Yup. I spray painted chairs. Upholstered chairs. Dude, I’m the first to admit it’s weird. And it’s definitely not the answer if you’re sane. But when you’re a desperate woman with nothing to lose, well… stuff happens.
Remember these Craigslist chairs we found last March? They were originally from an old hotel (with faded and stained eighties fabric to prove it) but we got them for $25 a pop.
Then I tried to paint them a soft apple green color like a tutorial I’d seen, but didn’t have as much luck (read more on that hot-mess here).
We were set on green for a while (not this neon of course) until we realized it’s a ton of chairs in a room, so you don’t want them all screaming for attention and stealing thunder from things like our patterned curtains and the boldly painted built-ins. That’s when I got $20 off-white slipcovers for them from World Market (which clashed with the white trim and accessories everywhere – but were cheaper than buying fabric and making my own), so I dyed them brown.
But the slipcovers were a little schlumpy. After they came out of the dryer they were nice and tight, but over time they got droopy and sad. They just looked a little loosey goosey and messy. Sure, I could wash them again to get them looking nice for another week, but that’s a whole lotta work for something that should be low maintenance. Here in this pic from our House Tour page you can see the slipcovers looking a little baggy on the sides – and that’s from far away.
So I decided since I already painted one chair (and it works just as well as the others with the slipcover on it – it’s literally impossible to tell which one is painted when it’s covered) I figured I had nothing to lose by painting the rest of them (I could just cover them up again if they were blotchy and gross). And instead of using craft paint and textile medium (read more on why that didn’t work out for me here) I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to spray paint them with this old friend:
Who does that? $herdog does that. Beware of a woman with nothing to lose (and eight slipcovers to hide any potential disasters).
First I donned my trusty spray painting socks. Can your brain even comprehend this hotness?
I must really love you guys to share such glamorous shots of my life, huh? I just hate potentially getting my shoes or my flip flops all sticky/painted, so my painting socks do the trick (with the bottoms of my sweatpants tucked into them, so I don’t get stickiness on the bottom of my pants).
I started off slow. Really light light coats on just one chair. Nothing thick or drippy. Here’s a shot of things when I was just getting started. I was biting. my. nails.
I expected a total disaster, but after a few more light coats applied pretty much one after the other (maybe four total?) my first chair was looking pretty good. I was kind of shocked, actually because I expected to just do one and hate it and toss the cover back on. You still see the pattern in the fabric since that’s a texture thing that paint can’t change (the actual fabric itself has those patterns sort of embossed into it), but instead of being a riot of crazy stained/faded/eighties swirls…
… it’s all one color. A pretty gunmetal charcoal color. Almost the exact same color as Karl the Sectional actually. Which is funny because we have an avocado green kitchen between two rooms with soft gray walls (the living room and the dining room) both of which now have charcoal upholstery. Hooray for a little accidental house-wide balance. The funniest thing about the whole charcoal color result is that ORB is usually a dark brown color, but on upholstered chairs I guess things can get crazy. Imagine that. Ha. So I was expecting a dark brown look but I got a nice Karl-ish color instead. Which was a nice surprise. It’s like hoping to find a half-eaten box of raisins in the bottom of your purse when you’re starving and finding a granola bar instead. Cha-ching.
As for the spraying specifics (you know, for any other nuts out there with nothing to lose and thrill seeking spray painting tendencies), here’s a post with my general spray painting tips (like buy the good stuff, mist things to avoid drips, keep your hand moving, etc). There’s a slight metallic sheen when the light hits the fabric just right thanks to the type of spray paint we used (Rustoleum Universal Metallic in Oil-Rubbed Bronze), but they don’t look like Liberace chairs. It’s more of a subtle thing at the right angle, but most of the time they just look like charcoal gray fabric. Also, from certain angles in certain lighting you can hardly see the pattern in the fabric and other times it’s more obvious, but it’s much less offensive now that it’s all one color. The pattern is actually more noticeable in some of these pics than in real life (must be how light bounces off of them into the camera or something? No idea).
