I like the dark wood; it looks like your table is the same color, more or less. I would just recover the seats.

Exactly; re-cover the seats and that's all. The wood will add depth to the room.

I actually really like the original chairs. They're really dramatic, and a lot of that drama would actually be lost if they weren't dark.

And I know you didn't ask for this, but I'll give it anyway. For the love of god, please move that table away from the wall.

I would live with them as they are for at least 3 months. Unless the leather on the seats is cracked, you may find you enjoy them more than you'd thought. Also-I love white, but I'm finding myself growing tired of all white spaces. You may feel the same once you go all white. These dark wood chairs may balance the map and other elements in your dining space better and longer than white would.

I actually love the dark wood also, and I don't think you need to shy away from patterend fabric...just stick to colors you haev elsewhere in the kitchen. great find by the way, those chairs are so pretty and I love how older chairs are narrower than modern ones...kind of a daily reminder that maybe our buts shouldn't be so wide ;)

You might get some inspiration from these folding chairs from Anthropologie. I know I do!
http://search.anthropologie.com/controller?N=0&Ntk=primary&Nu=p_group_id&Np=2&Ntt=folding%20chair

I agree with k1tsun3. I'm usually all about painting furniture, but these have got such character. They have a very chic, world-traveled look about them. I would recover the seat if anything.

spray painting over wood is not a fun task. I recently took it on for a few chairs I intend to put in my breezeway and can honestly say after FIVE cans of spray paint that I wish I would've left them alone. It wasn't worth the effort or the money to have them painted white.
You should focus on finding a really beautiful fabric that will pull in the map and wood..I think that would be better (Assuming the chairs aren't beat up).

With your decor, how about spray paint table & chairs black, add a brilliant bold geometric pattern to the seats, get rid of the table cloth, add a splash of color to the table top with a centrepiece !

Could you post a picture of the chairs around that table and without the tablecloth?

I also like the dark wood but could see the seat being done in a bright yellow fabric - even with a little big of a pattern - something small and detailed but simply. Maybe geometric or flowery. I'm really not sure. Or I see it as a white chair w/green&yellow bright fabric. Good luck!

I think I'd leave them wood, lose the tablecloth, and use a bold, modern floral print on the seats. (Although I also think something like a yellow chevron would look awesome, but maybe that's just me).

I love me some brightly painted furniture, but these are BEAUTIFUL in the existing dark wood finish. What about painting the table instead and leaving the chairs as is, recovered in a fabric you love? Also, I think the space could use a little more character... maybe a circular rug under the table and a fun shade on the light fixture?

No help here I guess... but I also like the chairs as they are -- with the fabric and all. I'd actually contemplate removing the tablecloth on your table (which I think is also dark in color). The older slightly worn look goes well with your map.

Wow, gorgeous. Whatever you do, I'd keep the focus on either the wood OR the seat -- if you keep the wood dark, choose something simple for the seat and let the harp-back stand out. If you paint the wood white, do something bold with the fabric.

I wouldn't change a thing on them. Perfect as is.

I agree - maybe just cover the seats. Those are seriously beautiful chairs and painting them would be criminal - if you can't keep 'em dark then sell them to me and buy something white :)

I would live with them for a while. I would not paint them white. Touch them up with good furniture touch up. If you recover the seat I would not go solid as it will show more soil if food drops on it. If you don't want an obvious pattern pick a small weave or small woven pattern.

Add me to the list of people saying not to paint them. I'm not one of the NEVER PAINT WOOD purists, but those look great as-is.

The seat doesn't even bother me, but if you want to do something to them, redo that. I liked the idea of yellow chevron fabric that someone posted earlier.

I also vote for leaving the wood as is...they seem to be in good shape. Maybe you can live with them for a while and take time to find some fun fabric to recover the seats.

I think they'll work really well in your kitchen. I liked the suggestion to leave them as they are for a few months to see how you feel, then maybe re-upholster.

I'd do each seat in a different but coordinating fabric -it's much more interesting when things aren't too matchy-matchy. I'd go bold myself because I love the trend of reupholstering traditional chairs with modern or bohemian fabrics. If you make the seats a feature I think you can really do anything with the wood; leave it, paint them all the same color, different colors but of the same value, etc.

