“I’m back in the saddle again…” It’s time for Round 4 of my curbside haul #trashure adventure. Yahoo! If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you’ll want to catch up to speed by heading to my first post and working through my DIY fun. Today, my focus is that lovely duo on the left. I’m going to turn them into grain sack antique chairs and show you how too.
I mentioned before that when I need a chair to complete a project, I can’t find one for anything. I’ll shop all over the place and come up empty-handed. However, it is quite the norm that when I have no need (nor room) for a chair, I will find not one, but two. ahem.
First, let me say that I normally would have grabbed these just to save them from the trash and gave them to a thrift store, etc. This time around, however, I decided since I had a set that they deserved to get a new lease on life. They are in great shape with damage to the caning and wear on those gorgeous legs. Certainly no need to throw them away, right?
DIY FUN
To get my DIY party started turning these into grain sack antique chairs, I used my putty knife to remove all the broken caning.
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
I could have replaced the caning because this was a simple design, but kinda wanted to do a different vibe this time around. Once I had the caning removed, I sanded it all down with my sander, and made minor repairs. Also, I removed the seats and set those aside for later.
PAINT TIME
Next. I originally wanted to spray outside, but our crazy weather wasn’t having it in the first part of the day, so I set up inside. Notice, I’m also using my DIY furniture turntable which makes my job a breeze. Get the turntable tutorial HERE.
You can also view my video demo of this set below as well.
BACK AT IT
Okay, so back to my chairs. After I did a coat of Kilz primer as a stain blocker (use if you are covering up mahogany or cherry stains), I was able to move my spray setup outside. Yay!
At this point, I’m giving it the first coat of my custom-mixed color. You can see my video demo how to set it all up HERE.
UPHOLSTERY
Then, in between coats of primer and paint, I tackled the upholstery. Those seats were so stinky and wet with some blucky stuff. eeewwww… However, I was so thankful that there were staples used instead of those upholstery tacks so that I could use my handy staple puller to get them out lickety-split.
This little tool is only about $6 and has save my wrists and hands oodles of owies. This chair came apart with no issues and was a simple piece of plywood. The second one, however, was a bit of a hot mess.
I don’t know the story, but I do know someone jerry-rigged this seat together. You can see the empty wooden frame kept together with electrical tape, then they nailed on a super thin piece of ply to the back of that. I even found another layer of a different upholstery under there. Weird.
Needless to say, I yanked everything apart and put most of that in my burn pile. Then, I used the good seat to make a tracing so I could cut out a new one with my jigsaw. Once everything was ready to go, I covered them with new foam, batting, and then a gorgeous linen upholstery leftover from my channel back chair redo.
Before I moved onto the upper back, I glazed the paint with my homemade glaze.
ALMOST DONE
Next, it’s time to tackle that open back. My K.I.S.S. part of my brain (keep it simple, stupid) kept telling me to fill in where the cane was with wood filler, sand it down, paint, and be done. But noooo…my lets-make-the-job-harder-as-if-we-don’t-have-anything-better-to-do part of my brain trumped my K.I.S.S. side. I am always up for a challenge. {{head smack}}
I chose to fill in the void with some upholstery fun. First, I tacked in a layer of gray ticking stripe with my stapler so you could see it from the back.
Then, I added webbing for extra support.
Last I used some scrap fabric and Feed Sack Art Stencil to create a panel to cover the center. If case you didn’t know, you can use basic acrylic paint and add a textile medium to make it fabric worthy. Just follow manufacturer instructions.
THE REVEAL
Now I can finally say my grain sack antique chairs are complete. Yay!
The broken cane afforded me the chance to change up their whole look with upholstery. I’m glad I didn’t K.I.S.S so that my vision could come to life. The linen seats, the ticking backing, and the faux grain sack all gel beautifully together.
So, did you think those cast-off chairs would turn out like this? It’s always fun to envision someone’s trash made new…#trashure.
And…did you notice I staged it with the same pie crust table I recently restored from that same curbside haul?
If you’d like to own this set, both chairs and table, plus much more are available in my online shop.
SHARE
Additionally, pin and share these grain sack antique chairs and their new look. Pinning means you can save it for later AND inspire others to see the potential in their pieces too.
Up next, the last of my #trashure haul makeovers is the drop-leaf coffee table. Any guess as to what it will become? See its new look HERE.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. PLUS, you will get your free Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Debra says
What a transformation. I would not believe it if I hadn’t seen it.
Larissa says
Thank you, Debra! You’ve made my day.
Lori Sawyer says
The chairs are beautiful and look awesome with the pie crust table
ColleenB.-Tx. says
WOW, I love what you had done to the chairs. They turned out Great.