I spray painted the slightly-banged-up-formerly-more-reddish legs as well, which turned out a lot more like the typical ORB color (dark chocolate with a bit of metallic sheen). They’re our favorite part, because whether we decide to add the slipcovers back on or even reupholster these babies down the line, those sexy ORB legs will always be around.
Here’s a slightly inaccurate long shot of them in the room. Haha. They look darker and more patterned in this photo than in real life. We can’t wait to add a giant chandelier over that 70″ table and bring in a nice large rug to break up all the wood (wood floor, wood legs, wood table). And of course it looks less like a black hole with a colorful runner and some dishes on the table. We’ll eventually refinish the floors to be the same color as the one in the kitchen, so the future rug (perhaps something big and jute?) will be lighter and should help the darker legs/table and floor pop while keeping them all from blending together in one big mocha-wood-fest. Someday…
The big question is probably “what do they feel like?” I went into it thinking that a few coats of spray paint might make them feel rough like burlap or thick like leather, but they feel pretty much exactly like the original durable-hotel-upholstery fabric felt beforehand (which was always firm and not too soft, but not crunchy or anything). It’s kind of hilarious that they didn’t really change. The only way I can explain this phenomenon is that I’ve noticed when I get spray paint on a pair of painting pants, for example, they still feel the same (just as soft in that spot, but they’re a different color). Maybe it just goes on thinner than paint applied with a brush or roller so it’s less obvious on some types of fabric?
Update: A reader (thanks Krystie!) cracked the code by reminding me that the reason it worked so well on these chairs might have been because the hotel fabric is a Crypton (which means it’s coated in a protection to keep anything from penetrating – so the spray is sitting on top and not soaking in and getting crunchy/blotchy).
But let’s be clear. I never (inamillllllionyears) would have had the confidence to give this a try if we didn’t already:
- paint one chair green and know that it worked just as well as the other unpainted ones once the slipcover was on it
- already have slipcovers to hide my little paint job if it went bad (not much to lose there since they can be covered)
Remember, I was a woman with nothing to lose and a deep love of spray paint. I have no idea how other fabric would do, but these chairs were made out of thick upholstery grade fabric, so it wasn’t as soft as cashmere to begin with. But if you’re dealing with something like velvet or silk, the spray paint could very well make it crunchy and hard. I’m 100% certain that different fabric or even more thickly applied spray paint (or a different brand/type) could yield different results. Maybe you can find similar fabric to the item of furniture you’re thinking about spraying and just apply a few light and even coats of spray paint on your test fabric to see how it works out first?
Another question might be “if someone sits in them, can they rub off on their clothes?” After allowing them to dry a while (we left them outside for four days after making sure there was no rain in the forecast) they’re all cured up and don’t smell like spray paint. And just like dried spray paint that gets on painting clothes, they shouldn’t rub off (I wash mine and they remain ORBed and don’t bleed on other clothes – even when they’re wet in the washer). If someone spilled water on the chair it shouldn’t rub off since it’s oil-based paint. I even rubbed a wet white rag on them to make sure nothing transferred.
As for how we feel, we’re still sort of on the fence. They’re definitely better (muuch better) than the green painted chair debacle. And in person we think they’re marginally better than the baggy slipcovers. But we’ll probably recover or replace them someday down the line – so I think the verdict is “fine for now.” We still have the brown slipcovers so we can always throw those back on or somehow tailor them someday? No idea. It would be cool to learn how to reupholster them or sew better slipcovers but with eight chairs it’s too big of a job for right now, so we’re happy to live with what we have. Who’s on Team Gray? Any Team Brown folks? Anyone care to join us on the fence? I don’t think there are any Team Greens out there, are there?
