The 8-Year Chair Makeover

A simple, unassuming chair, right?  Well, this one has been neglected, for umm, I'm guessing, eight years, give or take.  Whhhhaaaaat?  I'm not kidding.  My mom bought this chair about that long ago to go with a roll top desk she had.  We purchased it together at one of those "naked furniture" places.  (It must be made of "rock" oak or something, because it's really heavy.)

Although, it made it all the way to her new bedroom (the roll top desk is long gone), it still Looked.  Like.  This:

Serious.  With "old lady" cushion and everything.  (And I'm not sayin' that because it belongs to my mom!)  (photo taken at her previous home)

I shot it with espresso spray paint--it's the first time I've used spray paint on furniture.  You may be able to tell that there are some spots that didn't take the paint that well.  Maybe some of you more experienced furniture-painters know what caused that. 

It's certainly not enough to detract from the overall look.  It took just over one can of paint and three-four coats over a couple of days, sanding lightly between coats.  It was finished with paste wax.

I found this cushion at Pier 1.  Obviously, it's made for a round seat, but I liked the color and thought the round on the square would be more interesting.  Besides, aren't real-life bottoms more round than square, anyway?  Just an observation.

I wrapped the fabric sample (remember, from my previous post?) around the pillow to get a feel for the color inspiration.  Part of me wanted to paint the chair a bright color, but I didn't think my mom would really "get" it.  The espresso matches the wood in the main living area, and really lives quite comfortably in it's newly painted surroundings...

Yeah baby!  Another sneak peek!  I found those seashell prints at Home Goods, aren't they the cutest?  I was wondering what I would put in that spot!  

Okay, focus:  Back to the chair--from eight years to a couple of days!   Now, 'fess up--is there any project that you've been letting linger for that long???