Shopping Basket: 0 itemsThat time I painted a Victorian sofa…with PAINT.
I recently got into using chalk paints at the shop. I saw a video where another retailer had painted a sofa hot pink, which made my eyes open extra wide as I thought, “NO WAY”. So when Sara showed up one day with an amazing sofa she picked up at a favorite haunt for $20, I kinda figured there was nothing to lose in experimenting.
This is what we started off with. Unfortunately you can’t see how gross the fabric was. Eugh. The paint was going to serve both as visual refreshment and sealer of gross yuckiness.
I chose a teal/green. It took 1 coat for decent coverage, but 2 for perfect, solid color. In the shot below you can see where the paint is still wet. It dries much lighter, but you get that color back when you seal it with wax or the brand’s satin finish.
I painted the wood trim (don’t hate, anti-wood painting people) in dark gray, then did a dry brush of the teal over it so I wouldn’t lose the details in the carving. Then I sealed it with a coat of soft wax.
Once I gave it a coat satin finish, the color really came to life. It changed so dramatically I was literally grinning ear to ear. I love it so much. It reminds me of an old pair of vintage cowgirl boots. The stitching makes it look and feel like worn embossed leather.
Bummed that I had to use a flash on this, but the real color just wasn’t coming through with my camera otherwise.
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What was the fabric that you painted? You probably said, but I missed it. What kind of paint is it and did the sofa feel like it had been painted? It really is beautiful! How do you clean it if you get a stain. Sorry for so many questions, just really curios. I might try this. Thanks, Emily
Hi Emily,
Yes, I painted the fabric as well as the wood trim. It’s CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint (I sell it on this website). It doesn’t feel painted, but it does feel different. Kind of like leather.
With the satin finish over the top, you’d just wipe it up. If the stain is really bad, I imagine you’d just paint over it!
Hi, I think this is a great way to avoid the hefty cost of reupholstering. I am currently doing a chair, but ran out of paint, and need to reorder. I have questions for you. First, how much nap did you have on that fabric? Secondly, did you dilute the paint at all? Did you dilute the Satin Finish at all? How many coats of SF?
Thanks!
Hi Teri,
There isn’t a nap on this fabric at all. It’s a pretty tightly woven damask, almost like a fine canvas. I didn’t dilute the paint, though if you’re just wanting to add opacity in thinner spots and are running out of paint I think that would be fine. I did not dilute the satin finish and did 2 coats.
Thank you and good luck!
Alana
I am thrilled with this idea! so you do one coat of paint that has a flat finish, then another coat of paint that has a satin finish? how long does it take to dry so you can use it? is it comfortable to sit on? what do you estimate the cost of product for this project? actually, this technique could be revolutionary for us do it yourselfers! thanks! t
Does this technique make the couch weatherproof? For example, can I buy a vintage couch, paint and seal, and keep it outside on my deck?
Hi Erin, Sorry for just now seeing this! I do not think it would make it weatherproof. These paints are mineral-based, and I don’t believe it would waterproof it like that.
Id love to use this on my new victorian style couch, what brand of paint for the satin finish? because i ddnt see that on the site. also I have two loveseat, how many cans do you think i need for two coats each?
I used 2 cans of chalk paint on the large sofa, so maybe plan on 2 more for the love seat. Regarding the satin finish, I’m searching out a better brand. I’m not thrilled with the quality of the one I used for this project.
I can highly recommend Annie Sloan Chalk Paints for the color portion, though. I’m trying to find out if they make a comparable sealant. That would be the icing on the cake.
What a beautiful couch…I was sorry to see it get ruined with the paint not only on the fabric but also the beautifull wood. Its furniture like that I have been looking for , for my living room, but in its original victorian grace.
Hi Vern,
I wish you could have seen (and smelled) it before we painted. It was *not* good. The fabric was beyond repair and the wood was very damaged. This was definitely one of those times where if it hadn’t been painted, it would have gone to the landfill.