There’s probably a lesson in here somewhere about how $25 craigslist chairs might not always be the answer if they have a crazy pattern and don’t fit typical store-bought slipcovers. Ah well, live and learn. At least they’ve served us well for the past year and will seat our sweet family whenever they come over until we figure out what we want down the road. Has anyone else reached the end of their rope and spray painted something in an act of defiance and desperation? Can you believe I’ve painted, slipcovered, dyed, and re-painted these guys? One thing’s for sure, I’m a stubborn gal and I just can’t leave things well enough alone.
Cara says
This is definitely something I would have done! There is no shame in it. When all else fails, spray paint.
Melanie says
I’m on team brown. :-/
Jax says
What will happen if someone sits on it with white pants or sweaty legs?
Do you think this would work on a couch? lol Thanks! Jax
YoungHouseLove says
Check the post for the info on sitting on it with sweaty legs or white pants (towards the bottom of the post). I’m not sure how it would hold up for any other fabric, spray paint type, etc since it was such an experiment (I think it easily could feel crunchy or look blotchy with certain fabrics) so maybe getting a test piece of fabric that’s similar to your couch would be a good idea before going crazy?
xo,
s
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
I’m not sure I would have the guts to spray paint chairs like these. They’re definitely interesting! Do you see the pattern at all in person or is it just visible this way in the photos??
YoungHouseLove says
You see it slightly from some angles, just sort of as a texture (like how you see a subtle tone-on-tone braiding on a jute rug). At other angles they look just like Karl the Sectional (no pattern).
xo,
s
Sara says
I like that a whole lot better than the slip covers, but if you’re not in love with it, why not make friends with the sewing machine and custom make some slipcovers? I saw your pouf — you’re becoming a little seamstress over there.
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t know what it is, but I have stared that those chairs and some slipcover tutorials and I just don’t think I’m there yet. Maybe when my mom visits sometime I can have her explain how she’d do it and demystify things. Haha.
xo,
s
Erin says
Or maybe you could even just use the existing slipcovers and take them in on the sides – sometimes it’s easier to start with something that’s already made and just adjust from there.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, that’s what I was thinking but I’ve even put them on the chair inside out and tried to figure out what to pin/take in and just can’t make sense of them. Haha. Maybe someday when mom comes to visit she’ll school me!
xo,
s
heather says
If you really hate the chairs down the line, then sacrifice one. Take it apart slowly and gently and use the existing covers to make a pattern on fabric you like, noting how it was taken apart (photos always work well) the entire way. I took a long look at the photo and was assessing it and it seems like these would be easy to get apart and mock up.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a great idea! We could always sacrifice the green chair. Or wait for it to volunteer as tribute!
xo,
s
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
Hahahahaha! “Tribute” Lol. We just finished the series this weekend.
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! I still have the last book but John’s done (he read it this weekend while I proofed book layouts- lucky guy!).
xo,
s
Jen @ www.migonishome.com says
I think it looks great, Sherry! Way to have the guts to do it and the smarts to keep the old covers! :)
Lindsay Huff says
I like it! Sometimes it pays to take a chance. Good job Chick!
bridget b. says
how did the chair that you had previously painted lime green turn out after the orb spray paint?
i like the way the subtle texture still shows through on the chairs.
YoungHouseLove says
I left that one green since we usually only have seven chairs at the table (that one lives in the playroom and gets pulled out with a slipcover on it in a pinch). Now that we have seating for four more people at the peninsula, seven chairs in the dining room have been enough!
xo,
s
Kim says
Hmmm…my guess is you will be re-upholstering them very soon! Can’t hurt to try, though!
Erin says
Sorry guys, but I agree too :(
I don’t like them at all (and I love everything that you both do, you are talented).
I wouldn’t feel comfortable sitting on them, I’d want a towel or something on the seat :/ .
I think that your best bet (only time invested) would be to take in the slip covers to fix them (trust me you can do it Sherri!) or buy lots of fabric to reupholster/ or slipcover them all.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s just like sitting on our dyed slipcovers, the color is locked in so ya wouldn’t need a towel! But we definitely are thinking about recovering them down the line, so we’ll just live with them for now and see where we end up!
xo,
s
Martha says
I kind of love it! I had been thinking for the past few months that the slipcovers were looking a little saggy. I figured if I noticed, so did you, seeing as how you look at them every day! I think it looks kind of awesome. From a distance, they almost look suede-ish with the subtle pattern from the fabric.
ani says
Call me crazy… but that original fabric color kind of fits in with the other colors in the living room (in that top pic). BTW- I heart the new chair leg color!
