The Chair

Although the process was longer than I planned, refinishing this chair has been both a lot of work and a lovely trip down memory lane.

The chair originally belonged to my grandma, Mabel Jenkins Clow.  It was part of a bedroom set that she had longer than I knew her.  For much of my life, the set was painted a buttery yellow.  I do have a few vague memories of the pale rose color that it was before that.  As I sanded the chair down to make it ready for new paint, I found that it had originally been blue.  A clearer, bluer blue than the ocean blue that I repainted it, but blue all the same.  With newly puffed padding, the chair is quite comfy and will serve me nicely in the sewing room (shown in the above pic.)

I purchased the fabric for the seat first...

When the fabric and I arrived at Lowes to choose paint, I learned that chair paint comes in two colors:  black and white.  Nope.  That's not going to work.  Fortunately, the paint specialist on duty that day knew her stuff and was able to help me figure out an alternate plan.  I used custom-tinted satin wall paint with an acrylic top coat.  After three coats of paint and three of acrylic, the finish is just right...not too shiny, smooth and slick enough to be durable.

Next project (I hope):  I want to paint the chair that I've been using in the sewing room up 'til now.  I have both fabric and paint left, so I think I'll make it a companion to this one.  A lovely pair of chairs to make me smile every time I sew.

Thanks, Grandma, for the chair and for the lovely memories.