Rocking Chair Reveal

Today, I am rejoicing because for the first time in 3 weeks, I have accomplished something!  YAY ME!

You might remember this little rocking chair that I picked up from Craigslist for $30.00...

And it had this little issue with the back rest...

This little honey was definitely a labor of love.  All that lovely little detailing was frankly - a complete pain in the rear.

First I used Liquid Sander and Deglosser and then when that didn't do the trick, I sanded the heck out of it...

And then I covered the back rest with wood filler to even out where the veneer was chipping off...

(This is before I sanded it flat.)

And even with all that sanding, I still couldn't get off all the varnish and stain in all the crevices.  I'm sure I probably could have gotten it all off, but I'm not that patient.

So what did I do?

I primed the Sam Hill out of it too.  THREE COATS before the stain didn't seep through...

Finally, after a few coats of paint (seriously, I lost track - Note to self:  TINT THE PRIMER!) this is the final result...

For some reason, the true beauty of the paint doesn't really come through in these pictures.  Its "Sleepy Hollow" by Dutch Boy.  The green is actually a lot more muted and doesn't look as limey (Is that a word?).  It kind of reminds me of the vintage green paint I used to see in my Aunt Carrie's pre-War Between The States home and that's probably why I fell in love with it.  At $5.00 for a gallon in Menard's mis-tint section, it was an absolute steal and I plan on doing several pieces in this color - two of which are almost complete.


I think, as I go along, I'm going to learn so much.  I suppose much of painting furniture is trial and error.  I figured out, after the fact (of course) that I probably should have glazed the back to really bring out the detailing on the back rest.  I may do that yet.  But I'm also scared of really messing it up.  Distressing was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, coupled with the several coats of primer and paint I had to apply,  the sandpaper wanted to hit spots that I didn't necessarily want to distress - no matter how small I tore the pieces.  There has got to be a trick to it that I don't know.  And considering how little I know about rehabbing furniture, it wouldn't surprise me.  I guess its back to scourging blogland for some helpful hints.

All in all, I'm really pleased with how my first real attempt at a furniture rehab turned out.  Not too shabby! - Pun intended ;)

I've linked this post up to. . .

Altar'd Designs Makeover Mondays #5