Happy Monday! =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, someone else said that a while back! They looked really “hotel” to us (that’s where they came from – a hotel liquidation on Criagslist) and they really clashed with the curtains. I think one left that way could be cute at a desk- but a bunch of them might be too much in person! Haha.
xo,
s
Ashley says
I think they look beautiful in contrast to what you have. I say trim them out with some cord or nailheads.
Maya says
Love this idea!
[email protected] says
Haha…. I love it! It should be everyones motto, when in doubt – spray it! Dont say it, just spray it :)
I did it when a glass cake stand broke and I couldnt bear to part with it http://www.heartsweethome.com/?p=495
YoungHouseLove says
So smart! It looks beautiful!
xo,
s
kim says
I don’t understand why you don’t just reupholster them? It’s not that hard espesially these chairs, and there are lots of tutorials out there.
Interesting idea with the spray paint, does it rub off on your cloths at all?
YoungHouseLove says
Check the post for info on whether it rubs off on your clothes. As for reupholstering them, I just don’t have the skills (or the patience) to do that with seven of them quite yet…
xo,
s
kim says
sorry missed that part of the post about coming off on cloths. And I think your selling yourself short. Take that green painted chair and dive in. Do one at a time, then do an amazing post tutorial on it. I know you can do it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kim! I hope someday I can conquer these chairs. Haha.
xo,
s
Pamela says
i actually really really like them. they look great with the dark wood of the table! :)
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Stoty says
That sock pic made me laugh so much. You do love us a lot to share such candid shots. That’s what makes us read the blog everyday. :) I too have a pair of paint socks, hate getting paint on my feet. What a happy accident that they turned out to be the same color as Karl. After seeing all your spray paint projects I too have fallen into the “What’s the answer to a design dilemma? Spray paint” phase. And I’m loving it. Did my own spray paint spruce up this weekend on a hanging planter.
http://whatsurhomestory.com/hanging-planter-rescue/
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Such pretty flowers!
xo,
s
Sandra T says
Vidya, I love this idea (spray painting the planters). I have some plain jane white hanging planters that I would definitely reuse if they were a pretty color! And Sherry, I think you nailed it when you said the chairs are servicing you now and when your family comes over. If they are not just like you want them, maybe somewhere down the line you will come up with something else that will make you happier. For now they work! Btw, I like the ORB look, I think they look great with your big ‘ole table! :D
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sandra!
xo,
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Sherry, your timing is impeccable! I was going to leave a note on the first post about the chairs to tell you about my awesome find this weekend! I got TWO Parsons Chairs on Craigslist for FREE this weekend. They are fully upholstered so when I reupholster them (which I’ve never done before), I plan on leaving the legs bare. I’m going to use them in our bedroom at this double desk/window seat thing that we built.
I do love the green color you picked but can see how you might think it’s too much. These chairs have been a lot of work for you but at least you keep trying until they work for you!
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Sorry – just in case you want to see what the free chairs look like…http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2012/04/parsons-portraits-and-plates.html
YoungHouseLove says
Awesome score Crystal!
xo,
s
Jessica says
I sorta love it. The color is great in that room…can’t believe it came out a dark gray color, but it looks wonderful. I’m glad you ditched those covers….I sorta hated them. lol. I just didn’t love the brown I guess. :)
Lori says
Sherry, you are one brave woman! :-) They are looking more gold than gray on my screen, but I see what you mean that the baggy slipcovers weren’t cutting it.
