Makeover to Flea Market Chairs
Have you ever thought about giving a makeover to flea market chairs? Check out my tutorial.
I’ve had these chairs for what seems like for-EVER!
I found them shopping with the girls last year and posted about them here as well.
Now I have finally had time to give them a makeover!
I call them flea market chairs not because I bought them at a flea market (because I didn’t) but because it reminds me of ones used at an actual flea market or rec centre.
You know the type…stackable, made of cheap wood and metal and probably a dime a dozen.
But such a great DIY makeover!
Did you know I used to work at a flea market? One of my very first jobs!
I worked in the cafeteria and made hot dogs and cooked onions.
I don’t even like onions.
A bunch of my high school friends were working there so I thought sure, what the hell.
And these boring chairs were everywhere at the flea market.
I bought them for $1.
I used leftover paint for the seat and back, Fusion Mineral paint in Champlain and Rustoleum Smoke Grey gloss for the legs.
But huge problem. I spray painted the legs first, no problem there.
Then I painted the wood with the white. No problem there.
Then my kids wanted to help me.
Big problem.
So needless to say, white paint got on glossy metal grey legs. *sigh*
I thought I could do some touch-ups with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite (last ditch effort)
But that really didn’t work. You can see the chalky paint marks although I will say it was nearly a perfect match.
So now I have to tape up the white with plastic bags and spray paint the legs again.
Or find some glossy paint and brush on the legs.
I love the stencil too. You can find it HERE (no. 17).
So these chairs turned out to be a great makeover.
But I still need to do more work on them.
Flea market chairs = work (like me working at the flea market!)
What an awesome makeover! I love the smoked gray color, will have to look out for that one. So cute that your kids wanted to help, even though that kind of “help” usually causes a little more work! 🙂
Yes, totally more work with kids but they had so much fun so it was worth it. Thanks so much, Kimm.
Hugs, Jamie
I have seen chairs like this a million times and would never have thought of doing this to them. You really have made them into something special.
They are everywhere, right? Thanks Gilly!
Hugs, Jamie
Love the chairs!! They do look a lot better!
Thanks Shawnna 😉
Hugs, Jamie
The chairs look great Jamie! Even with the extra touches done by the kids 🙂
Thanks April. The kids had a blast so that’s what is important, right?
Hugs, Jamie
Call me crazy, but I kind of like the look of the chalk paint spots! It gives them a certain character and I wouldn’t have known that they weren’t meant to look like that unless you mentioned it 🙂
Really? Thanks so much, Angela. You know how you get something in your head and you think it just looks wrong? I should look at it in a different light and I might just love it. Thanks for your sweet comment.
Hugs, Jamie
Absolutely love these!! They came out so classy and elegant.
Thanks so much, Georgia.
Hugs, Jamie
These are so lovely, Jamie! I love what you did with them – they’re so YOU now!
Thanks Tara. I love them now! It was so fun buying them with you. We need to do another trip soon.
Hugs, Jamie
wow they look fabulous!
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Hugs, Jamie