Tuesday, August 25, 2020

DIY Advice


I have this darling pair of antique French wire child's chairs that I purchased decades ago at Flower Mart at the National Cathedral in DC. I looked so forward to Flower Mart every year for perennials, lobster rolls, their wonderful vendor stalls, and the antique carousel. These have sentimental value to me because they were in both my gardens in Alexandria for years and I would love to use them here, but freshened up.

I am envisioning them in the lanai in a fun Florida color - coral or navy blue or emerald green perhaps.

Do I use spray paint? With the thin wires it seems like 90% will end up in the air and I might be better with a can of paint. A lot less mess too.

Has anyone used the Amy Howard One Step Paint? I am thinking of trying it in the Coral Sea - such a pretty color.

Amy Howard One Step - Coral Sea

Perfect with this new dress I just got from J.Crew.


Would anyone like to paint them for me? Just kidding. I am really enjoy having time to focus on all these little projects for my home.

38 comments:

  1. I spray paint a lot of stuff. You'll have some overspray but not as much as you think. I thought of coral before I even saw the swatch so they'll look great. A couple of light coats and they'll be gorgeous! Getting into all the crannies with a brush will make you tear your hair out.

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    1. Thanks - I too am thinking coral would be great.

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  2. Make a spray booth out of cardboard. In NYC you need proof of age to buy spray paint take your drivers license. Have fun.

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    1. Florida is quite laissez faire which is good or bad depending on your viewpoint.

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  3. If you hang the chairs with a bent wire coat hanger from a branch or stand, it's easier to paint.
    I was thinking you could do one coral and the other green.
    I love doing little projects like this. Have fun!

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  4. P.S. I just bought 3 little dresses from the Just Add Water Clothing Company, check them out, too!

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    1. Yes, I have posted about them before - great stuff.

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  5. Use spray paint!. It's the only way to go. It will be much faster. Spray in short strokes and use two light coats. Use glossy paint. Clean the chairs before you spray and remove any loose paint. The coral color is lovely! They will look great!

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  6. Have you decided what fabric the pillows will be?

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    1. I am not using pillows - they are too small. I don't plan on having a lot of two year olds over - LOL.

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  7. Hi Beth, this House Beautiful video might help:
    https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a33575189/how-to-paint-wrought-iron-antique/
    I would spray paint them for a smoother finish. I've used Amy Howard's spray paint which is lacquer-based and very glossy. Takes a while to dry but beautiful finish. Use a tarp as suggested in the video. Can't wait to see how they turn out!

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  8. This inveterate Floridian DIYer would caution using a no-prep paint formula [presumably water based?] given the rust on those sweet little pad feet, especially since the chairs will live in a high-humidity outdoor setting. How far into the metal has the rust corroded the feet, that determination would be step one if I were looking at this project. Just considering the rust and the outdoor location alone would lead me to definitely prep those feet [scrape, sand, steel wool, etc], then lean toward an oil-based formula. I once wanted a shade of barn red I simply could not find, so I mixed my own perfect barn red [it's all in the undertones] from 5 small cans of different oil-based, brush-on Rustoleum colors. Like you, I love small projects like refreshing these chairs! Since the beginning of lockdown, oh the projects I've FINALLY finished around here! You'll have fun with this!

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    1. Thanks. I agree, I love getting all these projects done. Next up is the garage for me.

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  9. I would choose the seat cushion fabric first. It's easier to match paint to a fabric than the other way around. I love the coral color but am also loving the green and black moment I see in the porch background. But spray paint for sure, first use a wire brush to get the bits off around the feet so they don't flake later and I'd prime then paint as it stops rust and uses less paint for coverage.And don't do it near your pool, I just did that on a slightly breezy day and had to skim out the chunks paint floating all over the water's top. I was probably at least 30' away from the pool. Pamela

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    1. Oh Yes, I so LOVE that "green and black moment," too! [That black might even be a dark, dark green, not sure.] Might be tempted to paint these little chairs one of those blue-greens in the cushion fabric, maybe even repeat that fabric on the little chair cushions.

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    2. I am not doing cushions - the chairs are made for toddlers. A dark green is an interesting idea.

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  10. So so cute! I am wondering if those chairs were originally powder coated....if so, anything you paint them with will not hold up. I have done this, only to have flaking paint in a couple of years...very unsightly. There are professional powder coating companies available who will do this for you. It isn't necessarily cheap but you get what you pay for, for sure. That being said, if you don't mind having to sand and repaint every couple of years, then by all means, give it a go...That coral color is beautiful. Good luck!