YoungHouseLove says
Woah, gold?! Must be a monitor thing. That’s so funny. They’re basically the same color as Karl the sectional (charcoal) in person.
xo,
s
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
Awesome! That’s so something I would do! I tend to just go out on a limb with no expectation and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some(not all) of the results. I actually had something like this happen this weekend no less. I kinda like them. I think it beats all of the other options at this point at least until/unless you guys find something that you like better. It’s tough though because I totally agree with you on not wanted the chairs to take away from other things in the room (like that awesome table!).
Krystle @ ColorTansformedFamily says
I think it’s neat that the ORB looks completely different on the legs vs. the fabric. My guess as to why the spay paint works so well on the fabric is that it is probably a Crypton. Which means is coated in a protection to keep anything from penetrating into the actual yarns. It’s as if you have sprayed more protectant on it.
YoungHouseLove says
YES! That is true! I should put that in the post. Someone who recognized the chairs told me that a while back when we got them. Perhaps that explains it!
xo,
s
Alissa says
With all those chairs times four coats, how long did it take you to paint all of them? I imagine you eventually got a cramp in your trigger finger.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I did them a few at a time, so I did three one morning and two in the afternoon and two a few hours later just as the sun was setting. I totally had some forearm soreness later. Hahaha.
xo,
s
maria says
can’t you just toss the slipcovers in the dryer to tighten them up? imho the slipcovers even baggy look a bit better
YoungHouseLove says
I can wash and dry them for ’em to look nice but about a week or two later they’re baggy again (and for something that’s supposed to be low maintenance, washing them all the time to keep them from looking saggy and sad felt like a lot).
xo,
s
Robin @ Our Semi Organic Life says
I think I’m on team gray. I think. I’m sure it’s an in person you have to see them thing.
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
I definitely like it better than the slipcovers! They look a lot more sleek and polished now. But to give you my full critique I’ll have to come over for dinner. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, come on over!
xo,
s
Stacey says
A friend just recently gave me some great advice for rugs under dining tables. She went to The Dump and bought a nice outdoor rug. It matches her decor of course but the great thing is that she can hose it off if need be when the 2 year old gets a little crazy at meals :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo,
s
Sabrina says
I am team re-upholster. Though they do look kind of cool. There are so many different fabrics out there to choose from. Those chairs don’t look to hard to re-upholster. I just spray painted an antique mirror light teal, so I feel your love of spray paint! lol
Amy L. says
I still surprised you didn’t stay with the original coloring. Seemed to match everything else so well.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! In person it was super crazy and it totally screamed hotel. They clashed with our beloved ikat curtains too.
xo,
s
Ali Miller says
This is definitely one of your crazier ideas! I would agree that it is a slight improvement on your other efforts, but I’m not terribly crazy about it. BUT, I do want to say that you should NOT give up on your crazy Craigslist find! It is still an awesome find and I think that after you finish the floors and any other major tasks in the room, you could invest in having them reupholstered (or of course, doing that yourself, perhaps with some of those cool studs). They are still a great value even if you spend a good bit of money on upholstery down the line.
Brandy E says
Pretty nifty.
Ali says
I love them! So much! I might have to go find myself an old chair with a funky pattern, I think it’s so cute and would be such a nice corner kinda statement piece!
Heidi says
I remember the posts about the slipcovers and the previous painting – but just wondering. Is there a reason why you didn’t attempt to take apart the chairs and just re-cover them in fabric, using a trusty staple gun? You might have addressed this previously, but i can’t remember. I think i’m with you guys – will work for now… but I am sure you’ll come across something better or work a deal somewhere! I vote something cool & mid century inspired (uh, maybe cause this is what i have in my dining room :) http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Ronnie-Wire-Base-White-Chairs-Set-of-2/3351572/product.html?rcmndsrc=2 i Loooooooove my overstock knockoffs.
YoungHouseLove says
I looked up some reupholstering parsons chair tutorials and they seemed to need some special things since there isn’t cording or piping to hide the staples (and staples can’t show, hence the special tools) so they all just looked over my head! Maybe someday!
xo,
s
Allyn says
I really don’t ever like slipcovers. No matter how tight they start out, they always wind up looking slumpy.
