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Vintage Folding Chairs with Grain Sack Stencil

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}}Vintage Folding Chairs Before Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Louis Rastetter & Sons Solid Kumfort Folding Chairs Label | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Stack of The Solid Kumfort Vintage Folding Chairs | prodigalpieces.com

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…

Original Vinyl Upholstery on Solid Kumfort Folding Chairs | prodigalpieces.com

*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.

Damaged Vintage Folding Chair Back | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

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.

HomeRight Medium Spray Shelter with DIY Furniture Turn Table by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

You can see how easy it is to use and set up in this video below:

Upcycled Map Chest of Drawers Video Tutorial by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

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!

Spray Painting Vintage Folding Chairs with HomeRigth Super Finish Max Extra | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Cutting Upholstery Fabric and Batting for Solid Kumfort Vintage Folding Chairs | prodigalpieces.com

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.
Grain Sack Stencil for Upholstery by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

REVEAL TIME

Now my set is refreshed, renewed, and so pretty!

French Farmhouse Vintage Folding Chairs by Solid Kumfort and refreshed by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #furniture #home #homedecor #farmhouse #french #diy #vintage #midcentury

White French Farmhouse Folding Chairs by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #furniture #homedecor #farmhouse

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?

French Grain Sack Chair with Farmhouse Style by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #furniture #home #homedecor

Creamy Antique White Upholstered Chairs with Grain Sack Stencil by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #homedecor #furniture #farmhouse

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.

French Chic Folding Chair with Grain Sack Upholstery by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #home #diy #homedecor

French Farmhouse Vintage Folding Chair by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #furniture #home #homedecor #farmhouse

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.

Set of 3 Grain Sack Folding Chairs by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #furniture #homedecor #farmhouse #vintage

Vintage Bedroom Vignette by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #homedecor #bedroom

Also, if you’d like to own this set for your home, you can find it and much more available in my online shop.

Shop Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

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.

These vintage folding chairs by Solid Kumfort needed TLC. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces gave them new life with paint & upholstery. Head to see at prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #furniture #farmhouse #homedecor #french

Up next, this broken ladder remnant will become something new. See HERE.Old Broken Ladder for Upcycled Farmhouse Decor by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!

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Also, more DIY fun projects like my vintage folding chairs:

How cute is this upcycled feed sack tote bag created by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces of the Reduce, Reuse, Refashion series | visit prodigalpieces.com for more details | #prodigalpieces #diy #fashion #sewing #bag #farmhouseA sad and dilapidated antique dressing table just needed some TLC. Come see how Larissa of Prodigal Pieces brought it back to life in her video tutorial | Head to prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #furniture #home #homedecor #homedecorideas #video #antique

Comments

  1. Kim says

    I love the folding chairs!

  2. Dale Cundy says

    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!?

    • Larissa says

      Hooray! They sure needed something to dress them up, poor things. 😉 I wish I had a set of these awesome tools for everyone.

  3. Denise says

    I love redoing old chairs, especially the wooden folding chairs. I need to find more!

    • Larissa says

      They are my favorite extras as they just don’t make them like that anymore. Here’s to vintage!

  4. Marlene says

    I love how you make old things come alive! The folding chairs are so pretty as well as practical.

  5. Susie Wilcox says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Yes! That’s my way of thinking too. Who says extras need to be ugly, right? haha. I have some of those too.

  6. Cassie says

    Very cool!!! I love these chairs, great makeover!!

  7. Megan says

    Those chairs are so cool!!!

    • Larissa says

      I was like a kid in a candy store when I found them. eep!

  8. Amanda Pennington says

    I’d use the set on some end tables in our living room that need some love!

  9. Ginny says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Yippee!! That’s awesome. I think they needed that touch. Thanks so much.

  10. Betty says

    Awesome job Larissa! I, too hoard folding chairs. Aren’t they the cutest?

    • Larissa says

      They sure are! Thank you. One can never have enough. 😉

  11. Babette Thurston says

    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!

  12. Claudine says

    So pretty, Larissa! The stencil was the perfect final touch. I love these chairs…like sitting on a little piece of history! 🙂

  13. Rebecca - Knoxville, TN says

    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?

    • Larissa says

      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.

