Our $35 secondhand chairs – found here – aren’t quite done yet (picture me tapping my foot as I not-so-patiently wait for the paint to dry) but we thought we’d share our makeover progress in the interest of real-time fun. First a quick rundown of all the colors that John & I talked about for the office chairs at one point or another:
- emerald green
- turquoise, aqua, or dark teal
- dark gray or light gray
- plum
- navy
- white or light celery
- lime green or grellow
Oh and here they are in the office before paint and new upholstery (from a few different POVS), just to refresh your memory:
Here’s where our brains went when we continued to debate each of those color options over the last month or so:
- when you look into the office from the dining room there are two bright teal bookcases on each side of the doorway, so we thought turquoise or aqua or dark teal would be too “everything’s-teal” from that view
- after going with gray on the walls, we abandoned the light or dark gray idea for the chairs since it felt a little too blah
- navy was close to the color that was already on the chairs and it felt too dark for us
- we worried that white or light celery might be a bit too safe (and could skew a little too palm beach) so we decided to go for something bolder and more cheerful
- we worried plum would be just as dark as the original navy-ish color that was already on the chairs
So then we were left with emerald green and lime green or grellow. And I’m not gonna lie- I was rooting for emerald green for a while. I thought it would be nice and not-too-matchy when it came to the light grellow in the stencil and on the adjoining kitchen walls. But we held up ten million emerald swatches and stepped back and they all looked sort of… wrong. That’s the only way to describe it. The not-yellow undertones just seemed to clash with the adjoining kitchen and even the pop of color in the stencil since they were such warm greens and the emerald was so cool-ish and not-golden.
And the winner is…. grellow! Who is surprised? No one. Ok then. We figured why fight it if a super saturated & bold grellow would fit right in and reference the lighter kitchen walls and the soft grellow in the stencil while playing well with the other nearby elements (like the indigo light fixture, the teal globe on the file cabinet, the dark teal bookcases in the dining room, and the green runner & curtains in the dining room). The key was definitely hunting down something distinctly different (& bolder!) than the soft color on the kitchen walls and in the stencil so it didn’t feel bland and too monochromatic. Enter Sue the Napkin, stage right:
Since Sue is pretty much responsible for a ton of the color decisions that we make around here, we figured she couldn’t do us wrong in the “what green should we go with?” department. So we plucked a deep greeny-yellow right out of the napkin by holding up swatches until we landed on one that looked the most like it: Benjamin Moore’s Olive Tree. Then we taped that swatch to the chair, stepped back, and got heart eyes. It was magical. Everything was getting along swimmingly. Done deal.
But we needed to get spray paint in that color (since all the weaving in the chair definitely wouldn’t be easily coated with a paint brush) so the plan was to go to our local Benjamin Moore store to get them to make some custom spray paint mixed in that color (they can actually do that, well some of them can – just call to see if yours is one of them). Late last week I actually called to make sure ours still did it (they did) which is when I learned that it was too late in the day for them to make any (they closed at 6 and it was around 4 when I was calling). Bummer.
I planned to just wait to head over there the next morning but lo and behold while we were at Michael’s later that night we came across the spray paint aisle there, and what did we find? Krylon spray paint in “Ivy Leaf” which was – I kid you not – almost identical to the Benjamin Moore swatch of Olive Tree that I had tucked into my purse. So we bought two cans of it at $5.99 a pop. Hooray! Update: I just called Benjamin Moore back to see how much custom spray paint would have run me and they told me I would need to get a minimum of six cans of spray paint at $7-10 each! So glad Michael’s accidentally came through for us.
After we got home with my beloved spray paint I just removed the seat cushion on each chair (it was held in from the underside by four screws).
Then I wiped everything down with some liquid deglosser (we like Next Liquid Deglosser by Crown since it’s non-flammable, biodegradable, and low-VOC) and set them outside on cardboard for some spray primer. If the chipped paint had been rough and bumpy I definitely would have sanded to smooth things out, but the paint was worn down in such an oddly smooth way, there wasn’t anything for me to sand. Then it was primer time.
