Hello, sweet friends! Today, I have a $3 thrift store chair makeover to share with you. Although this is a complete makeover today, consider it a sneak peek for Thursday!
The last piece of furniture in my current haul is a dressing table. However, It needed a chair go with it, so I stopped by a few thrift stores here and there hoping to come across one that would match, and I got lucky with this one:
It was marked down TWICE to $2.98:
Y’all know I love clearance at the thrift store! The lines of this chair matched the dressing table pretty well though, so it was just perfect!
Because I’m starting on my spring yard work and mulch today, I’m stretching this set over two days and will be back with the dressing table on Thursday!
I know…so mean to make you wait lol.
Clean
Like all furniture makeovers, I started with a good cleaning using White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water:
These terry cloth applicator pads are ideal for this purpose. White Lightning is a degreaser and a deglosser, so this is designed for paint prep and is not recommended for surfaces you do not intend to paint.
I swapped my water out for clean water and gave everything another wipe down to remove any residue.
Paint
I chose Fluff for this chair. I love the coverage that this vintage white has!
Two coats usually does the trick!
Sand
Once that was dry, I sanded to smooth all over using these fine grit sanding sponges…
Adding a Transfer
Redesign just released BRAND NEW transfers, decoupage papers, and moulds yesterday, and I am SO excited to use one of them!
Find them all listed in my Etsy Shop HERE. I’ll keep them on the first page for a couple of days.
For this chair, I’m using the Pastels Artistry Middy transfer:
It’s soft and lovely!
I used some of this one and some from the larger Maxi Pastels Artistry size also. It also comes in the large size HERE as well.
I kept adding until I felt like it had enough.
Seal
Then I sealed with two coats of Clear Coat in the satin finish using the blue sponge applicator.
I may go back over the seat part with Gator Hide just for additional protection for that transfer. (Always put Clear Coat between Gator Hide and transfers as the Gator Hide can cause transfers to lift.)
$3 Thrift Store Chair After
Look at this clearance thrift store chair now!
Ok kinda ho hum there… let’s get in closer!
I added some fun pieces on the leg…
And a little on the back…
But the seat is the prettiest:
I kept it light with the transfers since I’m just trying to match it to the dressing table, but you could really have fun with it if it were to stand alone all cute in a corner.
The Back
The back got a little more…
I combined a few single pieces for this part…
Isn’t this transfer so pretty??
I’ll be back with the dressing table on Thursday!
UPDATE: I can’t wait for you to see them together HERE!
See ya then!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh that is so sweeet! I love the soft colors in the transfer, and that chair was a perfect canidate for the transfer with the flat slats! Now I can’t wait to see the dressing table on Thursday! No fair teasing like that, I know it will be beautiful just like the chair!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I hated to wait to share the dressing table, but I can’t wait for y’all to see it! XOXO
Kathy says
Christy – the chair is so pretty. The placement you chose for the transfer is just perfect!! Your vision is impeccable. I’m hoping that some of your creativity rubs off on me one of these days as I view your blogs. Lol. I read often where you sand all over on your pieces to achieve the smooth, buttery finish. That is something I have, so far, not been able to accomplish but I keep trying on every project I work on. I guess I am a slow learner. Hahaha!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful projects!!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Kathy, thank you! It also helps to apply the paint all in one direction so you get the “neatest” application possible. 220 grit sandpaper works great but it may distress the edges a bit when you hit them. Try the sanding sponges I link to in the post if you prefer no distressing. I hope that helps! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, magnifique!! What a beautiful choice to herald and welcome spring! And, you are forgiven for making us wait – I know it will be worth it; my spring garden chores are also calling – some days it’s paint or plant – love both so it’s a hard choice.
Christy says
Merci beaucoup, Janice! I hated to make y’all wait, but it will be worth it lol. I am so excited to finally get outside too and get her pretty again! XOXO
Janice Holt says
What a pretty chair. Love how you placed the transfers. Can’t wait to see the dressing table. Enjoy being outside.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Heading out there now to make it all pretty after the ugly days of winter! XOXO
Nana Diana says
What a sweet little chair. It would look great just about anywhere. Love it! Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! It sure would! XOXO
gwen says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Christy! I love the freedom of where you placed the transfers!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Gwen! There are so many possibilities…I could have kept going and going lol! XOXO
Janina says
That is really a gorgeous transfer, Christy! It would also look pretty on top of soft pastel colours. Amazing that they were practically giving away that chair! Nice score for you!
Christy says
Thank you, Janina! I was so excited to use it! It’s almost a neutral, and I just love that. I really scored on that chair for sure! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
So pretty. Love the little transfers used.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I love this set of transfers too! XOXO
Nancy says
Oh! My! Goodness!
who would have thought this beautiful swan was hiding as a plain Jane!
You certainly transformed her into a one-of-a-kind beauty!
Your talents are limitless and I LOVE IT!
Christy says
Aww thank you SO much, Nancy! I really appreciate that. It is amazing what a little paint and some transfers can do! XOXO
Cyndi says
I love this chair and the new transfer is soooo pretty! I will definitely be ordering that!
Don’t hurt your back again doing all that yardwork. Ouch!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi!! I couldn’t wait to use this on something! I was very careful with my back today lol. I prepped all my beds…mulch tomorrow! XOXO
Bonnie says
I guessed the one on the seat(though thought it would be centered) and kinda guessed something on the back pieces(though I thought it would be a saying)I guessed nothing on the legs(Though you put that beautiful design there)So see I guessed everything right 😺
No really it turned out so pretty and when you randomly do stuff like that it keeps us on our toes. Can’t wait for Thursday. Hugs
Christy says
Ha ha! I’m glad I can keep y’all guessing! Thank you, Bonnie! I can’t wait to share the rest on Thursday!! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh my goodness. First ! is you got that all wood chair in great condition for the cost of a large pack of gum. Amen, whoo hoo and all that. Well done.
But that new transfer???? I absolutley looooove it. Love love love it and it looks amazing on that remarkable project. I cannot WAIT for the table too. (Love that and it’s going to be awesome!)
Christy says
Thank you, Michele!! What a deal that chair was and it matches the table SO well! I could not wait to use this transfer on something and this set is just perfect for it! See you Thursday, my friend! XOXO
Cheryl r Atkinson says
Hi Christy! Oh yay, new stuff. The chair is so pretty. I bet the dressing table is adorable
Christy says
Hi Cheryl! Thank you! I’m really excited for y’all to see the whole set! XOXO
Cecilia says
adorable! That turned out so sweet! Can’t wait to see it with the dressing table.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m excited to share them together! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
You obviously know the old saying, “less is more”. You really impacted that little chair in such a good way. When I first saw your picture of it I thought, “ohhh, nooo, what did Christy run into with the ugly pillow perched on top?!” I was so relieved to see the finish. Good job, ma’am!
Christy says
Ha ha! Thank you, Caye! The cushion actually matched the transfer very well, but no go lol! XOXO