  14. Cheryl Atkinson says

    I would not have ever known these chairs folded. They are awesome

  15. Frances Batson says

    I have a set of my grandmother’s chairs and I love the stencil on the seat. Great idea!

  16. TeresaSue says

    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. : )

    • Larissa says

      Your words mean the world to me, TeresaSue. Thank you! I know you’ll love this set.

  17. Sharri says

    I love following you and seeing your families awesome makeovers.

    • Larissa says

      You just made my whole day, Sharri. Thank you for the love.

  18. Judy Newell says

    Your upholstery skills are great. These chairs look so much better now. Thanks for all your posts. I have learned so much from them.

    • Larissa says

      What a sweet compliment, Judy. Thank you. I truly enjoy what I do.

  19. Connie says

    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.

  20. Diane says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      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.

  21. Tess says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      Yahoo!! That’s exactly why I love them too. great minds…

  22. Audra says

    Love the details on these chairs!

  23. Cate says

    LOVE the chairs! They are simple and understated in an elegant way! Good job.

  24. Aubrey says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Sweet! You will love the sprayer for that very project. It will save oodles!

  25. Toni says

    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 !

  26. Naomi S says

    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!

  27. Susie says

    I love the chairs and would love to try a paint sprayer.

  28. Melva says

    Incredible how paint can transform a piece of furniture! I’ve not spray painted furniture but would love to try.

  29. Kathleen says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      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!

  30. LuAnn Rodgers says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      I hear ya. Painting chairs by hand is my least favorite thing to do. ugh. The Super Finish Max makes it a breeze!

  31. Lynne says

    The chairs turned out gorgeous! You did an awesome job, as always.

    • Larissa says

      Whew! I’m so glad you think so because I certainly had fun. Thanks, Lynne.

  32. Kaycee says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      It seriously is the best setup outside of a pro shop. You can’t beat the ease or the price. Thanks, Kaycee.

  33. Laura says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! I bet it would be. We are getting fall winds blowing winter in, so inside I must be! 😀

  34. Monica says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      Ooh…sweet score for you!! I get the shed part too…hahaha. My pleasure to share my fave tools.

  35. Cheryl says

    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!!

    • Larissa says

      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.

  36. Charlene Paugh says

    Who knew folding chairs could look so cute ! Nice !!!

    • Larissa says

      Right? I couldn’t resist this trio. 😀 Thanks for the love, Charlene.

  37. Cherie Wallace says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      Happy dance over here! 😀 Thank you for the smile, Cherie. I love to hear your tenacity. That’s the spirit!

  38. Fredda says

    Love the chairs. I haven’t seen any made quite like those. I really love your tutorials. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks!

    • Larissa says

      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. 😉

  39. Marie says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      tee hee. I have some old school wooden ones…the kind that fold up on you if you sit too far back. HAHA!

  40. Melinda says

    Love the folding chairs! The re do definitely perked them right up! I always look forward to your posts. Always a surprise in store!

    • Larissa says

      How fun to hear, Melinda. Thank you for the giggle! 😀

  41. Lori Sawyer says

    I love these chairs. Great job

  42. Laura says

    Love all your projects!!!

  43. Linda L. says

    I just adore how these chairs turned out. I’d sure love to come across some of these at my next thrift store adventure!

    • Larissa says

      Wouldn’t that be a treat? I love that you wouldn’t know they fold. They surprised me! 😀

  44. Mona Elam says

    I have a set of vintage metal canisters that I would love to upcycle to look like granite ware! So excited to do this.

  45. Erin says

    I have some old outdoor chairs I would love to refinish.

  46. Nicole Zerbini says

    Beautiful chairs! I would love to tackle my kitchen cabinets with this sprayer.

  47. Amanda Whitley says

    i would paint my daughters vanity and give it a makeover

  48. Hanna Quana says

    Wow, great transformation! Wish I had me a medium spray tent! I need to spray more so I can get better at it!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! You will love a shelter as it frees me up to paint wherever I prefer.

  49. Edie Smoak says

    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

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! I hear ya there. The right tools really do make the difference.

  50. Cassandra D says

    With the HomeRight Medium Spray Shelter I would work on a vintage chair.

  51. Meg Foster says

    What kind of paint, primer, and finish did you use for these?

    • Larissa says

      I mentioned with links to what I could that I used Gripper primer, followed by a latex antique white in an eggshell finish. 🙂

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