Mid-Century Modern Chairs Makeover

Mid-Century Modern Chairs for a Silent Auction

Welcome to The Painted Chandelier! Today, I thought I would show you the chairs I just finished for a Silent Auction for one of my friends. The benefit was to raise money for her son’s band at his high school, and because I think the Arts are so important, I agreed to do this:)

2 chairs from a thrift store in good condition~ I really liked the cane back!

Really nice, clean lines

I LOVE the cane back……did I mention that?!

When I saw these chairs at a thrift store, they caught my attention because the cane back is something you don’t see too often.They seemed sort of wobbly though, so I passed them by. As all thrift store items that are “meant to be,” they were STILL there the next time I went back. After a closer look, I realized that all I had to do was tighten some screws under the seat, and add a few new seat screws and they were in great condition. Mid-Century Modern furniture pieces are not hard to come by, especially in antique and thrift shops. These are American made, and Post 1950’s. Henredon made some of these, but I didn’t see their brand name on these particular chairs. Because I was looking for silent auction items to paint, I wanted something that would work in many styles of homes or apartments. It’s a little hard to choose a paint and fabric that appeals to many ages of people like at these events, so I decided on a light neutral paint color, with a fabric that’s both classic ( black & white ) and modern/eclectic ( Greek Key ).

Outdoor black and white Greek Key fabric

AFTER with white paint and new, fun fabric

I moved them around in my own house, to see how they would look with my French Country/Traditional style~ with a different fabric choice, they could work!

I love finishing my work with one of my new cards. Shell Bufton @ Purveyor of Geekery on Etsy designed my blog header and I also had her design business cards for me~ She is so talented, and will work to give you the look you want!

The paint I used on this chair was Krylon Fusion for Plastic in Satin Dover White. Cream was too yellow, and white was too stark for this fabric. This is a very pleasing shade of white, if you are looking for something off white, but not too creamy.( FYI: The plastic paint works just as well on wood!)

I think these Mid-Century Modern Cane Back Chairs could work in many different styles of homes. The Dover White paint gives them a fresh new look, while the black and white fabric can be used in a traditional, transitional, or modern home. I think they would look great at either end of a kitchen or dining room table. Think outside the box when you see items at thrift stores. Paint and fabric can change the look of an item so much. Just because it reeks with smoke, pets, etc. ( need I continue?! ) doesn’t mean you can’t change that. All that can be fixed. Most things can be repaired on old furniture, but not everything. So shop carefully, sit on, flip over, and inspect before purchasing.

Thanks for stopping by today at The Painted Chandelier. Please e-mail me if you have any questions, or would like more information on my painted furniture and/or decorating services in the Atlanta area.