I applied a few thin and even coats (picture me misting it from 8-10 inches away, always keeping my arm moving to avoid drips) and let that dry for about 40 minutes.
Then I thought to read the can, which informed me that the topcoat should be applied within an hour or not until 24 hours later. So I impatiently decided that I didn’t want to wait. I quickly misted both chairs with about four suuuuper thin and even spray paint coats until they were happy and grellow. I snapped some photos of each thin coat so you could see how they’re very light (there’s almost zero coverage at first) and they build up to full coverage.
Here are a few more of my favorite spray painting tips:
- Skip the bad/cheap/terrible $2 stuff in favor of the quality $6-7 options (I like Rustoleum’s trigger spray nozzle because it goes on thin and even – and doesn’t get all over your fingers).
- Always keep the can moving. Seriously. If you’re a-sprayin’ your arm better be a-swayin’.
- It’s best to keep the nozzle about 8-10″ away from whatever it is that you’re spray painting.
- You really want a mist, not a heavy wet coating.
- Three thin and even coats are better than one thick and drippy one.
- Spray paint has yet to go no-VOC, so apply it outside with a mask, and let it fully cure as long as the can recommends outside whenever you can (usually 24 hours, we try to double that just to be even safer).
- You can “seal” any spray paint (to limit off-gassing once you bring it inside) by applying two thin coats of Safecoat Acrylacq, which is low-VOC and non-toxic.
Voila, I was left with this chipper guy:
Make that two of them. Just chillin’ in the yard.
Oh but it took me three cans of spray paint total, so I had to go back for one more. As for the seat fabric, I had some leftover yardage from my little dining room curtain project.
And after holding up the fabric to the freshly grellowed chairs we were so happy. All systems are go. They look great together.
Originally I intended to use that extra fabric to make roman blinds for the office since that room is so open to the dining room thanks to the giant double doorway that’s flanked by the built-ins. But I got to thinking that it might be too matchy-matchy to use it on the windows and John and I kept dreaming more and more about bright grellow chairs, so it was the perfect compromise. This afternoon’s project is to reupholster the seats. I’ll share all those details along with after pics in a day or two (as soon as they’re dry enough to get jammed back together for photos).
Oh and don’t go very far this morning. We’ll actually be back in a few hours with a rare 11am post instead of our regular 2pm jam. Which is nice because it frees up my afternoon for reupholstering. Everyone wins.
Psst- We’re over on BabyCenter sharing an amazing resource for projects that you can DIY with your kiddos. There are so many fun ideas to add to our “someday to-do list” with Clara.
GreenInOC says
Looks great!
LOVE the 4 pictures side by side like that – fantastic for a non-creative type like me.
What about spray painted items chipping? Is primer the trick to prevent all chipping or are spray painted items bound to chip?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, primer + thin & even applications is key! Anything too thick can crack and peel right off.
xo,
s
Heather says
I love the color you picked for the chairs! I think it’s going to look awesome in your office!
I was rooting for plum though! I LOVE purple! Hopefully one day it will be perfect for something. No matter what it will be, it will probably be my most favorite project ever!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- oh yes. I’m committed to getting plum in here somewhere!
xo,
s
Liz says
Sounds like Grellow is the new ORB!
threadbndr says
I’ve always loved the ‘bamboo’ look of those chairs. There’s a little undercurrent of Chinoiserie going on in your new house with these chairs and the mirror in the laundry and the tray side table in the guest room. Very nifty.
The new color really brings out the woven back of the desk chairs. I’d forgotten before your ‘prep’ shot above how worn the arms were, or that they were originally red!
Thanks for the spray paint tutorial above. I second the idea of getting a small compressor and paint sprayer. I borrow my son’s all the time for small painting projects and big things like power washing the fence. You have those decks to maintain now, so it will come in handy there, too.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh you’re right! It’s all so subconscious, but the mirror, tray table and chairs are totally chinoiserie-inspired!
xo,
s
Donna says
What a fun project! And the grellow is super refreshing and will give you a lift while you’re hard at work writing your posts! Thanks for the spray tips, Sherry!
