I have been looking for a sturdy pair of oval back chairs to use in my dining room for years. They were always too expensive or too rickety for practical, regular use. So, I was ready to buy some from Restoration Hardware, but the day I was planning to press the “purchase” button, I found a set of four chairs on Craig’s List. Woohoo!! You can read the full story HERE. They were perfect, but they were maroon.
Not being able to stomach stripping four caned chairs, I took them to have them professionally stripped, which cost $50/chair and saved me hours and hours. I’ve had them in their stripped, raw state for a few months now and today I started to finish them.
These chairs were my inspiration…
I really liked the chairs raw, but they were a little rough and some of the old white and maroon paint were still clinging in the corners. The maroon had also stained some of the caning a pinkish color, so I wanted to stain it to even out the color.
I used Dark Walnut stain by Minwax and applied it by brushing it into the edges with an artist’s brush…
…and wiping on the rest with a cotton cloth.
See how that evened out the color of the cane? So much better!
I also did it on the back side…
I then painted the frame in MMSMP Ironstone. Since it’s raw wood, the paint soaked right in. I only applied one coat, since I wanted to distress it anyway.
I distressed the finish with a fine grit sand paper just to bring out the details of the piece and allow a bit of wood to show through and then applied a coat of Hemp Oil to the caning…
…and the frame.
When applying the oil over Ironstone, you can see the yellow of the oil where it’s too thick, but just wipe away the excess and it won’t yellow the finish.
Not all of the seats are in good “sitting” condition, so I will be putting the seat covers back on. I’m still debating if I want to slipcover them or upholster them. I’m leaning towards slips, so I can wash them, but I can always put a towel over the seats for messy meals…still debating.
I’ve stained all of the cane, but have only painted and finished one chair so far. I have my photo shoot tomorrow (where I am the subject), so I’m not sure if I’ll get any more of them finished. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together, though. I’m loving the two-toned chairs!
I also did a photo shoot with the other #mmsmpcolorofthemonth for November and that is Curio…
I used a deed from the 1800’s as a backdrop for this rich, walnut brown color and I love how it looks!
The paint color almost looks almost black, but then you can see the red and yellow pigments come to life, making it brown.
The vintage handle with the strings tied around it against the typography caught my texture-loving eye.
Now, I was a little resistant to adding a brown to the line, because who wants to paint something brown, really? But, brown is a key color when it comes to undercoats, stains and washes. In a recent workshop, I used it on a raw wood piece under Mustard Seed Yellow, so it looked like paint chipping over stained wood.
A rich brown is also key when trying to mute colors that are too vibrant. I often mixed my acrylics with a burnt umber tint when I painted murals. It just tones the color down without changing it too much. So, while you won’t see me painting an entire dresser brown, I’m very excited to add this color to the line. More on Curio to come, but I wanted to share the pictures with you AND to let you know that Curio, Trophy and Apron Strings are all now available for purchase. Click HERE to find a MMSMP retailer near you or HERE if you prefer to buy online.
The chairs are looking fab. Since it was raw wood you didn’t need to add the bonding agent, right? Love how that one came out! Also love your images of curio. Love it with the mustard seed.
they will look good…go with the option of slips or no slips. I contacted the girl from the Midwest who helped you in Alabama; she hasn’t gotten back to me and I lost her name. I had questions about a project I want to do on my front door and we decided on hemp oil..but I need to know how much I should purchase…can you put me in contact with her again?
thanks
Your chair is beautiful! Love the stained cane! Just painted 5 dining room chairs for my sister and 6 for myself! Sooo time consuming! I painted mine with ASCP Old White and distressed them but haven’t added a finish yet…could I safely use the hemp oil without yellowing?
As always, a huge fan of all that you do! Keep inspiring!
I’d like to find some similar chairs on Craigslist as I’ve found many other great buys there, too.
Who do you search for to strip the chairs, as you did? Love mixing old items with new.
Thanks!
Dana
Look for a furniture repair or refinishing place.
The chair looks beautiful and that brown is gorgeous, the uses for that color are infinite.
Love the look of the yellow with the brown under it how did you get the chippy peeling look on new wood? I have a new pine cabinet I would like to have that look.
LOVE LOVE those chairs!!
Your chair is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see them all together.
Love the chair! That is exactly what I hoped you would do. I did something similar with ASCP in French Linen, with a undercoatnof Graphite. I then dried brushed (very dry) over it with Ascp Old White , then a light coat of the dark wax. Gorgeous!
I do have one question about your paints in the white,cream range. I do have difficulty telling them apart on my computer screen, could you provide us with a written decription of them? The colors I’m referring to are Ironstone,Linen, and Grain Sack,but, particularly the difference between Grain Sack and Ironstone. I know it is because of my computer screen, but, there are no local retilaers of your paint out here in Cincinnati, so I can’t see them in person.
I painted my cane chairs the same way last year. So glad I left the cane natural. I stripped and stained the top and painted the base with the off-white color. Love your chairs!
