Asked on Oct 26, 2013
Paint or Restore?
by
Simple Joys
+113
Well, remember these cuties! WOW, what a journey!!! I initially planned to restore the chairs, but the actual frame of the chairs needed repair that would have been distracting if I re-stained them. :-(. The actual slats for the seats were GORGEOUS!!! So, this is what I ended up doing with them . Showcased the seat area in a beautiful rich stain and and ASCP on the frames. I did not distress the paint. I wanted them to sparkle!! Made some really cute little pillows for the for a little splash of color and charm ( not matchy-matchy) 'cause I like unique pillows. So guys... Whatcha think??? These are at their new home our "little shop of fun for purchase."
My next "redemption from the dumpster" project!
113 answers
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You could definitely sand and re-stain them and then give them a couple of coats of polyurethane, but I love the idea of painting these chairs black and then "distressing" them a bit with sandpaper and then giving them a coat or two of matt polyurethane. They'd be pretty on a front porch.
Janet Smith
on Oct 26, 2013
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If you don't intend to keep them, I would definitely restore them. Wood finishes fit most everywhere, but not all colors do.
Theresa J
on Oct 26, 2013
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What do you actually intend to do with them? If you are not going to keep them, then maybe use some chalk paint and paint them a fun color and donate them to a good cause?
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Oct 26, 2013
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@The Garden Frog with C Renee I plan to sell them. I have a small home biz either restoring, refurbishing or building custom furniture.
Simple Joys
on Oct 26, 2013
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Since you do plan on selling them and keeping them their original wood look would probably bring you more $$ I would give then a very light sanding with a fine grit sand paper.Try a wood stain with a sealer included in the stain. I think that would be easiest and quickest to give it a natural wood redo in the quickest easiest way.
Mary Insana
on Oct 26, 2013
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Paint!! :-)
Sweet Peas Charm
on Oct 27, 2013
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Agree, if you are keeping them, paint them in a color you love. Yet, old restored wood can be so pretty.
Mary
on Oct 27, 2013
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Wish I'd have found them!
Mella J
on Oct 27, 2013
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Could do the best of both.... Chalk paint & distress everything but the seat and then refinish the seats.
Les248667
on Oct 27, 2013
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paint !!!!......red, black or white with a high gloss finish
Stephanie Green
on Oct 27, 2013
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Definitely paint - black and white checker board on the seats, stipes on the back rungs, lots of pretty colors.
Jo Branda
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore!! I love the wood!!
The248672
on Oct 27, 2013
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I would restore them, that's beautiful wood.. I would KEEP them..
Connie F
on Oct 27, 2013
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I would stain them and us tung oil in a high gloss finish. I love working with tung oil versus varnish. They are more resistant to water damage with tung oil.
Peg Hurt
on Oct 27, 2013
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Stain them! You so lucky to find such chairs. I had found 2 chairs like this at a second hand store yrs ago. I painted them and used them on my screened in porch. They were so comfy. I had to let them go when I got divorced, I couldn't keep EVERYTHING.
Sherry Stives Fry
on Oct 27, 2013
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If they are in really good shape I would restore them. Don't paint unless they have imperfections that can't be fixed without filler. Would love to see your finished project! I would love to have something like that too!!
Robertson hvac
on Oct 27, 2013
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I have an oak rocking chair that looks exactly like that chair, it is finished with an Oak stain.
Mary
on Oct 27, 2013
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Just a little confused as to how another's name was posted on my post. Will have to check that out!!
Robertson hvac
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore them seeings as you plan on selling them.
Barbara
on Oct 27, 2013
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Re-store them then u will get a better price at sale time painting them makes them worth less
John Wood
on Oct 27, 2013
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Oh, I love them the way they are. What a find! If they were mine, I'd keep them as is for a few years and then eventually paint them a pretty pastel color and use them in the garden. Since you have no room for them inside, if they're in great shape, Peg's idea sounds good. Stain them and sell them...whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy working with them.
