Vintage Bentwood Chair Makeover

February 09, 2022


Photo of a vintage bentwood chair purchased for $5 at Restore.
I found this cool vintage bentwood chair for $5 at a ReStore shop in the Twin Cities.

The makeover of this chair is my project for the Thrift Store Decor Team's February Blog Party today. Be sure and scroll all the way to the end to see nine more makeovers!


(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I used for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 


Photo of the chair seat bottom label of a Great Northern Chair Co bentwood chair from 1938.
The bottom of the seat had this Made in USA, Great Northern Chair Co, 1938, stamp on it.

I washed the dusty old chair down with hot soapy Dawn Dish Soap and a rag.

Photo of a bentwood chair being painted with Caviar black paint from Dixie Belle Paint Company.
I scuffed up the finish a bit with 220 grit sandpaper to help with paint adhesion.  (This was just a 5 minute job. Not heavy duty sanding.)

Photo of a bentwood chair being painted with black chalk paint.
Then I brushed on two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar (black).  Caviar is my favorite, rich black chalk paint. 

I dampened my brush with a couple spritzes of water occasionally, to prevent brush strokes.

Photo of the back of a vintage bentwood chair.
The back of this bentwood chair is different than other bentwood chairs that I have had in the past.  It actually has an area to stencil on.

I thought my new Cozy Sweater Stencil from Dixie Belle Paint Company would be perfect for the chair back.

Dixie Belle Paint Company provided me with complimentary product samples. All opinions about this fabulous stencil or paint are my own.


Photo of the Cozy Sweater stencil from Dixie Belle Paint Company being taped to the back of a chair.
The stencil is bigger than the back of the chair. 

First, I taped the round side pieces with blue painter's tape to prevent stray stenciling from getting past the back's flat area.  Then  I taped the stencil in place in two spots on top of the stencil.  No where to tape it on the edges. I pounced on the half of the stencil (without tape) first using Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Cotton.  After the stenciling on one side had dried, I taped the stencil down on the other side and finished the Cozy Sweater pattern.
Cotton is Dixie Belle's whitest white.

Photo of the back of a wooden chair painted black and stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil from Dixie Belle Paint Company.
I love the way my chair back turned out!

Photo of a vintage bentwood chair painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar & stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil.
I let the paint cure overnight, and then waxed the chair with Dixie Belle's Best Dang Wax in Clear the next day. I used a both a brush and a cloth to apply the wax.  When the wax was dry, I wiped down the piece with an other rag to remove any excess wax.

Above is a closeup of the chair! 

Photo of a vintage bentwood chair painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar & stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil.
I might have to keep this one!

Photo of a vintage bentwood chair painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar & stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil.
I love chairs, especially unique ones.

Photo of a vintage bentwood chair painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar & stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil.
I have used the Cozy Sweater stencil on upcycled metal tins and a stool too.

Photo of a vintage bentwood chair painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar & stenciled with the Cozy Sweater stencil.
Pin for later!

Photo collage of thrifted finds being upcycled for the February Thrift Store Decor Team's blog party.
Now it's time to check out the party links below to see these finds as finished projects!

DIY Artisan Vase from Domestically Speaking

Reclaimed Wood Valance Shelf Redo from My Repurposed Life

Flower Pot With Metallic Copper Spray Paint from Petticoat Junktion

DIY European Art with Thrift Store Frame from Our Southern Home

How To Make A DIY Spoon Ring from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Upcycling a Bamboo Tray with Blueprint Paper from Sadie Seasongoods

Upcycled Mail Organizer from House Of Hawthornes

Trash to Treasure Picnic Basket from Reinvented Delaware

Office Chair Update from Shop At Blu


Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

Sharing is caring

Receive my Posts and Newsletters to your Email


Comment with Facebook

Comments

  1. You should totally keep the chair! It turned out perfect. I love that unique stencil!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I LOVE how clearly that stamp on the bottom is! That's always such an amazing find on older pieces. And that stenciling is SO fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I adore the sweater stencil! I need to go check out their paint and stencils and see what I've been missing out on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes check out their stencils! They have some great patterns. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Newbie to refinishing...Do you spritz before redipping in the paint? or after? I have trouble with brush strokes as well.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comments! I respond to most comments by email unless anonymous or no reply blogger. I also have a facebook comment box.
By leaving a comment you are consenting to your email being collected for communication purposes only. Your privacy is important to me.