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How To Paint An Old Egg Chair

I have officially hatched my evil egg chair plan (mwah-hah-hah).

Sorry, couldn’t resist an ovum-related pun. Anyway the $30 thrift store can’t-believe-it’s-mine egg chair that I mentioned late last week got cleaned up, first with a nice liquid deglosser wipe down, and then with some spray primer + spray paint. About ten minutes after I snapped this grody before photo with the old cushion on it in our sunroom…

Egg Chair2

… I had him out in the yard ready for a little somethin-somethin.

Egg Chair5

Although the orangey-wood tone above doesn’t actually look bad in the picture, in person he just looked dated and a bit dilapidated (thanks to the caning that was missing on both sides of the frame) so a fresh coat of love – in the form of paint – was my solution. And we can always paint it another color down the road to work with our ever-changing minds (ex: glossy black, soft mocha, cheerful yellow). I think after painting our happy green office chairs I’ve completely tossed any painted-chair reservations out the window since they’re one of our favorite furnishings in the entire house…

Office With Us In It3

… so we want to love Eggy just as much.

An hour or two later he looked like this. All dressed up in his Sunday best (he’s one of those smooth guys who can pull of a white suit). I used white Rustoleum Universal in a satin finish. And the reason we didn’t go with a super bright color for him (her?) was because I’m planning to park it in the corner of the living room, which has a giant colorful rug and a bunch of bright pillows (unlike the office which has a large neutral rug) so I thought it would slip into the room better with a nice clean white color (I can always add color with different cushions whenever the mood strikes).

Egg Chair6

You can check out a ton of spray painting tips in this post to see how I got it done, but let’s just fast forward to him living it up in the corner of our living room after a few days of drying in the sun outside followed by sitting in the sunroom (so there’s not any fuminess by the time he comes inside). Oh but ignore these frumpy pillows – they’re just old seat cushions I had on hand from our first house’s office/playroom chairs that I covered with white towels. Yes, white towels. Just to envision it with white cushions. And then I tossed a pig pillow into the mix.

Egg Chair9

Because I’m crazy like that.

Egg Chair10

Then I tried one of our faux sheepskins over those cushions instead of the placeholder towels. And before I could even step back to take a photo of my latest tweak, Burger was all up in my egg chair’s area.

Egg Chair11

Seriously, in point zero seconds he had settled in.

Egg Chair12

But although the faux sheepskin earned Burger’s approval, after sitting in it myself (on a hothothot day) it was a little… uh… shaggy. I just sort of felt like I was overheating. So maybe we’ll bring back the faux sheepskin for our egg chair’s winter look, but in the meantime here’s what he’s sporting as his just-for-now summer outfit. It definitely won’t stay forever, but it works for the moment (we’re just working with what we already have):

Egg Chair Now1

It’s a little faux fur pillow on the bottom and a bunny pillow on the back. He’s cute, eh?

Egg Chair Now2

 And thankfully, Burger doesn’t seem to mind sharing the chair with a furry friend of the rabbit kind.

Egg Chair Now3

And here’s Clara giving things a go. She likes the chair, but isn’t 100% obsessed (toys = more fun than mom’s weird egg chair), which I like because I plan to monopolize this baby. Haha.

Egg Clara 1

She did have some fun reading her animal book in the chair “with the rabbit and the dog” (one of which was on the pillow and one of which was on her shirt).

Egg Clara 2

Then I got artsy and snapped this from above. Isn’t the chair’s strappy shape sweet? It’s sort of like a hammock but way less saggy/precarious feeling. You’re sort of enveloped in this guy without feeling like you might fall at any second (and I love that he swivels). I guess I can liken the slats to a park bench. You know how those are slatted sometimes but you don’t feel like you’ll fall through because they’re thick and dense enough? That’s how it is in this chair too.

Egg Clara From Top

And a few folks asked about Clara’s head getting stuck between the slats, but they’re either way too close for her to fit her head inside or so wide that she could fit her whole body through (which of course isn’t something we’re encouraging). I guess it’s like the metal bucket full of blocks that she has in her room, she can put her head in it if she really wants to but so far, so good. Haha.

The next day I asked John to snap a picture of me in the chair for “adult scale” (it goes to your shoulder blades, so it’s a nice cozy chair with good back support) but sure enough, Clara wanted to ham it up too. So here we are snuggling in.

Egg Sherry Clara

As for my long-term plans, I’ll probably eventually grab a white seat cushion from a place like World Market for the bottom and possibly another one for the back – although the bunny pillow might stick around a while. He’s my idea of a good time. And thankfully my egg chair’s new look is an undeniable upgrade compared to our good ol’ before pic. And the total price for the chair and this upgrade was $37. Not bad for a new-looking chair that swivels and doubles as sculpture thanks to those strappy curves. Although I’m not sure I’ve seen a chair that looks more like it’s sticking its tongue out more than the before shot below. Maybe I should name him Odie…

Egg Chair2

Have you guys been rescuing any secondhand chairs lately? Finding new uses for small rugs or faux sheepskins? Or wondering why your dog is obsessed with said small rugs or faux sheepskins? Me too.

