My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

Easy Painted Wood Looking Finish

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When I saw these chairs in the thrift store, I loved the style, but not so much the color. I was thinking about sanding them down, for about five seconds, then I remembered a technique that my friend on Instagram did to her chairs! Kathy @r.house__ used paint and wax to get a wood looking finish! I didn’t know if it would work the same for my chairs since mine were painted this purple color to start, but I wanted to try, at least.

I asked Kathy what color she used, and she started hers off with “burnished clay” and then finished with a dark brown wax. I brushed on the “burnished clay“ flat paint with a paint brush and let it dry.

I didn’t have the same color of wax on hand that she had, so I use this dark vintage antiquing wax and hoped it would turn out the same! The more texture in the chair, the better, because then it makes it look like wood texture. I think that brushing on the paint helped a little with added texture. If the chair/paint was super smooth before adding the wax, it probably wouldn’t look as much like wood.

I wiped on two coats of wax with a lint free cloth, after the paint had dried. I barely believe my eyes!

I can’t even believe the wood looking finish that it gave to the chairs!! It looks just like old stained wood! I’m in LOVE!!

I have three more chairs to go. Do you think I can get them done before Hallie‘s graduation this weekend? That’s my goal!

I would love to hear in the comments below if you have heard of this technique and what you think!

This won’t be the last time that I use this technique! Thank you, Kathy!

Would this be something that you would try? I think my chairs went from “purply blue chairs that sat in the thrift store for weeks until there was a sale and I finally saved them from the trash” status… to “Restoration Hardware” status. Love!

View More Related Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

      • These look amazeballs! I’m looking around my house for something to do this on!????????????????

    • I have never heard of this technique but it turned out so amazing! I have some furniture that I want to finish and now I want to try this technique! ????
      Ig: @jennaczmowski

  2. I love how the chairs turned out! You inspire me to get my paint brushes out and get creative again. ????????

  3. Unbelievable! Looks so fantastic!!! I would certainly use this technique!!! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Wooohooo! These look great, my friend! I have done a similar technique and love how simple it is!

  6. They look gorgeous. I would definitely use this technique!! I just love everything you do, always such great ideals!!

  7. Yes, I think you will easily get the others done before Hallie’s graduation! Nice job????

  8. What kind of wax is it? Wow i can’t believe how so super cool it is. Just flat paint and wax is really it??? Looks amazing

  9. I’m at a loss for words. How can paint and wax turn out so incredibly wood-like???? Wow! I will definitely be trying this technique, cuz sanding intimidates the bageebers out of me.

    • I am obsessed! ???? I have a giant heavily carved mirror that I want a weathered wood look. Sanding would be impossible, so I’ll try this technique.

  11. Well that’s darn incredible Natalie! I would have no idea you started with a purple base. My mind is blown! ????

  12. I am going to try this!! I have an old chair that needs some love and this is it!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

  17. Think this would work to cover over a painted shelf, some form of cheap wood under so I don’t think it’s worth sanding… maybe I’m just too lazy to sand but I love your finished product!!

  18. ???? I can finally leave comments now! Love it! How many times did you sand it and redo it????????

  19. I am amazed at how wonderful it looks. I never would have guessed it was paint. I am definitely going to try this on a chair I have waiting. You inspire me to try things I never would have done.

  20. Amazing! I want to try this on a coffee table I have been wanting to refinish. Immnervous but may try! Does it feel tacky afterwards?

  22. Of course you will get the other chairs done! You are Wonder Woman, after all – even if you only have one good hand. Congratulations and Blessings to Hallie!

  24. They are absolutely beautiful! I really can’t believe that they weren’t stripped and waxed. Great job.

  25. Wow, this is unbelievable I would have never imagined that the and result would be this beautiful.

  26. That is AWESOME!! And I’m glad I found the comment box. ???? @lhendon on IG

  27. Amazing. I never thought you would be able to paint over those chairs to achieve that real wood look. You are always a fun account to follow.

  28. Love it. In the 70’s my sister and I antiqued furniture for our bedroom. It looks just like this. Sorry, can’t remember the process but we painted and then put a brownish stain or paint on it. I have a corner cupboard still.

