Isn’t it amazing how fast time flies? I mean, literally, another year just flew by and a new one has begun. Not only does it make me want to savor the precious times even more, but also to make the days and weeks REAL. With that, I’m excited to start this new year with a story of blessing. What a joy it is to be surrounded by the ones we love and friends that are like family. When my friend, Mandy, asked if I’d like to have this pair of antique child’s chairs, she knew they were my kinda thrifted find.
Isn’t that awesome? I mean, they’re cute Windsor style and just need a bit more spunk and love. If you look close in the picture above, you can see the back spindles are apart from the frame. In addition, the leg spreaders need re-glued as well.
The one is even sporting the cracked and ugly rubber feet. I’m not sure why, however, because the legs/feet are in great shape. Maybe to keep a certain little one from scooting their chair around?
SITTING PRETTY
While this isn’t a brain-busting project as they just need to be loved on, I am, as always, here to show you that creating your own home story. All you need to do is be willing try and ready to have fun. With that in mind, let’s get this DIY project party started!
First, as you can imagine, I need to give them a cleaning since they are worn and weathered. Most often I simply use a 1:2 water/vinegar mixture to spray on and wipe it down. Then, I decide on what I’m going to do with the chairs. For the smaller chair, I choose a yellow milk paint. The same milk paint I use on this French Provincial chest of drawers.
I simply brush it on and let cure for two coats. No special prep, just make-sense cleaning. Next, for the larger one, I choose a black milk paint.
GRACE
When I see a transformation happening like this, I can’t help but imagine how God is eagerly waiting for us to accept His grace and wipe our tarnished slate clean. What a relief to see those stains and damaging scars brushed away. Are the scars still there? You bet. However, it all adds to our own story, our lessons learned, and our guideposts for the future.
While the paint goes on wonderfully, I do intend to add a new story. Again, the process is simple and straightforward. I apply two coats, letting cure in between. Last, as soon as they paint cures, I want to add time-worn wear to each one. I begin by using a warm, damp cloth to wet distress the chairs.
You can see how I use this method to distress furniture in these past posts. Have you ever tried it? Not only do I use wet distressing, but also sanding, resisting with wax candle, and also petroleum jelly (see HERE).
FINAL LOOK
Finally, after I hammer apart the chairs and glue them anew, add a few coats of paint followed by a new time-worn story, my antique child’s chairs are ready for many more years. Which one is your favorite? First, here’s the larger one in a matte black.
There’s nothing more classic than a black Windsor chair. Agreed? It seems as though this style stands the test of time wonderfully and are a lasting piece of furniture. Also, doesn’t the wet distressing give it just the right touch.
No more wobbles and super cute to boot. woot!
Then, what about the little yellow fella? Here it is bringing a sweet smile to my face.
Additionally, this project really gripped my mama heart because my kids are literally too big for these anymore. Talk about crazy! Not only are they too big but growing into amazing people. Boy does time fly!
SHARE
With all my heart my goal is to spark inspiration in some shape or form. Maybe it’s by giving something you already own a new look, or maybe it’ll send you off on a #trashure hunt. Better yet, maybe this year you’ll give yourself healthy boundaries and self-care with an ounce or two of grace. I know I need it for sure.
Leave me some comment love below, and while you’re at it, do pin and share to inspire others too. I’m currently rebuilding my shop site, so you’ll find these two cuties available in my online shop.
Before you go, I’ll be sharing an announcement of a new member to our Prodigal Pieces family, so be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!
Additionally, here are some other kid-fun makeovers like these antique child’s chairs:
I have two of these little guys from my husband’s Sunday School classroom. My children are now mid to late 30’s. My one grandson, who’s six, has outgrown them, also. So they have now been promoted to plant stands!
May you always know the peace of God’s journey for you and His boundless love. My prayers are with you.
aww!! That’s so awesome! That’s what I use mine for as well. Hugs!
Oh Larissa!! You’ve dealt with so many disappointments, obstacles and hard work that I pray you will see God’s beautiful plan for you begin to reveal itself. You’ve been such a good and humble person, I know good things are surely in his plan!!! Those hardships are part of that plan we may never understand, but must trust. Knowing the grace you weathered them really inspired me not to give up during my darkest days. To count my blessings and to realize that there is joy to be found even when we have lost all hope. You and your family are always in my prayers and the true gifts are the amazing young people who grew up learning from your example and will carry that flame into the world with them. What a gift to us all!! Much love and prayers go out to you!! (And how did you know I have a stash of 5 children’s chairs that need this kind of love that I had no idea how to start??? 😂🥰💕)
What a bright ray of sunshine you are, Rebecca. Yes, God is so very good and He has a plan. Though, at times, being patient or hearing His voice can be profound. There’s much to my story and I’m seeking His face. Many hugs to you and sending DIY vibes for your quints. haha.
Darling! I have a child’s bentwood’ chair I need to tackle. Thanks for the inspiration.
Prayers for you and family.
Ooh…those are some of my favorites. Built to last! 😀 Thank you.
The best basic makeover! That’s all they needed! Sending prayers your way 🙏🙏
You’re so fun, Susan! Thank you. They are felt 🙂
God is good. He wipes away every tear and holds them close. Your re-new projects are wonderful examples of how we can overcome with Gods Mercy and Grace.
New Years Blessings to you and yours.
Such sweet words to hear out of love. Thank you for that, Stephanie.
I think I am leaning towards the yellow one, they both turned out great Larissa. I think the warm rag distressed look is like a metaphor. We can all dress ourselves up and look a whole lot nicer but those warn edges are still there. I think about James 1 and Hebrews 12:1 there are a lot of scriptures on enduring…Roman 5:1-5 is another great example. Hebrews 6:19 is a verse I have clung to over the years, but frankly these last couple of years have been brutal. I have become somewhat of a hermit and I have been searching for a sustaining scripture for this time. I am hopeful in prayer for 2023 and I will stand in the gap in prayer for you and yours as well!
Thank you and you are so right. It is definitely a way to make an analogy. We have so much to learn from our past both good and bad. I’m with you on the last few years being tough. It always amazes me how we can look back and see God’s hand in our lives. I don’t always see Him at the present because my focus is off. I pray you find that grace and peace. Hugs!
These turned out perfect! I think I’m more drawn to the black, but both colors are just lovely. Thank you for sharing the wet distressing technique! I’m still a newbie with chalk paint, so that’s a fun little tip I’ll have to remember!
Looking forward to more upcycle fun this year, thanks for sharing your light!!
How fun are you?! Thank you for being that ray of sunshine. I sure had fun with these and even more joy sharing it with you.