Psst- The latest version of Clara Conversations is up over on Young House Life. She’s definitely earning her comedy chops…

Comments

  3. Gina says

    Did you have to use a gray color primer to cover the darkness and then paint it white or did you just go straight for the white paint and primer in one?

    Sorry so many questions today. I am attempting my first coffee table makeover. Wish me luck!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I used primer built-in this time (the white spray paint by Rustoleum Universal has primer + paint, so it’s all-in-one and saves time) but you can use a gray primer too. Either works! And good luck on your coffee table! Sometimes for bigger items like that I’d use a foam roller with stainblocking primer and paint (in semi-gloss) instead of spray paint. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  7. Tracey says

    Very nice makeover! LOVE the pig and rabbit pillows! I was reading this post with my almost 2 year old (on Wednesday!) and she said, “Big chair!!!” Then she saw Burger and she said, “Ruthie!” (our dog) and I said, “No, that’s Burger” and she said, “Burger! Kitty!” LOL. Poor tiny Burger… We have an orange tiger cat that could eat him for a snack! ;P I wanted a chihuahua and ended up with a 30lb beagle and 40lb beagle/lab mix instead! How do these things happen???

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! Burger once got called a kitty when we were walking around at a park. A little girl was like “kitty!!!!” and pointed at him. So cute. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  9. Laura says

    Looks great!! You guys are always giving old chairs such a great, new life!! I have a chair addiction, too. What did you do with the chair you repainted from your childhood?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s Clara’s high chair in the living room at that small round white table by the window when we eat in there (around 40% of the time) and also gets brought to the dining table in the dining room (when we eat in there around 30% of the time).

      xo
      s

  10. Sarah@SBrandesDesigns says

    I noticed the original egg chair post made it sound like you wanted one for the sunroom but it has ended up in the living room… Does that possibly mean you are still looking for a hanging one for the sunroom ;-) (gotta love the hanging ones)

    The Chair looks great. I really like the size & shape of the cushions in the first cushion trial picture (the one with the pig pillow). That scale seems to work really well with the size and shape of the chair. Best of luck finding the perfect cushions for it.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Always holding out hope for a hanging one in the sunroom! For now this guy works in the living room since we don’t use the sunroom since it’s so unfinished and full of secret book projects so maybe once we redo that room he’ll move in- just wanted to enjoy him for now in the living room since we’re in there all the time!

      xo,
      s

  11. Melissa says

    Was that “eggshell white” you painted it?! haha!
    Seriously, it’s looking good. I love the bright and neutral aspect that you have going on – with lots of fun textures.

    Reply

  12. Meg C says

    I love that you called him Eggy. He’s awesome overall, but I had to comment because my nephew calls me Aunt Eggie since my whole family still calls me Meggie though I’m quite an adult by now.

    Love it!

    Reply

  13. how2home says

    Love the transformation of the egg chair! I like the white pillow with the green pillow. Looks good together :) What type of spray paint did you use? Could you share with us?

    Reply

  14. Cindy says

    Our fur-baby, Jasper, is Burger’s brother-from-another-mother, hence my obsession with Clara’s fantastic shirt! Wherever did you find it?

    P.S. You did a wonderful job on the chair!!

    Reply

  15. Ally says

    Great egg chair. I love that you picked white for your paint color, because now you can put a bright yellow pillow on it for the “yolk”. And maybe find a humpty dumpty pillow, for those who don’t get it.

    Reply

  16. etchap915 says

    Thanks for some super sweet Burg pics today.

    After a hard, tense weekend with a very sick mutt of my own (who is going to be a-okay!), Burger mugging for the camera did my heart especially glad today.

    Thanks for always putting me in better spirits, usually by sharing design, but occasionally just with life’s sweeter moments. Super cute kid+cute pup = trulv4evr.

    Reply

  18. Kym says

    LOVE the chair. There’s a lot of bright neutral in that corner….Eggy needs a little jewel-tone love in the cushion department. :)

    Reply

  19. Eve says

    Love it! It was great before, but the white really makes it pop and lifts it out of papasan-cousin territory.

