Painted Sofa Reveal!

Greetings Friends! On Friday, I shared my latest find--a worn, dated sofa I reclaimed from a yard sale.  I've been very busy giving it new life and today I am excited to reveal it...

Chalk painted yard sale sofa

Here's my yard sale sofa in its rejected state--you can see I had my work cut out for me...

Painted Sofa Reveal


...and here it is rescued and refreshed! 

DIY chalk painted sofa

Before beginning, I had already determined that I wanted to paint the main sofa, then cover the seat cushions with fabric. I had never painted upholstery before and while I know I'm not the first to paint a sofa, it was a first for me. I found the challenge a little daunting, so I did what I usually do when navigating a new experience. Research, research and research some more! Basically, when it comes to painting upholstery, there are the chalk people and the latex people. Both seem equally enthusiastic about their technique. Both emphasize the importance of misting the fabric with water and also mixing the paint with water, before applying. The latex peeps also add fabric medium so the paint will adhere to the fabric. The theory of the chalk peeps is that the chalk paint actually dyes the fabric which made sense to me, so I was already leaning toward chalk paint when I went to look for fabric for the cushions. I was thrilled to find a nice weight gray cotton and chalk paint in the same shade, both by Waverly and then further inspired to find this fabulous pillow--the tools to create the vision in my head :)

Chalk painted sofa tutorial

When I first started, I have to confess it was with more trepidation than when I painted my oven!  For the first coat,  I mixed two parts water to one part chalk paint. I used a spray bottle of water to mist the fabric in sections, as I applied the paint. This helps the fabric absorb the paint. Warning: it is messy! I wore gloves and moved a garbage bag with me under each section as I painted. Fortunately, I'd already learned it would not look great good after the first coat--check! Important: Allow 24 hours to dry between coats! 
Chalk painted sofa tutorial

Pretty much everything I read stressed the importance of allowing the paint to dry 24 hours and sanding with 220 grit sandpaper in between coats.  I know it sounds weird to sand upholstery, but it works! If your fabric does not have a pattern or is closer to the paint color you choose, you may only need two coats.  Of course, I chose a light shade to cover a dark pattern so I needed three!  After the first coat, the paint and water mixture is half and half and I also found I did not need to mist the fabric first.  

Chalk painted sofa tutorial

I wanted to show a close up after the third coat.  It doesn't appear to be painted--it just looks like fabric and is also not hard or stiff to the touch! I have read other tutorials where it mentioned painted fabric feeling "crunchy."  Mine really doesn't! The chintz like fabric may be part of the reason but I also attribute the desired texture to adequate thinning with water, drying and sanding. This shade Mineral, by Waverly looked much lighter before it dried and almost caused a panic(!) but the dried color was perfect. 

Chalk painted sofa tutorial

For the wood trim, I used Waverly White and lightly distressed it.

Chalk painted sofa upholstery tutorial

Did you notice I chose not to use the back cushions? I wanted a similar look to my other vintage sofa,  Rosie.  Also, I made one long seat cover rather than sewing three separate ones for the same reason. No more throwback from the eighties! She just needs a name--any suggestions? 


Chalk painted sofa reveal
If you've been contemplating painting upholstery, I say go for it! My experience was certainly rewarding and I can't help but think of all the times I've passed on a good piece because of the wrong pattern or color--the possibilities are endless and oh-so-thrifty! Total cost including $10 for yard sale sofa, fabric and paint: $51.60! Happy dance! 




MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR FEATURING THIS POST:


 The Dedicated House



I was featured at DIY Furniture Makeovers



Scrapality.com







Would you like to comment?

  1. Wow! That is quite and undertaking and it looks great! I have often wondered what the process entailed, thanks for sharing it. I still cannot believe that couch was $10...certainly not anymore!! :)

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  2. The sofa turned out great. I have been too chicken to paint any upholstery yet. I have two wing back chairs that would be excellent candidates. So I'm thinking about taking the plunge.

