Hey guys! We hope this little post finds you doing well… before we begin, I just wanted to say all of your comments and messages meant so very much to us yesterday. Your support and encouragement never ceases to amaze us… so thank you. So much.
Today I wanted to show you guys this little gem that I found from Blue Willow Farm last spring. We’re in the middle of an office redo, and when I spied this piece, I knew it was the perfect find for our desk area. Like, swoon-worthy love, right?
Some pieces just aren’t meant to be painted. So the challenge was to bring a little richness back to this lovely old desk chair.
Isn’t he a handsome?
Here’s what we did:
We started out with warm water and Murphy’s Oil Soap. Per the instructions on the back, and coating it well, rubbing gently with old t-shirt pieces. We let it sit for around ten minutes and then wiped off any excess. We did this twice.
There were a few paint marks on this one, so we took a very gentle dish sponge, and rubbed away any paint that was on top, as well. I used my fingernails, too.
Here’s the bottom part before, and during. I realize that the wood is wet, but we could tell an immediate difference. It minimized the little dings and scratches and definitely got rid of the years of built up stuff on the chair.
Once that was dry, we mixed up 3/4 C extra virgin olive oil + 1/4 C vinegar. We wiped that on gently, and did this about twice, as well. When it was dry, there was a huge difference:
We even replaced the old casters with these beautiful brass ones.
Papa’s got a brand new bag! Yeah, Baby!
We love the new look for an old piece, and the fact that we were able to bring something back. It still has worn places, but we think that’s party of the beauty.
Have you guys restored anything recently? What’s your fave tip? We’d love to hear!
Kathryn says
What a gorgeous chair and this tutorial came at just the right time. I’m in the process of converting an old sewing desk to an actual desk for my daughter. It’s a gorgeous wooden one but needs a little rejuvenation. Thanks!
Angela says
This couldn’t have come at a better time! I found this beautiful old sideboard and I really didn’t want to paint it, but it does need some kind of love. This should do the trick! Question though, Was there any leftover greasiness because of the olive oil? Project time!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Angela! No, not at all. I ended up blotting the excess away in one area where my five year old decided to ‘help’, but it would have naturally absorbed anyway. The rest of it did. It’s been fine – it gives it a wonderful rich finish!
Tania @ Run To Radiance says
Love it! So very classy :)) I have some pieces I’ve picked up that I couldn’t bare to paint so this will be super helpful. Thank you!!
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says
Looks great! I’ve been trying to do this more and more, playing up the natural age and patina on wood pieces and making them look great again. Murphy’s Oil Soap is fantastic! Instead of using olive oil, which while it moisturizes the wood does nothing to protect it, I’ve started using Walnut Danish Oil (I think the one I have is Minwax.) It deepens the wood and gives it a beautiful but natural looking luster and soaks in and protects the wood as well. Love it!! I actually just did the same thing on an old oak desk chair similar to yours. 🙂
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says
I have a chair like that – so I really needed this! You’re such a smart cookie!
natalya says
i really love how you revived this instead of just painting over it. Beautiful chair!
Donna Allgaier-Lamberti says
What a beauty! I passed on a vintage chair like this for just $30.00…My resale price point is closer to $10.00-$20.00 max. I could kick myself now! Thanks for sharing you process.
Small House / Big Sky Donna / White Oak Studio Designs / SW Michigan
Hand-Painted Vintage Furniture Transformations
Blog: http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
Facebook: [email protected] (for portfolio of chalk painted work)
Mindy says
Thanks for the tips! I have a wooden secretary desk that I inherited from my grandpa and I just can’t bring myself to paint it but wanted to use it in our office makeover. I will be trying your tips. Hopefully my husband won’t smell the vinegar – I love pickles and pickled things but he definitely does not : )
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Mindy! I have the nose of a hound dog and usually, vinegar makes me want to yack. All I could smell was the olive oil. I had to refrain from breaking out some bread and pesto and going to town in my furniture polish. ;} Gross, but true. It was delicious (smelling).
katie says
Super love this! Way better than my old faux leather/really not cute chair I have going on at my house! Time to keep my eyes open to find something like this 🙂
Laura says
I could have sworn you were going to say the process included a stain. So impressed! Looks awesome!
Joan B. says
I’ve used the oil and vinegar mixture on a desk that had faded due to being by a window. It was amazing! The faded area once again matches the rest of the desk.
Your chair looks great! It’s a great technique to try before diving in and stripping a piece!
Jessica says
It’s fun to see something actually stay wood instead of being painted over. I love painted furniture but it’s nice to see the natural warm colors of wood being brought back to life!
Sarah says
Thank you so much for this. I was actually really skeptical this would help a desk I have that belonged to my great grandfather. After the Murphy’s Oil I was even more skeptical. The wood looked really dull. After the olive oil and vinegar mixture it looks AMAZING now. I think I’ve actually convinced my husband to keep it !!!
Tracy @ simply-designed.us says
I’ve used the oil and vinegar solution on an antique empire buffet of my grandmothers and it truly brought the sad looking finish back to a beautiful rich tone! I’ll never use anything else on it! Love the chair and I’ve been looking for something just like it for my office space but the prices are crazy. Just have to keep searching!
Helen Pilecki says
What a find. I have a dry sink that is 50+ years old. Never been cleaned and needs a good one badly. I found your instructions today and will start the job as soon as I get the supplies I need. Thanks so much.
bessie jordan says
I have a beautiful very old china cabinet that has gotten to the very dark bumpy stage. Will this work to get all of that off or does it actually need to be sanded and restaîned? Help!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Bessie – I am not sure because I do not see the piece, but that sounds like it may need to be sanded and restained. The good news is, you won’t hurt it by trying this first! I hope that helps!