DIY: Chalk Paint Chair Makeover – How I Did It
DIY: Chalk Paint Chair Makeover
Have you ever wanted to have chalk painted vintage style furniture? A few weeks ago, I tackled the DIY project of turning an old chair into an all white chalk painted chair and wanted to share with how I did it! I promise you don’t need any special tools or won’t have to spend a million dollars on a chair. All you need is some paint, fabric mixing medium, sand paper, and some finishing wax. That’s it!
So, the chair I used, I bought last year and used a few times during photoshoots. It was excellent for outdoors because it was a gold yellow with brown wood, but I found I was struggling using it during studio portraits as it really needed a specific style to be used. I very badly wanted an all white chair that I could use for more photoshoots and for personal branding sessions with clients. I scoured Facebook Market, Craigslist, LetGo, and every other site and was only finding them for $150 or more! So, I decided I would go ahead and give it a try myself and see what I can do!
It definitely took some trial and error and figuring out what paint I wanted to use and I admittedly used a few because I kept buying small and due to the rich color of this chair, I needed A LOT of layers. The first 3 layers were standard little paint jars than can be used for fabric as well, fro JoAnn Fabrics. The later layers, I used standard matte house paint and added in fabric mixing medium. So, I encourage you to try and what works for you. I decided on house paint at the end because I had a TON on hand.
Before you get started, get everything you need, including a spray bottle full of water. You’ll want to spray down the fabric before you even get started as this will help the paint spread and adhere. After a good spritz, I started painting. As you can see, there were a lot of little nooks and crannies I had to get into it, so take your time! The paint brushes I used were just basic brushes that I could really rough up against the chair.
In between layers, I’d let it dry and before continuing to the next layer, I would give it a quick light sand and apply the next coat. Keep doing it until you have the coverage you need. That’s pretty much it! AND if you want to ensure it lasts longer and the chalk style paint doesn’t rub off on clothes, you can apply a fabric wax (which only takes minutes!) to protect your chair.
It was such a SIMPLE process, I’d definitely do more! Give it a try and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Now, I have an all white chair to use with my clients to really had some character to personal branding and portraits! Would you like to be photographed in this chair? Message me.
This is awesome! I would have never known you could paint a chair like this and for it to turn out soo well! So clever you are!
What an awesome transformation! That white chalk paint looks amazing on that chair and I can’t wait to see it in a photography session!
I love the transformation! Thank you so much for sharing this! I have a chair that would be great for this! I can’t wait to get started!
What an awesome DIY project! I wish I had the patience and creativity to think up projects like this!
What a beautiful transformation. We can’t believe this was a DIY project. You are so talented.
such a pretty upgrade for this chair! i always have great ambitions of doing stuff like this but never actually do it haha!
Love the transformation how the chair turned out. I am a huge fan of chalk paint too, so this is my kinda DIY project haha.
This is brilliant. I would have never thought of chalk paint for this kind of project. And the fabric wax? Genius!!
I love creative you are with this project and as a Western Pennsylvania Photographer!! Your clients are so lucky!!
You are all around an artist, from your DIY work to your potrait photography as a Western Pennsylvania photographer. I love chalk paint, it’s so versatile and fun!
I can’t wait to see you use this in one of your Pittsburgh Portrait photoshoots. Your clients will be so lucky to have you as their photographer.
What a cool project for you to work on for your Pittsburgh clients. I can’t wait to see you use these for a portrait session. I know they will look amazing because you’re an awesome photographer!