Bright new look for tired chairs

From old to new, a simple wooden chair is lifted with a fresh lick of paint in a spring colour to give it a seasonal update

APLAIN, WOODEN CHAIR can become a decorative feature in the home when it is given a bright lick of paint in a spring shade.

A range of techniques can be applied, depending on where the chair will be placed and how it will be used.

Fresh colour is added to an armchair with a dark wooden frame to give it a lift, with the seat reupholstered using seasonal patterned fabric in complementary shades.

Similarly, a boldly painted chair can be matched with a cushion and a piece of fabric looped around the back support and stitched in place to cover the rungs and create a more comfortable and attractive seat.

For a more subtle outcome, part of the wood can be left unpainted or two colours gradually blended together to create a shaded or fading effect.

Alternatively, a striking result can be achieved by painting eye-catching patterns, such as flowers, onto the seat and backing of a white painted chair. The same effect can also be accomplished with floral-patterned paper applied using découpage.