Oh, how I could really use a paint sprayer. Will makes thing so much easier and quicker. That spray tent would also be Very handy; especially for hubby seeing how we now have blue grass in certain area of our yard. Without thinking he decided to paint our outside table blue without putting nothing underneath so along with our green lawn it is now white (primer) and blue. Right now I have a couple of chairs along with a curb find, small, 3 drawer dresser that needs a whole new make-over.
Thank You for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
Larissa says
Thanks!! I had such a blast recreating these. I know you will love this set, Colleen. It is a must for this DIYer. 😀
Bonnie Kleindl says
This would be a dream come true to win this. I love doing Diy projects. Taking something and making something else out of it.
Larissa says
You will love it, Bonnie. I hope you like my work shared today too. 🙂
Ginny says
Love the white paint on the chairs. Very elegant!
Oh how a sprayer and shelter would help with two pieces of furniture, a dresser and a coffee table, that need paint transformations! They are both bigger pieces of furniture and a sprayer would make this process so much easier!!! Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway!
Larissa says
Thank you, Ginny. It made the whole design gel better that way. Yes, the sprayer and shelter are my favorite tools.
Diana Segura says
Another awesome transformation that speaks for your talent! I love the way you can take something from almost nothing to beautiful again.
I have a several pieces of furniture accumulated over the years that someday I will have the opportunity to renew. The sprayer and tent would help prompt me to start sooner than not!
Larissa says
Diana, you’ve made me smile from ear to ear. 😀 Thank you! Isn’t it funny how some things will give us a kick in the pants to get started? haha!
Lynne Gaylor says
Love what you did with those chairs! Im always trying to think outside the box and look for creative ways to repurpose things. Thrift store shopping is so fun!! I never knew those spray tents even existed until I found your site!! I would love to find/repurpose a piece of furniture like you did. Winning the sprayer and spray tent would be so cool! Thanks for sharing! ???
Larissa says
They are one of my favorite things! So handy and storage space is key for me. I wish I had a set to give everyone. 🙂
Alison S says
I have some chairs I would paint. Thanks for the chance to win!
Larissa says
Sounds good. I hope you enjoyed my post today.
Barb says
I too have chairs to paint and having the sprayer and tent would make all the difference! It would take them from drab to fab! Love your chair makeover too. You’re always so inspiring. And my guess on the coffee table would be to update but still use as a coffee table, maybe for use on a cute summer porch.
Larissa says
You ain’t kiddin’! Chairs are my least favorite thing to paint in multiples. This sprayer and shelter rock! 😀 Thank you for loving on my work. Good guess too. 😉
Kimberly Taylor says
HI Larissa! You have so many good ideas and such a vision for each project! Beautiful work! 🙂
Larissa says
Hi Kimberly! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I do appreciate it.
Robin Fishburn says
I’d use the sprayer on a piece that I’m making over. A nice curved glass curio/ secretary combo that will be painted because the veneer is in bad shape. And the shelter will save my backnporch from another coat of spray paint from my many projects. Lol.
Larissa says
Sounds good.
Jan Donley says
I love the chairs, and I’m very glad you added the extra wonderfulness on the back of the chairs! A little bit of ticking helps most things!!!
I would use the sprayer to pint a bench I’m making from an old headboard and footboard-if it would just quit raining on the weekends!!!
Larissa says
Thank you for getting my thinking. It needed a peek-a-boo. hee hee! Love those kinds of benches too! 😀
Jauquetta Schmiedeskamp says
These are amazing! What a great transformation. You up dated them without losing the wonderful vintage vibe. Well done!
Larissa says
Happy dance! Thank you so much for the love, Jauquetta.
Denise Vrooman says
Lol…I would have stuck with KISS & missed out on an elegant result! Thanks for sharing your unique creative ideas & expertise with us!
Larissa says
Too funny! I am such a sucker for punishment, but it usually turns out well despite it all. Thanks so much, Denise.
Rebecca Drake says
Love the makeover! I could use the sprayer on my kitchen cabinets. It is going to take me a long to paint by hand!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Larissa says
Thanks! They sure are my least fave to paint too.
Jonnie says
Love the look of these chairs! I would use the sprayer and shelter to help transform our old change table into something more useful now that everyone is out of diapers.
Larissa says
How fun to hear, Jonnie, Thanks! Sounds like some DIY fun headed your way. I’ve redone a few of those for different reasons too. One is my potting table you can see here on my blog.
Amy Giannini says
I was anxious to see what you did with those chairs, and you outdid my expectations! They are lovely! Thanks for showing so clearly how to fix damaged cane-backs–that may come in handy someday!
