Welcome back, amazing friends! I have a really pretty one for you today! I’m sharing how to recover a Louis XVI armchair using a gorgeous chair from my latest haul to demonstrate!
I’ll be honest, I had to do a little googling to find out the style/period of this chair lol.
Whatever kind it is, it was an absolutely fabulous find for only $9.99 at the thrift store:
I actually found two similar chairs upholstered to match one another:
At first, I just brought one of them to the checkout, but I just could not leave the other one behind.
I snapped a quick photo of the second one before removing the tag at the checkout just for proof of this steal ha ha…
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
How to upholster a Louis XVI Armchair
My best tip before beginning an upholstery project is to take lots of photos of how the current upholstery is placed. Here, I took photos mostly of the welt trim. You can use that for reference if need be later.
To start, I removed all of the welt trim:
I decided to leave the current upholstery on the seat and arms attached since it was in great condition and it was the only layer, but the backing did have to be removed, so that was next:
I set that foam aside to reuse later and removed the fabric that was on the back side as well as all the remaining staples. This tool is a huge help for removing all those staples! (The other in that set is for nail head trim.)
Clean
Once I had all those staples removed, I cleaned all the wood areas well with White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water…
Once I was done, I replaced my water with clean water and gave it another once over to remove any residue. (You can dump your old water in the toilet as it will be safely diluted and treated that way.)
Paint
Painting is always my favorite part! I got right to it giving this chair three coats of bright white Cotton by Dixie Belle.
Sand
Next, I sanded to smooth and distress using 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge:
This paper comes in full sheets that I cut into four pieces.
If you prefer no distressing, opt for these sanding sponges instead.
Seal
To seal, I chose Easy Peasy Spray wax this time:
This is perfect for applying a sealer to all those details! Just shake until you no longer hear the liquid inside and spray. Then, use a soft cloth to buff it into your surface.
Finally, the upholstery part!
I sifted through all my fabrics and settled on this combination:
Starting with the seat, I cut my fabric just a bit larger than the seat on all sides.
Then, using my El Cheapo staple gun, I started stapling the fabric across the front in the center, just above the wood frame:
I then flipped it around, pulled it taut, and began stapling across the back the same way, pulling it taut as I went:
When I got close to where the arms and back met the seat, I trimmed those areas close enough so that I could tuck those areas under neatly…
Of course, I attached the sides also…
I did the same for the arms and then trimmed the excess as close to the staples as possible. (It helps to have really sharp scissors for this step, preferably fabric scissors that are only used for fabric if possible.)
Upholstering the back
For the back, I chose this pretty, coordinating fabric that was once a pair of curtains I scored at HomeGoods ages ago:
I stapled this the same way and trimmed that fabric as well. You can see from the back that there is no piping or welt trim to cover the raw edges, and that is why I had to remove the previous fabric from the back completely.
I used it to on another project HERE!
I added the foam I had removed earlier back, covered it with my new fabric, and stapled it in place…
Once I trimmed the excess fabric there, I was ready to trim this chair out with double welt trim!
Double Welt Trim
To cover all the staples, you have two choices. One, you can add gimp trim that you can by like this trim here. It’s very reasonable and I think that black gimp trim would have been fabulous!
However, I went with the second option which is to cover the staples with double welt trim.
If you can sew a straight line and have the most basic of sewing machines, you can totally make this!
I used my rotary cutting mat set to cut my pieces 2.5″ wide first and then made my double welt trim:
I already have a simple-to-follow tutorial for making double welt trim HERE.
The final step was to glue the trim in place, and I did that with my Ryobi cordless glue gun:
If you already have the Ryobi batteries, I highly recommend this glue gun!
The After of This Louis XVI armchair
What do you think of it now??
While the black gimp trim would have been fabulous, I do love that the matching trim kind of disappears…
I love the whimsy of the black and white gingham check on this more formal frame.
And how about that back??
So fun!
The distressing is just enough…
And a closer peek at the double welt trim:
I love how this one turned out, but I think I’ll be doing the second one a little differently.
I get to cross another one of my very long to-do list!