Karen B
on Oct 27, 2013
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Please just Restore.
Kate N
on Oct 27, 2013
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If they are in good shape restore if they are rough and need patching in spots paint
Melodee
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore - distressed look
Donna C
on Oct 27, 2013
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My husband has gotten 8 chairs from the dump, restored a few and painted the rest high gloss white.
Betty Koutsos
on Oct 27, 2013
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I love the painted stuff going on now but really would like to see these restored. Just my opinion.
Laurie Anderson
on Oct 27, 2013
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paint
Robyn Cave
on Oct 27, 2013
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RESTORE. Don't paint.
Carol McCallops Gutierrez
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore! painting it will only take away it's character.
Yolanda D
on Oct 27, 2013
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Personally, if the chair(s) are in good condition, I would restore and keep that beautiful wood showing through, stain or clear coat, but NO paint, Please.... :)
Allen Perry
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore and stencil on the back slats
Carolyn Jagielski
on Oct 27, 2013
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go for oak stain and a home made cushion. looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Lorraine V
on Oct 27, 2013
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Definitely restore!
Lynne H
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore
Linda Skinner
on Oct 27, 2013
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Definitely restore, these are in too good of shape to paint!
Cathy Lothamer
on Oct 27, 2013
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keep it simple
Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore
Skeeter Jorgensen
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore
Peggy Pfahler
on Oct 27, 2013
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Either would be lovely! There will be someone who is looking for them either way.
Norma Jean
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore them
Carol Melton
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore the natural beauty they are. Meant to be
Nancy Dionne
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore for sure
Maxine Thomas
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore please they are beautiful
Laura Van Asperen-Hogan
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore! They would be beautiful on a sitting porch :)
Ginger Thoms
on Oct 27, 2013
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I agree with everyone else: Restore! I don't think I'd even use stain. There's a patina there that can probably be brought back with a simple cleaning and a good wood wax. Lovely find!
Alma Williams
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore, maybe even with mineral oil!
Linda
on Oct 27, 2013
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no paint!! they are genuine the way they are!!
Mary C
on Oct 27, 2013
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how do y'all keep finding such great items in the trash? We aren't allowed to take from our landfill- and doesn't seem like anyone throws stuff on their curb in our area....maybe I need to start driving through neighborhoods.
Beverly Farkus
on Oct 27, 2013
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ck the free stuff on craigs list.
Anne gaddis
on Oct 27, 2013
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Definitely Restore them! I have a couple of those chairs that we came across headed for the trash too! Love finds like that :)
Ruthann Cook
on Oct 27, 2013
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This is exactly like the little rocking chair I had as child...made in the 1940s (so was I lol). If you can keep the grain showing, nice, if you can't, nice too!
Barbara R
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore
Lynn H
on Oct 27, 2013
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Either way would be good, but I would prefer restored. I love wood and natural grain.
Sondra A
on Oct 27, 2013
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I say "restore"
Swi246942
on Oct 27, 2013
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It depends upon how much time you have. Restoring will take 40 times longer than painting. Either way they will be really nice.
Kip248730
on Oct 27, 2013
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I would not paint them, then you lose the patina of age which is part of their charm
Ruth Guenzler
on Oct 27, 2013
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Love those chairs.....just paint.
Carmen
on Oct 27, 2013
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I would restore and refinish just the seats and paint the rest.
Rhonda Vigus
on Oct 27, 2013
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Stain the seat paint the rest
Judy Hooker
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore them .. Nice chairs
Dorene H
on Oct 27, 2013
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Suggest you restore them as they are beautiful. Painting would make too modern---if someone wants to paint them, OK and fine. But it is their decision.
Nancy M
on Oct 27, 2013
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everyone says restore.... but I see them white & pink in a little girl's room (maybe because I have 7 granddaughters & 1 great-granddaughter?) My grandsons would be too rough for them.....
