how to paint & seal a wooden high chair!

I've received several emails lately asking about Jackson's Jenny Lind style wooden high chair.  Since they are all the rage right now {and because I am still madly in love with it}, I thought I'd share a few tips on finding one, painting it AND how to make it as food-safe as possible!  And, just for fun - I'm joining the "Dog Days of Winter - Paint It" Link-up Party hosted by some of my sweet blog-world friends.    

FINDING ONE: Since these have become so popular, this appears to be the challenging part now!  I found ours or Craigslist for $30 after searching daily for a month or more.  I snagged it up right away.  I also recommend checking eBay!  Originally, I only planned on getting a wooden high chair to use for his first birthday party and cake smash photoshoot.  If that's your only intent and you don't think you'll use it past that, then you might try to borrow one from a friend or photographer.....  however, I highly recommend owning one.  It's rocked our world and I'm going to mourn the day it's no longer needed in our home.  Like I might wear all black and cry for days. ;)

PAINTING IT:  {and I suppose sanding it if yours is in bad shape or has been painted before and needs to be "stripped"}.  I cannot recommend this Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch spray paint enough (note:  I've only been able to find it at Home Depot).  As you may have noticed, I've become a spray-paint addict and swear that this provides the best coverage with the least coats.  It's fool-proof.  And, per my husband, I suck at spray painting due to my intense lack of patience.  Thanks, babe.  Thanks.

SEALING IT TO MAKE IT AS "FOOD-SAFE" AS POSSIBLE:  {see the Bullseye Shellac #408 in the photo above} I obviously only recommend doing this extra step if you plan to let your mini eat off of the high chair and are going to use it more than a few times.  Jackson's wooden high chair is the ONLY real deal, full-size high chair we own.  We used a portable one early on when J wasn't quite big enough to sit in this one, but he's used this chair exclusively for a long, long while now.  Back to sealing it ---- after your spray paint has dried, you'll coat it with this.  It works like a charm and adds a bit of a shine.  Because my child is the messiest eater in America, I've spray painted and re-sealed Jackson high chair twice now just to keep it looking good.
**Note:  I'm obviously not a doctor, nor a food-safety guru.  Based on the research I did and calls I made to this company, this was the best food-safe sealant I could find.  If you have another suggestion, please share! :)

I hope this helps any of you out there who have plans to paint a wooden high chair for your mini!  I absolutely love Jackson's --- not only was it a hit at his 1st birthday party, but it's gotten some serious use in our little casa over the past year (as in every meal and  snack!).  I'd say it's been a pretty solid $50 investment AND it adds a fun pop of color & cheer to our home!