  29. Looks fantastic! Do you just let the wax dry and that’s the end? Do you buff it? Will it be sticky in warm weather and cling to clothing?

  30. I did this on my mantle but didn’t know anyone else has done this before! I wish I could show you!

  32. That looks great! ???????????????????????? Giving the chair the extra drying time probably helped the wax adhere well, and not pull the paint back off which can happen if applied too soon. Maybe paint tomorrow and wax on Thursday to have them ready for the weekend? Love this technique! It really looks wonderful. ????

    • They look amazing. I’ve never tried this technique but I definitely will.

  35. I really want to try this. I have four chairs to do. Two of them are ladderbacks that my husband and I bought unfinished when we first got married. They have been stained, painted, and repainted! What kind of paint and wax?

  36. These chairs look fabulous!! I haven’t used dark wax on such a light color in awhile and I forgot how much I like it!! Another great Natalie project!! I so love a great before and after!! ????

  37. OH MY GOSH!!! I’ve really been wanting to paint my bathroom vanity, but I hated how the wood grain showed through my neighbors when she did hers. I think you’ve just given me a solution to my dilemma! I REALLY want to try this! It’s SOOOOOO pretty! What brand paint did you use?

  38. Thy looks fantastic! I would have never guessed they were purple in their past life!

  39. Also so glad I can finally comment too. Those chairs are lovely and it is amazing how realistic looking they turned out. You will def have them done before Hallies graduation party.

  42. Wow! They turned out amazing! I wasn’t sure what you meant, but WOW! Definitely a technique I will have to try! Awesome!????????????

  43. Holy cow, once again blown away with your ability to transform something. They look amazing.

  44. Really awesome job! What a cool technique to make something new and match the rest of your decor.
    ????sjdyk28

  47. I’m in love with this technique! Now gotta find something to try it on.

  48. Wow, the chair turned out awesome. I would love to try this one day too. Thanks for sharing.

  51. This is the exact look I have been trying to find for a bed I will be painting. You just made my day, now I’m excited to paint!!!!

  52. Wow!!! I will have to remember this.. ever so cool..I think you can do it Girlfriend!!!! Good Luck!!! I just love reading your posts…I always think k..what technique is she going to do? Love them all.????

    • Afraid once I start, I won’t finish until everything is done in my house???????? @dr_judd

  53. Great job Natalie! It looks fantastic. I have used this technique for about 30 years. I use Briwax and very fine steel wool to apply to the painted surface. Wishing Hallie and the family an awesome day for graduation.

    • Sanding is one of least favorite activities. I love this technique, the chair looks so good! Do you have to use any kind of sealer after you apply the wax?

      • I just used a soft cloth to buff after applying the wax. No sealer needed as the wax seals the paint.

  55. That is pretty amazing!!! A game changer for any piece of rescued furniture! I am definitely going to try that, just need to go thrifting and find something to make over!!!????
    Love watching your light funny posts!
    @pbsplash

  56. Yes! I did a similar technique for a vanity we built, but with dark walnut stain instead of wax. Loved the end result as much as yours. I’ll be trying with wax to see if it’s easier.
    Thanks!!

  59. How much wax did you use? Did you kind of glob it on and wipe it off? LOVE THEM. I have a chair that I want to refinish but it has very smooth wood. Do you think I could still get this look and have the wood texture?

  60. A new-to-me technique, but I’d certainly try it! The renewed look of the chair is terrific.

  61. I’m going to try this out on a French Provençal dressing table. ???? Wish me luck! You’re so inspiring!!! ????

  63. I love this!! I need to try this out! What do you think of trying it out on a table?
    Thank you!

  65. I cannot even believe the transformation of these chairs!!! I was a total skeptic (like always ????) and was not sure how these were going to turn out, but as always, your hard work blew me out of the water!! Bravo ???????? ????

  68. They look amazing! ???? I have never refinished anything but I’m looking into refinishing our kitchen table that has been passed on to us through 4 different families with kids. It has held up so well structurally but REALLY needs some new life to look good again. I’m so nervous to start the project but I know it will be so worth it versus just buying a new table. I’ve been following you for a long time and every time I see you do another project I get another boost of confidence to just go for it! ????

