It often seems that when I find one good thing, I find multiples. And…just like a good junker, I can’t just take one. Nope, I gotta have ’em all. haha. You can understand this makes perfect sense when it comes to the vintage folding chairs, right? I mean, they’re meant to stay together as a family. {{just go with it and affirm. wink, wink}}
First, I’d like to brush you up on your vintage folding chairs background (as if you had one). These beauties are made by Louis Rastetter & Sons of the The Solid Kumfort company. Also, it’s crazy that they can date as far back as 1900.
I believe my set to be around the 1920-30’s based on the harp and design. In addition, they have that Mid Century feel to them. These chairs are the coolest! They don’t fold up like modern day chairs do. However, these have to close them by holding the base and lifting the seat.
BUILT TO LAST
That gives them more stability and strength – like most furniture from the past and unlike modern-day furniture. Also, true to the 20’s and 30’s the vinyl seats are a dead giveaway. Can you say sweaty bottom? eeewwww…
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
At a closer look, you’ll see that these chairs haven’t had the respectful treatment they deserve. It seems as if they had been stored in a basement or garage where temps fluctuated and cause moisture to accumulate. Or, quite possibly, they were sprayed with water.
Either way, they are still wood, still full functional, and have oodles of potential.
DIY TIME
First, I begin by removing the seats and then wiping the chair frames down with a vinegar/water mix to clean the wood. I use a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle and a soft rag. This gets rid of any residue or build-up that would prevent paint from sticking.
Then, I pop up my spray shelter and set up my DIY Furniture Turn Table. You can read how I built that awesomely handy tool HERE.
You can see how easy it is to use and set up in this video below:
MORE TOOLS
In addition to my shelter, I bring out my paint sprayer. I’m not a glutton for punishment and painting chairs by hand is one of my least favorite things to do. With my sprayer, I just fill up the canister, attach my blue tip, and away we go!
Also, it only takes a second to get some practice in on a scrap piece of wood or cardboard. The key to a smooth finish is to get the flow knob set right, initially. Then, while spraying, stay about 8-12 inches away from piece, and work from your elbow and shoulder.
UP NEXT
Not only am I using paint, but also a primer to hide the stains and give my next layers of paint tooth. After that, I use two coats of a custom-mixed antique white. Each coat only took about 15 minutes to apply. I’m tellin’ ya, that sprayer and shelter make my job a blast…literally!
Meanwhile, during those cure times I took the in-between times to remove that awful vinyl. It was time to freshen up these chairs with new batting and upholstery. I had this soft green upholstery in my stash that would be perfect.
Next, I wanted to add a bit of ooh, la, la to my vintage folding chair set. I used this same grain sack stencil I use in this basic acrylic paint and a textile medium added, it’s super simple to create this design.
REVEAL TIME
Now my set is refreshed, renewed, and so pretty!
Likewise, I’m smitten with the stencil that really took these chairs to a whole new level. Without it, they would have seemed flat, don’t you think?
TREASURE
I don’t know about you, but I always have a few folding chairs hanging out in storage. They’re handy for when guests come over and we need extra seating. Also, they work in filling up those awkward spots in our home too.
What a happy ending to my fun thrift store haul. Finally, it is my goal to inspire you to see beyond the obvious and give DIY a try.
Also, if you’d like to own this set for your home, you can find it and much more available in my online shop.
SHARE
Additionally, pin and share my vintage folding chairs fun. I know I’m not the only one with spare chairs hanging around that need new life.
Up next, this broken ladder remnant will become something new. See HERE.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
Also, more DIY fun projects like my vintage folding chairs:
I love the folding chairs!
Thanks! They remind me of my childhood days.
Beautiful….the chairs look totally revived! I love the stencil you used as well. ~Thanks for the opportunity to win a HomeRight Sprayer and Paint shelter….both are #1 & #2 on Santa’s list!?
Hooray! They sure needed something to dress them up, poor things. 😉 I wish I had a set of these awesome tools for everyone.
I love redoing old chairs, especially the wooden folding chairs. I need to find more!
They are my favorite extras as they just don’t make them like that anymore. Here’s to vintage!
I love how you make old things come alive! The folding chairs are so pretty as well as practical.
What a sweet thing to say. Thank you! 😀
With a full house at Thanksgiving, these extra seats would be so handy. Certainly much nicer than my card table folding chairs! Great job on redoing them. You are inspiring!
Yes! That’s my way of thinking too. Who says extras need to be ugly, right? haha. I have some of those too.
