There may not be an easier fix for a drab, dated dining room set then a quick chair makeover.
And with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, plans may require extra seating around the table.
With my own dining room still empty for a year now after I decided to sell the dining room set I had lived with for most of my adult life, I headed to a nearby flea market for an inexpensive, stylish replacement.
Dining room tables and chairs are plentiful at flea markets. But buyer beware: Complete sets can be more difficult to find. So don’t be afraid to ask the seller if he or she will break up a set. Or, if there are chairs you love, negotiate a deal without the table, or vice versa.
The good news is that with patience and imagination, you can find something that, with a little TLC, will look fabulous and cost significantly less than a new dining room set.
I was lucky enough to find a set of eight matching chairs. But it surely took some imagination to see that they were a diamond in the rough. They had torn and stained upholstery, and the dark brown stain was chipped and weathered.
But with a little elbow grease, my guests will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at this new-to-me set.
Approximate time: 5 hours
Approximate cost: $125
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Remove the seat cushion from each chair. This can usually be done quickly with a screwdriver.
Step 2: Gently sand each chair to remove excess dirt and old paint or stain. Make sure the surface is smooth all around and any splintering is sanded away. If you are looking for a pristine finish, apply a coat of paint primer.
Step 3: Select a paint color that suits your decor. I opted for a light lavender as the table I found to accompany the chairs has a light, almost white pine finish. For eight chairs, I purchased two quarts of oil-based, semi-gloss paint and applied it with a medium-sized brush.
Step 4: Reupholster the chair seats. Each chair takes approximately one-half-yard of fabric; I purchased 4 yards of white and brown toile for my chairs. The fabric, paired with the lavender chairs, and the light pine table, will give the dining set the French country look I desire.
Cut a fabric square approximately 3 inches larger on each side than the seat cushion. Place the fabric square face down, then use a staple gun to adhere it to the seat. Trim the fabric as needed.
Step 5: Once the chair paint has dried, reattach the seats to the chairs using the original screws, and enjoy.
Stacey Johnson (stacey@milehighmarketplace.com), a longtime hunter of secondhand treasures and an expert in “artful upcycling,” is the creative director at A Paris Apartment, one of roughly 400 shops at Mile High Marketplace, located near Interstate 76 and East 88th Avenue. Information at .
