Almost a year ago I shared that I was painting a leather chair.
The chair that I was painting was found at a thrift shop.
You can read the original post HERE.
The chair was only 10.00 so I did not have much to lose if this was a fail.
I painted the chair using Annie Sloan paint in Coco then applying wax.
Before I began painting it I tried fixing the repairs on the chair as best that I could.
But I was hoping the paint and wax would help seal the tears this chair had.
This was the chair after I painted it,you can see in the front area of the chair where it was repaired.
It’s not perfect but I was hoping it would hold up,this chair is used allot since it is our office chair.
Today I wanted to update you all on how this chair has held up.
I wanted to be honest about this,is it a DIY success or Failure you be the judge.
This is what the chair looks like today.
It looks great with the exception of that front area.
Taking a close up you can see a very small portion has peeled and the areas that were already damaged did not hold up at all.
But this paint does not claim to repair leather.
I just thought it would be a fun experiment to see if it would hold up.
And since I paid so very little for this chair it was worth the risk.
Another shot,yes that small area by the buttons peeled just a but too.
But I have to say, as much as this chair is used and abused I think that this held up amazingly!
I would definitely paint a leather chair again!
The next time I would love to find a piece in wonderful condition to see how it holds up.
Although I don’t mind at all that it did not hold up.
I am all about Shabby Chic and imperfection.
If I wanted a perfect leather chair I would buy one.
I love pieces just like this chair with it’s wonderful imperfections.
So I would not at all call this a DIY fail.
But I did want to be honest and update you all on how this chair held up after a year.
Now my other French chair that was fabric,and I painted it with Chalk paint that has held up perfectly!
You can read about that HERE.
I no longer have this in my home,a dear sweet friend of mine bought this and it’s now in her lovely room.
This chair is holding up beautifully,even though it is sat on and used often!
No cracks in the paint at all!
Painting leather and fabric is a wonderful alternative to reupholstering.
I am not suggesting not to reupholster furniture,but it’s nice to have an alternative especially if you are on a budget or simply cannot tackle reupholstering a piece of furniture.
Have you painted a leather or fabric chair yet?
If not you should give it a try!
Don’t be nervous,check out a garage sale or thrift shop and find a cheap piece to practice on first.
But I am warning you once you do,you will love this alternative!
Joining:
I think it is a success! The chair still looks great!
Thank you Lisa!
I am glad you showed this — I remember when you did it. I painted a leather chair last year, too, using ASCP as a base coat and on the wood. Then I painted over the leather with a regular Valspar latex paint. Where the leather had cracks (it was an old chair) they have reappeared, and there are a couple of spots where even the ASCP peeled (they are small). I am thinking I might recoat the leather when I “get around to it” and use a little plaster of paris in that latex. I don’t think anything will really repair that leather. In the case of my chair, it was just dried out because no one had thought to condition it over the years.The imperfections don’t bother me either!
Isn’t it fun experimenting Scribbler.Especially if it’s on a very inexpensive piece.And I agree I love imperfections!
It looks great. I have been so pleasantly surprised by my faux leather chairs holding up for almost two years now. As you say, a perfectly fine way to put off the expensive reupholstery job.
Yes absolutely Amy! It’s such a nice alternative.
I have wanted to try this but I was afraid that it would not be comfortable to sit in. Let me know how it is. Thanx Jo
It’s very comfortable to sit in Joanne,I still feels like leather.And the fabric chair I painted….feels just like leather although it is not leather.
Enjoyed this post–so fun to see how things really work out. I painted a velvet chair and I am not really sure how long it has been–maybe a year? It is still perfect. Both 2 chairs today–can’t wait to paint them…they are velvet too. Repairing leather is quite a hard thing. I wonder if you used one of those leather repair kits before you painted it would have worked out better? I agree though–it still looks decent 🙂
Thank you Sandy!I have never found a leather repair kit that was easy to use and actually worked.So I figured what the heck I will give this a try.I had nothing to lose.
Hi! I think you have a real winner as far as a ASCP DIY project goes! I just starting using ASCP and have done several small projects. Now, after seeing your chair and reading the comments, I feel brave enough to paint my beloved and comfy wing back recliner! Wish me luck — any special tips I should know about? Does the paint need to be thickened or should it be thinned a bit? My recliner is fabric…
Many thanks for this info – and your blog in general.
Thank you Carol Ann!Oh how fun! I painted a fabric chair with ASCP too and the results…well it looks amazing! Looks and feels just like leather!No special tips,just make sure the piece is cleaned well,and since this paint is a little thicker than normal paint you can add a little water to thin it down.It will go on easier if you do.Usually I just use it out of the can for the first coat and the second coat I add a little water to the paint.
I have a leather chair that I plan to paint with ASCP… and tips on waxing? Do you have to let it “cure” so to speak? Did any of the wax come off on the clothing of the first few people who sat on the chair?
I think that’s my biggest fear. Thanks!
Hi Barbara, I waxed that chair using Miss Mustard Seed’s wax. I didn’t use Annie Sloan because I am not patient enough to wait for it to dry.I believe I applied 2-3 coats, drying in between. Yes make sure the paint is fully dried.No wax comes off of the chair. We used this chair every day, it’s in our den.