HERE’S A PERFECT FALL GOLD AND VELVET ACCENT CHAIR MAKEOVER … AND HOW TO GET A ‘TRUE GOLD’ WHEN PAINTING WITH METALLICS.
One of my favorite things about being a furniture painter and blogger is YOU! I love sharing what I know but I’m also forever learning from you. On last week’s Gold & Marble Side Table Makeover, Gloria, one of our #siblogfamily left a comment on how to get a TRUE GOLD when painting with metallics.
Here’s Gloria’s comment…
“To get a more realistic look with gold paint, always paint a layer of red first. (Use blue underneath silver.) I don’t know what the deal is with this, but it REALLY works — even though the red or blue paint doesn’t show! Something about the ‘vibrational energy’ of the colors, or so I was told. It’s invisible, but it’s still there. Use a Chinese red under the gold., rather than a red with any blue in it. A nice royal blue (true blue) under silver is best.”
This week I thought I’d try Gloria’s tip on a curb-shopped Velvet Accent Chair — and then compare it to last week’s gold metallic table.
Here’s what I started with. A curb-shopped Louise XV style chair with velvet upholstery.
Check out how the gold plays against this burnt orange velvet! This turned into the perfect fall project.
And I have to admit, comparing the two pieces, this chair looks more 24K gold to me… a little deeper and richer.
Maybe it has something to do with the way the light plays off it??? Not sure. But it looks amazing! What do you think?
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST::
-
- Velvet Chair – SALVAGED
- Paint Brushes
- Sandpaper | Shop Towels
- Honky Tonk Red Chalk Mineral Paint
- Gold Digger Metallic Paint
GOLD VELVET ACCENT CHAIR::
STEP #1:: Clean and Sand
I started by giving this chair a thorough vacuum and cleaning.
Then I lightly sanded the wood frame to create some tooth for the paint to adhere to. This chair didn’t really need a sanding because there wasn’t a slick topcoat, but seeing it was curb-shopped, it made me feel better scuffing it up a little. I was in cleaning mode, what can I say. 😉
STEP #2:: Undercoat With Red
I picked Dixie Belle’s Honky Tonk Red because that’s the closest to a Chinese Red I had on hand.
Here’s the chair drying with one coat of Honky Tonk Red on it.
STEP #3:: Gold Metallic
It took 3 coats of this gold to fully cover the red.
TIP:: To get into the really tight areas, I used a small artist’s brush. I never hesitate to use the appropriate size brush for different areas of my furniture makeovers. It can make all the difference between a clean looking makeover or a messy one!
And here’s the finished Gold and Velvet beauty!
Doesn’t it make the burnt orange velvet really pop and look totally updated?
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
I know you’re going to LOVE what this team of creative girls do. It’s inspiration and techniques six-fold! 😉
Below are their BEFORE photos – visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS and to learn how they did it! I’ll meet you over there! 😉
5. Confessions Of A Serial DIYer
And now I’m off to sunny California my friends! I’m super excited and nervous as can be all rolled into one. This will be my first time teaching a workshop so I want to do a good job while making sure everyone has a ton of fun!! I’m SOOOO looking forward to meeting all of you attending the Redesign and Dixie Belle 2019 Workshop. And if you’re looking for something exciting and creative to do this weekend, come join us! I’d LOVE to see you there! XO
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS GOLD AND VELVET ACCENT CHAIR… OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting my friends!
Denise x
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Oh my gosh! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!
I found you and your post off Pinterest looking around because I just got home from picking up a beautiful vintage chair similar to this and wanted to look up how to get it some “life”.
Wonderful post and you’ve given me so much inspiration!
I think I may just do a before and after post on my blog as well!
Hi Rachel! Thanks so much and have fun with your vintage chair. They make for a beautiful project and I’m looking forward to seeing yours!
So beautiful as usual Denise! You are a STAR!
You’re so sweet Jessica! Thank you! 🙂
Great, great makeover and tips! I have a chair like this upstairs right now. It’s not velvet, but it has these same bones. Now, I’m all in for a makeover. Thanks for the fabulous inspiration! XO
Aren’t these chairs lovely?!? This sold super fast! Now I have my eyes peeled for another one… if I lived a little closer yours may have gone MIA…😉 hehe!
Wow what a difference the gold made! It is stunning and the perfect project for Fall! Is this one coat of gold over the red or two? Have a blast in California! I know you’ll do amazing…I’ll see you in a few weeks!! XOXO
I’m SO excited to be meeting you in Austin Christy! And the Dixie Belle Workshop is going really well. Today was meet and greet and tomorrow a full day of classes. 🙂 The chair took 3 coats of gold. I painted nice thin coats though because I was using a brush and didn’t want any brush marks.