    I also have a slight addiction to the Arne Jacobsen version of egg chairs, and I lucked into snagging a poofy vintage knockoff on Craigslist for $30 back in 2008. At that time, it lived in the corner of our apartment’s dining room and was my prized possession. Fast forward a bit to when we bought our house – I knew I wanted it in our living room. We set it to one side of the woodstove that’s in here, but I had a heck of a time finding a chair to balance on the other side (too short, too skinny, etc etc). But I couldn’t part with it because my husband and I both love it – we’ve affectionately dubbed it the Pimp chair. I happened to be on eBay on a whim this past fall and lo & behold – someone relatively local was selling another one! I snatched it up (for a bit more – $100 – but still a steal!) and now they happily live together:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/all_about_evelyn/7677780930/in/photostream

    Reply

  20. Koliti says

    How about since (ham)burger is ground-up steak…
    “Steak & Eggs” – haha.

    A previous comment suggested that it could be a “time-out” chair for Clara…..
    How about a “Mommy’s time-out chair” for Sherry? Put a little table next to your chair to hold your umbrella drink as you contemplate your rotten (egg) behavior!

    Thanks for the before & after! And cute Clara & Burger pics!

    Reply

  23. Heather W says

    Hey Sherry…. Love the chair update! I had a random question for you though. In your bedroom which I am loving by the way, I know you said before you have a King Duvet on it but do you also have the King size pillow cases or shams that come wih it on your bed too? I can’t tell in your pics. I have a King size on my Queen too and love it but the Shams look a little off on mine I think. Maybe it is the way I have them styled on the bed???? Thanks.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have standard pillows and shams on our queen sized bed (with a king sized duvet cover and duvet, just so we have more coverage and less fighting over it, haha). We have been talking about upgrading to larger shams/pillows though, just to fill things in a little more!

      xo,
      s

  26. Lizzy says

    looks comfy!

    random question…is there a reason that your new book has 243 tips? any significance to that number? i just spotted an ad for it on amazon and was just curious! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oddly enough, 43 has always been a special number for us (it’s a long story, but it stands for Love You when you count the numbers in each word) so when the total number came out to be 251, we made eight numbered tips in Bonus Tips (still in the book, just not numbered) so the final number was 243.

      xo,
      s

  27. [email protected] says

    So lately I’ve been thinking… All those lucky peeps that win your giveaways do they ever update you? I’d love to see what they made with the tool you gave them, or the gift card they won, or the carpet/tile winnings. And there are so many giveaways to stores…what does it look like in their house? Do they love that they won or now do they have to get cracking on that project since it would look bad not to use the free giveaway!?! Just a thought I’d love an update on all that!

    Reply

  28. John says

    Pier One has a sale going on, so you might want to check it out for pillows. Also had larger egg style chairs but more expensive.

    Reply

  30. Jeanine says

    I love how it came out!! I totally dig egg chairs they look so comfy.
    That rabbit pillow takes the cake for me as I am a proud rabbit mama!

    Reply

  32. Edie says

    All of World Market outdoor furniture (including cushions) are 50% off right now. Maybe you could find something there for uber-cheap!
    I’m trying to get up the courage to paint my sad, old dining room furniture, but I can’t pull the trigger. Wish me luck!

    Reply

  33. Katie says

    It’s probably just the angle of the picture but it looks like you’d hit your head on the rhino when you stood up from the chair? Probably not Sherry since she’s so teeny tiny :) But for the average height/tall people…just curious! Looks great and can’t wait to see where you end up with pillows!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      If you stood ON the chair you’d hit your head, haha, but since you stand up in front of the chair, even tall people like John don’t hit it! Must just be the angle of the pics.

      xo,
      s

  34. Deborah says

    Speaking of thrifting, I was wondering if you or any of your readers have been to the RT 11 Shenadoah Yard Crawl? It is happening on August 11th and is 43 miles of yard sale goodness from New Market to Stephen’s City in Virginia. Sounds like fun but could be a little overwhelming!

    Reply

  37. Bob says

    If you’re going to have an ugly chair, it at least needs to be a color that accentuates its form. The white totally kills it. Spice up the color and reap the rewards.

    Reply

  38. Brenda says

    I’ve been meaning to rescue the chair that came with a vanity I got a long time ago. I just need to find some fabric I like, and someone with a staple gun!

    Reply

  45. Claire says

    I read all your spray painting tips again, but I have one you didn’t address – humidity. I saw that you try to SP in the morning or afternoon so it’s not too hot, but do you wait for low humidity days too? Seems like that would affect drying time more than temperature. I’m on break from school and want to get some stuff done in the next couple weeks, but you and I both know that VA is not likely to have low humidity anytime soon! Thanks!

    Reply

  47. alg says

    LOVE it!!
    Just ditching the (maxi) pad & painting it a crisp, clean color totally brings it into the new millennium!
    I’m pretty sure I’m going to go grey — on my Papasan chair makeover… not, like, from stress or anything ;)
    Hope mine turns out as chic as yours!

    Reply

  48. Kara says

    Somewhat off topic, but just thought I’d share that our dog’s name is Eggy. My husband is Korean and Eggy means baby in their language.;)

    Reply

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