  73. I believe can get the other chairs done! I’m sooo impressed! Would this technique work on a pot? Make it look like a wood pot? ???? you’re such an inspo!!

    • ???? aubsajober – I believe can get the other chairs done! I’m sooo impressed! Would this technique work on a pot? Make it look like a wood pot? ???? you’re such an inspo!!

  74. I’m SO trying this on my coffee table! I think this might be the trick I didn’t know I was looking for! ????
    @heathermtravis

  76. @b2982 These turned out soooooo pretty! Seriously you always amaze me with your projects!! ????

  77. I need to try this on some mismatched chairs that have on my back porch ????

  78. Oh my goodness. This is a STUNNING chair now! I want to do this with EVERY piece of furniture! ????

  82. I love the obsession you have with wood anything and antique. The transformation is everything.

  83. Luv Luv Luv them!???????????? I did this to a couple of chairs that I made a into a bench after seeing Kathy do her chairs,but your chai=s look waaaay better! Great job!????

  84. I can’t believe it’s not real stain. Super cool! ???? (Kristin.vaughn12)

  87. ???? I am shocked how the purple chairs came out too!! I am going to def try!!
    Happy Birthday Chester!! ????????♥️????
    @sheryltututilly

  88. ???? Thank you! I love a technique that gives a gorgeous finish with less steps!!

  90. I love all the furniture you do!! Just amazing inspiration!! And I live Chester!

    • I know I commented on this amazing makeover before, but I can’t find my comment! I’ve got a huge, ornate mirror that I want to redo and sanding is out of the question. This technique will help me achieve the look I want! ????. Wanna come to nice, cool Oregon to help me with some projects? @glitteredcrow

  91. This is seriously one of the coolest hacks I’ve seen in a while. I will now be looking for things to do this with! I bet a coffee table would look amazing with that treatment????

  92. First of all everything you do is amazing! Secondly. I really should in a fair world win this gift card prize. Since I am a nice Heather from Canada, and, since you keep using my name, don’t you think that would be a fair trade:). ????????????. Pick me. Pick me:)

  94. Love this color! I’m going to keep my eyes out for something to try this on. Bad part about living in the middle of no where thirst stores are all over priced or don’t have crap.

    ???? wicklesswithamanda

  96. ???? Wow! This looks great! I’m amazed at how you do some of this stuff, but I love the inspiration too! Keep the furniture rehabs coming! (sc.Mitchem)

    • I tried to go back and comment on some of the other projects I just love all the stuff that you do for some reason I’m not able to comment the freestanding mirror you did we made one similar out of old Barnwood it is one of my favorite pieces we have made @spursandstripescreations IG

  99. Love the look of these!! ???????? Now I’m going to have to try it on something in my house ???????????? ig handle is @stephaniegreene_ ????????????

  101. ???? The chairs look amazing! What a fun way to spruce them up…they look so real!

  102. ❤️Just amazed that’s just painted to look like wood. Another great transformation by Natalie!!

  104. ???????????? i didnt think yiu could do another project cooler than the last but this one is the bomb!! I cant wait to do this to some of my cared for furniture!! Thanks so much for sharing!

  106. Amazing! I was going to strip and wax my bed now I’m going to try this!

  111. I loves those chairs, the dresser, the vases. You are so blessed with the talent of revision and bringing laughter to IG.????

  116. Love how these came out! I follow Kathy too and have tried this technique on some trunks and they turned out great! Used Primitive DecoArt and brown wax! Your chairs are beautiful! ????@pamelakayp

  117. WOW ???? These turned out beautiful. Definitely will have to try this method!

  118. You and your projects just amaze me. I have soo many projects I want to do after following you on IG for a few years. I’ve been gathering supplies, and a few furniture pieces, now I need to dive in. ????????