Larissa says
Wahoo!!! That is super fun to hear, Amy. Thank you! It’s the same for seats too, just the webbing would need to be beefed up more.
Sherry Riggs says
Yay! What will you think of next!
Larissa says
tee hee! I’m so glad you like them. Onward! 😀
Lorraine Hartman says
Love this makeover. You are so creative. I would love to win a sprayer. I have never used one and would love to try it out.
Larissa says
Thanks! You will love it for it’s ease in painting and cleanup.
Kimberly says
Thanks, Larissa! You have given me motivation to fix chairs with broken caning that I have been leery of.
Larissa says
My absolute pleasure! 😉
Audra Taliaferro says
The chairs look awesome! Very clever to put the ticking in the back and create an upholstered center – I never would’ve thought of that!
I have a buffet in my dining room that is in need of a redo, so that would be the first thing I would use with the sprayer and shelter.
Thanks so much for the chance!
Larissa says
Thanks! Replacing the caning just wasn’t feasible and this was, in essences, easier. You will love this tool set! 😀
MoeWest says
Your chairs look wonderful now! I have a set of dining chairs with similar legs that I would refinish if I win the sprayer.
Larissa says
I am delighted with the turn out. Thank you. 🙂
Anne says
Wow! Great job on the chairs. I would love the sprayer to use on a couple of wooden footstools.
Larissa says
Thanks bunches, Anne! You will love it. 😀
gwen says
love the transformation! i always shy away from broken caning, but this gives me some inspiration! i would love to spray some chairs in a new shelter with an actual sprayer – it would make any ‘job’ easier and more fun!
Larissa says
yahoo!! That’s what I love to hear, Gwen. Thank you! You will love this tool set.
Maria Howard says
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Larissa says
Maria, your one word made my whole day. Thank you!!
Dale Cundy says
I love these chairs….the grain sack stenciling is awesome. I may have to try it! I have wanted the Home Right sprayer and the Spray tents for so long! They would certainly make life so much easier here.?
Larissa says
I hope you do! This store has many designs and I’m smitten. Thanks for the love, Dale.
Renee Pedersen says
Cute idea for the chairs! They would make a very nice vignette where ever it would be placed in your home! Nice job Larissa! I have wanted a Home Right Sprayer and Spray Tents for as long as I can remember! Right now, I have no place to spray my furniture. I have to pick a perfectly still day and set everything up outside and hope that I don’t get any bugs on my projects. Do you know how many perfectly still days there are in Iowa? Maybe 2 a year!! That cuts painting time waaaaaaay down!!! Anyway, it would be awesome to win this! Thanks Larissa!
Larissa says
So glad you think so, Renee. Thanks! You sound like me back in the day. I used to get so frustrated! I hope you win!
Jenifer Scherlin says
I’d love to see the faces of the people who dumped those chairs!!
Larissa says
hahaha…maybe I should go back? 😀
Jana M Bendawald says
You rocked this makover!
Larissa says
Wahoo!! You are so fun! 😀
Cindy says
Oh my goodness I can’t believe I missed this and I am happy your brain didn’t listen to K.I .S.S. idea. Did I get that right?
These are amazing and your brain must be on overload from the ideas you come up with.
By the way I’m showing hubby the tents. Super genius and take up no space to store. Pinning for sure.
Always a joy.
Cindy
Larissa says
You got it! 😀 Thanks for the encouraging words. My mind does run all.the.time. You will love these shelters…seriously!
dianne anderson says
What a great giveaway, Homeright products look amazing. What timesavers.
Larissa says
They are not only wonderful products, but a wonderful company. Win-win.
Kelly D says
I love the way this turned out. I would paint my coffee table.
Larissa says
Thanks! Sounds good.
linda says
Great project and great results. I would love to tackle my deck chairs.
Larissa says
Thank you, Linda. 😀
Kelly Young says
Great Job!!! Love the design. The things people throw away!?!? I am always on the lookout!! I have a project list a mile long AND an 1888 farmhouse to redo!
Larissa says
Thanks, Kelly. Around here they know someone, even the Amish, will pick it up. haha. Sounds like DIY fun!
Angie says
These turned out so great. You amaze me with how you take trash and make it beautiful!!
Larissa says
You are so sweet, Angie. Thank you!
Abby says
Those chairs are lovely!!!! I have some similar dining room chairs (without caning part) that need attention again… I covered the seats with cute fabric years ago, but it’s sooo gross now after years of kids spilling on them 😛 I think I want to just put new wood seats on all of them and skip the fabric! My next spray painting project will probably be 2 lamps 🙂
Larissa says
Thank you! You sounds like you’ll have some fun.