Very cool!!! I love these chairs, great makeover!!
You’re so fun, Cassie! Thanks!
I Love Paint! What a difference it can make!
You and me both. Upholstery too!
Those chairs are so cool!!!
I was like a kid in a candy store when I found them. eep!
I’d use the set on some end tables in our living room that need some love!
Sounds good. I hope you like my project today too!
I love the folding chairs! And the stencil definitely added an extra special touch to them. Ummm, so many projects to paint! Where do I start! ! We have a stool in our living room that is in need of painting first! Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway!
Yippee!! That’s awesome. I think they needed that touch. Thanks so much.
Awesome job Larissa! I, too hoard folding chairs. Aren’t they the cutest?
They sure are! Thank you. One can never have enough. 😉
Oh I’ve been trying to win one of these! I would paint my TV cabinet just for the aesthetics!! This would help so much!! Love what you did with the chairs! Beautiful!
I totally get it. You will LOVE it! 😀 Thank you.
So pretty, Larissa! The stencil was the perfect final touch. I love these chairs…like sitting on a little piece of history! 🙂
That’s how I feel too. Thank you, Claudine.
Nice project and I agree the stencil was a good addition.
I love my medium spray tent but cannot fold it up! I’ve found one video online, have watched it numerous times, tried to follow instructions and still end up looking like I’m performing a comedy sketch! I generally get frustrated and leave the tent folded haphazard and as flat as I can get it. If you are adept at this magic could you provide some tips or make a video?
Thanks! I think I may have just spit out my drink…bwahahaha! I wish I could should show you how. I could send you a quick video if you email me.
I would not have ever known these chairs folded. They are awesome
Right? That’s the best part. Thanks!
I have a set of my grandmother’s chairs and I love the stencil on the seat. Great idea!
Ooh…that sounds like fun! 😀
I really liked the stencil.
I don’t use Facebook but I am already subscribed to your newsletter and I appreciate your down to earth approach to diy.
I have a huge pile of projects collected for winter, I would have to just close my eyes and throw a dart to determine which one to tackle first. : )
Your words mean the world to me, TeresaSue. Thank you! I know you’ll love this set.
I love following you and seeing your families awesome makeovers.
You just made my whole day, Sharri. Thank you for the love.
Your upholstery skills are great. These chairs look so much better now. Thanks for all your posts. I have learned so much from them.
What a sweet compliment, Judy. Thank you. I truly enjoy what I do.
What a cool vintage find with these chairs! They definitely don’t make pieces like that anymore ? Always a place in my house for a (another) cool chair.
I seriously did a happy dance!! tee hee! Thank you.
I love when I get an email that you have posted a new project to your site, You are so talented! Would love to use the sprayer and shelter to tackle all the small waiting-to-be-painted future treasures piling up in my garage.
aww…that made me smile from ear to ear, Diane. Thank you! I just love hearing from who I write for. Many don’t comment unless they have to for a giveaway.
Love these. I have one of these chairs for my sewing machine which is in a closet. Handy and saves space! Now I need to paint it and recover the seat. Thanks for
The inspiration.
Yahoo!! That’s exactly why I love them too. great minds…
Love the details on these chairs!
Me too! Thank you, Audra.
LOVE the chairs! They are simple and understated in an elegant way! Good job.
You got what I was after. Thank you!
That stencil is too adorable! I have been wanting to redo my whole dining set, actually. I’m new to building furniture pieces and this was very helpful. Thanks!
Sweet! You will love the sprayer for that very project. It will save oodles!
I DO like your project. I also have some chairs I want to re-do. I keep putting the job off. The give-away would simplify the project and encourage me to get on with it !
Thanks! I’m tickled to hear you are inspired.
I love the way the chairs turned out Larissa and I would love to have one of the spray tents. I have a ton of chairs that need make-overs and it would be so helpful to do them in the tent. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
Thanks, Naomi. It will help you oodles!
I love the chairs and would love to try a paint sprayer.
Thanks! It’s the best tool.
Incredible how paint can transform a piece of furniture! I’ve not spray painted furniture but would love to try.
Totally! 😀 You will fast become addicted
First, LOVE your staging for these chairs! Second, so by using the HOMERIGHT SPRAYER I can be done in the fraction of time it’s taking me to prime, paint and paint again? I’ve been using an old sheet to define a painting area, coz I tend to splatter whilst I work!
Aww…thanks! I kid you not that each coat took me 10 minutes for all 3, not counting cleanup time. There is no other way to get it done faster. Really!