See any you’ve missed below:
How to Repurpose a Table Top
Dated Bar Stool Makeover
Update a Yard Sale Tote for the Holidays
Painting the Smalls #31 (the dollar edition)
IKEA Bookcase Makeover
I’d love to know what you think of the black and white down below. Or did you prefer the green?
I’ve already started on that ginormous antique cabinet for Furniture Fixer Uppers next Thursday, so I’ll be back with something a bit smaller on Tuesday.
I’ll be sharing what I did with these frames:
Update: See how these thrifted frames became fun new holiday decor HERE!
Have a lovely weekend!
XOXO,
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Petra says
One of my fave pieces Christy – such a lovely job ☺️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! XOXO
Donna Marie says
You did a swell job on this chair!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Donna! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh I love it, it looks so classic in black and white on that chair and style! I love the fabric on the back a well, it looks so french and beautiful! I can’t wait to see what you do to the other chair, I am sure it will be beautiful as well!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! It’s fun to break up all the painting with an upholstery project every once in a while. And my niece had her baby on the 12th! 6 lb 8 oz baby girl named Lily. She’s so beautiful! XOXO
Janet Huey says
The newer version will look terrific in more homes:)
What great timing!
I found a Broyhill side chair just yesterday and even though much simpler, your picture taking idea is a huge help with my skill level.
I learned that Broyhill went out of business in 2018 and Big Lots took over the brand.
Thank you.
Christy says
Thank you, Janet! I think so too. And yay…yes, my first upholstery project was a very complicated one, but taking those photos help me through it so much more easily. I have seen Broyhill at Big Lots but hadn’t realized they took over the brand. Interesting! Good luck with your chair! XOXO
Christine says
Amazing transformation!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christine! XOXO
Carolyn says
Fabulous job Christy. Just love the fabric choices you made. Magnifique as the french would say!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carolyn! Ha ha yes! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy,
Beautiful, as always. Ya know I love those Louie chairs, and updated makes them better. LOL – I wasn’t paying complete attention and thought the back fabric was going to be on the seatback front, too. What a surprise. I love it the way it is…
Enjoy your new niece; what a blessing…..hope everyone is happy, well and healthy! I bet auntie will spoil her …..with tons of love.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janice! I just love this style of chair too! It was fun to swap out the fabrics just on the back… Definitely an upgrade from the green, I think. That wasn’t quite pretty enough for these chairs. And thank you! She is such a doll! XOXO.
Terri Weaver says
I have been following you for several years. I look forward to your posts every Tuesday and Thursday. You never seem to disappoint me with your makeovers! I have also learned a lot and have been encouraged to do some of my own. Thank you!!
Christy says
That means so much to me, Terri, thank you! I am so thrilled to hear that you have gotten creative as well. That is the best compliment! XOXO.
Jane Windham says
That spray wax looks interesting because I don’t like to get paste wax on my hands! Fabulous makeover! Pinning in case I do a chair in the future!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jane! This spray wax is great, since it is so easy to apply on these more detailed pieces! XOXO
Kathy W says
Christy, love the chair!!
Perfect choice of fabric. I hope whoever gets the chair, the front and the back will be seen in their space!! Beautiful!!
Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kathy! I just love a black and white gingham check. I’ll be sad to part with this one lol. XOXO.
Cecilia says
Love the black and white. So chic. Can’t wait to see what you do to the other one. ????
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cecelia! I figure you can’t go wrong with a classic black and white! I’m excited to see what I do with the other one too ha ha! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Love it- so much fun and up-to-date for today’s use. It is so much fun to see what you can do with fabric, paint and imagination….and what a steal at $10! Hugs- Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! Fabric projects are so fun because they go much more quickly than painted ones. And yes, I definitely could not pass them up for $10 each! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Jaye says
Christy, is there nothing you can’t do? I have such admiration for your imagination and talent. Thank you for sharing them with us.
This project is beautiful!