The Anthropologie chairs are fun and funky: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/diy-inspiration-colorfully-uphostered-folding-chairs-077115

I'd probably paint 'em. But since everyone else disagrees, try cleaning them up with a product like Formby's furniture refinisher. This doesn't strip the wood, and it really brings out the beauty of wood and will minimize scratches and dings while keeping the lovely patina of age.

I'm sure there other products out there, this is just the one I've used.

http://www.amazon.com/Minwax-30013-Formbys-Furniture-Refinisher/dp/B0014JGFYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1306508417&sr=8-1

That would would really complement the map, don't touch it!

I would try changing the seat if you like that and then after that you can decide if you want to paint the chairs. I personally hate matchy-matchy things so I love to see dramatic difference between tables and chairs. I think that just doing the seat change first will help you decide without doing a lot of work first and then maybe wishing you hadn't. I would also paint them something other than white. You can always spray paint them again for another space!

Yes, clean them and live with them: I think they would play off the old-world-ish map really well just the way they are. Now you just need to find an old brass spyglass to finish le tableau!

Great chairs. Go crazy with pattern. They can handle it. I really liked the anthropologie chairs with the world traveler look. Or find your fabric and paint to coordinate.

I find reqular old paint and a paintbrush better and cheaper than spray paint and your color choice is unlimited. It does require you to do a coat of primer like kilz followed by a quick run over with fine sandpaper and wipe down after it dries but that step can be slapdash - it doesn't have to be even or look pretty. After that regular latex semi or high gloss paint glides on and you don't have paint spraying all over the place.

Just clean them thoroughly and be done with it.

I agree w/prevailing opinion to not re-paint...would completely obscure great silo of the frame and difficult to pull-off as a diy. Agree also w/lose the tablecloth and pull table away from wall. I can see the seats in a bold ikat w/each chair a different colorway on white ground or ditto w/oversize ticking stripe.

Definitely do not paint them white.

I'd say go for a bright, bright color. Possibly redoing the seat in a Missoni-like print.

I'm also digging the curve of the back that extends to the front legs. I feel like you should accentuate that somehow. It really "makes" the chair.

I like them the way they are. But if you really want to play, then I suggest painting them a charcoal gray with a subtly distressed or aged look and then recovering the seats in a vintage-y stripe or print that picks up a similar gray. You might also consider recovering the seats in a washable laminate fabric for practicality. Designers like Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett make some very nice laminate prints. You could also make a tablecloth in a fabric that coordinates with the new seats.

I'd also keep them like they are..they're beautiful. Get a new tablecloth and pull the table out a few inches.

Love the white & black tablecloth. I would play off of that by painting the chairs white. Recover the seat with a white with a large black stripe in the center. You can do this with a white fabric and paint the black stripe or try to find the material yourself. I am planning to do this with a Louis XIV chair if I can ever find one for a reasonable price.

I also agree - keep the existing wood, but if you'd like something more ornate, I would stencil a simple, small pattern (think petite morrocan or damask) in a metallic. Bold coloured fabric choice for the seats. Viola!

Good grief NO you can't paint those white! They're *classic*! Clean them up, wax and buff, if you need to, but painting them will destroy them. Staple a white oilcloth to the table to free up and unclutter the space, or find a modern white tulip table to offer a contrast to the very, very cool chairs. Find a fabric you like - white and gold, or even a light map design? - for the chairs, and replace the light fixture with something a bit more steampunkish, or gothic. Let the chairs set the mood, you'll like it, I guarantee!

Please, please, please don't paint them. Just pop out the seats and recover them. The brown wood will look so good against those bright white walls.

I vote leave the wood and recover the seats with a bold pattern. I am also for losing the tablecloth; I think it overwhelms the small space.

I am actually not a fan of natural wood..find it oppressive most of the time and like my wood painted .However I agree with oregonbird about the chairs... the dark wood is fantastic and with a bright colour like a gorgeous red as the fabric...I wouldn't get a tulip table I would paint the table you have- THAT could be white .
If you JUST HAD to paint the chairs I would paint them not white but a colour ..an interesting blue or green or red. Each chair different if you wanted. If they were mine I would restore them as is ..not even touch the fabric...I would put simple and funky tie cushions/ coverlets on the seats to preserve them...until you looked into their value..I am not sure many of these chairs are around any more...these are in good condition and if they are a collectors find I am sure it would be better to leave them intact.

