Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dining Chairs...What Would YOU Do?

This is my dining room as it currently looks (with a mischievous little monster on top of my Craigslist table)...


The current chairs were purchased over 4 years ago at a local Flea Market. I wish I took before photos as they have gone through quite the transformation. If you can believe this...they were originally painted white. Yes, I know all I ever say is paint, paint, paint. But the white was dirty and I prefer table/chair contrast for interest. So, I had them stripped (tried to do it myself with natural paint thinner to no avail). I then reupholstered the old blue/red/tan morning glory fabric with linen and black velvet brocade. I have since tired of them and have bought replacements...see below!

Enough about my old chairs let's chat about my new $10 Bamboo Craigslist chairs, which will now go in the dining room above...


So here's my question (note that I will upholster the seat and the back area where the wicker is now):

Do I keep them, as is, in natural wood and reupholster them in peacock velvet (I bought the velvet over a year ago and it has just been sitting in my office patiently awaiting dress rehearsal)??...


Or do I paint the chairs black and reupholster in  same peacock velvet (no tufting though)?...

Inspirational Image. Garouste and Bonetti Chairs.

Or do I paint them peacock blue?...

Inspirational image via oc prop girl

And reupholster in this fabric?...
Papillions/A JRU02
 or this...
Nepal

I have a love for insects and animal prints in design, a simple connection to nature! 

So, please tell me your thoughts...what would YOU choose? 

p.s. My sister has delightfully offered to take my old chairs in exchange for a big hug and smile.

22 comments:

  1. Hi!! I think my vote is to leave them in their current state and add the peacock velvet upholstery...can you believe that I am not saying paint, paint, paint too!! Happy Thursday! Caroline

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  2. i LOOOVE the idea od painting them a glossy black with the peacock velvey upholstery- i love that fabric no matter what, but painting them black will make them fresh, modern, and will still keep that contrast between table anc chairs. i love that contrast, too- i have a very dark rustic dining table, and white eiffel base eames style chairs. :)

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  3. How about painting them black and reupholstering in Nepal in citrus? I know that wasn't one of the options, but that's my vote. :)

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  4. hmmm, so many options! i think i would paint them peacock blue and upholster in either the butterfly or the green fabric. i'm sure you'll do something fabulous!

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  5. I don't know where these chairs are going so it's hard to choose. I do love the peacock velvet but I think for these chairs I would want something lighter - like the Nepal which I love as well.

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  6. That citrus fabric is my favorite- I'd use that and paint the chairs blue- I love all that color!

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  7. Love the new chairs! Based on the color of your room I would paint the bamboo chairs in a glossy black and then go for the papillion or nepal fabrics!

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  8. I would paint them black and use the material in the last picture.The Nepal in citrus. I think this lighter fabric would look so well with the white table and your wall color.

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  9. I love the black with blue! If you haven't ordered a swatch of the Papillion I recommend doing so. I was considering using it but it's darker than it looks and the print was bigger than I realized. It's pretty, it just didn't work for me.

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  10. First choice based on the room...Paint black and use the Nepal. But if you can bring in a few blue elements into the room. Then I would go with the blue and black. Don't you already have green and white chairs elsewhere?

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  11. Ooh, yeah. I like the idea of the glossy black chairs and the peacock velvet. Decisions, decisions.

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  12. Thanks everyone for the help!
    @quintessence...thanks so much I went back in to clarify my post a bit better so as not to confuse anyone.
    @lemondropdreams...thanks so much for tip, I haven't received the samples yet. If the butterfly is too big, then it definitely won't work...love it though.
    @Shelley... I do have a pair of green/cream chevron rolled armchairs, they are in the other room. I do have touches of blue here and there though, just come over anytime and tell me what you think :).

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  13. I'd say paint them glossy black and use the blue velvet fabric. So chic! I love the citris fabric too, but am afraid that it will get lost in the background wall color. The blue velvet adds a better contrast to the room!

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  14. Be daring, you only live once. Paint peacock blue, upholster in the green ikat, and paint your dining room the same green. Stunning!!

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  15. They all look lovely! I think I'd be for painting it black and upholstering. Have a wonderful day, Kellie xx

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  16. I really like the idea of a blue/black combo but the butterfly material is really super...are the walls staying the same...if so, go with the blue/black. Use the butterfly material some where...that stuff is gorgeous!

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  17. Loving the Nepal fabric...it's a must somewhere!! Happy Friday ~

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  18. Hey Danielle,

    I'm embarrassingly late at responding to your email about this. I think my pick would be to leave the chairs natural and reupholster in the Nepal fabric. I think it would be a great combo w/ your bird prints. Such a fun, happy dining space!

    Loving your blog--I'm going to do a better job of keeping up :)

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  19. I'm the latest, just got back from Ethiopia this weekend. I like them all! Depending on the rest of the house and what you are going for I would go with the black and peacock for more elegance, the blue and butterflies for brightness and whimsy (my favorite) and the last I would paint a bright color with the Nepal (love as well) for brightness and the look of a well traveled room. Hugs!

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