Library Chair Makeover

When I showed you my grandfather clock makeover, I told you about how Mr. Longhorn (my husband) came with some inherited furniture when we got married.  
One piece is this old library chair.  

It is a chair his mother (who is still living, by the way, so it’s not really an inherited piece) got from a former neighbor somewhere along the way.  There are actually two of them (both of which have been sitting in my attic) but I decided to experiment on one to see if I might like it in my foyer.  It’s been looking a little dull and uninteresting lately.
I cleaned it up and set it the entry and decided it needed to be painted.  
It was nicely rustic already, but since I have a plethora of stained wood happening in my house I thought a painted piece would be better.
I got out my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in graphite and got to work.

I painted one coat of graphite and then gave it a coat of AS clear wax, then buffed and sanded and then added a coat of AS dark wax, then buffed and sanded a little more.

I also made a cute little farmhouse-type cushion for it with some fabric I already had on-hand.

I also re-covered a pillow I already had with a remnant of fabric I already had (notice a pattern here?) and added that as well.

I moved a ceramic jar from my kitchen next to the chair just for kicks and called it a day.

I’m thinking a cute little umbrella basket or some other tall, skinny piece might look nicer next to the chair.  The jar isn’t quite the right scale.  Maybe something that can hold the dog leashes and poop bags?  Yes, I just said “poop” on my blog! Gah!  Hey…I’m all about practical decor…umbrellas aren’t exactly a big necessity most of the time here in Texas but somewhere to easily store and hide the doggie stuff would be nice!

Even without the perfect sidekick for the chair, I kind of like this look for now.
The best part is it didn’t cost me anything…I did it with things I already had.  You know my husband loves it when that happens — so do I!
Thanks for reading!

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Comments

  1. Jenna LaFevor says:

    Love it, Julie!! That seat pad is great!

  2. You are so talented. The chair is great to start with but the cushion and chair just make it! I love the fabrics you chose. What’s up with your dining room?

  3. Tara @ Suburble says:

    That’s beautiful! The graphite colour is awesome. I still haven’t delved in the Annie colours yet, but I know that I need to!

  4. Jamie {Better With Age} says:

    I love this! You did such a good job. And you made that striped cushion? Have you ever done a tutorial on that? Gorgeous!!
    Jamie @ Better With Age

  5. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says:

    It looks great, Julie! The chair pad looks fab too. I love it when I can use things I already have around the house to do a little sprucing up! :)

  6. Art and Sand says:

    Great job on the chair. I like the style of pillow you made for the seat. I will have to try one.

  7. Gretchen says:

    love that chair, and you did a great job remaking it! and, yes, you’ve got to have somewhere for your poop bags :)

  8. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says:

    I love it, what a great chair. I would love for you to link up to my ongoing party Inspire Me. – -http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/06/170th-inspire-me-tuesday.html. Hugs, Marty

  9. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says:

    The chair looks beautiful painted! I also love the fabrics you’ve chosen for the pillow and cushion!

  10. At Rivercrest Cottage says:

    love all things painted and that chair is one of them! your home is lovely.

  11. Jamie {Better With Age} says:

    You’ve been featured at Give Me The Goods! Be sure to grab a button. http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/06/features-no14-from-give-me-goods.html
    Jamie @ Better With Age

  12. Hi Julie
    Love the ‘new’ chair. I have one that swivels down in the garage and I still have graphite after doing a dresser and some chalkboards. Also have some fabric remnants and some foam left over from doing the dining room chairs. So guess I know what my next project will be. Thanks for showing your lovely work and motivating me to get to work on my chair.
    How about a round basket with a cover for the doggie things? I think maybe at least as tall as the chair seat and a domed cover to raise it up just a bit more. And somewhat larger in diameter than the ceramic pot. I can see it, can you? LOL Marje

  13. This turned out so cute! I am looking at Annie Sloan colors today to paint a piece I’ve had in the garage forever. I hope my project turns out as good as yours!

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