How many times have we seen office chairs like these? Forgettable vinyl steelcase seats with laminate wood arm rests. I myself saw these on craigslist a few weeks ago and kept on scrolling.
But somehow, on the back-most burner of my brain, an idea began to percolate. I lazily kept my eye on the post while the idea brewed and just when a solid vision started forming... the craigslist post was gone.
Whomp Whomp
Had someone else seen what I had seen in these chairs?? Would I ever be able to bring my now piping-hot vision to life?? My FOMO kicked in and I started hangrily looking for a suitable substitute only to turn up a whole lotta nada. Then a miracle occurred. A few weeks later, the post reappeared on Craigslist! The chairs had not sold - the post had only expired! My project had not been poached. I could I finally try out my hopefully genius (albeit simple) refinishing strategy:
Go for the Gold
When I first saw these chairs, my brain must have subconsciously flagged them as having all the right lines for a modern, glam pair of chairs. Once it occurred to me that our favorite faux gold treatment would instantly elevate the look of these chairs, I had to get a piece of that action.
I was too impatient to wait for a sunny spring day to paint the frame so I tried spray painting on a misty morning. The result ended up being a "beautiful blooper" as my mother would call it. The moisture in the air didn't let the paint settle evenly which added a unique dimension to the patina. If you want to recreate this effect (no matter the weather), I suggest intermittently using a spray bottle filled with water while the paint is still wet.
The laminate arm rests were a dead giveaway that these chairs were waiting area seats in a past life so needless to say - they had to go. I affixed some brass nail heads to hide the old holes left from the screws.
I love how the shiny new finish on the chairs instantly have that emerald vinyl running in the same social circles as trendy high-end occasional chairs. Such a simple trick to transform them from lackluster to luxe!
Emerald + Gold Chairs
Now Available for Sale
22"W x 23"D x 31.5"H
$350 for the pair
If you're interested in these chairs or a custom order like it, please email cate@stylemutthome.com.
