Before I even started redecorating my apartment, I scored an amazing pair of vintage, Louis XVI style chairs from an auction house in my hometown of Detroit. They were a steal for the pair and had great bones but were in dire need of a revamp. Here is what they ooked like before:
The silhouette of these chairs were exactly what I was looking for with feminine curves and a frame that wasn’t too ornate. But the fabric screamed grandma’s house and the painted frame was all yellow and speckly. They were begging for a makeover! I had them reupholstered in this Charlotte Moss fabric from Fabricut (which I have also seen at Calico Corners!). I loved the fresh celadon color and the wave like pattern felt fun and whimsical. The frames were painted in Benjamin Moore’s China White which is a milky, not too bright white that reminds you of white porcelain china, hence the name. Here is what these babies look like now, sitting pretty in my living room:
What a transformation, right? It’s amazing how a fresh coat of white paint and a cool fabric can take these chairs from dated and granny looking to totally chic!
Bottom Photo: Carol Dronsfield for Matchbook
10 Comments
Love the transformation of these chairs – amazing!!
Thank you!!
do you have any reupholstery recommendations? i have two beautiful chairs that are dying for new fabric. thank you!
I’m working on a post with great tips on finding and working with an upholsterer! Stay tuned!!
Love the chairs, what a great transformation!
Thank you!!
Great makeover! The chairs are beautiful 🙂 xx
OMG! These look amazing! I love everything DIY when it comes to renovating something old. I’ve shied away from upholstery because I don’t have much experience in it…but I’m going to have to start learning the process. These are beautiful. Great job!
akirerosedesign.wordpress.com
I love how you combined the traditional silhouette with the modern pattern! As an amateur interior design fan, for me the best way of creating a space with unique style is exactly like this – a combination of something old and new. Are you buying antiques and upcycling material in some smaller shops as well? I used to buy them through Facebook communities focused on such things but since I’m spening my whole day in an office, I prefer to visit the real shops – some of them look like a big mess, but that makes me even more excited… 😉
After many years, I’ve decided the most important thing about an upholsterer (assuming that they know how to reupholster) is the fabrics they carry. If they don’t have a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, it doesn’t matter how good they are at the actual work – you won’t be happy with the final product.
Fabric is the point in reupholstery, right?