apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm thinking something with circles (not too big and certainly not polkadots) on it ? On the modern side of it, with warm colors (if it suits your decor) nothing too tacky.

Totally depends on the room. Context, please.

Yes, context needed.
Another thing to consider is that the upholsterer can make alterations to the "guts" of the chair as they do the outside--perhaps slimming it down a little or altering the stuffing?

Just out of curiosity, what would it cost to reupholster two chairs like those?

look at the largest fabric covered item in the room and go with a complementing color or the same color. Personally I would refinish the lege to match the other wood in the room. Also upholsterers are expensive why not DIY? It works out pretty well, I did a couch.

I would just go with a basic cotton velvet find a color that works for you. I would stain the feet dark dark or paint black it would look better.

Thanks for your advice so far! I love the idea of having them made a bit smaller...I've never had anything upholstered and didn't know they even did that!

The context for the room is difficult to describe b/c it's flexible at this point. I'd like to use one in a reading nook with a little table for reading/relaxing. I need the other one in the living room where it is now. The other furniture in the room is a solid, natural colored sofa, an antique dresser used as a media stand, and a wood and glass coffee table. I tend to blend a more modern style with antiques I find...kind of an eclectic mix. My tastes have been tending toward the modern lately though. I'd love to see these chairs with a more clean, modern twist. Serene colors...they just look so country to me right now (maybe I'm crazy). And much too dark for my taste!

Thanks again! And a cost estimate would we awesome, too.

Agree with above comment. My thoughts exactly. Cotton velvet would look great especially if keeping nailhead trim. Also definitely stain legs dark. Good luck!

I would change the feet of both of them! Just to start on a new 'feel' at least

I'm no help without context, but they look sooooooooooooo comfy.

what is your decor style? what color palettes are are you using elsewhere in the room?

since the chair is so large; if your space is small don't use a bright color unless the rest of the room is muted colors than the chair can become the focal point in a good way.

For reading chairs like this one I feel you can never go wrong with a woven. they are heavy duty fabrics and I am a fan of texture.

I am a fan of contrasting woods; so depending on the other woods in the room, the feet could stay the same or be refinished.

Reupholstery is expensive. If your tastes are veering contemporary, maybe these aren't your forever chairs. Are the frames good quality with a solid, resilient suspension system? Don't consider reupholstering them if the answer is no.
If you do reupholster, those chairs would be stunning in mohair--pricey, I know, so maybe another velvet with that feel. I actually think they'd look better a few years down the road when the pile has crushed into an inviting patina.
But if they aren't great quality chairs, DIY or don't bother.

My thought too was a velvet. you could get some in a really rich beautiful color- deep teal or charcoal- and they'd look super and extra cozy.

They look comfy. I think velvet is boring and would make the chairs look bigger and lumpier. What about a crisp modern art deco fabric? Some nice stuff from amybutlerdesign--see fabric.com.

I think a nice cream chenille fabric would be the best with new nickel tacs around the edge. This would be classic and elegant. It would also make them very versatile for any room in the house, or any color of wall.

I have that same chair in a different pattern cloth! If you do end up DIYing a reupholstry please post a how to. It is my favorite reading chair (even though I don't have the matching ottoman) but the pattern on mine is really dark and old fashioned (browns, burgundys, greens), and I would love to change that.

My current color palette includes a lot of neutrals...shades of brown and beige with darker colors thrown in like the ones in the chairs, which isn't me at all! My ideal palette would include lots of cream and white mixed with soothing colors like gray, coral, turquoise or buttery yellow. Haven't really done a lot of redecorating yet. I'm working with hand-me-downs from my family at this point. I'm still in school and slowly trying to update my home with more modern furniture and decor. I may not be able to recover these babies for some time b/c I'm guessing it's going to be expensive. DIY is out of the question...I have zero skills and would hate to mess these chairs up forever! I love the nail-head details and would want them to stay! I like the idea of a solid color or something with a subtle pattern...art deco would definitely NOT work for me...haha!