You’ve given me new confidence to spray paint some lampshades soon though! Because all of the replacement shades I like are wayyyyyyy too pricey. Sigh, the drawbacks of having expensive taste.
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah- I think you’re right about slipcovers. I keep wondering if I’ll slave away sewing eight of them and then have the same baggy problem after a few weeks. I do like how Ikea has velcro with their slipcovers to make them fit tightly under the seat so maybe I can try that someday? I have no idea where I’ll end up. Haha.
xo,
s
Hannah L. says
Just wanted to comment on the Ikea covers. We have 4 chairs and 8 of the covers. We use them daily and they never look baggy. I do have to wash them once a month, I just take off one set, pop the new set on and then soak the dirty covers over night to get out any food stains. The velcro really does keep them in place nicely, in fact they are almost TOO tight when you first put them on. The only thing is that they have a strip of fabric with velcro to slip in between the seat and back of the chair to keep that mid section tight and that might look lumpy of you can’t pull it through to the back.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Hannah! Love the info!
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I like the gray, like the metallic, but seeing the pattern is throwing me off :( Since you’ve gotten acquainted with your sewing machine, can you make custom slipcovers? I would love a tutorial on that since I would love to have an option to change out the pattern on our striped dining room chairs every now and then!
YoungHouseLove says
Not ready for that! Haha. I think for one chair I could try to get up the courage, but there are eight of these guys and I picture doing all this sewing and sitting on them a week and seeing a baggy result and then throwing them all out the window. Haha. Maybe if my mom comes for a visit she can teach me the sewing ropes and see what we come up with!
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Understandable! My sewing machine has been in it’s box for 2 years now. I need curtains for my nursery but eh at 38 weeks, I think I’ll just go with the iron on stuff :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, good luck with the nursery Rebecca!
xo,
s
Lauren@FilingJointly says
I like the chairs! Probably because gray is like my favorite color. (I’m quite boring.)
I worked at an Ace Hardware in high school so I had a discount on such items as dowel rods and garbage bags, which my dad much appreciated, but for me just wasn’t THAT exciting.
Until I realized that I also had a discount on spray paint.
My wooden desk chair probably went through about 12-15 modifications in two years. (It was the only thing my mom would let me spray paint.)
I changed that thing with my mood. One Christmas (I’m obsessed with Christmas) I even spray painted it red and then added white stripes a la a candy cane.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that you kept spray painting your desk a million different colors! My mom let me paint my closet doors and those things went through some crazy transformations (fluffy white clouds on them? Sure!).
xo,
s
Skooks says
I appreciate that you guys always try to use what you got before getting new . . . sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but when it does it’s totally worth it. That’s how I am. I like to think it’s because I’m smart and resourceful and not just because I’m not dripping with cash to afford to buy new stuff all the time. ;)
As for how they look, I’m sure you’ll deal with them how you always do . . . live with it for awhile and change sometime later after you’ve saved the money if you end up not liking them. Look at me, I think I know you!
Amanda French says
LOVE it! I am interested to see how it holds up over time… and there really was none of it coming off on clothes?
YoungHouseLove says
Nope! It’s oil-based so once it dries it’s sort of like dyed fabric. It’s bonded. Haha.
xo,
s
Kathy says
Sherry, Sorry if this is a duplicate question… but I am wondering if the spray paint leaves a paint smell on the fabric…? (That’s always one of the reasons I am hesitant to spray paint stuff.)
Thanks–
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully they don’t have any odor! I’m a huge fan of leaving sprayed things outside to “bake off” since offgassing speeds up in the sun. Four full days of that plus a day of sitting in our sunroom (to make sure they didn’t smell before bringing them in) did the trick!
xo,
s
emily @ go haus go says
I love the spray painting confidence! Every upholsterer is shaking in their seats, hoping this trend doesn’t catch on. I just recommended some friends do this to their floral couch (of the grandma variety) that’s in a sitting room. For something that doesn’t get used often, it just doesn’t make sense to spend the dough up pricey upholstery.