I adore all that you do MMS..I bet your mama is as proud as a peacock..I have followed you since day one by friend..but never leave comments..I have watched your grown and seen all the beautiful pieces you have done your “Magic Brush” treatment to..I loved your Union jacket dresser that you did a few years ago..I’m 70 years of age and I would be so proud to have a talented daughter like you..Your like the energizer bunny…Nothing but the best of luck to you and all that you do..Hugs from California your oldest fan..Gloria
I’m her Mom and you are right I am proud :). MMS Mom
These chairs were meant to be yours, what a great day when you found them. Love the look of the dark wicker and light chair. Simply beautiful!
looks good. did you pick a winner for the Decor Steals Giveaway?
You are such an inspiration! I started my own little business based on a google search 3 years ago that led me to one of your tutorials. You are a delight to see in action. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you may He shine his light upon you.
Gorgeous! Love the chair! But then, what else can be expected from you? Fabulous job Marian! Enjoy your photo shoot tomorrow!
I’m glad you added a brown as I love a darker under color on many of my projects. THose chairs are lovely. I love caned chairs! I’ve really been enjoying your recent posts on clothing reflecting our inner self. You are a lovely person and it is fun to see a playful, stylish and fun you.
This morning, before this post arrived in my email, I placed my order for the new paint colors!! YEAA. And I have to say that Curio was the one I’ve been anxiously waiting on for a couple months now. I’m one of “Those People” who love the color brown, and black also. To me it’s just a color that goes with anything. It compliments such a huge range of colors and I think it’s beautiful and I can’t not wait for the UPS truck to arrive in a few days!! I personally Thank You very very much for adding a brown to your paint line!! While I’m here, I watched your video today also with Jeanne Oliver. And cried! It was just so moving to me for some reason. You are truly an inspiration and a blessing!! I’ve said it before, I am grateful beyond words that I stumbled across your blog a little over a year ago. And I’m excited every day to receive your post and be inspired.
Was the furniture refinisher able to strip the cane to raw also? I have some chairs that are awaiting a makeover. I’ve been stuck on what to do, but I love the results you’ve gotten. The cane on mine is painted yellow — can it be stripped? I never considered that an option. 🙂
I love the two tone chairs. I have a suggestion for your seat cushions. I see that you lay them over your chairs and you want them to be washable. Both are great ideas but the idea of a upholstery option might give them just a bit more polish to match your already beautiful detail. So my idea is to add enough fabric to your already made seat covers with a seam right along the bottom edge of your seat frame. Then attach Velcro to the chair under the edge the grip part would be best so that part won’t be abrasive on your fabric for washing. Sew the soft part of the Velcro to the fabric you attached to your cover making sure you have measured all of these elements to neat and hidden. If you have any questions about my suggestion please email me and we can talk more about your project. Also please stop by my blog I just did a buffet and turned into an entertainment center. The colors are not exact but it the idea would look quite nice with chair design. Here is the link to that day so you do not have to search for it.http://dragonflyandlilypads.blogspot.com/2013_10_20_archive.html
I love your chairs. They are the perfect combination of color and texture. Congratulations on your find!
Can’t wait to order my paints. I found a dealer that ships to France so I am beyond excited!!!!
You just amaze me. You have such a great style. I wish there was a blog TV show.Ya know one that would have a blogger on showing the work they do.Of coarse I would want you to be on first!!!
I love the chairs! And I love your photography. It amazes me how you can take something as simple as a paintbrush and elevate it to a thing of beauty.
Love!!! I just found a beautiful French caned chair ($7 in a pile of dusty old shed leavings) and I wasn’t sure how to do the caning. Perfect! Thank you for the idea!! And I am so excited that you have a brown now for the milk paint line!! I have been thinking how nice it would be to have a brown for some of the pieces I have done/am going to do. Looking forward to ALL the possibilities!!
Such a great new photo of you! It’s bold, stylish, and professional and you look great. Congrats.
LOVE them, (well pretty much everything.) Great idea with the stain on the caning. I remember they were stained still from that red tone! Can’t wait to see them finished. Love the color the wood turned out too. That is perfect!
Hi MMS,
Your chairs are gorgeous, just love your special touches. I too have been
following you for a long time here in Maine. I e-mailed you about how
much I loved the look of a pierced nose, and if I weren’t a grammother,
I’d have mine done! haha! Lucky you! (:
Your photo on the site is a great photo! You are remarkable and an
inspiration to so many…
God Bless you,
Dee
Love your new picture!
Love your new photo of YOU…..you look marvelous!!!!
This is probably my most favorite thing you have done. It’s so simply stated and classy. I absolutely love it. Way to go, Mustard.
Oh, those chairs are turning out absolutely beautiful!
Beautiful job on the chair! Can’t wait to see them with your table.
The chairs turned out great,,,, just as I suspected they would. Great job!
Marian: Love your chair…1 down 5 to go. They will be great with your table. Tell Gloria Lawrence she is not your “oldest fan.” I am 82 and follow you every day for inspiration. I have messed around with paints and finishes all my life and some have been a sucess and others “no so much.”
