Our dining room has come a loooong way. I kind of shudder at some of the first pictures I posted several years ago. We’ve changed basically ever single item in the room, except for the table and original chairs that came with the set. The most recent change I made, was the black end chairs. Today, I’m sharing their makeover.
The story behind these beauties is simple: Girl was riding with friend when friend drove by storage unit sale. Girl saw chairs and gasped. Girl made said friend turn around the car to buy the chairs. Girl made said friend stuff them into said friends car. Girl was so happy. Girl vowed to make them beautiful. Said friend giggled at girl’s excitement. Girl gave chairs a makeover. Girl loves them more than ever. The End.
Hahaha. Sorry, had to do it. And thank you Chelsea for pulling the car over for me! 🙂
So, here’s how I gave those black dining room chairs a makeover.
They started like this…
From a distance they looked really good, but up close there was a lot of flaking finish, nicks, and gross dirt.
After giving them a good scrub down, I began painting them with Wrought Iron from Maison Blanche. It’s absolutely safe to say that I love this color. Like a lot.
The first coat went on beautifully and it almost covered the existing finish, but not quite.
Once it was dry, I added the second and final coat…
Then, I took some medium grit sandpaper and gave it a mild distress. I always choose to distress where it would naturally happen with repeated/ regular use…
With the sanding finished, I used clear wax to seal the paint. The wax gives the paint a deep color, and it also protects the furniture from normal wear/tear.
Here’s a little side by side that shows the change….
At first, I wasn’t absolutely sure these chairs were “the one” for our dining room, but they have really grown on me….
I love the classic design, and it fits in well with our home.
The chairs do have arms, which I love, but it made them too tall to fit under the table, which then made the rug too small. We shall see what I decide to do. I have a few options.
But, if I’m being completely honest, that’s not at the top of my list… 🙂
In the mean time, I am absolutely enjoying how they look in the dining room. 🙂
If you’d like to see a few more furniture makeovers, you can visit Allison at The Golden Sycamore, and Liz at Liz Marie Blog.
For more detail about the paint (and step by step instructions), you can check out Maison Blanche’s You Tube Channel. There’s lots of great information and tutorials. To buy the paint, see the list of retailers here.
Happy Painting! ?
P.S.- I received product and/or compensation for reviewing Maison Blanche Paint Company products. However, all opinions about their paint, finishing products and this black chair makeover are my own! For my full disclosure policy, click here.
I love black on the chairs, it gives such a richness to the furniture and the room as a whole! Your dining room is beautiful!
By any chance, do you know where (and if they are still available) you got the hooks that your aprons are hung on in the second to last photo? Thank you so much!
Hi Dawn. The hooks are from Ikea. 🙂
Thank you!!!
Beautiful chairs. If it were me, I’d just shave an inch or so off the bottom of each leg and call it good. That way they slide under the table and the carpet gets to stay.
For some reason….i LOVE your style! And please keep using ‘free’ outside decor. Branches, twigs, pine cones, etc. I was thinking…why do I love her dining room?!? Ha. Mine is very similar.
The chairs turned out great!!
I love doing paint overs ,but now I don’t have much space to do tem.?
what kind of rug is that under the table? I love the black chairs.
Thank you so much, Linda! The rug is made of “Jute” and I bought it on Overstock! I hope that helps! 🙂
I love this makeover! The chairs turned out beautiful! And I must say, I really like your distressing job. You have really mastered the technique!
Hi Shayna! Thanks for the wonderful blog- I can always count on it for inspiration! Just out of curiosity- what are the dimensions of your dining room? I was thinking of doing something similar to your open shelving in my new dining room (it’s probably too small for a display hutch). Thanks!
Thank you so very much, Becca! Our dining room measures 10′ wide (the wall of the shelves) x 11′ wide. I hope that helps! 🙂
Hi, I have similar chairs that need a makeover. Mine also had deep scuffs/scratches where you sit. Did you sand them at all or just painted over the scratches? Thanks
Hi Charlotte! These chairs did have scuffs and scratches, but they weren’t deep enough to sand smooth. If yours are, I would suggest sanding them down a little bit, then paint away! 🙂
I love what you did to these chairs. I’m curious to know if your table has a dark stained top. I just recently bought an all black table and chairs and wondering if its too dark for my dining room. I have a hutch that I’m considering painting but if I just stain the top of my table maybe I wouldn’t have to paint the hutch. I love your table and chairs.
Hi, I bought chairs that someone had already painted black. When I clean them, the paint runs off and I’m concerned it will come off on clothing. I love the matte finish, but I feel they weren’t sealed. If I use the wax you suggested above, will it stay on. Do I have to be concerned with cleanup after meals…messy adults and kids. Lol
I *think* the wax will help with the paint on your chairs. It’s worth a shot! And clean up should be very easy on the chairs with the wax. Wipe down as usual, but just know, you may have to apply another coat of wax as it does wear off over time! I hope that helps! 🙂