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  3. Oh yes do the happy dance some more she is a beauty! Great job on the distressing too. Really brings out her character!

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  4. Oh my GOSH Cecilia, what a beauty. I would never have attempted that. Great tutorial and pictures too. I am sure this will inspire others to paint furniture. Great bargain too ... a lovely sofa costing barely over $50.00. I bet it fits perfectly in your living room.

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  5. I am amazed it looks so nice. Does it feel like fabric or like Naugahyde or what?
    Does it ever start cracking or peeling? I never would have thought of useing paint on it. Do you have to put a sealer on it?
    This is very interesting.

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  6. It came out so pretty! I would be so nervous to do that but you make it sound easy. I would also be afraid to sit on it! It looks so good, even if it is just a showpiece in your room!

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  7. I suggest the name should be Sally..What a great ending to a sad sofa! What a wonderful job you did:)

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  8. Okay, that is just awesome!!! I love it! You did such an amazing job, I'm so impressed. I've got a French provincial chair that I've left in its original state because I was afraid to paint the fabric and because I can't recover anything. You have given me inspiration for this. Pinning for future reference so that I can figure out what I'm doing when the time comes!

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  9. That is gorgeous, Cecelia! You must be thrilled! Great job!

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  10. Hi Cecilia, I am so glad that you tried this and that it worked out well. I has going to do this on my big pink chair and was told by followers that it was uncomfortable.But I know you would be honest about it. I will have to give it a try. I will pin this obe for sure. XO Jo

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  11. Wow, that looks great! Amazing transformation, Cecilia. It's beautiful!

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  12. Cecilia, that turned out beautiful! Glad to hear that it is soft. Great great job!

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  13. Wow, what a transformation! I've never tried painting upholstery before, but now I'm feeling much braver about it. Good to know there's a way to keep it from feeling hard and crunchy. Thanks for sharing at VIParty.

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  14. Cecilia, what an incredible makeover! I'm so glad you shared at Five Star Frugal. We'd love to have you again this week. Love, Mimi xxx

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  15. Wow, great find, great deal!! This came out amazing! :) Thank you for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!

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  16. Great job! In 1975, I found furniture fabric paint in all places, Canadian Tire in Ottawa, Ont. Canada. I had a dark brown couch with a short looped fabric and the matching chair. This paint was made to make it look like leather, in this case, black. The procedure was the same, sanding between coats and it looked great! People couldn't believe it! It lasted about 4 years and then the cushions started to crack and split. If there was something that I could have applied on top of the dried material to keep it from drying out and cracking, it may have lasted longer! But, it was great while it lasted and a money saver!!!

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  17. Wow Cecilia, it really looks fabulous! So am I understanding right? You did make a cover for the seat cushion, but the back and sides are painted? I have seen this done, but worried that it would be still or crunchy; like you mentioned. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  18. Wow. That is awesome! Looks beautiful.

    I'd love to invite you to come over and link up to Your Inspired Design, a cooperative link party. You'll be featured on 6 blogs at once! Hope to see you there! http://www.potentiallychic.com/potentiallychicblog/2015/10/8/your-inspired-design-6

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  19. Oh Cecilia, it is gorgeous!!! What a makeover. Besides the white paint, i love the type of fabric you choose for the sofa. VERY elegant. Thank you for linking this up at SHARE IT linky party at www.FineCRAFTguild.com A new party will open again tonight and hope to see you soon there! ~ Rose

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  20. Oh, my goodness! It's amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at The Round-Up from the Before & After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to the Round-Up so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/10/the-round-up-from-before-after-wednesday_13.html Hope to see you again at the party. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  21. My name suggestion is Eliza,after the character in "My Fair Lady". What a lovely transformation!

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  22. My name suggestion is Eliza,after the character in "My Fair Lady". What a lovely transformation!

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  23. In keeping with her former flower theme and the name of her sister sofa, I suggest her name be Lily. She looks so beautiful and now you can see her great bones too!

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