From Roadside to Romantic — Painting Fabric on a Vintage Chair Restyle with Old World Paint

You know when a project finds you?

I wasn't looking for this vintage beauty, but my gosh,
I'm glad I caved on this one and loaded it into the back of my car
​while out for coffee with a friend.

Here is the romantic after . . .

Sitting pretty and romantic with an Old World Paint restyle

​And what she looked like
calling my name from the curb:

The before. Don't you love those arms?

And then it happened — a statewide power outage
that kept us in the dark, rain and cold for hours. 

What else does one do but paint by candlelight? 

Painting fabric can be tricky.
With experimenting and experience
you will develop a feel for what works.

This fabric, for example, is a challenge.
The texture and nap of the damask as well as the bold colour
all lead to a more challenging project...especially in the dark!

Painting with Old World Paint in Pewter by candlelight

I went with a lush, elegant warm grey from Old World Paint called Pewter.
Grey in nearly any shade works to prime and
neutralise bright or bold colours.

Canvas, leather or cotton is easiest to paint.
Velvet, damask, tapestry or anything with a
raised pattern can be a greater challenge.

I find when painting fabric, my favourite tool is a Fusion Brush.
There's something about the way the bristles
are packed tightly that helps force the paint into the fabric.  
And you don't feel bad "smooshing" the brush in
because they are tough-as AND affordable!

Once the first coat was on the fabric,
there was no way I was going out to the studio for another brush,
so I washed my Fusion Brush then started
painting the chair legs and frame with Old World Paint
in the gorgeously soft and contemporary shade of pink, Bloom.

Bloom — a modern shade of pink in Old World Clay & Chalk Paint

I had no idea what would be waiting for me
by the light of day (and electricity!)
I was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty solid result
after only ONE coat of Old World Paint — in the dark!

One coat of Old World Clay & Chalk Paint in Pewter over vintage mustard damask

When I got the chair back into the studio
all it took was a quick sand to knock down
the raised nap on the fabric and a second coat
with my Cling On Brush for an all around tidy-up!

I didn't wax any of it, it was already too pretty to touch.

The vintage chenille was such a gorgeous complement 
that eventually I'll make a proper seat cushion from it, 
but how gorgeous is this...and romantic! 


Candlelight, Pewter, Bloom & roses....dreamy!

It's all here...for the love...
Sada