Thursday, February 13, 2014

Easy Vintage Chair Update {& Thrift Store Shopping}

Can I just say that thrift store shopping has been pretty down right horrendous so far this year? Because it has. Literally, a month and half in and I have only bought three pieces; a desk for a customer, a drop leaf table (I'll share next week) and this chair.
 

 



 
Here are my issues (and tell me if you are running into this problem in your area of the country, too):
 
1. Super high prices.
Because, believe it or not. I cannot pay $50+ for a dresser that is pretty much crumbling into pieces.
 
2. Lack of selection.
The shelves are bare people!
 
3. Quality.
What I am finding in the stores is laminate and press board. Gah.
 
So, when I found this chair I was over the moon. Really, I was super excited to find something structurally in good condition that was reasonably priced.
 
 
 
I decided to use American Paint Company paint in Dawns Early Light for this project. (They were recently nice enough to send me over some supplies to test out.)
 
 
 
This is seriously the prettiest color, friends! It is a pale gray with a touch of lavender. Just lovely! I decided to distress it to give it a worn feel and then upholstered the seat in a graphic black and white floral fabric for contrast.
 
 
 
 
This paint was fantastic to work with. It went on super smooth, covered great and distressed easily. Have you tried it yet?
 
 

23 comments:

  1. The thrift stores here in the Attleboro area are always like that..never find a thing!

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  2. Love the chair Angela, and yes we are having the same thrifting issues here, it's driving me nuts. I was at one of my old hot-spots the other day and they had a dresser for $295 and it needed some serious work. $295, are you kidding me!

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  3. I am the very happy new owner of this chair. Angela has such a great eye and great talent. I would never have looked at the old version and been able to imagine how great it looks with now with her touches.
    I am an avid fan!

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  4. I am having the same problem here in Ontario Canada - it seems that with the advent of Pinterest, many people are seeing the benefit of buying second hand furniture and fixing it up themselves. I think that is forcing the prices to go sky high. Here's hoping you find some good stuff soon!

    Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG

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  5. I too in Phoenix, have been keeping an eye out for beautiful lines on furniture after seeing what great projects people are creating. Most of what I am seeing is also laminate and press board, with no good lines. I keep looking, something will have to turn up soon!

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  6. Gorgeous chair, Angela! You did a beautiful job as usual ;)
    Hugs,
    Jamie

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  7. Gorgeous chair! And I agree that Goodwill is getting crazy with their prices! I actually find that I do better at estate sales anymore. Our Goodwill is mostly clothes anymore anyway. Kind of a bummer.

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  8. Love the transformation...and I have the same thrift store problems in my neck of the woods...I've been going alot less because I never purchase anything anymore...

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  9. i love the fabric choice- sweet and simple and the perfect touch!

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  10. Love the chair makeover Angela - the color is very soft and pretty. I noticed you have a stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils laying on the floor - which one did you get and what are you doing with it? I love their stencils! Your chair caught my eye over at the Fabulously Creative Friday Party.
    Marie@The Interior Frugalista

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    1. You have a good eye Marie! I have the Otomi stencil (one of their new designs). It will be used in our upstairs hall and revealed at the end of Feb. :)

      Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  11. looks great! I haven't had any amazing finds lately, but I find that it tends to go in cycles; I'll go several trips and buy nothing and then suddenly find a whole bunch of stuff....

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  12. This is great makeover, love that wire cloche!!!

    Cynthia

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  13. I've been looking for a chair like this for so long. It's so hard to find a sturdy chair with good lines at a reasonable price these days. I'm with you -- the thrift stores are giving us nothing.

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  14. Oh wow! I love the chair! Beautiful work! :)

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  15. Love a chic chair transformation. The color is lovely. You are so right about finding good furniture pieces. I have found vintage smalls but not chairs and tables. I am always in need of tables.

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  16. Very nice! I love the color you chose. I'm trying to decide what to do with a dresser I have...think I'll check into this paint brand.

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  17. Such a beautiful change. I really like the colour and fabric you chose for this chair. It's very neutral and could go in most spaces.

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  18. Very pretty chair Angela...your makeovers always turn out great!

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  19. I agree with you about the thrift stores so far this year. Aren't people donating as much as they did last year? Or, maybe it's because of the brutal winter. Perhaps spring will have people cleaning out. Your chair makeover is so pretty. I love the color!

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  20. I <3 your chair refinish. My chair fabric has flowers instead of leaves. See my chair under "help a girl out" post.

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  21. Your chair turn out lovely! It really looks amazing.

    Thanks,
    Helen

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.