The original is beautiful and I completely agree that all you need is to re-cover. I'm not a fan of the white concept, for some reason, it lacks character and cheapens the chair.

Just my two cents'.

I'm with the *don't paint the chairs* group, just recover the seats. Love the idea of coordinating, but different fabric on each seat, and definitely a pattern or tone-on-tone, not a solid. Agree, work with your map - it's fabulous! I see paisley or suzani... shapes to compliment the curves of the chair back and the map. Good luck... can't wait to see what you decide!

Another vote for LEAVE THEM AS THEY ARE! maybe recover the seat... And I like the tablecloth but if you were to take it off and paint the table white, i think that could be cool too.

@evienyc - the problem with coordinating the chairs to the tablecloth, IMO, is that the tablecloth most likely isn't anything special and tastes can change. Changing furniture to match an accessory means no takebacks and no undoing what you've done. I also happen to not like the tablecloth at all, but that's just me.

Beautiful. Classic. Timeless design. It looks like something from a Napoleonic campaign and should fit very nicely with your spectacular wall map. So much classier than Ikea chairs, especially with that beautiful wood. It would be a disservice to their elegant design to spray paint them white, as most of the comments here have already said.

So funny that I see this today. I just (really, 2 hours ago) recovered the seat of a chair from my parents basement. I have had it for a good year, not sure if I should paint and cover it or just cover it. I decided today that I would clean it up and cover it and see how it looked then decide if it needed to be painted (really I was just lazy and didn't want to paint it). It is very dark wood with some scratches and dents from use/age. It's like how they say you never know how a piece of clothing is going to look till you try it on...well the chair looks amazing! If I had painted it all of the character of the chair would have been lost. Don't paint!

i sent you an email!
*Sibylle*
http://fun.kyti.me

Slipcovers.

I am usually all for painting wood, but I think these would look great as-is with all of the white in the room!

http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com

I would say that those chairs can handle a fun, bright fabric on the seats, whether you paint them or not. I did this with a bentwood chair (although I painted it white - the wood was in a terrible condition), and the fun fabric really makes the chair.

As far as painting, I think if you paint them white, and keep your kitchen wall color white as it is, the chairs might get washed out (especially if you go with a "safe" color fabric). I would try recovering the seats, not paint, and see how it looks. You can always paint them later.

FYI this is the process I used to make over my bentwood chair (I didn't use spray paint): http://www.piecesofanna.com/2011/04/bentwood-chair-makeover.html

Before clicking past the jump, I was thinking about painting them a bright color to liven up your white kitchen, but seeing the photo, I think the wood will compliment that map so well, and add a lot of visual depth to the room. Just recover the seats in a bright, fun, modern pattern.

I would leave the wood as-is (it's beautiful!) and recover the seats in a VERY bright and bold pattern! I'm thinking bright yellow or a mixture of white and your accent colour.

a simple white and grey will do unless you like something totally different like the one I spotted here ;)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=205984129432086&set=a.205984092765423.53915.137549846275515&type=1&theater

This chair already has such character, but to make it fit in my home, I'd probably strip it and stain it a lighter shade, and put a fabric cover on the cushion. Maybe a fun Marimekko.

awesome chairs! i agree that recovering in a fun fabric is the first step- live w that for awhile b4 u paint- but i think the wood is beautiful & goes well w the old world feeling of ur killer map. i would def lose that tablecloth- why do u have it? is it to protect the tabletop or to cover it up bc its ugly/worn? i think if its worn just go w it bc it will compliment the map vibe & if u want to protect it u can buy a piece of glass to fit the top or paint it a fun color if ur open to that... & yes, PLEASE move that poor table out from the wall! idk how many ppl u usually have sitting around it, but u could put one chair up against the wall w the map (centered btw the outer edge of the map & the outer edge of the window frame- off center will look just fine & it is perfectly ok to have a chair in front of the window) & put the table & the rest of the chairs in place based off of that first chair position. u will have easy access to 3 chairs & can always pull the table out if u need 4... (& please cover that bare bulb...) u r off to a great start w some lovely pieces! :)

Please don't paint those chairs. They are gorgeous. And I'd keep the original seats as long as there is no damage.

Wow, I really love the chairs as is. If you must paint, don't go white - painted white wood is feeling kind of tired to me lately. Do something crazy like yellow, or muted like grey.