The scale of the print is too small for me on that big poofy chair. big chairs = big bold prints. you could go with a strong solid color as well, with a great texture.

And I wouldn't necessarily go with a matching ottoman.

Just some encouragement: I held on to hand-me-downs for far too long, but it was worth it. I finally had them reupholstered and now I have some good pieces that I've made my own. You can find great deals on fabric, but you'll have to save up for the labor costs of doing it professionally. For all four pieces, it'll be at least $1000.
Also, look into reupholstery classes at a fabric store or community class.

I think it looks like it should be leather, although the suggestions for velvet also seem to work.

ValHalla, I agree ~ Amanda should look into upholstery classes. I did a chair like that on a weekend course. I was apprehensive (not a typically 'handy' person) but it really isn't too difficult with good direction from a teacher. Let us see the 'after' pics!

To take these in a more modern direction, I would go with a solid color and a woven texture. Personally, I think a medium-light gray twill would be lovey, with nickel nails and charcoal or black painted legs. From a practical standpoint, as ValHalla pointed out, the cost of having these professionally reupholstered is going to be significant, and if your style is still in flux, a solid neutral will serve you well in the long run. As a side note, if these are really just "make do for now" pieces whose shape you are not particularly fond of or if they lack the structural integrity to justify re-upholstery, slipcovers might be a better bet.

We have a similar chair and ottoman that we were thinking of reuphostering. The estimates we received were about $800 to $1,000 per chair and ottoman set (so you'd be looking at $1,600 to $2,000) depending on fabric choice. If you redo them in leather, the price jumps a lot!

I said "modern Art Deco." Link to Amy Butler on AT just 3 weeks ago--If ya don't like it, maybe I'm reading the wrong blog!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/fabric-textiles/amy-butler-design-updated-post-075502

You can probably replace them with something more your style for close to what it will cost to reupholster.

For me these chairs are too bulky. I would not keep them, but If you really want to, why not choose a nice crisp linen with contrast welting? For instance, if the color theme in your room includes a dark shade, like navy, why not upholster them in navy linen with off-white linen welting? I think a crisp flat fabric might help to visually reduce the bulk. I'd definitely go with a solid, not print fabric. I think a darker color, or perhaps one that would blend in with whatever is behind the chairs (wall paint color) might be helpful. So many people have talked about the cost of upholstering. If you can't do it yourself, I know an honest, reasonably-priced uphholsterer who is very nice. He would NOT overcharge you. Let me know if you'd like his info.
Bella B.

Two more quick comments, I agree with the people who advised you to do something to the feet! I would either have them re-stained to match or complement the other woods in the room OR if you'd like a more contemporary look, paint them in an interesting color.

Just another thought...have you thought about having slipcovers made for these chairs and ottomans? This is another option if you'd like to keep them around for awhile before making a decision about a giving them permanent home or replacing them with something more stylish. Again I'd go with a crisp linen with box pleats...something lean and angular to cut down on the heaviness.

My motto is: If I can't have what I really want, I do without. I would NOT own furniture that I do not like. Good luck to you both!

Poltrona Frau makes a similar style chair, designed in the 1930's. It's part of the historical collection and called "vanity Fair".

Anyway, I think you could have a slip cover made with a kick pleat to cover the legs. I saw a cool fabric in Elegant Fabris, 222 W 40th Street. It's natural linen with silver thread dispersed throughout.
if the chair was reupolstered, It should still have the legs covered and the nails should be painted to match the fabric.

I'm with the slip cover fraction... even if you have to get them made specially they should come in at a fraction of the cost. Or maybe you know someone who is good with a sewing machine?

And I'd do them in different colours, one cream and one chocolate or dove gray and anthracite. Linen-type material, canvas or corduroy spring to mind.

Oh and definitely change the legs!