Kathleen Turner
on Oct 27, 2013
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Refinish them with a nice stain and you can always sale or give to someone who will appreciates them
Sandra Lankford
on Oct 27, 2013
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Have four of these, I decided to paint them a bright blue, love them!!
SANDRA BRYANT
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore....don't cover up the history
Debra
on Oct 27, 2013
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Paint them a high gloss wild paint!
Joyce Schittone-Ehlich
on Oct 27, 2013
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Restore
Kristi Kelley
on Oct 27, 2013
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Do whatever your first thought was, that is usually what you want and are sorry if you don't do. Refinished beautiful....painted, fresh and fun. Either way they will be lovely.
Judy V
on Oct 27, 2013
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Whichever was your first thought when you saw is 1 you will be most happy with!
Cynthia E
on Oct 27, 2013
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RESTORE!
Tina Wallace
on Oct 27, 2013
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Kris I would love to have them as is. I live in Louisville, Ky. How far ru from me. I will be glad to come and get them...
Joy
on Oct 27, 2013
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paint the seat, stain the frame.
Andrea S
on Oct 27, 2013
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paint them a chrome like finish. Curved bottom metal.
Shary M
on Oct 27, 2013
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Probably if you paint them, it will lose its value.
Jean C Andrews
on Oct 27, 2013
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Beautiful chairs, what year were they made?
Dennie S
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore
Wendy Brown
on Oct 27, 2013
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I can't tell you to restore or paint. I can tell you that I would use a red color stain to restore and give a wonderful luster to the grain.
Jean DeSardi
on Oct 27, 2013
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yeah I think I would restore them too.. nice looking chairs..
Wanda A
on Oct 27, 2013
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restore!
Anita Pillai
on Oct 28, 2013
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Perhaps light cleaning and restoring? I agree with preserving the history of it. But whatever is decided, keep us posted, as it looks like a fun vintage find! Thanks for sharing! :)
April
on Oct 28, 2013
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restore. great chairs. good find.
Terre Moreno
on Oct 28, 2013
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I would restore!!
Donna Hathaway
on Oct 28, 2013
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Oh, you lucky duck you! I think they look dried out but will revive nicely. I might try a coat of Howard.s Weed and Feed Conditioner or Miss Mustards Seeds Hemp Seed Oil. I bet that would brighten and enliven them right up. Then determine if the wood makes you happy as is and if it does, wax them natural! I have a feeling they will just be beautiful with just that light touch!
White Oak Studio Designs
on Oct 28, 2013
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Restore
Patricia Mcivor
on Oct 28, 2013
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id sand and use a satin varnish and leave them as is provided all the slats are in good shape and not coming apart from the bottom frrame. Once they start coming loose they will drive ya nuts with little nails snagging your clothes or poking you. It looks like they may have been painted at one time and stripped but id leave the rustic look myself. I need exactly TWO chairs cause i only have that little "booth style" kitchen table and my chairs have completely had it...oh well.
Angelia Christenson
on Oct 28, 2013
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I would restore to their natural beauty and coat with polyurethane to help keep them that way.
Jennie Brinker
on Oct 28, 2013
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Paint and antique it....Love it!!
Terri
on Oct 28, 2013
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Depends on what you have done with the rest of your decor. You can do a bit of both. Paint the back and legs and redo the bottom to bring out it's natural beauty. But whatever you choose to do, do whatever you LOVE!
Greedith B
on Oct 28, 2013
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I'd wash them first with Murphy's Oil Soap. It's amazing what dirt runs off when you use this stuff. Plus, it reconditions the wood some and at least you can see what you've got. These are lovely & that would be my first step. Even before attacking the wood with sand paper. You can always paint them later. Oh - and I don't care for polyurathane because it yellows. I'm guessing they're indoor chairs, so I'd use polyacrylic, since it DOESN'T yellow!
Christine
on Oct 28, 2013
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I would stain the seat to bring out the lovely wood grain,and paint the rest to bring out the detail,light color than maybe a antique wax.Great find!!
