Hello, beautiful friends!! As always, I am so grateful when you stop by! I finished my last haul on Tuesday and while I am still on the hunt for pieces for my next haul, I’ve got a $10 yard sale chair that is perfect to show how you can update a boring chair with stencils!
Here is how it started:
I told you it was boring!
I often find desks or dressing tables that need a chair to go with them, so I had picked this one up just in case I needed one, but I hadn’t done anything with it in a year, so it was time to go! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
After a good cleaning with White Lightning, it was time for paint.
Paint
This one got two coats of Dixie Belle’s Caviar:
Adding a Stencil
Then I decided to add a stencil to the center panel and settled on our house numbers.
I used these 1.5″ number stencils (The company is no longer in business.) and spray adhesive to prevent the paint from bleeding:
Then I filled the stencil in with three coats of white acrylic craft paint using a small craft brush and voila:
It’s important to remove the stencil while the paint is still wet, so I removed it as soon as I applied the last coat.
Then I used a liner brush to fill in the gaps that give it away as a stencil.
I shared a video that shows how I add stencils if you want to see that here:
It needed more though and so I decided to keep going and found this stencil in my stash:
Unfortunately, that’s from the same stencil company that is no longer in business. This one also got three coats of white acrylic craft paint.
sand
When everything was dry, I sanded all over, including across all the stenciled areas to smooth everything out using 220 grit sandpaper.
I get asked about the paint smearing when sanding, but I don’t seem to have any issues when I use the Delta Ceramcoat brand.
I used my shop vac with a brush attachment to vacuum up all the dust, then wiped it down with a clean cloth.
Seal
All that was left to do was seal.
I sealed with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in a satin finish using their applicator sponge…
Try not to overwork the sealer. I will often add a drop of paint to my sealer when sealing darker pieces as this helps to minimize streaking. This piece got two coats.
Here is how this boring chair looks now!
There was a time before transfers when stencils played a huge role in making over furniture and decor, and they are still fun to play with!
The satin finish is not super shiny but almost looks like a buffed finish.
How cute is it now??
Much better!
I added the Grande-Rue part on the front of the chair beneath the seat. and the back got a simple fleur-de-lis:
Now it’s like a sexy little black dress!
I had fun giving this chair a new personality! I hope you enjoyed it too.
I pulled this desk from the depths of my garage and found this little chair at a yard sale last weekend:
They made a cute set, so I’ll be back for Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday with these cuties!
UPDATE: See how this sweet this set turned out HERE now!
Have a wonderful weekend! Hopefully, mine will include finding some treasures for my next haul!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50. No code needed at checkout! Orders under $50 always enjoy $8 flat rate shipping! Most orders ship same or next business day!
Nette says
Very handsome result! Too bad those stencils are no longer available.
Christy says
Thank you, Nette! I know! I tried finding a replacement with no luck, but there are so many stencil options out there! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is so beautiful in black!! It looks so elegant in its little black dress!! I LOVE how such a simple chair can be transformed into something so beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! It looks so different, right?? Have a lovely weekend, my friend! XOXO
Christine says
Adorbs💙
Christy says
Thank you, Christine! XOXO
Petra says
I’m loving it in black 🙂 I’ve been trying to find a simple chair like this for a year now – no such luck! Anything timber is part of a dining suite set which I definitely don’t want. Looking forward to your next pieces 🙂 xo
Christy says
Thanks, Petra! It’s tough to find these lone chairs for sure! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Boring no more, Christy! I didn’t see much to admire about the chair before, and now it’s tres fantastique 😁 Great with a desk, but also alone in an entry or mudroom. I can’t believe you hung onto it for so long. I think we need a field trip to the depths of the garage 😉
Christy says
Ha ha thanks, Marcie! I have been pretty good at emptying it out with each stash, but there are still a few lingering pieces! I might need to dig a bit deeper lol! XOXO
Line says
The thin that you do is so beautiful .😘
Christy says
Thank you, Line! XOXO
Cory says
I love it! I usually have some sort of chair or bench under my covered front door each season, but I’ve never used my house number on one. I love the idea! I’d be better off with Gator Hide to seal, right? So far it’s worked well for a bench I did in a custom yellow recipe with Dixie Belle.
Christy says
Thank you, Cory! Yes, anything outdoors will do better with Gator hide! I hope you do one with your number on it. 🙂 XOXO
Nana Diana says
Very nice makeover. Can’t wait to see the tot’s desk/chair all done. Hugs- Diana
Christy says
Thanks, Diana! I don’t have a plan for that one yet! I’d better get to it lol. XOXO
Janice Holt says
Very cute chair. Can’t wait to see your haul. Hope you have a wonderful week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I found some good pieces today! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Super cute! Love the stencil! Xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Cyndi says
Looove it! Great job on the stenciling!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh isn’t that just so super cute???? I loved everything but the Grand Rue part- because it means Big Street – and my large bottom would feel is it saying Large SEAT! hahaha. Just funnin ya. Looks fabulous.
Christy says
Oh ha ha ha ha!!! That is hilarious! Thank you, Michele! XOXO
Niki says
I always enjoy when you do something in black. It’s no longer boring…that’s for sure!! My favorite part is the number stencil.
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! I really enjoy painting in black…it is so much easier than white! XOXO
Marietta R Walker says
I absolutely love this one. I have about three dozen chairs sitting around to get done. Now I have some good ideas on how to make them all gorgeous, you individuals. Wonderful idea.
Christy says
Thank you, Marietta! You can really have fun with stencils!! XOXO
Sandra Klouda says
Gosh that little chair wasn’t boring at all. I actually loved it before and after! Great job as usual.
Christy says
Thank you, Sandra! XOXO