I used this tutorial from The Family Handyman for reupholstering the seat. I thought I could reuse the existing foam cushion, but the size wasn't right according to the tutorial, so off I went to buy a new cushion. I cut it with an electric knife, which was the second time that knife has ever been used. I used regular density foam instead of the high density foam because it was was white instead of green and I definitely didn't want it to show through the fabric. I also chose to use 2" foam instead of 1" because no one likes sitting in an uncomfortable chair! My bum comfort was worth the extra dollar or two I spent. Also, Rolo was a champ, laying by me while I used the staple gun and hammer, while Pepper hid upstairs.
Painting the chair was a slow and steady process. I used this tutorial from The Frugal Girl that recommended using furniture paint, long brush strokes and thin layers of furniture paint. I used an electric sander for the first time ever to remove the shiny finish but had to sand a lot of the rounded edges and receded legs by hand (see the during picture below). That took twice as long as as by machine and sure gave me a workout. I didn't want to buy special furniture paint, so I thinned the paint of the darkest wall stripe and painted as directed. Then followed a series of painting and waiting and painting and waiting. After the final coat of paint dried, I noticed the chair felt tacky, so I let it dry some more, hence the late post.
I've noticed at night the chair blends in with the curtains and isn't as dark as the stripe, maybe because I thinned it? I love how the chair looks! I may have started an addiction to painting furniture!