Erika says
They look amazing! I agree about the fabric being a bit much on windows in both rooms, but the seats are a great compromise. Can’t wait to see them in place.
Kiley says
I love the lamps in there! When you said they weren’t staying, I was like, Waaaaaaahhhht? Anyways, great chair makeover as always. I love how you two are taking bigger risks with colors and the stenciling, etc.
BTW, do you have a source for those lamps? :)
YoungHouseLove says
They’re from HomeGoods! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Jill Palmer says
Love love love the chairs Sherry! I have been waiting to see where you will use the rest of that fabric and I love it on those cushions.
Also, I am so excited to see you DIY roman curtins in the office. I have a similar project in mind for my house.
yours in DIYing,
Jill
AarthiD says
I know I’m super late to the party, but I love the coat-by-coat snapshot. That’s always the part that they never show on TV, and is totally clutch, ’cause it would be really easy to go heavier because you *expect* going heavier is the right choice.
Are you thinking about adding anything else to these chairs? Gold accents, filligree, etc?
YoungHouseLove says
I think I’ll just see how I like them with the fabric and go from there! Someone mentioned that adding a bolster pillow might be comfy so we’ll have to see about that!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
This sounds like a silly question, but here goes. I just bought my first place, a townhome. I’ve never really painted or DIY’d anything but I’d been stalking you guys for months getting all my projects lined up for when I close (in a couple weeks). I don’t really have a place outside to spray paint that wouldn’t be intrusive to the neighbors or potentially get paint on a common area (HOA no-no). I do however, have a screened-in porch in the back. Do you think it would be safe to spray paint in a screened-in porch, or would the mist get in the screen? How far does it disperse? Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, good question! On a day without much wind (which is crucial) I would think you might want a 5′ buffer on all sides if possible (so a 10 x 10 room might work if you do it when it’s not windy and keep the nozzle aimed at the item you’re spraying with a nice large dropcloth under it). Good luck!
xo,
s
Patti says
YAY for the spray paint pics! NOW I see what ya sayin’, a-sprayin’ and a-swayin’!
P.S. Just read the Joss&Main post, Love it and … you kept it short and sweet! Lovin’ my YHLovers!
Meagan says
I am dying to see these in that room. oh dreamy. I am so glad you are using the curtain fabric. and that color…I die. oh the office is becoming my favorite room in your house. I cant wait to see where y’all end up with curtains and art and the whole nine yards for this room! so gorgeous…I’m in love with it.
Heather W says
Love the color choice! I have used it in my home too. Where did you buy the primer you used? Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Home Depot (or Lowe’s- but I think HD). Good luck!
xo,
s
Alison says
OMG I love the chairs!!!! Great color!! Fantastic color!!!! Did I say I love them? Because I do.
Hilary says
I’m coming out of lurker status to get a spray painting tip. When you say you do 4 light coats, do you spray them one after the other? Or do you wait an hour or so before the next coat?
LOVE your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
I do them back to back, but it usually takes about 10 minutes to work around the chair back to where I started, which is then ready for the next thin coat. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Tara S says
Love the green chairs! Can’t wait to see it all together. It’s also works great because it fullfills your love for green chairs that you originally had your heart set on for the dining room (which weren’t meant to be).
Have a random question….Did you guys pull the trigger on the 50mm lens for your Nikon? Generally speaking, where do you see yourself using the original lense and then this new one? I’m about to buy my first DSLR and was looking into that lense too. I have an active toddler too that makes it difficult to take good pictures at times. It was so much easier before they start to run. Thanks for the advice.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we love our nifty 50! We generally use that one for Clara and Burger pics (it’s a closer angle lens and it gives us a lot of depth of field, so it’s better for fast moving people than interiors). So we still use the regular lens for house pics and most vacation shots (since those are usually wider than just a close up face or tail- haha). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Tara S says
Thanks for the informative reply!! Glad to hear you guys like it.
Trisha says
I’m the worst, WORST spray painter around. This photo time line helps. Really would like to give new life to our brassy dining room light.
