Can I tell you a secret? I’m not really a fan of the term “shabby chic.” I’m not exactly sure why, but I usually prefer “vintage,” “romantic,” or any other similar descriptive words. But honestly when this chair makeover was finished it just screamed “shabby chic chair” to me. It’s so pretty and girly and vintage and romantic and shabby chic!
Here’s the before:
The chair has a little bit of history having been made a few hours south of me in Tell City, Indiana.
I gave it one of my favorite Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® colors – Old Ochre, did some light distressing, and applied a coat of clear wax. Then I found the perfect vintage-looking fabric at Hobby Lobby and recovered the seat. (Click HERE for all of my step-by-step tips for doing a chair makeover – and find all my best tips for how to Chalk Paint furniture here.)
And here she is all finished! So lovely.
So romantic.
So shabby chic! 😉 And Old Ochre is one of my favorite Chalk Paint colors.
I hope this project has inspired you – please feel free to Pin it or share with a friend!
-Jen
Leslie @ House on the Way says
What a beautiful makeover! Love the transformation. I’d love for you to link it to my Twirl & Take a Bow Party tonight at 8pm. We’d love to have you!
Leslie
Robyn says
LOVE how the chair turned out!!! We live about 30 minutes from Tell City and I have several vintage pieces from Tell City furniture including my grandmother’s kitchen table and chairs. Maybe one day I will get around to giving them a makeover.
Kathy milliken says
Oh the chair is sooo pretty! Great job!
Eileen says
Beautiful chair can be used in front of a desk or vanity, or just as an occasional chair in the livingroom .you did such a wonderful job restoring it & letting it live another life with you. Continued good luck.
Trista says
Ooooo, I’m in love!
Joann Belcher says
Simply gorg! That is all I have to say!
Rose L. says
I LOVE the chair!!!!!!!! Perfect for me—I am Rose!!!! It has roses! viola!
Jen says
Thank you Robyn! From the bit of research I did, it looks like Tell City Furniture made a lot of great quality pieces for a long time.
Jen says
Thank you so much Kathy 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Eileen – have a wonderful week! 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Trista! 🙂
Jen says
Thank you so much Joann! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Rose- you are so right! 🙂
Sandi Nakoneczny says
I love it and I have the perfect place in my house for it. Could it come live with me?
Beautiful as always.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Wow what an awesome transformation! The chair turned out looking so pretty!
Jen says
Thank so you much Sandi! If you live near Chicago, it can be yours! 😉
Susan Ballard says
I’m with you Jen about the term “Shabby Chic.” Just tired of hearing all white or off-white restyled furniture being called that. Way over-used!! The chair turned out nice and I love the way you highlighted the rose pattern with allowing the Mahogany to show thru. The table next to it holding the roses would look very nice done in the same white paint– brighten it up! Love your ideas on your blog. Keep them coming, please!
Jess says
This makeover is amazing and the fabric choice is perfect. I’m jealous!
Sarah says
I can’t believe this photo! I have four chairs very similar to this one that we use at our kitchen table. They are crying out for some attention and I was just telling my husband that I would like to paint them. After thinking for a few moments about what color I might use I said, “How about if we paint them white? Then we can do something with the carved flower detail.” Imagine my surprise to click on this link just now and “see” just what I had envisioned in my mind! How fun! I can hardly wait to show my husband this photo. I guess the old adage is true – great minds think alike! Thank you for your very realistic and inspiring projects. I like how you see the world. BTW – your suitcase dresser was amazing! So well done. One more thing … I, too, never really liked the term “shabby chic” but I have resigned myself to using it since I do love what I see when things are described that way! Thanks again.
Jen says
So funny! I know your chairs will turn out beautiful – the white will certainly brighten them up. Thanks for your sweet comment – it made my day! 🙂