I cant believe that the velvet was untouched! It looks so regal now. Love it
Thanks Kandice! Amazing what a good cleaning and a little paint can do, right!? 🙂
This is really stunning! That gold really does look like 24kt!
You and Christy at Confessions of a Serial DIYer create my favourite makeovers. Always really professional and polished, and pieces I would havd in my home. Thanks for being a constant source of inspiration!
Aw, thanks, Janina! I really appreciate this. And also, a big THANK YOU for supporting me on Youtube too… means A LOT! XOXO
Your super daring! I don’t know if I’d refinish a chair with the fabric still on it. I’ve reupholstered and refinished antique furniture all my life, but have never done something like this. Absolutely gorgeous job you’ve done.
I’m way more ‘daring’ on curb shopped items than I am family hand me downs or pieces I’ve paid for. I started this business practicing on curb-shopped finds so it feels comfortable to get a little more experimental with them. What’s the worst that can happen? It goes back out to the curb! 😉
Wow the orange definitely pops against the gold now! What a beautiful transformation Denise. Good luck with your workshop! xo
Thanks so much Jen! xo
This is so neat . I found two of these same chairs, but with a different fabric,on the side of the road. They were in great condition no tears. I cleaned them up but did not paint them. Thank you for sharing.
Lucky you… aren’t they beautiful? Judging by the shape, I believe they’re French Louise XV replicas.
Hi there. I love the makeover, BUT: I don’t understand why you painted the chair red before top coating with the gold. Can you help me understand please? many thanks
Hi Roz! A basecoat of red before applying a gold metallic gives the gold a richer/deeper look.
I love it !!!! The gold finish looks incredible – esp w the burnt orange velvet fabric. 😉
Great work ! Your tutorial is extremely helpful I am sure you are a great teacher.
Thanks for sharing.
Phyllis
Aw, thank Phyllis and glad you like the chair! I’m kinda liking that velvet too. When I first picked it up I wasn’t so sure but I love it now!
That makes a world of difference , so pretty now. Going to have to try that tip of putting blue under silver too, Have an awesome time in Cali, lucky people having you to teach technique.
Thanks my friend. Hugs! And ya, I’d like to try the blue under silver too. Let me know how it works if you beat me to it. 🙂
Oh my goodness, Denise, it took that orange velvet to a whole new level. Absolutely stunning chair! Talk about a nice curb find too. A great tip from your reader and duly noted in the old noggin.
…duly noted in the old noggin…. you’re hilarious Marie. 😉 I love her tip too. I’m looking forward to trying the blue under the silver.
Hi Denise! I cant believe someone thru out that pretty chair. Gloria was right. What a great tip. What Dixie Belle blue would you use under the silver? I think i would have painted the fabric black. Maybe?
I’m always shocked at what people throw away too. And as for the blue, I would probably use Bunker Hill Blue or Cobalt. I think either or would work really well under silver metallics.
Hi Denise. Your reader Gloria was right. The gold on this chair really does “POP”! Isn’t it funny how colors like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and decor in velvet are all trendy again? Growing up, my mother always told me that eventually EVERYTHING comes in fashion again. She was right! I love velvet and warm tones, so this chair speaks to me. Beautifully done. Do you think you’ll try painting royal blue under silver on a future project? I’d love to see how that works out:). I also heard that medium/dark grey under the color red really makes the red pop.
BtW, I know you’ll be a wonderful teacher in California. You already have experience. Your videos are very well done, informative, and easy to follow, Have a great time!
You’re SO SWEET Monique! Thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes in Cali. And as for all things coming back into fashion/trend – FOR SURE! I see furniture and colors in the stores that my Mum used to decorate with too. Same with rattan now. They’re selling chairs I used to have in my bedroom growing up!
Wowzer! I’m 🤤 drooling over here. Fabulous combo. Red and gold, great tip. I’ll have to try it. Now go kill it in Cali! Have fun and tell everyone hello for me.
😘 xo Do
Thanks Do… and hey, I thought you were coming???! I was SO looking forward to meeting you in person. Hopefully another time then. And I will definitely say hi to everyone for you. XO
I had to go back and compare the two projects. I haven’t done much in gold or silver, but will look this post up again when I do! Happy travels, and I’d love to hear about your teaching experience and see pictures!
Thanks Toia…and thanks for the happy travels. I’ll let you know how it all goes. 🙂