Laura says
wow! they look great! I was spray painting yesterday too! it was knobs and vents though, not chairs! I really hope you will still make some roman curtains too, I am working on some for our master bedroom right now and there arent any good tutorials for them online! I bet your roman shade tutorial would be spectacular, so I would LOVE for that to happen soon!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s definitely still on the to-do list!
xo,
s
Tiffany says
Im anxious to see how that fabric pairs with the wall stencil (which is TOTALLY FANTASTIC btw). In my mind they have two different ‘looks’ going on. The stencil has a softer more romantic side and the fabric is alot edgier that goes well with the teal built ins… I cant wait to see it all together!
YoungHouseLove says
I think that’s the reason they look so great together! One is bold and sort of edgy and one is more subtle and soft. It’s a nice little layered look! Can’t wait to finish and share the pics!
xo,
s
Mandy says
oh no…. :( I like it.. but I thought the chairs were going to be dark blue just like the chandelier… =~ oh life..
hehe :)
kisses!!
Nicole says
Love the chairs! I really have got to have some more patience when spray painting… Your (almost) finished product looks amazing!
By the way, did you see your website on Re-nest today? You’re listed in their Green Home Renovations: The Most Helpful Resources! Here’s the link: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/books-guides-resources/green-home-renovation-our-goto-list-of-resources-102341
YoungHouseLove says
That’s really cool! Thanks for the heads up!
xo,
s
Emily says
i’m definitely a fan of the grellow! i think that ivy leaf spray paint is calling my name…i just need to find something to paint!
LibraDesignEye says
I’m a grellow fan – whatever you want to call it (maybe its just a spunky citrus green). Not less but MORE – I like it so much I wanted to suggest that a bit lighter shade of plain grellow texture rich fabric would make amazing roman shades for the office – from the long view photo above, that would not fight with the dining room but look neat and clean with the gorgeous new ‘sswallpaper’ You may decide more moonshine is in order for a calm look (and I suppose you could always stencil that but as for me, I went looking for examples – like http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat1183846&PRODID=zprd_02323301a or my fave texture wise but not quite so big a sale http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat1183846&PRODID=xprd944151 Then I got carried away by fun chartreuse prints on another site – thinking something fun for the laundry room – a graphic print with white http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=9d2c7635-ff6e-4052-90a2-5d5d95ab2e94 or just do a total ode to Sue the napkin’s chevrons! http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=ff3d2a2a-85a9-47b7-92f6-97d1bb6da912
While perhaps we could fall back on apple green, coining terms like grellow and sswallpaper are half of the fun of your site! Don’t be deterred from Sue – she is guiding you right into the house you wanted.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it love it love it! Thanks for all the fun links! A lighter clean textured grellow fabric was definitely a contender for the window treatments among a few other ideas – so it should be fun to see where we end up!
xo,
s
Suzanne Supplee says
What a perfect way to tie in the green from the dining room!
chris says
Hi! quick question – how long did you wait between each of the 4 coats of spray paint? a set time or just dry to the touch? thanks much for all your inspiration!Chris
YoungHouseLove says
By the time I worked my way around the chair for thing coat #1, it was time for coat #2. Meaning it probably took me ten minutes to get back to where I started and then I went right into coat #2. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather W says
Do you spray paint the top and front first or do you usually do the back and underneath of the chair first. This is what I have a hard time doing and trying to figure out the best way to have the chair positioned so that I get it at all angles etc. Make sense????
YoungHouseLove says
I got as much as I could reach that would be visible while sitting on the floor (so I didn’t wait for them to dry and flip them over to spray the bottoms of the feet, but I did crouch down and hit them with some spray on the underside of some areas that might be seen if someone else were to crouch down in the room). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lauren says
Love it! I am not even kidding when I tell you my very first home decor spray paint project was painting my office desk chair (a $6 Goodwill find) that exact color! Ivy Leaf from Michael’s! To prove I’m not making this stuff up as I go along, here’s a picture on twitpic (http://twitpic.com/6v6yui) Excuse the poor cell phone picture. Long story short… I am obviously completely smitten with your color choice. Can’t wait to see the upholstery!
