This seven post series was inspired by a table and chairs that I drooled over at Slumberland Furniture for nearly seven months. I decided to go for an table and chairs “upcycle” with what I already had at home. Working with this table and chairs was a labor of love, but the total cost was less than $100. I love the finished product. This was only my second upcycle experience! Anyone can do this. I’m a beginner, too. The finished table now resides in my sewing and writing studio. One chair sits by my sewing machine, another at my computer.

Priming & Painting

1. Sand the project. I used a 120 grit sandpaper. This was recommended to me on several blogs & by the gentleman at the local hardware store.

2. Prime. Primer helps to get a good covering onto the project. Since I was going from dark to light, the primer helped save me a few coats of the white semi-gloss paint. I also think that primer soaks in to the wood better than regular paint. (I suggest buying cans of spray primer. I did not do this and priming took me HOURS to paint by hand with a brush – lesson learned).  

3. Paint. Again, I suggest painting by using spray cans. It is so much faster!! The key with using a spray paint can paint a chair (or any other piece) this going SLOWLY. Going to fast causes the paint to run and it looks “unprofessional.” Even if you are going for a rustic, worn-out look paint runs aren’t part of that style. Going slow keeps the paint nice and smooth.

With the coat of semi-gloss the furniture takes on a shiny, clean look.

4. Touch-Ups. Inevitably, I missed a few spots. After the paint dries go back and touch up.

Thanks for reading!