Mary says
You are wonderfully dedicated to your craft and it shows in everything you do. Wonderful job, the chairs look great!
Larissa says
How sweet of you to say, Mary. Thank you!
Kaycee says
Larissa, what a beautiful table and chair set!! I think that these 3 pieces work perfectly together!!! Now ticking, linen, grain sack – WOW!! I love that you did not stick with the K.I.S.S., lol, these chairs needed to be saved by you to become this gorgeous!
Larissa says
Isn’t it crazy they all came from the same curb? woot! Thanks so much for the K.I.S.S. affirmation. tee hee!
nickie says
Wow! Great job on the chairs. I would love the sprayer to use on a couple of wooden stools.
Larissa says
Thanks, Nickie! 😀 They would be wonderful for that.
Kathleen says
Love that you went light on these and thanks for the KILZ primer advice!
Larissa says
They just looked to heavy for me dark. Thanks for the love.
Deborah L Mildenstein says
You are amazing! Such vision and talent. I love seeing your transformations. I am trying to redo a few pieces of furniture myself. You give me a lot of ideas! Would love these tools to give me the confidence to press ahead!
Larissa says
Thanks so much! I work hard to share my ideas and I so appreciate you letting me know they are helping. Thank you!
Elle says
I would love to paint 2 dressers in a bedroom. They are currently white and older and I’d love to make them more of a heather gray.
Larissa says
Sounds good. I hope you like my project too. 🙂
Erin says
I have 2 antique birdcages I’d like to turn into lamps.
Mary Milnarich says
What a wonderful new life you have given to those chairs. I love the backs of the chairs with a surprise fabric. The spray shelter would be a great gift to win as I am starting to strip an old dresser and need it to spray paint it later. You are such an inspiration with all your projects. Keep em coming as I have learned so much from you.
Larissa says
Thank you for the sweet words, Mary. It means much. 😀
Marilyn Nawara says
I have a set of barstools that I would like to re-paint and then put new fabric on the seats.
Glo. says
The chairs look great now! What a transformation. A sprayer would make painting a 10’x2′ shelf for my son a whole lot easier!
Larissa says
Thanks! It sounds like you have quite the project to tackle. Fun!
donna porter says
Your chairs turned out wonderful. I would first transform my dresser if I won the HomeRight Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer and Spray Shelter. This dresser was mine as a child so it is 54 years old and I would love to bring it back to life. I have been wanting to tackle this for more years than I can remember!
Larissa says
Thank you, Donna. I would love to see it when you’re done. 😉
Ladonna Wilson says
I want to refinish my dining room table and this would be perfect
Larissa says
Sounds good.
Amanda Whitley says
i love your project. i would paint my breakfast nook.
Larissa says
Sounds like a fun DIY. 🙂
Cassandra D says
With my HomeRight Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer and Spray Shelter, I would tackle the vintage vanity set in the garage.
Mary says
Well done Larissa. I also got a set of fancy chairs and I am debating what to do with them since the rest of the room is very MCM ish. I’m thinking maybe just make them natural to tone them down a bit? What do you think?
Larissa says
Thank you, Mary. I don’t see why not. Feel free to send me a pic. I hope you win!
Eileen Boyce says
I have a desk I would like to paint.
Kelsey Vinson says
You did awesome! Those chairs look amazing. We close on our house next week and my husband had a building that he is going to completely remodel so I’m sure this would come in super handy!
Larissa says
Why, thank ya, Kelsey. I had fun! 😀 You guys will have a blast with it.
sam m says
I always love every piece you make or restore. I have been a follower for a long time now and have never been disappointed!
Larissa says
That is the best thing to hear. Thank you!
Gretta Hurst says
I love this! You always inspire me. Great job!
Larissa says
Thank you for the hug, Gretta. 😀
Jen says
The left-on-the-curb chairs turned out stunningly beautiful. I rescued an old ladder back country French chair from certain death and need some advice. I’d like to send a photo so you can see it, I want to paint and lightly distress it and then glaze it. I haven’t had good experience with chalk paint and prefer regular old latex paint. I don’t mind sanding,
cleaning, priming, brushing, glazing
if I know it’ll be pretty. What type of glaze would you recommend? What type of sealer would you recommend? Thank you!
Larissa says
Thank you so much, Jen. I tend to mostly use latex too, as I did on these chairs. It just depends on the project. I make my own glaze as mentioned above. I just slightly thin down the color of paint I want. Also, for sealer, it depends on the project and function. Sometimes I use wax, poly, hemp oil, etc. Feel free to email.
Kim Banko says
Larissa, I love everything about these! So pretty!
Larissa says
Thank you, Kim. 🙂 I just couldn’t let them go to waste in a landfill.