  119. ???? You did an awesome job! You are so talented and hilarious!! ????♥️???? #donna_anderson62

  120. The chair looks wonderful, love your transformations, keep them coming. Hope your hand heals soon ????

  121. You are so talented???? I love this???? I love EVERYTHING you do???? I can’t wait to try this???????????????? Congratulations to your beautiful daughter???? I have faith you will get the rest done????????????

    P.S. Chester is my favorite Instagram Dog????????

  125. I’ll be honest, I’m shocked how good these turned out!! I’m going to have to try this! ????????

  129. @pattyapkarian on Instagram

    ???? love the chairs! I love all the things you create. I never knew you could bleach wood so thanks for teaching us all that!

  130. Omgoodness!!! These are ah-maxing. Ok. Another technique I gave to try. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

  131. ???? onecopperhill

    I enjoy your style and creativity so much! Thank you for sharing so many great ideas and your family’s love for Jesus ????

  132. Oh. My. Word! You would never know that it wasn’t stained wood!!! ???? I might have found a solution for my dining room table legs and chairs! THANK YOU!! ????????????????????????????????

  133. You have some of the best inspiration,The chairs look amazing!!! I love finding chairs and redoing them, this made me want to find more. 🙂

  136. This technique is amazing!! I can’t wait to try it! Those chairs look gorgeous!! ????????

  138. Those chairs are beautiful ????and remind me of the kitchen chairs my grandmother had. A lot of your pieces are so nostalgic for me. I love seeing your work.

  141. Very much impressed with the chairs and how they turned out!! ???? I am definitely going to need to find something to try it out on. My question is, does Heather know and would she like them?????????

    • Oh and my insta handle is @alwayshopefulalwaysfaithful. Not sure what I’m entering to win but just really liked the chairs.

  144. It just blows my mind!!! The transformations you do are all just so Fantastic!!! I wish I had your talent. You are truly the DIY Queen ???? ????????♥️
    @lisackiser

  145. ????????????????????Natalie, you have done it AGAIN ???????????????? you so amaze me. Can’t wait to celebrate Chesters Birthday ????????????????
    ????????????????????????????????????????

  147. The chairs look great. Had someone spray painted them purple? You are so fun. Love on Halle this weekend. ????

  149. I tried antiquing my cabinets with a glaze…what a mess I made. I need to try this on a chair.????

  150. Those chairs look amazing!!! You’re SO good!! Can’t wait to try this technique in the future! Love it!! ????

  153. I noticed the veneer was bubbled in the first photo when purple but smooth when redone. How did you fix that? I have an older cabinet with the same issue and curious about the repair. The chair is beautiful!????@patchouli_and_rose

  154. I am in LOVE! ???? I am going to try this on my black bar stools, I can’t wait! ???? Thanks for always giving me so much inspiration ~ you are the bomb~dot~com!!! ????????????

  160. I can’t believe how this turned out! Looks just like stained wood!????
    @dnhabc123

  162. Oh my gosh!! It looks amazing! I never would have thought it was possible to make that purple chair look like antique wood without sanding and staining. I’m definitely going to try this on a few pieces I have! LOVE LOVE LOVE!????
    @miss.lissa.a

  163. ????????????Those look amazing! I can’t believe those are the same chairs! ????????????

  165. Those chairs blew me away! Can’t even believe it, that technique is definitely something I will try. Beautiful work. It is hard not to like any of you makeovers, all fabulous!
    Rachel ????????????

  168. These look so cool! I’ll have to remember this technique! ????????????
    @lindsayesimon

  170. I am so going to do this to my craft room chairs! Love it ❤️❤️❤️

      • Natalie this came out looking so good ???????? amazing results!! Can’t wait to see more ????????????????????????
        Instagram: ezmenuno

    • Ok, so I did it!! And OMG I am loving the results!!! Thank you for the idea and instructions ???????????? IG: FlipFlop_momma

  172. *Feels a sudden urge to find odd chairs at thrift stores*

    This transformation is crazy! I love it so much ????

  173. Oh my gosh! They look so good! I am trying this this weekend on my coffee table!! Fingers crossed it comes out as great as these chairs! Thank you for sharing!!

    • I cannot believe how they look like wood! ❤️???? I will definitely try this!