YoungHouseLove says
Too funny! I love it!
xo,
s
Beth says
I love Ivy Leaf by Krylon. Painted my front door in this color. Used ORB accessories. Even the neighbor commented on how cool my door looks.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- I bet that looks awesome!
xo,
s
Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says
I was pulling for a spinoff of the grellow. It just made sense when you see the first picture with the lime green table runner. I think it will help further tie the two rooms together.
Suzi says
Yep – LOVE the lime green! I had to laugh when I read your post – I did the exact same thing yesterday between the primer and topcoat on a project. I thought I was being sooo responsible letting the primer properly dry for a bit first – ooops! Thanks for the chuckle, I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Elle says
Love the green!! We have that shade of green as a theme in our living room. It goes with so much! Love it!
Beatrice says
Did you spray the underside as well?
YoungHouseLove says
I got as much as I could reach that would be visible while sitting on the floor (so I didn’t wait for them to dry and flip them over to spray the bottoms of the feet, but I did crouch down and hit them with some spray on the underside of some areas that might be seen if someone else were to crouch down in the room).
xo,
s
Joy says
You two are amazing. When you mentioned the stencil, I thought, “nah”. The finished project of the stenciled walls is beautiful. The chairs are the perfect color for the office. The upholstery will really add to the entire “look” of the space. I’ve yet to be disappointed in any of your projects. They leave me in awe!
Stacey says
Hello guys! I never usually comment on blogs, but just wanting you to know that I loooove your blog – it’s part of my daily blog reading – all the way over here in Oz (that’s Australia not Emerald city…) I’m loving the colour and the fabric choice of the chairs too! It’ll be hot stuff! It’s right up there with your rocking chair, which is my all time fave. Thanks for the daily laughs and inspiration.
Sarah @ thatspeachykeen says
so fresh looking! I need some chairs to spray paint..
ashlee says
one of our spray painted playroom chairs is ‘ivy leaf’ by krylon. the other is bahama sea (i think?) or something similarly named. you can see my chairs on my blog post here: http://238windsor.blogspot.com/2011/10/play-room-progress.html
i also used ivy leaf for several (okay, tons) of the playroom art gallery frames, as well.
ps. i made an ah-mazing discovery today. we don’t have an ikea in nova scotia. our nearest is montreal. but, i just so happened to be at our local dollarama, and what did i find? totally kick butt awesome wood frames in 8 by 10 size and then..just down the aisle, packs of photo frame mats! i brought home five frames and five mats, and they look wonderful. i can’t wait to use them in our family history gallery.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Those came out so well! And awesome discovery about the frames and mats!
xo,
s
ashlee says
oh, i forgot to ask you…i’m spraying something tonight, so it sparked my memory. how many cans did it take you to do these two chairs? in my experience, it is taking me a boat load of spray paint to do a few simple projects. so i’m not sure what i’m doing wrong.
YoungHouseLove says
I really hoped two would do it but I had to run back for one more (so annoying!) – but three did the job! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Mellissa says
I love the color! The chair looks great.
You inspire me with all of your spray paint projects. But, I have to confess that I’m still a little I intimitated by spray paint.
Quick question…did you let the paint dry between your multiple quotes?
Thanks for sharing your process!
YoungHouseLove says
I just work my way around the chair with my fine mist and then get back to where I started and start again with coat #2. So maybe they’re 10 minutes apart by nature of just moving around the chair in cycles like that?
xo,
s
holly says
love that color! i actually spray painted a table that color and i have gotten multiple comments on what a happy color it is.
i have a question that I should have asked when it was blogiversary week, but I didn’t think of it and now I can’t wait a whole year. Sherry: is john really that patient during shopping outings? he always seems to be having fun in the pics. I took my boyfriend to michaels ONCE and will never do it again.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes- he’s amazing. I’m so lucky. I think it’s because he grew up with three sisters so he’s used to that stuff. He actually has lots of fun with Clara at stores- just being goofy and entertaining her. And occasionally chiming in with color and style preferences. Haha.
xo,
s
ashlee says
sounds like my man. he’d rather poke his own eyes out than talk home renos/decor with me. it’s too bad – i really wish he were more on board.
wynonah says
I must have missed the post where you added the ‘built in’ basses to the desk, looks awesome. Love you guys!
