Give a shabby chair a look that’s oh-so-chic with fresh paint, a new cushion, and dramatic, designer fabric. To see a step-by-step video of this chair makeover (including the “before” shot of the chair!), visit Curious.com.
Materials
flea market chair with removable seat
printed decorator fabric (ours has French writing)
super loft batting, 1” thick
Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint Primer, Gray
Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint, Black Satin
Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint, Clear Sealant
Tools & Supplies
Phillips head screwdriver
flathead screwdriver or staple remover
pliers
tape measure
chalk
scissors
staple gun & staples
iron & ironing board
spray cleaner
paper towels
fine sandpaper
damp cloth
spray paint triangles (optional)
protective gloves
safety glasses
mask
tarp
What To Do
1. Flip the chair over and remove the seat with a screwdriver. Set the screws aside. Remove the old fabric by pulling out any staples on the back using a flathead screwdriver and pliers.
2. Unroll the batting and lay the seat upside-down on top. Place the seat on top of the batting and wrap it up around the cushion so it overlaps the back 2”. Mark the batting with chalk and trim with scissors. Staple the batting in place by starting at the center of each side. Fold the corners in like you’re wrapping a present and secure with staples.
3. Iron the fabric. Lay it over the batting so the most interesting part is showing on the seat. Flip the batting, fabric, and seat over, holding the fabric in place. Measure and cut the fabric so it overlaps the back 3”. Staple the fabric the back of the seat, starting at the center of one side. Repeat for the opposite side, then the other two sides. At the corners, fold the fabric like you are wrapping a present and secure with staples. Set the re-covered seat aside.
4. To prep the chair for painting, clean off any loose dirt with spray cleaner and paper towels. Sand the rough spots of the frame with sandpaper, then wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove sawdust.
5. Put on your gloves, safety glasses, and mask. Spread out the tarp and balance the chair on the spray paint triangles. Spray-paint the frame with several light coats of primer, letting the coats dry for 10 minutes in between. Paint the chair with Black Satin spray paint using the same technique and let dry. Finish with a coat of Clear Sealant. Let dry for 1 hour before handling.
6. Place the seat on the chair frame and reattach it using the screws you set aside.
Best Seat In The House: When picking out a chair, make sure it has a removable, is good and sturdy, and that it’s not too damaged. Then look to see if it has interesting lines. If the answer is yes, that chair is a winner!
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