  176. ???? That’s it! You’ve inspired me to try this on technique on my old ugly cabinet!

    @memorosies

  177. I have three pieces of furniture I’ve been waffling on what to do with them – BOOM! The chair looks so good! ????

  178. ????????????????????????????????
    This is unbelievable!! I can’t wait to try it! ????????????????????????????
    Can’t wait to see how you celebrate Chester’s birthday!
    ????????????????????????????????
    My doodle just turned 2!

  179. ????????????I absolutely LOVE how this turned out!! I just might have to give this technique a try. I have a bookcase that could use an update. ????????????

  180. These chairs turned out so great! They definitely look like wooden chairs!????????

  181. Easiest, coolest project ever for people like me who have no patience for sanding! Now I just need to find something to paint and wax. R.house has a new follower also. ????
    @julieschlagel

  182. ????
    They look great!!
    Thanks for not taking yourself or the Heather’s too seriously!

  184. This is amazing! Who knew?! Now I have to find something to try this one. ????❤️

  185. I LOVE THIS Chair!!!❤️❤️❤️ YOU ARE SO CREATIVE!! YOU HELP GIVE ME SO MANY IDEAS AND WATCHING YOUR IG STORIES ARE LITERALLY THE BEST THING EVER!! I WAS HAVING A ROUGH DAY AND YOU JUST BRIGHTEN UP MY DAY!! YOU CRACK ME UP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT!!????????????

  189. I love this. I just completed painting my gold oak kitchen cabinets and needed to do something with the gold oak chairs…. So this is perfect for them! ???? thanks for the tutorial!
    @karengrammie

  190. I am in a beautiful chairs turned out. I can’t believe they look like real wood instead of painted. And I can’t wait to try the process

  191. Wow thats a lotta comments since I first commented ???? but I forgot to add @chatwylla1 and ????yesterday ????????

  195. ????????????????????Love love love! I did the same technique with chalk paint and grey stain and just love the look!

  204. ???????????? thank you for sharing this technique!! I have furniture I’ve been trying to stain/paint (can’t seem to commit to either) for over a year now but I haven’t been able to motivate myself to start because the thought of all that sanding & just the size of the project in general fills me with dread. That & the fact I have 4 kids, 2 of them under 2..time evades me. But seeing this makes me want to drop everything to get some paint & wax!!! ????????????

  206. I’m obsessed! ???? I’m now on a mission to find these kinds of chairs on Facebook or the thrift store!!!

  207. You’ve got talent girl! ???????????? Thank you for sharing @_thewanderlings_

  208. Love what you do, as always!! Thinking about which of my chairs I can try this on…????????

  210. You are so creative…and hilarious. I can always count on some great decorating inspiration, and a chuckle. ????

  213. This is sooo good! Have tried your white wash then Java stain…now I wanna do this too!????

  215. I looovvee how it turned out!!???????? It’s beautiful!! Do you think it would work on Ikea type furniture? I have a black dining room table I hate but I would love to try this on it. Would it look as good on an Ikea piece?

  218. Beautiful chairs!! I used your technique on an antique chest recently and it was a fun process plus it looks amazing. ???? @cottonbeltcottage

  219. I love how the bistro chairs turned out ! LOVE the color!
    I have not heard of this technique but, know I have to try it ????

  220. I swear you have the best techniques. I’ve tried a few you’ve done in the past and I think I’ve tried this and it does work. Chairs will be beautiful.

  223. This makes me want to refinish my kitchen table and chairs. You make everything so pretty!! ????

  224. I love following you and seeing what project you do next! You make tackling the jobs look so doable for plain ole homebodies like me! ????
    @smalltown_southerngirl

  225. I love how you give us the step-by-step instructions!
    I plan to try quite a few of your projects this year! ???? @kimberly_dunn_mimi

  227. ???????????? Your projects are always amazingly beautiful!! I’m working up the courage to give this a try. @charrell_59

  230. That just blew my mind! Cut to me thinking through every piece of furniture I can transform in our house! Thank you!!

