Larissa Hill Designs: Guest Room Makeover

Friday, January 20, 2012

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Like so many DIYers, I peruse Craigslist on a regular basis. Recently, I scored these great cane chairs and knew I had to have them. For $50 they had found a new home, mine!

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Upon closer inspection, they needed a bit more love than I thought but nothing I couldn't cover with paint. My newest favorite saying is, "If all else fails, paint it".

I first removed the cushions and bottom seat and then I cleaned with TSP. Next I used my handy Klean Strip Easy Liquid Sandpaper over the entire chair. It deglosses and prepares the chair for painting. LOVE IT!!!

I then took the chairs outside and sprayed them with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer in Black followed by 2 coats of Krylon Spaces Satin Finish in Black. I feel that spray paint provides the best coverage for cane.

Craigslist Cane Chairs

My next step was to distress the chairs to expose some of the original wood where it may have worn away through normal wear and tear. I tend to use whatever grade of sandpaper I have handy. I used a not-so-fine grade this time. To be honest with you, it was a spare piece and I really don't know what grade it was. I then finished them off with my trusty wax, Howard Citrus Shield Premium Paste Wax. Bottom line, I was pleased with the overall distressing.

Now this is where I wanted to announce that these chairs are part of an overall plan to redecorate my Guest Room for expected company at the end of the month. I have sooooo much to do. Hint, hint.....black, cream and burlap are a part of the design scheme.

Next, I tackled recovering the cushions and the seat. The most important lesson I learned while completing this part of the project is to cut your fabric generously. I did not do this and subsquently, my cushion is sewn a bit too tightly.

Below is the painted chair with the seat recovered.

And finally, the completed project.... You might recognize the RELAX pillow made earlier this year for my Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway post that featured Graphique.