There’s a lot of good information and inspiration in this post, so get ready!
First of all, the beauty shot.
Now, the before shot.
I’m so happy with how these turned out. I’m taking the pair of arm chairs (only one is pictured in the before shot) to the Ground Hog Day Sale at Lucketts (Feb 4-6).
If you’d like to read about the paint technique I used on these chair frames, click here.
And, as promised, here is my “secret” glaze formula. It’s Ralph Lauren’s Faux Effects Glaze tinted in Espresso Beans by Behr. It gives a soft, aged finish that’s perfectly brown. I have found most “mocha” or “antique” glazes look really orange. Orange like a bad bronzer or self-tanning spray, so I have one custom mixed.
Click on the picture to enlarge. I use a lot of different antiquing techniques, but this one is good for a worn look. It’s also easy to work, so it’s ideal for pieces with nooks and crannies.
So, onto the upholstery. Once the frame was dry, I dragged it into my basement workshop to upholster the back. The chair was already upholstered, so I reused the batting, which was natural cotton and in good condition.
I smashed it into the recess behind the caning. The caning was left to give stability to the back, but if the caning is missing altogether, just stretch and staple some burlap in its place.
A piece of canvas drop cloth was placed over the batting and stapled to the wood frame. I have upholstered furniture with a manual staple gun, an electric one and a pneumatic one. There’s only one way to go. Pneumatic all the way. It does involve having a compressor and the gun is an additional $150, but it is the very best way to go and it will save you a lot of frustration. The other guns are a waste of time. Trust me.
Here’s the back upholstered. Don’t worry about the line of staples. We’ll get to that in a minute.
This is the upholstered back from the front view.
Repeat the steps on the front side. This really is an excellent way to handle a chair with a broken back or one that’s been punched through, so don’t be scared of those anymore.
To cover the staples, I use hot glue and trim (in this case) or double welting. Ann, aka Nutbird, asked why I use bright white trim instead of an off white that would match the canvas better. Honestly, I like the bright white against the nubby canvas. I think it provides a nice clean contrast and frames the fabric better. It’s a personal taste thing, so use whatever color you want.
Apply a bead of glue in small sections and press the trim on the glue with your finger. Watch yourself. It’s hot stuff!
Cut the trim where the pieces meet and smush the ends together. If this is done well, it’s almost unnoticeable.
I chose a slipcovered skirt for the seat, so it’s machine washable. I wrote a full tutorial on how to make these and it will be published in March. I’ll let you know where you can find it, so stay tuned.
I was so tempted to keep these chairs and sell a couple of my dining chairs, to go with the mismatched look, but the arms didn’t fit under the table. Probably a good thing. I know they’ll find a good home.
I knew these were going to be worth the small investment…
…and I was right.
If you’re smitten, you can buy them at the Old Lucketts Store in a few days.
My numbers are climbing fast, so make sure you’re getting your projects ready for the Copy Me Challenge with Funky Junk Interiors and yours truly. It starts soon after my follower widget hits 4000. Prizes will be involved…
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Marian,
It's gorgeous! I absolutely love the way it turned out. Loving the blue frame.
I am hoping to reupholster something soon. Getting that itch!
See you at Blissdom!
Marian, The chair is beautiful. If I had some place to put them they would be going home with me. I was at Lucketts last Thursday. Love that place.
hugs,
Sherry
Holy as in Moly! Do you ever sleep ?!!
Your chair is a true "pygmalion"….just gorgeous!
What a great job! My daughter has a similar chair that belonged to my grandmother. We have talked about trying our hand at recovering it. You have truly inspired me as you always do.
They are really beautiful, Marian. I'm shocked that you're parting with them. They go so well with your chairs in the living room. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.
xoxo,
Jami
i went to home depot to get them to tint the rl glaze with the espresso bean by behr and they said iy is impossible to do that. She tried to overide the computer to do it but it wouldnt. do you just mix it yourself? did anyone else have this problem?
Looks great and so versatile!
Mary Ann
You'd think after hanging with MMS for so long, I'd be jaded by the amazing "afters". Not so! Still swoon-worthy my friend. Hugs, Kim
Yes I had trouble too. HD would not mix it! Their reason was they can't mix RL with anything but RL!
I'm just going to mix it myself.
You certainly have the touch! Your finishes look so original and "real". I've been digging in your tutes but couldn't find if you add a final sealant, like polyurethane, polycrylic, wax or other??? Very interested!
aahhh…so beautiful! I am no longer afraid and can't wait to try this! I actually saw chairs just like this at Sally's the other day, but wasn't sure they were structurally sound…any advisement on this? They seemed super wobbly which was a downer for me as I was ready to buy them!'
Stacey
http://staceyembracingchange.
blogspot.com
I love the skirt on the chair. You do a really good job on your furniture. I'm glad to be a follower…
check me out! I'm just starting out with my blog.
Susan
myhomeroad.blogspot.com
These are spectacular! Beautiful color choice and especially love the pleated skirt! I totally agree that a pnuematic (sp?) stapler is the way to go…I bought one last year and will never go back to anything else. It's so much faster and the ease of handling it makes all the difference for tight spots. And I scored mine on sale at an outlet store for under $70!!! Blessings, Katy
I love how the chair turned out. A removable cushion may be just the ticket for the ladderback chair I picked up this past summer.
Your chairs are beautiful. Truly inspiring. Did you leave the chair's original gold upholstery on it since you made slipcovers?
Hi there! Just found your blog – so inspiring! I am planning to make chair skirts too so I can't wait for your tutorial! Will also add you to my blog roll!
Ali
letsdecorate.blogspot.com
Thank you, thank you, thank you for fixing up those tattered chairs and then giving us a tutorial on how to do it. Even my hubs was impressed with the results (it gives him hope that I am not crazy for picking up other people's useless junk). Today, I had my husband (brave soul) pick up this exact set for free off CL and of course it was beat up. I wanted to recover the seats and backs but needed a tutorial–and of course–you had one!! Happy me
Love your blog. I have always aspired to do what you do. I love thrifting. I love making old things new. I love your creativity!!
I was just about to ask about whether or not home depot would mix in the espresso beans with the glaze.
Has anyone tried it? What amount of color to the glaze?
I love this blog!
Hi,
I have four broken cane back chairs and am going to be doing exactly what you just did, but i have a couple of questions. Did you put batting on the front of the chair as well? And my cane is ripped on the sides should i use your burlap option or just work around the cane?
Can't wait to see my chairs transform,and hopefully they will be as beautiful as yours.
Ruth
Hi again,
my email address is [email protected]
thanks
Ruth
What is the ratio of the paint to the glaze? Did Home Depot mis it together for you? Thanks!
What kind of Paint did you use for the Blue on the chairs?? Chalk or milk or other?? Thanks! You are the best!
Stacy