    ???? – Also, thank you for the opportunity! @erinpro8

  233. The mirror trim & details make it
    Such a beautiful piece!! ❤️ I am looking for chairs to redo & this blog is so helpful!! Thanks!

  234. I just did this to 4 chairs I found on the side of the road. Stunners!! ???????? thanks for teaching us your ways. IG:reganicole

  236. Wow!! These look absolutely amazing! ????
    Also, thank you for the link to your wood bleaching post!
    @downshirefarm

  237. I have never seen this technique before! My son & I are cleaning out an old house with lots of random chairs. Most of them were going to go to Goodwill, but this makes me want to try to save them!
    @klrw1970

  242. This looks amazing!! Will have to try this at home!! ????????????

    IG handle: xo_sharrileslie

  244. I wish you could come to my home and teach me all your diy talents!! You are the DIY Queen???????? Maybe you could do an online class.????????
    @lisackiser

  245. I can’t get over how amazing this finish turned out. ???? I’m looking at all my furniture looking for a victim to try this out with.
    @littledreambakery

  246. You always inspire me with your creativity and ingenuity! So incredibly beautiful!

    @archerhillcottageaz

  248. Ohhh this turned out so very hood. As you always do. Love. Love it.
    @coniross ????????????????????????????????????

  249. I really want to do this to my dinner table ????… I just bought it after splitting with by son’s dad ???? I have been reading this tutorial so may times and still don’t have the guts to do it. I will let you know if ever I do it ❤️

  250. LOVE THIS wood chair look. Hard to believe you can do that from the original black chair. You are so talented????????????????????
    Instagram:@mikaylajoscheck

  251. Wow, what a beautiful job ????
    Everything you do truly turns out so great and I love how detailed your posts are!
    @victoria_g_owens

  255. Thanks for sharing all the details of your projects. It makes it much easier for us to replicate it. I enjoy all your posts! ????

    Karen @mamaksp

  258. It’s soooo much prettier with the wood showing than being covered with paint!! I’m such a fan and probably need to do this to like every piece I’ve covered up with paint ????????????????????????????????

    • It’s sooo pretty that way! I love that natural wood look!! ????????????????????????????
      Instagram: Tiffyj7

  259. Love the chairs and want them. I’m looking for some to redo now! ????
    Breaker_1919

  262. Now I’m walking around my house deciding what to use for this project ????????????
    @oetremoi

  263. This one definitely has to be Heather approved!! I would have never though 0f doing this with a chair. I will be eyeing old wood chairs from now on to see if I feel I can attempt this! Lol ????????????

  264. You are always making items change from old to new again! I love your ideas! ????

  265. I seriously I just want to start painting everything in our house!! I just asked my husband what type of sander he has! “Well it wasn’t the one that Natalie has…so it’s not gonna help me one bit now is it!”???? He looked at me and said, “Who?” (Side note; I’ll keep working on him! Now if I can get him to get me the “Natalie Sander”????)

    @swisschalet

  266. Love these, I’m definitely going to try this. I need old/new chairs. ❤️????

  267. These chairs are so cute! I would have never thought that they would turn out this well. Good job! ????????????????

  268. Natalie, you are a true artist. I love how you can see what something can be. Looking forward to seeing all your beautiful creations come together in your new home. ????????

  269. ????Just fabulous! You have sooo much patience with every project you tackle! I may have to try this on chairs I spray painted black many years ago & am over it. Thank you for great instructions! ????

  270. Love following your trash (or thrift) to treasure DIYs on Instagram! We are currently living in a 550sf rental while building a new house so have put most of my DAYS on hold…but enjoy watching yours ???? mosesmountainvista

  271. This looks so good. I’ve always wondered how that effect is achieved. Can’t wait to try it!! ???????? @no1redheadmom

  273. Love love ????????????this old chair!!! I have a problem with wanting to pick up all the old chairs people put out by the street. My husband doesn’t quite understand why I need all the old chairs!

  274. I love how these turned out! The paint and wax are on my list to pick up this weekend! I have a couple of odd chairs I want to try this on???????? @ruthieknapp

Join me on Instagram
@vintageporch