Isn't it amazing how fast time flies? I mean, literally, another year just flew by and a new one has begun. Not only does it make me want to savor the precious times even more, but also to make the days and weeks
REAL. With that, I'm excited to start this new year with a story of blessing. What a joy it is to be surrounded by the ones we love and friends that are like family. When I saw this pair of antique child's chairs, she knew they were my kinda thrifted find.
Isn't that awesome? I mean, they're cute Windsor style and just need a bit more spunk and love. If you look close in the picture above, you can see the back spindles are apart from the frame. In addition, the leg spreaders need re-glued as well.
The one is even sporting the cracked and ugly rubber feet. I'm not sure why, however, because the legs/feet are in great shape. Maybe to keep a certain little one from scooting their chair around?
SITTING PRETTY
While this isn't a brain-busting project as they just need to be loved on, I am, as always, here to show you that creating your own home story. All you need to do is be willing try and ready to have fun. With that in mind, let's get this DIY project party started!
First, as you can imagine, I need to give them a cleaning since they are worn and weathered. Most often I simply use a 1:2 water/vinegar mixture to spray on and wipe it down. Then, I decide on what I'm going to do with the chairs. For the smaller chair, I choose a yellow milk paint. The same milk paint I use on this
French Provincial chest of drawers.
I simply brush it on and let cure for two coats. No special prep, just make-sense cleaning. Next, for the larger one, I choose a black milk paint.
GRACE
When I see a transformation happening like this, I can't help but imagine how God is eagerly waiting for us to accept His grace and wipe our tarnished slate clean. What a relief to see those stains and damaging scars brushed away. Are the scars still there? You bet. However, it all adds to our own story, our lessons learned, and our guideposts for the future.
While the paint goes on wonderfully, I do intend to add a new story. Again, the process is simple and straightforward. I apply two coats, letting cure in between. Last, as soon as they paint cures, I want to add time-worn wear to each one. I begin by using a warm, damp cloth to wet distress the chairs.
You can see how I use this method to distress furniture in
these past posts. Have you ever tried it? Not only do I use wet distressing, but also sanding, resisting with wax candle, and also petroleum jelly (
see HERE).
FINAL LOOK
Finally, after I hammer apart the chairs and glue them anew, add a few coats of paint followed by a new time-worn story, my antique child's chairs are ready for many more years. Which one is your favorite? First, here's the larger one in a matte black.
There's nothing more classic than a black Windsor chair. Agreed? It seems as though this style stands the test of time wonderfully and are a lasting piece of furniture. Also, doesn't the wet distressing give it just the right touch.
No more wobbles and super cute to boot. woot!
Then, what about the little yellow fella? Here it is bringing a sweet smile to my face.
Additionally, this project really gripped my mama heart because my kids are literally too big for these anymore. Talk about crazy! Not only are they too big but growing into amazing people. Boy does time fly!
SHARE
With all my heart my goal is to spark inspiration in some shape or form. Maybe it's by giving something you already own a new look, or maybe it'll send you off on a
trashure hunt. Better yet, maybe this year you'll give yourself healthy boundaries and self-care with an ounce or two of grace. I know I need it for sure.
Leave me some comment love below, and while you're at it, do pin and share to inspire others too. I'm currently rebuilding my shop site, so you'll find these two cuties available in
my online store.
Before you go, I'll be sharing an announcement of a new member to our Prodigal Pieces family, so be sure to
sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!
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Additionally, here are some other kid-fun makeovers like these antique child's chairs:
