Friday, June 19, 2009

Vintage Chair Fetish

I have a thing for vintage chairs :). I just simply can't resist them. Over the years, I've been going to antique markets, estate sales and believe it or not, I picked up a couple of chairs from a senior housing! I love the detail and craftsmanship of a vintage chair. They just have a unique shape and curve that you don't see often in today's chair (unless it's a reproduction).

Therefore, my chair collection has grown. I fixed up all the chairs I acquired. They were restained, repainted, reupholstered, you name it. I also managed to sell some of them. These are the chairs that remain with me:


I bought this Chinese Chippendale chair from Alameda Antique Market. I painted them white and purchased a plywood, foam, and batting for the seat cushion which I upholstered with my Foliage Mandarin fabric. I love the contrast by marrying the geometric pattern on the back seat with organic pattern for the cushion.


I also purchased this Parisian ballroom chair from
Alameda Antique Market. The lady I purchased the chair from moved from Paris and managed to bring this chair with her since it was one of her favorite belonging.


I purchased this set of tulip chairs and table from an estate warehouse liquidation. I've been looking for vintage Saarinen tulip chairs for a while; even though they are not Saarinen (they are Burke) and they have a star-based, I'm pretty happy and got a good deal for the set. I reupholstered the cushions with Jonathan Adler inspired fabric from Kravet.



Then, I spotted this wing chair at an Estate Sale. The upholstery looked hideous. But I saw a potential. I was able to see beyond the fabric and focus on the frame and legs of the chairs. After re-upholstering them with my Raindrops fabric in Bittersweet Chocolate
, I had a huge smile on my face. This chair was featured on Before and After at Design*Sponge (thank you Grace!)

Remember the chairs picked up from senior housing? Here they are....

I painted them white and reupholstered the cushions with a fabric that looks a lot like Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis fabric.

So what is next? I have this lovely Victorian wrought iron bench sitting in my garage. I'm waiting for my new fabrics to arrive in the next two weeks. Stay tuned.....

2 comments:

HMaas said...

I love your chairs - what great finds and I love how you have updated them all!! You have me inspired.

Angie Kritenbrink said...

I love this post . . . I am really into redoing chairs, and it drives my husband nuts! So I am glad to see someone else with a similar obsession . . .