$9 Vintage Chair Update

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Paint and stain create a whole “new vintage” look for this $9 vintage chair update!

Hello friends!

When I was at the ReStore (about the only place I can find furniture these days!) recently, I came across a vintage chair. Well, an Early American Empire chair, to be exact. It was in great shape except that the finish was somewhat worn. I considered sanding it and refinishing it, keeping it wood. However, with all of the grooves and turns, I decided to paint it instead.

Maybe one of these days I’ll get this sander. I’ve wanted to for forever! But just haven’t yet, it’s pricey. One day! Once I do, sanding some of these old wood pieces will be so much easier.

Until then, paint might remain my best friend. lol

Vintage Chair Update

Here is how I found it.

A vintage chair with a woven cane seat sits in front of a glass display case in a store. The word BEFORE is written at the bottom, highlighting this $9 chair before its stylish Chair Update.

They called it a hymn chair…and cherry. I’m fairly certain it is mahogany, however.

A close-up of a wooden chair with a Habitat for Humanity price tag that reads, Vintage Chair cherry Hyman Co. basket seat, placed on the decorative backrest.

As I mentioned, my first thought was to restore it.

But paint won.

Maybe if it were a set, but since there was only one, painting was a good choice.

MATERIALS SOURCE LIST

 

CLEAN

First, we clean.

A hand holds a spray bottle labeled TSP ALT. and a blue cleaning cloth, preparing for a chair update, with a vintage chair and wooden floor in the background.

I used TSP Alternative to clean it up.

And it was pretty dirty.

A close-up photo of a textured, blue microfiber cloth with a few small, colorful specks on its surface. Perfect for refreshing vintage furniture or giving your favorite vintage chair an easy update, the cloth is laid out flat with gentle folds.

PRIME

And since this is that fun red wood that loves to “bleed”, I sprayed it with primer before painting.

A vintage chair with a cane seat is partially painted in light blue and white, sitting on a drop cloth on a hardwood floor, with a sofa and blanket in the background—perfect for your next chair update.

PAINT

“Chateau” is a nice, neutral beige.

A gloved hand holds a jar of Fusion Mineral Paint in Chateau with a paintbrush, beside a partially painted blue and white vintage chair on a wooden floor—perfect for your next vintage furniture update.

Perfect for what I have planned next.

A close-up of a hand painting the wooden frame of an upside-down vintage chair white. The chair has a woven cane seat, and paint supplies are visible on the work surface underneath, showcasing a charming chair update in progress.

A close-up of an upside-down vintage chair being painted white, focusing on the woven cane seat. A paintbrush is visible in the lower right corner, updating this charming piece of vintage furniture with a fresh coat of paint.

A gloved hand uses a round paintbrush to update a vintage chair seat with a light cream color. The intricate woven pattern of this vintage furniture piece is clearly visible.

Everything got just one coat. I didn’t mind if the wood grain showed through a bit. However, the paint covered well with just one coat.

A vintage chair with a pale beige paint finish and a cane seat sits on a workbench in a bright, airy room with cottage-style decor—the perfect setting for your next charming vintage furniture update.

STAIN

After it had dried for a day or two, I pulled out my Driftwood stain and got busy.

A can of Fusion Mineral Paint Stain & Finishing Oil (Driftwood) sits on a work surface, ready for your next vintage chair update, showing the label with product details and safety cautions.

I applied one coat…

A gloved hand uses a sanding sponge to smooth the white-painted leg of a vintage chair, with a blue vintage dresser and wooden floor visible in the background, capturing the charm of a classic chair update.

…then went back and wiped away the excess.

A gloved hand uses a cloth to apply finish to the leg of an upside-down vintage chair; an open can of paint or varnish and supplies are visible nearby, highlighting a careful chair update in progress.

You can see the difference between the painted side and the stained side here.

A gloved finger points at a detail on the backrest of a partially painted vintage chair, with a light blue cabinet and glass-paneled door visible in the background—a charming chair update in progress.

Which left a lovely vintage look all its own.

A vintage chair painted off-white with a cane seat sits on a wood floor near a blue nautical-themed dresser decorated with white marine motifs. This piece adds timeless charm to any vintage furniture collection.

I love how the stain brings out the details.

REVEAL

A vintage chair with ornate carvings on the backrest and a cane seat sits against a white wall and dark wood floor. An electrical outlet is visible on the wall behind this timeless piece.

Driftwood is a favorite of mine anyway.

Close-up of a vintage chair seat with a woven cane pattern, painted in light beige, on a dark wooden floor. The seat features a square inset and detailed lattice design, perfect for those who love vintage furniture accents.

I love how it creates a different type of vintage feel.

Close-up of a light-colored, painted wooden chair leg with carved details and a smooth finish, showcasing vintage chair restoration on a wooden floor, with part of another vintage chair visible in the background.

Close-up of the top section of a light-colored, ornately carved vintage chair with decorative scroll and leaf patterns. A round watermark with the initials acn appears in the lower right corner.

A beige vintage chair holds a straw hat draped over its back and a bouquet of white flowers on its seat, showcasing the timeless charm of vintage furniture against a white wall and wood floor.

And there’s my nosy girl, always checking everything out. haha

A beige Vintage Chair with a straw hat on the backrest and a tray of white flowers on the seat sits against a white paneled wall; nearby, a small black and white dog stands on the wooden floor—a charming scene for any Vintage Chair Update.

PIN it to save it!

A wooden Empire-style vintage chair is shown before and after a vintage chair update; the original dark brown caned seat transforms into a white, decorative piece, highlighting the beauty of expert chair restoration.

Here’s a few other Driftwood stain makeovers:

Have a great week!!

xoxo

The word Nancy is written in elegant, flowing black script, reminiscent of Chalk Style Paint For Furniture, with a heart shape used to form the dot above the letter i. The background is plain white.

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