I'm here to tell you about my FAVORITE painted chair project to date!!
I painted this nutcracker chair on a live video at the last minute....with no planning.....and I honestly had no idea how popular it would become or how much I would love it!
So here we are....a year later.....and I am finally going to share my hand painted nutcracker chair process with you!
If you are a new reader, hello and welcome to the Fancy Fam! With over a decade of furniture painting experience, I can honestly say that sharing my projects through this blog is still my favorite way to inspire! I've got years worth of fun and creative ways to update your home decor and furniture through paint! If this sounds like something you'd like to have delivered to you every Sunday be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!
Supplies Used
You can also shop my favorite products and tools in my Amazon influencer list here.
This post may contain affiliate links. I could make a commission at no charge to you if you purchase my recommended products. Please read my disclosure here and my privacy policy here.
Another Thrifted Chair Gets a Paint Makeover!
I always start by priming/sealing my fabric with BOSS (most often in gray)....
which blocks stains and odors and also blocks out the original color...
which allows you to use less paint....
which promises a softer chair!
Whimsical Nutcracker Chair: Where to Start?
I painted the primed chair with a single coat of Saltwater from the Silk Line.
I always paint the fabric areas first.....including my final art design.....before moving onto the wood frame of the chair.
I really like the feel and finish of the Silk paint on fabric....it is ever so slightly more pliable and much smoother than a chalk paint finish.
Stripes. Stripes. Stripes!!
I then drew out my stripes and painted every other one in Anchor, which is the darkest black of the Silk Line.
I chose to carry my stripes on over to the front edge of the seat cushion and paint every other one in Peony pink.
However....once I finished this area I felt like it needed more POP.....so I chose Honky Tonk Red as the alternating color with pink.
Look at the difference between pink/red and just pink/white!
More is more!!! That's my motto!
The Back Cushion of the Chair is The Star of the Show!!!
I am a bit of a nutcracker collector.....so I chose to feature a whimsical nutcracker face on my chair.
I used a variety of paint colors, paint types and paint brushes through this process.
You can see that the end result came after multiple changes.....especially his hair!
But his final look is exactly what I was after!!
The Finished Look: Whimsical Nutcracker Chair
For the wooden chair frame....I added black and white checks, gold, pops of red, hot pink and my favorite light turquoise The Gulf!
To protect my finished design, I sealed the fabric portions with Easy Peasy Spray Wax.....and the wooden portion with Top Coat Satin.
This chair sat proudly beside my tree last Christmas.....and joined the whole family for the chaos of opening way too many gifts!!
I did not store him away when Christmas was over....instead I hung him on my shop wall where he makes me smile every single day!
***Nutcracker Chair #2 is coming soon!***
More Inspiration: Christmas Furniture and Decor
Christmas projects are so fun to make and I have so many to share! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project.
Nutcracker Entry Table - let's make Christmas furniture a thing
Whimsical Christmas Decorations - learn how to make your own whimsy tree
Christmas Gumball Machine - elf gumball machine for more holiday cheer
Christmas Wonderland Globe - vintage globe turned wonderland
Tiny Whimsical Table - with holiday holograph table top
Santa Desk - a red beauty for Santa himself
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
Even More Inspiration: Painted Fabric Chairs
I pulled a few blogs from past chair projects that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project.
Giraffe Chair - once upon a time there were two giraffes that fell in love...
Tattoo Decoupage Chair - love it or hate it. This one went viral on IG!
Whimsical Watercolor Mermaid Chairs - an ugly fabric chair project
Cat Chair - Decoupage mixed with paint. Learn how to "paint-in" the design paper.
Painted Zebra Chair - funky and overflowing with personality
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
And of course, be sure to visit my Whimsical Home Decor Ideas for more fun whimisical ways to decorate your space!
JOIN ME FOR MORE...with Curiously Creative
If you enjoyed this and want more of a deep dive into home decor and DIY processes, I would love it if you joined my exclusive online creative group, Curiously Creative. I show up LIVE to guide you through every step of updating, upcycling, crafting, and creating on-trend home decor and gift-giving ideas!
Want more fancy furniture & design?
Save & Share on Pinterest!
Please please please share my whimsical nutcracker chair project and follow me on Pinterest!