Slip covers! That way you can change them out with the season or when the whim hits you. And you can remove them to launder in case of spills/stains.

If the wood is in good condition, leave it alone. There are some great inexpensive fabrics on Etsy by Swankyswell that would look great in your kitchen, like this one:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56636358/daydream-organic-cotton
Because you're just doing the seat, you could probably do it yourself, with a staple gun. Good luck!

Geekyfemme said keep them as is, they go well with the map, and i second that! They are beautifully wabi sabi!

If the wood is in good condition, I would keep the wood and just cover the seats in red/ orange/ blue/ kelly green fabric. I would go for stripes, chevron or some pattern and not solid fabric. If you must pain the chairs, I vote a funky color like orange/ red/ yellow and not white. Also depends on if you use the table w/o the cloth and what the table looks like underneath.

I actually think they would blend in really well, the black in the tablecloth is reflected in the seats. I would not paint the timber, it is beautiful and gives the room some needed depth. If you still don't like the seats, then reupholster them but having had cloth dining room seats for the last 10yrs, they are so unpractical. That dated look is actually very now!

dxx

for folding chairs, those really are nice. try as-is wood & new marrimekko poppies on the seatpads. not fond of the tallus on the table or the naked bulb; try eclectic white damask-ish w/solid cloth square on top & beaded cover w/ beaded fringe for the bulb, maybe black or mahoghany for both to pick up the outlines in the chairs, lamp, window frame, poppies. dining rugs & chairs might be foodcatchers.

Pity you have to change them at all.Look nice just the way they are just need a good polish.

I would keep it as it is.

If you want to add white to the chairs, look into cream leather or white canvas seat covers.

But *please* don't paint the wood white.

The dark wood will contrast nicely with the white elements in the space.

Don't paint them -- the patina is gorgeous. It would be terrible to destroy it.

As for upholstering them, I'd go with something which provides an interesting contrast; the current upholstery is quite dull.

My first suggestion would be to upholster them with a kilim, and second with an ikat. Another possibility: a silver pearlized leather.

http://www.spinneybeck.com/ColorBook/ProductColorDescription.aspx?ProductID=75

Or maybe turquoise or fuschia patent leather.

Lucky you ... those chairs are AWESOME!!! Guess it's pretty unanimous ... don't paint them - the wood has so much character! I agree with others on that and lose the tablecloth. You could look into getting a piece of glass cut at Home Depot, or Lowes (not sure what's in your area) to protect the table. Then add a fantastic centerpiece, and new covers for the chair seats for some color that ties in with your vintage map and rest of the room!

I saw the current condition and read "mostly white kitchen" and pretty much figured this was what you'd propose. I am not a "wood purist", but if you go white I think you should try to achieve a glossy finish (is that what spray-painting tends towards?)

I do want to say that I'm surprised that dark wood+black leather is apparently a dated combination now. Really?

My second thought, since I didn't know if you were a wood purist yourself, was to just leave the frame and re-do the seat in white leathuh. They could handle a bright pattern, but unless you have multiple bright patterns you really really love, I'd just pick one.

clean the wood & it will probably lighten up a bit.

then cover the seats with a lighter color. not as bright as the rest of your place, but a midtone between the wood & the white. Not plain grey but a color or a grey-white smallish print or plaid.

keep the wood wood-colored, not painted.

I recently made over a chair and painted it glossy black and recovered it in a black & white small pinstripe and white welting. The chair was for my 22 year old daughter and she loved it. It looked very nice.

I think wood chairs w/ wood table would be too serious but I wouldn't paint them a light color. You need a dark or bright color paint to set off the nice lines against the light wall. but i'd definitely paint them with the dark wood table.

I think the chairs are fine as they are - the idea of painting them white doesn't offend me, but I think you can go a long way just by recovering the seats.

White chairs are not necessary in that room. There is too much white, IMHO.

Keep the wood. Do some clean up and polishing with a quality product that nourishes the wood. No grocery store or standard hardware store polish goes on my wood furniture.

I like Rosini's American Furniture Preservative & Rejuvenator from www.kingdomrestorations.com Call them for great suggestions and personalized help.

Check out ebay for great fabric. I get smaller pieces of fantastic designer fabric for to-die-for prices.

One of my favorite sellers is dabruzzo Sorry, she takes the summer off. Start checking out her listings after Labor Day.