Not every project that comes into the workshop is a first paint job. Sometimes a much-loved set of chairs has already been painted once, years ago, and just needs bringing back to life. This set of cream-painted chairs for the dining room was exactly that case — solid, sturdy and clearly built to last. But they looked a little sad and sorry after years of daily use. They didn't need replacing. They just needed a re-imagine.
Cream-Painted Chairs Looking the Part at Home
The Piece Before the Cream-Coloured Paint
These are a classic X-back design, with square tapered legs, turned front feet and a drop-in upholstered seat. Good, honest joinery throughout, and not a wobble among them — the kind of chairs that are built to be sat in for decades, not just for a season. The previous paint finish had done its job over the years, but it had gone flat and tired, with the odd knock and scuff showing through. Nothing structural, nothing a re-spray couldn't put right.
The Process: Step by Step
The project wasn't overly cumbersome or elaborate. Certainly no hinges or architectural metalwork to remove, condition and replace. But we did have to make sure we removed the seat pads safely before we stored them away from paint!
Cleaning
As with every project, we began with a thorough clean, working over every rail, leg and joint to lift years of polish, grease and household dust before any sanding began.
Sanding
The goal at this stage is to key the surface for the primer and smooth out any imperfections in the old paintwork. We worked methodically over the flat and turned surfaces with a medium-grit paper, then moved to finer paper for the detailed joinery around the X-backs and feet, before wiping everything down with a tack cloth.
Priming
With the old finish keyed and any bare patches sealed, we applied a primer to give the new colour a stable, even foundation to bond to — particularly important on chairs that will be handled and pulled in and out from the table every day.
Spraying the Joa's White
Because chairs have so many awkward angles — spindles, joints, curved backs — we took these into the spray tent rather than reaching for a brush. Sprayed finishes give a beautifully smooth, factory-level result on pieces like this, with none of the brush marks a detailed frame can otherwise pick up. The paint choice for this project was a Dulux Diamond eggshell that we mixed with the Farrow and Ball colour, Joa's White, and applied the first coat for coverage.
Cream-Coloured Chairs: Work in Progress
Spray painting chairs
Ready for delivery
Denibbing and Second Coat
Once the first coat was fully dry, we lightly sanded to remove any dust nibs and keep everything silky smooth, then sprayed a second coat. By the end of this coat, the chairs had been completely transformed — solid frames wrapped in a soft, even cream that looked like it had come straight from the showroom.
Finishing Touches
To finish off the project we checked over every chair with a fine brush, touched in any tiny imperfections around the joints, and reattached the seats. And we were done.
Back Home for the Cream-Coloured Chairs
The chairs are back home now, lined up along a cream, wainscoted wall beneath a trio of gilt-framed landscape paintings — the soft new cream finish sitting perfectly against the panelled wall behind them, so much so that the chairs almost seem to disappear into the room rather than fight with it. Warm natural light spills in from a window nearby, catching the oatmeal weave of the drop-in seats and the gentle curve of each armrest. Just beside them, a dark wood dining table is dressed and ready — glassware, a floral-patterned bowl and a neat stack of plates waiting for guests. It's a room set for a proper sit-down dinner, and after years of feeling like the tired odd one out, this set of chairs looks every bit as if it belongs at the head of the table. And this is certainly the case for all the dining room furniture we paint.
Thinking of Transforming a Piece?
If you've got furniture with good bones that's simply lost its shine — whether it's never been painted or, like this set, is due a second act — get in touch. Because we can paint your furniture.
Let's Get In Touch
Contact Details
When it takes sanding, painting, varnishing or waxing to get there, give us a call if you've got furniture that needs a transformation.
Phone Number
07351 101851
Email Address
furniture@shabby-chic-surrey.com