love the fabric you used and love the paint job on this, love the distressing of the white! I seen your teaser on Facebook last night and couldn't wait to see it this morning!

    Reply

  6. Monica the Bride says

    Lindsay, it looks fabulous! You and Kate (CG) inspire me to tackle lots and lots of home DIY projects in my blog/life. Thanks for sharing- I am on the hunt for a nice chair like this. Wish me luck!

    Reply

  10. St. Michael's Wife says

    Lindsay! This is absolutely beautiful! Love, love, love it! And the pillow-icing-on-the-cake is to die for! Girl, we would all understand if you just sat back and spent the whole day gazing upon the wonder of your handiwork! I know you will grin every time you pass this beauty! Enjoy!

    Reply

  14. Living With Lindsay says

    Gennie- I use the Minwax Rub-on poly. It comes in a satin finish and a gloss finish. I used the gloss for this chair. It costs about $9.50 a can at Home Depot, and you simply wipe it on with a sponge. A little goes a long way, so I bet I only used 1/4 of a can for that chair. I kind of balked at the price at first, but once I realized how many projects I'll be able to complete with it, the can seems pretty cheap!

    Reply

  19. Lou Cinda says

    Lindsay: This is stunning! I LOVE it!! I love the blue faux suede and the pillow just sets it off!

    Great job!!!

    Lou Cinda 🙂

    Reply

  26. Melissa Stover says

    That is incredible! You did a fabulous job and the pillow really makes it shine. Now that's talent!

    Reply

  28. Jill says

    You did an awesome job! Love the colors you chose for the paint and fabric and the soft blue suede is gorgeous. The pillow goes perfectly! Nice work!

    Reply

  29. Kim Milius says

    I just found your blog & I have to say that I love this chair! It turned out so great & now I want one for my house! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

    Reply

  31. Gayla says

    wow, that is AMAZING. i can't even believe it! yeah, the only kind of re-upholstery business i'm in involves a staple gun, so wow is right!

    Reply

  34. Richella says

    I am not believing this!! This is absolutely wonderful!

    Seriously, you did an awesome job on this chair. It would be so funny if the person who donated that chair were to read your blog. He or she would not believe what you've done–and they sure would want the chair back!

    Way to go. You are so inspiring.

    Reply

  37. Christina says

    I'm not joking—My heart started beating faster when I saw your chair makeover. It is just beautiful and the fabrics are marvelous! Love it.

    Reply

  39. Jodi says

    girl – what a fabulous job! goes to show what a little elbow grease will do! I would have passed that chair by & never thought twice…must hone my thrifting skills 🙂 Yea – great job!

    Reply

  44. Jennifer Juniper says

    That is fantastic! I have a chair I'm in the process of secretly reupolstering (my husband will kill me if he sees me fumbling through it). You've given me the confidence to continue. LOVE IT!

    Reply

  50. Melissa says

    That looks amazing! Don't you just wonder how much you could sell it for now???? Thanks for showing us how and giving out some tips! One day I'll get brave and try that!

    Melissa 😀

    Reply

  53. Centsational Girl says

    Linds, I am so impressed! And I've been meaning to tell you I love your new layout. It's so pretty and classy, and perfect !

    Do you mind if I mention this revamp in a post next week?

    kate

    Reply

  54. Runner Mom says

    Hey, Lindsay! I love this! I'm visiting from Kimba's blog! You are now one of my favortite blogs!! I need you to help me with some slipcovers that a lady has had since January–no lie! I am so ready to get them back!So, come on and visit!

    OK, here's my question. I am making these darling crosses. I am using E6000 glue and having to use so much that the fumes are crazy! Is there a better glue to use? Running out to Hobby Lobby in a while and can pick up something better. I am gluing stones on wood. What are your sweet thoughts?
    Hugs,
    Susan
    scrunnermom@gmail.com

    Reply

  55. Nadir @ Hodgepodge says

    Hi Lindsay! I'm new to reading your blog from Kimba's. I absolutely LOVE this chair!!! The colors in it are almost identical to the color scheme I have in my new living room. I have a terribly old & disgusting couch that desperately need new life but I'm terrified of messing it up. Got any pointers?

    Reply

  57. Ashley White Design says

    I am so inspired by this chair! I’m redoing a chair right now and will be having my first go-around with giving something an antiqued look. I’ll be using a bronze color underneath with heirloom white over top. Will be posting photos once I finish! I love your idea of adding the nailhead detail… hmm, you’ve got me thinking! 🙂

    Reply

  60. Abbie says

    Hi, great post- love the chair!! I’m just curious- cause I see a lot of DIY on painting furniture but little on the actual fabric that’s being painted… I have an ugly polyester chair & ottoman I’ve been wanting to try this out on & I’m not sure if this material will take the paint/dye/stain. I know I can test it out on a hidden area- but before I go spend money on just any paint- I also wanted to know if polyester can be painted, what is the best paint to use? If anyone knows email me thx much- Abigail.elarde@yahoo.com. Again, thanks to any tips! 🙂

    Reply

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