ANNIE SLOAN
WITH CHALK PAINT TM MID-CENTURY MODERN CHAIRS
These dining of dining chairs were owned by an elderly couple who had owned them since the 1960s and they were now languishing in the attic because they thought they were old fashioned . Little did they know that these are now highly sought after !!
This design originates with the Danish designer Hans Wegner , and since then the basic design has been imitated many times over with various interpretations .
Generally the shaped backrest is a more decorative grained wood than the legs , which are often made of beech , a very sturdy wood with little marking . We have enhanced the basic modern feel by painting the legs and staining the fabric with Chalk Paint™ .
Each chair ( figure 1 ) has been given individuality using Aubusson , Olive , Primer Red and English Yellow Chalk Paint™ on Gentlemen fabric with Graphite painted legs . But any natural fiber fabric such as cotton or linen will work well .
STEP 1
The upholstery had sunk with age and was looking dull and shabby in an old sage velvet , so we stripped it back to the plywood base . The wood on the back of the chair was polished with a Danish oil to give it back its lustre . We then painted the legs with Graphite Chalk Paint™
- in order to achieve a smooth finish we used a small flat brush and painted in one direction . We kept a small pot of water nearby so we could ensure the paint was of the right consistency .
STEP 2
The existing seat pad was in relatively good condition therefore we reused it , adding a new piece of polyester wadding and fire retardant calico .
STEP 3
We chose Gentlemen fabric , part of the Annie Sloan range in Europe and the UK , it ’ s a 100 percent cotton fabric and 280cm wide , but any natural fabric will do . This fabric has a very fine check in a charcoal grey and suits a variety of styles . It was particularly in keeping with the style of this chair . Once the top cover had been secured , we covered with a black bottom lining . This gave the piece a professional finish .
STEP 4
Using a masking tape , we marked the area we wanted to paint .
STEP 5
To add some colour and make the chairs unique , we made a dye using Chalk Paint™ . We mixed one part paint to 10 parts water in a small container . We then applied the mixture using a small flat brush , working it into the fabric .
FIGURE 1
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