Okay, so let’s flashback to about August. It was the Big Furniture Paint-a-thon of 2013…

We had found on CraigsList a rounded rectangular table with a butterfly leaf to replace our smaller round table (to accommodate another person at the table, since Sis was rapidly outgrowing her high chair). The table was in good shape but needed its blonde top refinished, which didn’t bother us because we knew we were going to paint it anyway. The $30 price tag was a steal!

Then later–and also from CraigsList–we found these really nice and very high quality arm chairs. The chair fabric was worn and the wood color was honey, but at 2 for $50, we scored another deal!

But sadly, once we found the chairs, cold weather hit before we got the chairs painted. *sigh* So our kitchen table and chairs “set” has looked like this all winter long.

Yes, I am glad spring is here. I think the first day it was warm and dry enough, I dragged these chairs straight out and sprayed them creamy white to match everything else.

Then the cushions were ready for a little attention.

I grabbed the fabric for the chairs, the same fabric with which I made throw pillows and a stool cushion. I made sure the fabric was going the direction I wanted, then I grabbed my staple gun.

I centered the fabric under the cushion and stapled it in the center on all four sides.

Then I flipped ti over just to make sure everything looked good and the directional pattern was running the right way.

Then it was time for a staple-a-thon. I worked along each edge from the center out, then paid special attention at the corners.

First I stapled to within an inch or two from the corner.

So the corner fabric was ready to be folded back.

I pulled the flap back and stapled its tip to the chair seat.

Then folding and stapling, I secured the rest of the corner fabric.

This will be hidden away underneath and by the chair apron, so don’t hold back on securing the fabric!

[TIP: Staple at an angle outwards to help keep the staples from pulling out.]

Ahhhhhh, much better! A matching set!

Hmm… but still not quite there for me.

…Um, ’cause there is still that one sanded chair…

So out came the sander.

Oh yes. Now we’re cookin’.

So between the new fabric and the sandpaper, I am one happy camper.

I am apparently obsessed with painted distressed furniture. How delightfully predictable of me. 🙂

I relish the way hitting all the corners, edges, and high spots with the sander makes all six chairs feel well-loved and even more like a matching set.

And I love how all the pieces flow now from the living room to the kitchen.

[Yes, I know the light fixture is still there, and the wall is still blank… Baby steps, m’kay?] 🙂

But with all that is [always] left to do, I’m so glad to have all the chairs done!

Okay, SO, three things:

1. Go get your paint on, and make a “matching set” of your own.

2. Remember to enter the Pick Your Plum giveaway.

and

3. Please do spoil your kids’ teachers rotten, ’cause it’s National Teacher Appreciation week! Wheeeeeee! 🙂