Christy says
Aww, I appreciate that so much, Jaye, thank you! I’ll try just about anything once lol. XOXO
Denise Vallo says
Bravo!!!! Love it!!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Denise! XOXO
Mary C King says
Beautiful! May favorite blend on romantic, traditional and cottage!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my sweet friend! I love that combination too! XOXO
Amanda says
Love it, great work Miss Christy! So so much better now than the before. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Amanda! I have to agree…that green fabric wasn’t doing this pretty piece any favors lol! XOXO
Vicki Bauerle says
Super cute! One of my favorites that you have done.
Christy says
Aww yay! I love hearing that, Vicki! Thank you so much! XOXO
Laura J says
You did it again Christy… another beauty!!!! Can’t go wrong with black & white, and the fabric on the back elevates the chair even more. LOVE it!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Laura! I agree…there’s just something so classic about black and white together! XOXO
Cyndi says
Love it! And I love the classic black & white, as well. I don’t know that I could be brave enough to try this project, but yours turned out beautifully! 🙂
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cyndi! It’s easier to be brave when it only cost $9.99 lol. But I bet you would surprise yourself! XOXO
Margie says
The chair is beautiful & I think would work in just about any decor. Would be fun to do other one with back fabric & add black & white to the back.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Margie! I was thinking I would do the other one to coordinate, but not do it exactly the same. We shall see! XOXO
Reyor Hannah says
One of your best transfigurations! Love the back in text. Wowza!!!
Christy says
Aww I’m so glad you like it, Hannah, thank you!! XOXO
Ava says
Nice job! I think I would have chosen the other fabric for the arms for an additional contrast. But still a nice job. Did you think about that when you finished the back? Or was the print to big for such a small area?
Christy says
Thank you, Ava! I did consider using the lighter fabric on the arms, but I thought the white fabric on the arms might not stay as clean as the check. That would have looked so cute though! XOXO
MrsSW says
AS soon as I saw the before picture in the newsletter I knew you would do something wonderful with that chair – and I was correct. Although I did think you would use the print for the welting with the gingham when I saw how you were recovering it.
Lovely job, as usual.
Sheila
Christy says
Aww thank you, Sheila! There are so many fun ways to redo these chairs! Using the lighter one as piping would have been great too! XOXO
Margie Fondse says
love this chair!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Margie! XOXO
Elle says
Wow! I love this project and what a steal on both chairs. This is one of your best. Time to hit up the thrift store…
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Elle! Thank you!! They were such a fantastic find for sure, and I’m so glad I decided to go back and get the second one! XOXO
JANET SCHEN says
As usual your finished project is fabulous! Love the black check and your curtain fabric for the back. I have a chair very similar to this that I reupholstered years ago, but I love your so much more. May be time for a redo on mine.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janet!! That is the great thing about upholstery…you can always change it up! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I think you are amazing for taking on upholstery projects, Christy. And you make it look so easy! I love gingham, and when you add a coordinating fabric to the back, it’s even better. So beautiful, this one won’t last long, I’m sure.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! It seems like it’s been a bit since I did an upholstery job. Fabric projects go so much faster, so they are fun to do! XOXO
Marietta says
How timely! Although I remember the first set of these you did with the extra cushion. I have kept my eye open for a set. I finally found them and I am so ready to get to them.
Did you NOT staple the fabric into the wood? I have always gone into the wood on all my cushioned chairs. Is it more likely to rip that way?
I still have a while to get to mine. But I am going to get there!
Thanks for posting another one of these!
Christy says
Yes..I still use those with the extra cushion in our eat-in kitchen all these years later! I do staple the fabric right into the wood as well. I’m not sure it would hold otherwise, so you are doing it just right! Time to get dust those chairs off and get to work lol! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, it looks absolutely fabulous, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele!! Happy Sunday! XOXO
Cheryl B Acampora says
Wow! That chair looks so good! Luv the checks and double welt. Another great job!!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! Now to decide what to do on the other lol! XOXO
Joanne H. says
Love the updated chair. You have a gift for listening when a piece of furniture, or an item, speaks to you and then bringing to life what you “heard”.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Joanne! I enjoyed listening to where this one was telling me where to go! XOXO