I’ve officially hatched my evil egg-chair plan (mwah-ha-ha).
Couldn’t resist an ovum pun. That $30 thrift-store egg chair I mentioned last week got a good clean with a liquid deglosser, then a coat of spray primer and spray paint. About ten minutes after I took the sad before photo in the sunroom with the old cushion on it…
…I had it out in the yard ready for a little makeover.
That orangey-wood finish actually photographs okay, but in person the chair looked dated and a bit worn — the cane was missing on both sides of the frame. A fresh coat of paint was the quickest way to bring it back. We can always repaint later (glossy black, soft mocha, cheerful yellow — take your pick), and after painting our green office chairs, I’ve lost any fear of painting seating. Painted chairs are now some of our favorite pieces in the house.
So I wanted Eggy to be just as lovable.
An hour or two later it was looking much fresher — all dressed up in a crisp white satin. I used Rust-Oleum Universal in satin white. I chose white because the chair will sit in the living room corner where a big colorful rug and bright pillows already make a statement; a clean white frame will let the rug and cushions shine without clashing. I can always swap in colored cushions later.
If you want spray-painting tips, check out this post. I let the chair dry for a few days in the sun and then kept it in the sunroom a bit longer to ensure no lingering paint fumes before bringing it inside. Ignore the temporary pillows in these photos — they’re just old seat cushions from our previous office chairs covered with white towels so I could visualize a white cushion look. And yes, I tossed a pig pillow into the mix for fun.
Because I’m a little ridiculous like that.
I swapped in one of our faux sheepskins over the cushions instead of the towels, and before I could step back with the camera, Burger had claimed the spot.
He settled in in seconds.
The faux sheepskin won Burger’s seal of approval, but when I sat in it on a hot day it felt a bit too shaggy — I overheated. I think the sheepskin will be perfect for winter, but for now he’s wearing a lighter summer ensemble made from things we already had:
It’s a small faux-fur pillow on the seat and a bunny pillow for the back. Cute, right?
Luckily Burger doesn’t mind sharing the chair with a rabbit-shaped pillow.
Clara gave the chair a try too. She likes it, but she’s not obsessed — toys still beat Mom’s quirky egg chair — which is fine because I plan to monopolize it. Ha.
She enjoyed reading her animal book there “with the rabbit and the dog” (one was on the pillow, the other on her shirt).
I also took an overhead shot because I love the strappy silhouette. The slatted shape feels snug and supportive — more hammock-like in comfort, but without the sag or the precarious feeling. It embraces you without any fear of falling out, and the swivel is a big plus. Think of the slats like a sturdy park bench: spaced and solid enough that you don’t feel like you’ll fall through.
Some readers worried Clara might get her head stuck between the slats, but they’re either too narrow to fit her head or so wide she could fit her whole body through — which we don’t encourage. It’s similar to the metal bucket of blocks in her room: she could put her head in if she tried, but so far she hasn’t.
The next day I had John snap a photo to show adult scale — the chair reaches to your shoulder blades and provides cozy back support — and of course Clara wanted to join. So here we are, snuggling in.
Long-term, I’ll probably pick up a white seat cushion for the bottom — maybe another for the back — though the bunny pillow may hang around. For $37 total, the chair and the makeover feel like a serious bargain: a clean, swivel egg chair that also reads as sculptural decor thanks to those strappy curves. The before photo really shows how much character the chair gained — it’s practically grinning now. Maybe I should call it Odie…
Have you rescued any secondhand chairs lately? Experimented with small rugs or faux sheepskins? Or wondered why your dog is obsessed with those cozy bits? Same here.
Psst — the latest Clara Conversations is up on Young House Life. She’s definitely honing her comedy routine…