You are an inspiration to all and my next question is: “When do you sleep?”
I will be following you from Minnesota late next month; moving from California and will have a new place to work on so will look to you for inspiring, innovative ideas.
Thanks for all you do!
{{HUGS}}
Joyl
LOVE it!!! I just painted my cane chairs with ASCP Old White…the entire thing. I wish I thought of staining the cane, that looks incredible!!! Love the pics of Curio too…it looks like melted chocolate! and i’m hungry so that didn’t help!
I am so glad you wrote this post because I got some chairs like those at a yard sale. I am going to paint the wood white but wasn’t sure if I should leave the cane the way it is. Seeing what you did makes me think I may leave the cane unpainted.
The chairs are in good shape, just one small tear in the cane on one of the chairs. My chairs have upholstered seats. when I saw them at the yard sale the price was $300 for 6 chairs, two of which had arms. I gave them my contact info and told them if they didn’t sell them and were willing to let them go for $100 to call me.
The next day I got a call and I quickly drove over and picked them up before they changed their mind! What a deal!
love how the chair turned out. i too am curious about hemp oil. i know previously you have talked about how it restores wood also. how long does it take to really dry so piece can be used? does it have to be coated with wax? i thought of giving some new life to my kitchen cabinets with it and am worried about them having an oily finish indefinitely.
your photo shoots are terrific. you capture the spirit of things very well!
Your chair is gorgeous! The time and care you took to paint it shows. Just beautiful!
They are gorgeous! I love the ironstone on all of that detail. And I love your new profile pic in the sidebar. So pretty. 🙂
Your new profile picture caught my eye. WOW! Your hard work is really showing in your face. Enjoy the shoot tomorrow, you look great.
Love your chairs, I`m painting chairs of my own that look allot licke yours and was wondering if I was on the right track . After seeing yours i have confidence to keep on going THANK YOU!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the chairs ~ they turned out beautifully! And your new pic is absolutely gorgeous! Love your look 🙂
Marian, you got a great deal on the price for stripping those chairs! It would have cost AT LEAST $100 per chair out here in L.A., possibly more because of the caning. They look gorgeous with the restained cane and the paint treatment on the wood. As far as the seats, I’m not sure what the problem is with some of your chairs, if it’s that the cane has stretched with use and is sagging or what? I once watched a home dec show on HGTV a million years ago, and they sprayed the cane seats with water and let them dry, which essentially “shrunk” the cane back up and they were nice and tight again. Not sure if this would work for you now that the cane has been stained … but I just thought I’d pass that along. If this is the problem with your cane seats, maybe you can do some research to see if the wet spray method would be a solution for you?
Best,
Kimberly
The chair looks awesome!
I was hoping for an eating plan for tomorrow or are you doing the same one all week?
Ha! Oh, sorry. Today I had scrambled eggs with cheese and grapefruit for breakfast again. (That’s what I eat every morning, just about, but I switch out the fruit based on the seasons.) I didn’t get to eat lunch today because of the photo shoot, so I had some Nut Thins, cheddar cheese and olives. For dinner, I had baked squash and zucchini with a couscous/quinoia blend. I was really busy today, so it wasn’t the best example!
Love your new profile photo – you look terrific, a great combo of artsy but still pulled together professional! Oh yes, the chairs look fantastic too. 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! Can you even imagine how much these chairs would be at Restoration Hardware? I just love the caning kept as it is.
This is such a gorgeous way to go with caned chairs. I almost wish I’d seen this before I painted my Breuer chairs, but am going to keep it in mind for future finds! Love the brown you added to your line! I love the suggestion of adding it to color to tone things down. Love your blog!
Mary Jo
http://MagicalMined.blogspot.com
WOW! Amazing results. I think those are the most beautiful chairs and you could never have results like that from chairs you purchase. There is love in those too.
The chairs will be beautiful! What a great find!
here is a thought…upholster the dinning chairs and slip for messy meals 🙂
donna
The chairs look absolutely stunning, do you think your paint will ever make its way to the shores of New Zealand as I would love to try it out? The technique on the chairs looks amazing and they look like very expensive French antiques now.
Lee 🙂
I recently rescued 6 cane back chairs and am in the process of painting and distressing as well. The chairs have an upholstered seat and since I still have teenagers living in the house and my permapiglet (aka husband) who are not the neatest eaters, i’ve been trying to come up with a solution besides slipcovers (which I have had in the past) and I finally found one. Outdoor fabric. Not only it the fabric stain and fade resistant, the patterns and colors they have now are endless. While shopping, I’ve found that the feel of a lot of the fabrics is not stiff like you would picture on a poolside chaise but rather they are quite soft.
In my opinion, there is always a story behind a story.
http://www.missmustardseedsmilkpaint.com/online-retailers-australia-new-zealand/
I love this chair. its very comfortable. the color is very amazing. the design of the chair is too good and this information very useful to that person who also in this profession because you have provided detailed information that how to make it . the idea is very different to make chairs.