Cindybel
on Oct 28, 2013
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restore
Shelby Hansen
on Oct 28, 2013
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My choice would be to * Restore * Let us know what you have decided plz...:)
Barbara Ann
on Oct 28, 2013
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I think it depends on your home style. I have an amazing windsor chair I found in the dumpster and still haven't decided what to do with it. Right now, it still looks amazing and somewhat shiny, so for now, it's natural wood. You can always 'restore' them for now and 'paint' at a later date. Either way, they're dry so they need SOME TLC. A couple chair cushions will add a pop of color (did I actually just use that term? Next I'll be calling rooms "space", another annoying term I REFUSE to use. It's a "room" or an "area"...space is not in my vocab. Same with 'artisan'....OOOOOOOOOH I HATE that word. Waiting for 'artisan tampons' to hit the market!!!! )
KELLY TAYLOR
on Oct 28, 2013
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Restore, for sure. I have a "thing" for old chairs and there's a growing army of them down in the cellar, waiting for TLC to bring them back to life. I've used a restore product in a metal can on some really dried out looking ones and they turned out just gorgeous--you just wipe it on (outside--fumes!) with fine steel wool, let it sink in, then wipe off the excess with a soft cloth. It preserves all the nice distressing and nicks and dings collect more and stay darker.
Patricia
on Oct 28, 2013
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Restoring for sure. Repainting them will probably change their unique vintage style entirely... That's my opinion, though! I am a big vintage fan :)
Max Schau
on Oct 28, 2013
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Restore.
Linda G
on Oct 28, 2013
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RESTORE!
La June Moreland
on Oct 28, 2013
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restore them
Elizabeth S
on Oct 28, 2013
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Nobody messed them up with paint yet, the wood is beautiful, restoration is a must!!
Mary Blatnik-Smith
on Oct 28, 2013
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I disagree with most of the responses. I would paint them a warm red and wax with a dark wax to tone down the red. I've seen this finish recently on a slatted bench and it was so rich.
Margaret Dillard
on Oct 28, 2013
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some people will always restore wood, others always want to paint wood (especially white). I vote on the side of clean and then oil to see what they look like. It also depends on where you sell them -- you probably know which is preferred.
TJ
on Oct 29, 2013
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PLEASE be sure to repost pictures with the completed project when you are done!!
White Oak Studio Designs
on Oct 29, 2013
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How I would love these. Absolutely devine.
Phyl Schenk
on Oct 29, 2013
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Restore nice wood. Paint crappy looking wood. I'd say they are a good candidate for restoring.
Linda
on Oct 29, 2013
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Restore for sure....Look at that grain ! I would clean up and rub with "natural" minwax oil based stain to make the grain pop and rub with Tung oil then buff
Vintage Restorations.....Formerly Closet Furniture
on Oct 31, 2013
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Hi All, My little beauties are done! I love them! What a fun restoration project!!
Simple Joys
on Jan 03, 2014
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They are little beauties, love how some of the wood still gleams.
Mary
on Jan 04, 2014
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Love Love
Pam
on Jan 04, 2014
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Although I adore painted furniture- I'd have to say, I'd restore this chair.
Carrie
on Jan 04, 2014
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@Carrie , that was also my hope. But the chair frame itself needed repairs and would not have been restained/grained as perfectly as I would have liked. It is all about compromise sometimes. ;-) Thanks!!
Simple Joys
on Jan 04, 2014
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The thing I also love are your cushions. I have exactly that lace which was a table cloth. My daughter cut them and put in tapestry rings. They look fantastic on the wall. She used about four different sizes. Sorry. I know we are supposed to be commenting about the chairs which I think are beautiful, but we Australians have this habit of getting sidetracked.
Patricia Mcivor
on Jan 06, 2014
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Very nicely done. This should keep both sides happy with partial stain and partial painted. lol.
Sondra A
on Jan 08, 2014
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Love it and I am not a fan of paint. Pretty
Sharon Eathel Cotten
on Oct 07, 2014
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