Kacey says
Oh wow, we’re on the same wave length. I bought two cans of that exact spray paint this weekend for my desk. Actually started off with ivory spray paint but thought it was too safe. The green did make me nervous at first b/c I’m not usually a color person, but I just kept telling myself to commit. So far, so good.
Molly says
Love the chairs, Petersiks! I did something similar for my dining room chairs I found on Craigslist: http://www.thirtiethavenue.com/2011/06/my-adventures-in-spray-painting.html. Gotta love what a little elbow grease and spray paint can do!
YoungHouseLove says
Those look awesome!
xo,
s
Kim says
Krylon’s Ivy Leaf became my Sue the Napkin for the living room a few months ago. I love it. Sure, it’s only one color but it’s been helping me find complimentary blues and yellows and stopping me from doing too many shades of too many colors.
Shel says
I’m sitting on (get the pun?) a used, and slightly worse-for-ware Papasan chair. She’s cane and seeing you fix up these chairs had me wondering what they were made out of. Is it cane? I would LOVE to spray paint my chair because her wood desperately needs some TLC. My only concern was would the paint chip off? I have no doubt that it will where the satellite part meets the base part, as it will scratch and grind against there, but will the rest of it flake off when the wood bends when I sit in it?
Ideas?
YoungHouseLove says
These are some sort of faux bamboo but we’ve seen people paint real cane or bamboo with success – even papasan chairs should work when painted since they sell some that are painted to begin with. You just want to use a good primer and thin and even coats (thick = chipping). If it’s applied thin enough. The best spray paint for surfaces like that is Rustoleum All Surface Universal spray paint, so I’d recommend trying that out (either the kind with built-in primer or with an added primer undercoat). Good luck!
xo,
s
Tricia says
Thanks for your inspiration! Tomorrow am taking Singer Featherweight to shop for repair and am learning to sew! I see ikat curtains for bedroom in the very near future. Bluish I think.
Tricia
Sarah Keller says
Love the Ivy Leaf color- used it to paint pine cones for fall last week! :)
http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/10/painted-pine-cones.html
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo,
s
eileen marie says
I would have chosen something in the green family as well (emerald, lime, or celery), but I like how the grellow ties in so well! Have you mentioned or thought of french doors for the office?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we’re planning to add them between the dining room and the office a bit further down the line (aka: when we have enough money saved up for them, haha).
xo,
s
Heather says
Hi, guys. I thought you might be interested in the fabric sale I found. There are some really nice fabrics on here. If I could pin at work, I would be pinning the heck out of these…enjoy!
http://www.wondrouswovenfabrics.com/categories/Sale-Items/Sale-Fabrics-%26-Precuts/?sort=featured&page=1
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- so pretty! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Natalia says
You may have answered this before but for furniture do you prefer spray paint over regular paint? I am getting ready to paint a small kids table for my boys!
thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Always for furniture I prefer not-spray (real paint applied with a foam roller or brush) except for something woven or spindly that needs a spray to reach those areas (like the woven chairs).
xo,
s
Chris Ripley says
Sherry – sorry to ask a stupid Q, which you may have already answered…. but how long do you wait between your three coats of paint? You don’t wait for it to dry, then recoat, then wait again each time, do you? I figured you probably spray the coats quickly, atop each other, all at once – but figured I better double-check.
Thanks!
–chris
YoungHouseLove says
I just wait as long as it takes to mist the whole chair once, so by the time I’m back to where I started I do coat #2- maybe ten minutes?
xo,
s
Annabelle says
“Thin and even” indeed. I was coating way too thick. Can you tell me how long you wait between those thin and even coats?
YoungHouseLove says
I just wait as long as it takes to mist everything once and by the time I get back to where I started it’s time for coat number two. Maybe ten minutes?
xo,
s