Pages

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Cane Back Chairs on the Lighter Side

These chairs are beautiful.  Although I love to paint just about anything, I honestly have a problem painting furniture that is in great condition.  Most furniture I take a brush to is in dire need of improvement, and that usually comes with paint.  But these chairs were in very good condition. 
But you see … I’ve created a bit of a paint monster – my mother.  Since painting her buffet, ( in case you missed that you can see that HERE).  I’ve spied her looking around her place for more furniture to paint… “to compliment the hutch, as it were”.  
I just know there’s more to come.
So here are the Louis Cane Back chairs, in great condition but needing a lift.louis cane back chair 006




The fabric wasn’t going to be changed so this presents a bit of a challenge for painting.  Fortunately by the time they came to me my mother had already taped them up.  Remember proper preparation of your piece is crucial to a good outcome.
louis cane back chairs 002a
I always start with pieces like this turned upside down.  You just can’t miss any spots if you work with it this way first.  The entire chair was primed with spray KILZ.
louis cane back chairs 010a
Cracks were much more noticeable now the the chairs were primed.  These had to be filled before going any further.  I used wood filler that was sanded with a sanding sponge when completely dry.   Remember to always sand after your primer is dry.
louis cane back chairs 018a
Because the buffet was done in Heirloom White, the chairs were also done with this color. Below are both chairs with two coats of Heirloom white.  After painting I also sand lightly with a sanding block to ensure a smooth finish.  You need a very smooth surface when applying glaze.  This ensures that your glaze will be easy to wipe down.
louis cane back chairs 021a
I used my favorite custom mixed brown glaze. You can see this has been kicking around for quite a while.
louis cane back chairs 022a
As usual, brush glaze on and wipe off.louis cane back chairs 026a
When the glazing was dry, I gave it a couple of thin coats of Minwax spray poly.
louis cane back chairs 030
After unwrapping…
louis cane back chairs 077a
Looking lovely
louis cane back chairs 091a 
louis cane back chairs 101a
louis cane back chairs 076a
louis cane back chairs 095a
louis cane back chairs 072a
louis cane back chairs 085a
louis cane back chairs 090a
louis cane back chairs 102a
These chairs are going to go perfectly in the same area as her buffet.
louis cane back chairs 079a
Thanks for dropping by.
rust flower

Linked Up to:
Made By You Mondays Market Yourself Monday Metamorphosis Monday DIY Project Parade Craft-O-Maniac Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Show Me What Ya Got  Tutorial Tuesday  Power of Paint Idea Sharing Wednesday Wow us Wednesdays Hookin Up With HOH Transformation Thursday Strut Your Stuff Frugalicious Friday  Hodge Podge Friday Furniture Feature Friday  Flaunt it Friday Show & Tell Friday Frugal Friday Creation Corner Feathered Nest Friday  How To's-Day           

33 comments:

  1. These are lovely. The glaze really highlights the scrollwork.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, that is wonderful. I have a cane chair on my list to redo. Really like how you did it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This transformation is just awesome. I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE. THANKS FOR ALL THE INSPIRATION YOU GIVE EACH MONTH!

    ReplyDelete
  4. They look lovely! I'd never guess you had used spray paint. Very pretty and elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely gorgeous! I love the detail on those chairs. That's impressive that you were able to save all of the fabric. Well done, as usual.

    Jen

    P.S> I'm hosting an Annie sloan giveaway that ends tomorrow, stop by if you haven't already entered. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another beautiful transformation, Lisa! Love these! I'll bet your Mom loves them, too. I do a lot of pieces upside down first to get those spots that I know I'm going to miss.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree about proper preparation being key to a good outcome, but having an artist's eye and touch is the way to insure things turn out so strikingly beautiful! What a great step-by-step, Lisa.....and what a breathtaking result!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These turned out beautifully, Lisa. You always do lovely work. I bet your mother is thrilled with them. The heirloom white gave them a fresh new look! The glaze really highlights all of the wonderful detail. Very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What is your recipe for your glaze that you used on the chairs? They are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous!
    I have LOADS of furniture you are welcome to come and paint. :-)
    Cass

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Martha
    I use a clear glaze that I mixed with brown paint. The ratio is 4:1. Four parts glaze to one part paint will usually be the easiest to work with. The more paint you add the faster it dries and the darker the color. When working with glaze you want it to dry slow so you can work with it better.
    Thanks for dropping by.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  12. These look so good! Great job :)

    I'm dying to work with glaze!

    ReplyDelete
  13. They came out beautiful. Great job and what a lovely improvement. The glaze really brings out the details you couldn't otherwise appreciate.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those look fabulous! I would never dare paint upholstered furniture. Now matter how hard I tried I would for sure ruin the upholstery, but you did it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love those chairs!! They have a totally different look and it's just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  16. GORGEOUS!!!!!!! What is your glaze? Is it your own mixture??

    ReplyDelete
  17. Paint monster Mama ~ they look fantastic Lisa and will look great with her buffet. I love how the glaze just adds to them and gives them so much more character. Another job well done!

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOW! How many times can I say gorgeous? LOL btw, if you have posts of your daughters' rooms, I jsut opened a new blog party for kids decor and would love to have you link up! Here is the direct link for Tuesday's Nursery (but any age room is ok!): http://playfuldecor.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesdays-nursery.html

    Hope you can join in!
    Nan

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love those chairs!I've signed up to follow your gorgeous blog!
    Hugs from Buffalo,NY:o)

    ReplyDelete
  20. The chairs now look much more elegant, and refined. But still welcoming, and friendly.

    You did a great job!

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

    ReplyDelete
  21. An amazing transformation! Wonderful chairs!

    Hugs
    Charo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, these look fabulous! No surprise... you've got so many really amazing projects here!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. They look lovely! I'd never guess you had used spray paint. Very pretty and elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  24. How beautiful! I have a question for you. I am refinishing some cane back chairs that were previously painted a horrible aqua color. I would love to make the Cain look like thus beautiful shade of brown. After you primed and painted, you brushed on the glaze ( on the caned part) and then wiped it? How many coats? Then does that dry nicely or do you put a coat of something over it?
    Thank you in advance for your help!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Joy... Make sure the cane has a good coat of paint on it, even if you have to paint it 2 or 3 times cause the glaze needs to be able to slide off. If the cane is too rough, you'll have a hard time wiping the glaze off it. You only need to glaze once. As with any painting project it is always good to follow up with a polyurethane finish. You can use a spray on with these. Thanks

      Delete
  25. Amazing transformation.Love the cushion you have used to give it a complete change.You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you for this tutorial. I have a chair I intend on doing this technique. Question though... What if you don't want as much brown on the cain back? I know the cain would absorb the glaze more, & quickly. Would you add less, wipe more, & go lightly to let more of the white stand out? Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Cane will definitely take the glaze darker. You could pat the glaze on and wipe it down quickly or you could add more glaze to your mixture just before you do the cane parts, that way it might wipe off clearer. Either way... wipe quickly and with a damp rag.

      Delete
  27. I am totally surprised to see this fantastic blog on home furnishing. Thanks for this great share! Homepage

    ReplyDelete
  28. Normally I do not read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very
    forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me.
    Thanks, quite great post.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving your thoughts

NOTE ************
If you are asking a question you want an answer to, please make sure you leave your email address.
Thanks!