Kristin says
I am really not a fan.. but I definitely applaud your effort. It was certainly worth trying as the style of the chair works really well with the table and the slip covers really were not working. Perhaps, in real life, they do look better. But from here, they just look cheap, and.. painted. I think, for the money you spent, they were still worth the purchase until you can afford what you really want. And I am totally in the “work with what you have” camp. So kuddos for effort but this might go into the fail category. You can’t win them all!
Amanda says
This is timely… I bought bar stools with a leather top from Joss & Main that claimed to be orange and are really red. I am contemplating spray painting them a new color because the red is kind of 80’s-esque. But the closest I get to DIY’ing is reading your blog and the “spray paint leather” websites are intimidating. Seriously, it appears easier to redo the whole room to make the stupid 80’s style come back in full force that repaint chairs.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh you should definitely look into spray made for leather because I think it’s made with flex in it so it doesn’t crack or peel since leather is so smooth and bendy. Good luck!
xo,
s
Meredith says
Another blogger (can’t remember who!!) wrote about some leather top barstools and painting them. They were initially happy with them but they started to crack. Just a thought…
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we have heard that about leather. So many things to consider!
xo,
s
Crystal says
I LOVE the new gray color!! And that subtle pattern? *swoon* Team gray all the way! :)
Sue says
Uh oh. Time to splur for for new chairs. They are looking kind of cheap.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no worries I still have the baggy old brown slipcovers if we decide to cover the spray! It’s one of the only reasons I had the guts to spray them! In person they’re not bad though! At least not bad enough to buy eight new chairs. Haha.
xo,
s
Angela L says
I love them, though I’m stunned that one can spray-paint upholstered chairs! Of course, if anyone can do it, you can!
Kami Buchanan says
I love you and everything you do, but I vote to re cover them or maybe paint them a brighter color. Everything in your house is so bright and cheery and when you had the brown chairs with the brown table, I thought it was a little dark and now, they don’t seem to fit at all. I’m sure you will live with it and realize that very quickly. Maybe one day a more modern looking chair would be amazing. Love your blog and all you do!
NPL says
I second this vote!! Thinking they look very dark with the table. if anyone can learn to reupholster, it would definitely be you…you are beyond talented!! Slipcovers all seem to sag so I’d skip that and go straight to trying to reupholster.
YoungHouseLove says
Someday we’d love to reupholster all of them! It’s going to be a big job, but I hope I can work up the momentum someday!
xo,
s
Nicole Dube says
I really like the new look. Some nailhead detail would really finish it off well!
Lesley says
I am glad you tried this and shared with us but not one of my favorite projects. Can’t wait to see what you do tothem next.
chrissie lynn says
i really like them! especially for a quick “we’re so over the saggy brown covers” fix. i’ll admit, every living room shot i saw always had my eyes go RIGHT to those chairs, something didn’t feel right, you are too bold for that old brown.
as for covering the chairs – i have a fear of sewing most of the time and for projects like this i sometimes buy an inexpensive replica of what i’m hoping to do and use a seam ripper to figure out the shapes/pieces that the manufacturer started with, might be a good idea for a test run if you feel like making your own less saggy slip covers down the road.
Lynn says
So I was about to get cray-zay & try to cut up two separate sets of panels of curtains & sew them back together to create some thick horizontal stripe action. Those curtains do not exist anywhere!! And it’s free since I have everything already…holler!
But now I’m wondering if I should just tape off the white ones instead & spray ’em?
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone ever spray curtains? I don’t know if thinner fabric would get crunchy or blotchy. Maybe do a test with a similar fabric remnant to be sure they still drape nicely?
xo,
s
Brittney Saffell says
I like how the texture shows through the paint and the depth the metallic paint adds. I look forward to seeing how it holds up! :)
Brenda says
I definitely think the ORB is better than schlumpy slipcovers. I always think it’s kind of fun to see how your crazy ideas turn out. :)