The Little Free Chair

A couple of years ago, someone gave me an awesome (yet dated) Ethan Allen wing back chair. It was in mint condition. Sadly, the upholstery was very, very, very dated. It was originally a cream with mint green and peach stripes.

 I read that you could dye fabric with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which got the wheels clicking in my brain. If you could dye fabric, could you paint fabric? A little research turned up some amazing results!

Painting fabric isn't hard, but it does take time and you might need a couple extra coats of paint as well as a little extra effort. It took about three coats of paint to cover completely. Here is what it looked like after paint. 

It won't cover the raised lines in the fabric, but will cover the pattern with full coverage. It already looks a million times better. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen for the body and Graphite for the legs. But...it still wasn't done.....

The chair looks great but was lacking in character. Perusing my vast (OK, maybe only 10) stencil selection, I found a great grain sack replica stencil. I love stencils and find a lot of great ones at Maison De Stencil. http://maisondestencils.com/

This stencil actually comes with the stencil for the strip, but it is really difficult to use on fabric, so I Frog taped lines and free handed it. I painted the strip in Primer Red. 

And finally stenciled the awesome German graphic in Graphite. 

After it dried, the entire chair got a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in clear wax. Waxing fabric gives it the look and feel of leather! It will not rub off on your butt. It wears beautifully!

Steps: three coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen, with Graphite legs

           tape off to make stripes

           use Maison de Stencil Lucas Moller #3 with stripe

           wax

           Enjoy!

Have an inspiring Sunday!