Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

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Pretty Painted Rocking Chair – A Beautiful Baby Gift

A couple of months ago I spotted the most PERFECT little rocking chair at Goodwill.  You guys – it was $2.99.  $2.99!!!  I knew it was too small for my kids, but I snatched it up anyway because I enjoy buying things I have absolutely no need for.Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
It sat in my basement until my husband gave me the dreaded ultimatum that he makes approximately every other month – “do something with it or I’m getting rid of it.” So I decided to paint it for one of my oldest friends’ new baby girl, Grace.  They’re moving to a new house next week and Grace will have her own little nursery, so I knew a pretty painted rocking chair would be a great addition to her room!

I started out by painting the top part of the chair in Country Chic Paint’s Vintage Cupcake. (You may recognize the color from the Butterfly Bench Makeover I did in the spring.)  Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
Next, I painted the bottom half in Americana Decor’s Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting.  While I was at it, I watered down some of the Everlasting and brushed it over the Vintage Cupcake for a cute, whitewashed look.Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
After it dried, I lightly sanded for a distressed look.  Then I made a contact paper stencil of her name on my Silhouette Cameo, and painted it on in metallic gold acrylic paint. Once that dried, I finished the entire chair with a coat of Country Chic Paint’s Pearl Wax. I am OBSESSED with pearl wax because it gives a beautiful, all-over shimmer. It’s perfect for a subtle, glam look that every four-month-old loves. Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
It turned out pretty cute, I think! Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.

Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.

Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
My daughter’s favorite lovie, Lambie, was happy to model for this photo shoot. She sort of became a diva after appearing in the Butterfly Bench Makeover post.
Such a cute idea! Paint a children's rocking chair from the thrift shop or craft store and give it as a baby gift! Personalize it with the child's name, too, for an extra special touch.
If you liked this idea, you can definitely replicate it. Michaels sells unfinished child size rocking chairs in-store for $49. With a 40% or 50% off coupon, you’ll have an awesome gift for someone at an equally awesome price!

– Bre

Comments

  1. Seana Turner says

    I totally love this one, Bre. I wish I had someone I knew having a baby because I would try this. No doubt it will be a favorite piece for years to come… you have such good ideas!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Thanks, Megan! 🙂 Get one at Michaels with the 40% or 50% coupon! Then get your free DecoArt paint and get to work! 🙂

  4. Deborah says

    Hi Bre my name is Deborah
    I’m new to all of this but im loving your blog…. I have a little granddaughter and would live to do a similar rocking chair with her name. Would you mind explaining how you go about doing a Contact paper stencil? Thanking you in advance!!
    Deborah x

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Deborah! Thank you so much for reading! I am sure your granddaughter would love a rocking chair! As for the contact paper stencil, I created mine on a papercutting machine I have, which is called a Silhouette. I cut it out, stuck it onto the chair, mod podged it to seal the edges, and then painted right over it. Once the paint dried, I removed the contact paper to reveal the gold name. I’m guessing you don’t have a papercutting machine, so you could trace letters onto the back of contact paper, cut them out, apply them to the chair, and then paint over them – removing once dry. (You’d want the color underneath the contact paper you apply to the chair to be the color you want the name, and then you’d paint over the contact paper letters in a contrasting color). Alternatively, you could purchase letter stencils at the craft store and do it that way! Hope that helps. Good luck with your project!!

  5. Joanne says

    I have never seen pearlized wax….did you whip it up, or buy it already made? Thank you! I have started painting a rocker for my daughter and son in law”s future nursery, and would love to add pearl wax to the chair!

    Reply

  6. Sandy says

    In a 2015 video you painted a child size rocking chair for a frienda baby. The chair looked like it had a wood stain already on it so I’m wondering how you prepared the wood before painting it.

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Sandy! Yes – for that project I used chalk paint, which is very minimal prep required, so all I did was clean it with soap and water! Very easy.

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