Nice looking chairs! I have a set of chairs I would put redo, but like you don’t want to paint them by hand. The max sprayer would make it so much easier!
I hear ya. Painting chairs by hand is my least favorite thing to do. ugh. The Super Finish Max makes it a breeze!
The chairs turned out gorgeous! You did an awesome job, as always.
Whew! I’m so glad you think so because I certainly had fun. Thanks, Lynne.
Hi Larissa, Wow, you and Home Right tools really are a perfect match for each other. The time savings and the ability to work in many more ares is a really a plus. As usual, you really made these old chairs fresh, new and pretty. Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
It seriously is the best setup outside of a pro shop. You can’t beat the ease or the price. Thanks, Kaycee.
Great redo on the vintage chairs! The spray shelter would be great here in breezy Palm Springs! And the sprayer…that would be fabulous for my furniture makeovers! Thanks for the entry!
Thanks! I bet it would be. We are getting fall winds blowing winter in, so inside I must be! 😀
Those chairs came out beautifully. Ironically, I have a set of those with red upholstery that is falling apart. You have inspired me to do something with them. Thanks. I’d send a picture but they’re buried in the back of our shed, lol. Thanks for the opportunity to try and win the sprayer and shelter.
Ooh…sweet score for you!! I get the shed part too…hahaha. My pleasure to share my fave tools.
I really love how your chairs turned out! They look so much better that it is hard to tell it’s the same chairs. Great job!! I have a toy chest, a small wine cabinet, a chair and I don’t remember what else that I need to paint, lol but I’m thinking of buying a shelter because it is so windy here. What would you recommend? Is the medium and large close to the same? Anyway, love those chairs!! Love love love the grain sack seats!!
Woot! That’s the best compliment, Cheryl. The large is good for big pieces like dressers, but you can get away with using the medium for smaller objects like your chair and cabinet.
Who knew folding chairs could look so cute ! Nice !!!
Right? I couldn’t resist this trio. 😀 Thanks for the love, Charlene.
❤❤
Thank you.
Love the chair makeover !!!!!!!!
Would LOVE to win the sprayer and painting shelter. First thing I would work on is an beaten up old Queen Anne style chair that was given to me by a thrift store. They were sure they wouldn’t ever do anything with it. But I WILL.
Happy dance over here! 😀 Thank you for the smile, Cherie. I love to hear your tenacity. That’s the spirit!
Love the chairs. I haven’t seen any made quite like those. I really love your tutorials. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks!
Thanks! I haven’t seen any for a super long time and that’s why I was so excited to find them. I’m happy to hear you’re learning. That’s exactly why I’m here. 😉
Wish my folding chairs looked that pretty so I wouldn’t be embarassed to bring them out. Love the stencil you added to the seats!
tee hee. I have some old school wooden ones…the kind that fold up on you if you sit too far back. HAHA!
Love the folding chairs! The re do definitely perked them right up! I always look forward to your posts. Always a surprise in store!
How fun to hear, Melinda. Thank you for the giggle! 😀
Amazing work!! Looking for more from you.
Such sweet words. Thank you!
I love these chairs. Great job
Thank you, Lori. 😀
Love all your projects!!!
You’re so sweet, Laura. Thank you!
I just adore how these chairs turned out. I’d sure love to come across some of these at my next thrift store adventure!
Wouldn’t that be a treat? I love that you wouldn’t know they fold. They surprised me! 😀
I have a set of vintage metal canisters that I would love to upcycle to look like granite ware! So excited to do this.
Ooh…that would be so fun! 😀
I have some old outdoor chairs I would love to refinish.
Beautiful chairs! I would love to tackle my kitchen cabinets with this sprayer.
Thank you, Nicole. The sprayer would help immensely.
i would paint my daughters vanity and give it a makeover
Wow, great transformation! Wish I had me a medium spray tent! I need to spray more so I can get better at it!
Thanks! You will love a shelter as it frees me up to paint wherever I prefer.
Love the chairs! And now I’m inspired to make over some old folding chairs myself. But first I would finish up a wall of built in shelves for which I “ve been dreading painting the many pieces by hand
Thanks! I hear ya there. The right tools really do make the difference.
With the HomeRight Medium Spray Shelter I would work on a vintage chair.
What kind of paint, primer, and finish did you use for these?
I mentioned with links to what I could that I used Gripper primer, followed by a latex antique white in an eggshell finish. 🙂