Painting a Wooden Antique Parlor Chair

I’m sharing an update on my wooden antique parlor chair for this month’s Thrift Store Project. It’s hard to believe I’ve had this chair for 15 years. I got it when I first started blogging, and I can’t believe I’ve been blogging since July 2009.

The original chair is shown in the photo above. The price of the chair was $7.50. It was first seen on my blog in the article Old Gal Gets a New Outfit, where I show you that I made a slipcover to cover the old fabric.

As a DIY blogger, I generally paint furniture. For some reason, this chair has avoided the paintbrush all these years.

Antique Parlor Chair

The antique parlor chair has resided in my master bedroom for all those years, but recently, I decided it needed to be relocated to my new vacation home.

The antique parlor chair has been at “The Hideaway” for a few months. I’m starting to paint the walls and cabinetry, so I thought this project was quick and easy for this month’s Thrift Store Share. I have already shared the headboard and barstool nightstands. The headboard is navy blue, while the barstools are a mixture of navy and black. So, I decided to paint the chair like the barstools.

Prep Wooden Furniture For Painting

I removed the slipcover from the seat. The back is stitched on. I used the HTP Surface Prep Wipes to prepare the wood for paint.

I was shocked and a little embarrassed to show you how dirty this chair was. Apparently, I didn’t clean my thrift store projects back in the day as I always advise you to do.

I used painter’s tape to protect the fabric. A small artist’s brush made painting this area much more manageable.

How to Paint Furniture in a Very Deep Navy Blue Color

The black basecoat was applied with my favorite small paintbrush.

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I’m already loving the dark Iron Gate paint on the base of the antique parlor chair.

After finishing the black base coat and allowing it to dry thoroughly, it was time for the topcoat, Polo, a vibrant navy blue.

Applying a light coat of the navy blue Polo over the black base coat gives the wood a deep blue hue.

Deep Blue Antique Parlor Chair

I replaced the ruffled slipcover on the antique parlor chair. There are no pretty “after” photos of the chair yet. The master bedroom is still a work in progress. I’m hoping to paint the walls later this month.

The chair is back in the master bedroom in the vacation home, which is a glorified camper with hideous wallpaper throughout.

I plan to deepen the bright navy blue Polo headboard with a little Iron Gate (black) to match the nightstands and the “new” chair. Eventually, I would like to recover the chair and give it a more comfortable seat. The antique parlor chair will be used for extra seating in the tiny living room when I entertain guests when it’s too hot or cold to be outdoors.

It’s a beautiful color against the neutral drop cloth slipcover. Sometimes it looks black, and other times it looks blue.

I would love to hear from you before you dash off to see more great projects below. If you have time, would you consider saving this project to Pinterest?

Broken Cane Chair with Upholstered Seat

Let’s see what my friends have been working on:

• Antique Parlor Chair Makeover (You are here, thank you!)
• Goodwill Tiered Tray Succulent Planter
• Faux DIY Concrete Garden Decorations
• Painted Flower Box