Painted Upholstery & Side Table Using Country Chic Metallic Paint

Sometimes I really get tired of being a rule follower.  I mean it’s ok, but is always just soooo….borrrrr…..ing.

So for this challenge, I was itching to do something totally and completely radical.  Rebellious even.

I wanted to think outside the box ……. operate off the grid….. and rock it completely off the rail.

Yep, it was time to pull out all the stops…..go all Captain Kirk…..and take this metallic paint where no metallic paint had gone before.

Disclosure: I received free paint from Country Chic Paint in exchange for writing a review on the blog. This post does NOT contain an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the product link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Although this post is considered sponsored, all opinions are 100% my own.

To make this happen, I placed two Queen Anne chairs at my side.  One to the left and the other to the right.  And oh, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that, for a moment, I did ponder how thrilling it would be to share a wonderfully witty story about an amazing curbside conquest or awesome Craigslist coup. But sadly, this isn’t my story.

The truth is, when I learned about the challenge, I simply took a long walk through the house and surveyed which of the numerous outdated pieces would get that long overdue #blingbling revival.  I mean, when you’re looking at rooms of traditional furniture hopelessly lost in the 1990s, it’s really hard to pick just one piece.

But the Queen Annes won the proverbial toss and here, my friends, is how they found their bling.

PREP FOR PAINT:

Because the chairs were in perfect condition, the only upholstery prep needed was a good vacuuming.  After the chairs were vacuumed, the wood was thoroughly cleaned and tape was applied……. to protect the wood.  Yep, you heard right.  To protect the wood.

APPLY THE BASECOAT:

This is because I am going to paint the fabric instead of reupholstering it.  I know it sounds crazy, but just stay with me.  It’s actually an awesome and easy process.  I promise.

1.  Dampen the fabric.  Most fabric painters use a spray bottle to spritz the fabric because it does need to be a little damp, just not soaking wet.  I didn’t use a spray bottle because I didn’t want water on the wood or possibly breaking the seal of the tape.  First, I used a dampened cloth laid against the fabric (photo below – left) and then pressed the cloth with my hand.  This worked ok, but not great.  Then I dipped the very tip of the paint brush in water and “painted” the water on the fabric.  I worked in small sections (about 6″ by 6″) dampening and then painting. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat….until all of the fabric was covered.
2. Be on guard for Scotch Guard.  When working with in tact upholstery, watch to see if the water beads up on the surface.  If so, the fabric might be sealed with some type of Scotch Guard.  This fabric was, but it was about 18 years ago.  After years of use, my guess is that some, if not all, of the Scotch Guard had worn away because the water beaded a little bit, but readily responded to light pressure.  For newer chairs or chairs with less use, suggest to first test the fabric in an inconspicuous place.
3. Apply the paint.  The basecoat was a black chalk paint called Liquorice by Country Chic.  At first, a diluted coat (1:1 water:paint) of paint was applied to the seat (photo below – middle).  It covered beautifully and wasn’t at all stiff.  In fact, it didn’t even feel like the fabric had been painted.  So on the next section, I applied the paint full-strength (photo below – right).  With the full-strength application, I got amazing coverage and no stiffness.  Yes, I spot painted a few places that needed a second coat, but did not have to apply a second coat to the entire section.

APPLY METALLIC CREAM TO FABRIC:

Ordinarily, fabric painters apply the chalk paint in several coats and then stop.  This process does change the color of the piece, but doesn’t provide any pattern or dimension.  But for these chairs, I wanted to take it to the next level and paint a pattern using the Country Chic metallic cream paint.

1. The metallic cream is the consistency of yogurt or sour cream (photo below – left).  Using a stirring stick, a small amount was scooped out to use and the container resealed to preserve the remaining cream.
2. Then using a small artist brush, the cream was applied to outline the pattern in the fabric (photo below – middle).
3. Again, working in small sections (about 4″ by 4″), the cream was applied and then a stencil brush was used to pounce the cream into place.  This process moved the cream around to create depth and a woven look.

The trick is to keep the painting and pouncing technique consistent.

 Cream was applied to the solid outer edges and slight cream over the more woven threads.  No cream was applied over the original black portions of the fabric.

Remember to work in small sections because the cream dries quickly.

This photo is a close up of a first coat application followed by a stencil brush pounce to blend.

CREATE THE WOVEN LOOK:

And then, to add more depth, sections are pounced over again using a dry brush technique.  Place a scant amount of metallic cream on the stencil brush, dab most of it off on a paper towel, then pounce over the images again.  This is the step that really creates the woven look.

The result is a very understated fabric with a slight reflection that brightens, but does not overtake the black basecoat. I was actually going for tapestry …..with a twist.  Or, in this case, bling…  I mean #blingbling.  LOL.

No other products were used during this process.  The woven look is created by using metallic cream on chalk paint with a stencil brush manipulation.  That’s it.  But in spite of its simplicity, this technique adds an amazing depth of field.  Wouldn’t you agree?

APPLY METALLIC CREAM TO WROUGHT IRON:

And since no chair is complete without a rusty, I mean trusty sidekick, a wrought iron side table also found its bling. 

1. The cream was simply rubbed onto the table with a nitrile glove-covered hand.  Then a tiny artist brush was used to push the cream into crevices, nooks, and crannies.  The product was given time to set, but not dry.  
2. The final step was a wipe-down with a damp cloth.  This is where the layering occured since more paint was removed in some areas and less in others.

The result was an antique gold color….darker and more brown than the original brighter color of the gold cream.  

And the color is perfect with the chair and other accessories in the room.

When the dining room refresh is complete, these chairs will sit at each end of the dining room table.

And this….my Friends…. is the simple story about how I stepped out of my boring comfort zone, the Queen Annes found their bling, and the metallic paint went where no metallic paint had gone before.

Many thanks to The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest (TM) for hosting this wonderful event and to the most generous #sponsor,  Country Chic Paint.

Also linking to these Fab Flippin Hosts:

Carrie at Thirty Eighth Street

Thea at Sweet Tea Refinishing

Bloggers interested in joining future contests should contact: info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com

Thanks again…..and please……don’t forget to pin.

Also linking to these fun parties:

Savvy Southern Style

A Stroll Through Life

The Scoop at StoneGable Blog