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    1. Yes, that was what I was going to ask...what is on them now? We bought a house that had an older GE refrigerator/freezer in Turquoise--I didn't even know that color had existed in appliances. It was a better model than our old one so our realtor suggested having it electrostaticly painted. I remember the name of the place--Goode Body Shop in Columbus OH. If electrostatic painting is the same as powder coating....that seems the best to me.

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    2. No not powder coated and I have painted them before, just always white and I want something more "Florida."

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  11. I love these chairs. I agree with Vickie H. Please get them professionally powder coated. I bought a 1940s patio table/chair set which was in horrible condition. I had it professionally powder coated and i never regretted spending the money. Have you thought about turquoise?

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    1. I'd like to do them myself. Turquoise would be fun.

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  12. Powder coating professionally would be ideal and keep you from the mess. But if you headstrong on DIY, you'll need to spend more time on the prep: cleaning, wire brush it to remove flaking paint, etc. then a good primer. Agree with above that stand alone primer is more effective in the long run on older pieces. Also, I've found it helps to do the underside first! The coral would be lovely...cushions in leopard?

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    1. I am not using cushions or a primer. This will be an experiment. LOL

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  13. If you end up painting them yourself make sure you use Rustoleum Rust converter to fix all of the rust before you prime and paint them. This will turn the rust back to metal.

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  14. Now I'm suffering from a serious case of house envy, Beth. I've inherited a very big, old house that needs LOTS of work, but I'm stuck right now because the estate is not settled, and it's driving me nuts living in something that looks like it's out of "The Blair Witch Project".

    Your chairs are adorable. I love vintage and antique iron garden furniture. I had a few antique and old iron jardinieres powder coated a few years ago, and they came out beautifully. It was definitely more expensive than spray painting them, but now I won't have to ever do anything to them again, except hose them down. I'm sure in Florida, you could find someone who specializes in this sort of thing. I contacted auto body paint places, but their prices were higher, and I found someone who specializes in restoring iron furniture. I'll be anxious to see what you decide.

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    1. I have decided and ordered the paint and will see how it works out. I can always have them redone.

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  15. Love the coral! Maybe choose the fabric first? You might surprise yourself with what you pick. Those chairs are treasures! A good source for DIY ideas for furniture and walls is Annie Sloan's chalk paint website. https://www.anniesloan.com/annie-sloan-products/chalk-paint Her paint colors are gorgeous and the best part to me is the photos and videos of projects that people have done themselves. I did a small side table in two shades of blue peeking out from under the top layer. It gave a lovely antique look, especially after I used her wax on top. She does show some outdoor projects, but I don't know if they would work with the humidity in Florida. I like the powder coat and the Rustoleum rust converter ideas. I've used both with success. I love the way you are personalizing your home and really making it your own!

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    1. Not using cushions on these tiny chairs. And I am going with coral.

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  16. Spray for sure! I have a friend who says....you can DIY or PAY! Powder coating or car paint would be great, though I believe spray paint will do just as well. Many of the spray paints have the primer included. I recently restored a vintage wrought iron chair purchased out at Lucketts prior to my move south. (I wonder if you ever wandered out that way?) I chose a flat black spray paint. Someone above mentioned use a wire brush to clean everything off. I concur. Naval Jelly removes rust also. Small strokes with several coats are better than trying to coat it heavily all at once. I do this out in a shaded area of the yard on the grass with a big piece of cardboard underneath. I would definitely have cushions made for the charming chairs with some performance Chinoiserie fabric. Although if they are children's size, they may be too small for adults to sit on?? I believe there is a Calico Corners in Sarasota that can offer beautiful options. Also I have ordered from Decorators Best dot com for fabrics with nice results.

    Be strong; Sandbagger will wear down soon, one can only hope.


    best, teaorwine

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    1. I loved Lucketts. I would combine it with Leesburg Corner and vineyards. Several people have recommended the Calico Corners and it's quite close by.

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  17. The color choice for the little chairs comes down to which of two ways you want to go. Since the lanai is visible from your main living area, do you want the lanai's colors to be a continuation of the living area's colors? Or do you want the lanai to appear to be part of the garden and contain the deep greens and blacks of the plants and trees?

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