apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I personally like ivory in combination with that color of wood. The black upholstery makes me think of office chairs, too. I think that all those black/dark colored shelves don't help the situation.

Something is needed to bring the room to life. Whole room seems, like in a hole. More greens if possible and something lighter/brighter. Have you thought of a rug to anchor the table? You could pick up a color from there for the chairs. I do like their shape, however it is a bit too heavy in the room.

I love the idea of the white upholstery. Just looking at the picture & imagining the white on the chairs really makes things more interesting already...I agree with AT about the color, but I think you should keep the white & put some turquoise trim on the upholstery OR get the turquoise in there by painting some icon on the seat? Maybe that's too much...I'm new to this. ;P

Ivory would lighten things up and create a nice contrast.

I'll be frank, I totally dig this room as is.

I think you should keep them as they are.

The weird thing about the room is that you have all of your color in the lower areas and none above. Maybe adding a little color to the windows would do the trick instead of modifying perfectly good chairs.

take a look at the wonderful orange/white re-upholstered chair on design sponge(fabric was $3/yard). you could make a "slipcover" for your dining chairs........pretty basic shapes, and you could assemble it all with strategically placed velcro. it would not have to cover the legs or arm supports, and you would have the color you need without a lot of expense. when you're tired of it, just donate slipcovers to someone. if you still want ivory, use natural artist's canvas; just be certain to pre-wash before sewing.

I would dump those dark mix-matched bookshelves (the variance in heights is a big mistake IMO) and install uniform white bookshelves that look like they blend into the white walls...

I would make the tops of the bookshelves the same height as the table top or slightly higher... and custom-make the top a continuous shelf that rings the room. That would be my showcase shelf for the globe and choice pieces. That line would visually expand the space and really open the room up.

I would then keep the table and chairs exactly as they are.
Against the white shelves they will pop out like never before and become the strong focal point that they were meant to be.

As you have it now, they get lost against the dark shelves and that is probably why you're thinking of reupholstering them in white.

The black leather against the dark wood is perfect for the science library look you had in mind... I love that look too.

I think that there's too much dark brown/black in there right now, but I'm not sure white is where I'd head...I'd love to see some pops of color on either the chairs or table

no, no, no, no, no: ivory would be a heavyhanded choice. Black is elegant. If you feel that you must change, change to something more refined: a natural leather, a sage green leather, perhaps. Ivory leather is too darn close to a Hefneresque interior.

dude, i'd do the chairs in ivory or something lighter, and a bit of grey/green paint on the wall behind, on the lower half of the wall under the molding.... i think it might really bring the room together without hitting you over the head with color. but i'm alittile paint crazy right now, so...

Thanks, everyone, for your very very enlightening feedback. (And big grateful hugs to those who like it as is!)

Lightspeed... I think I'm digging what you're saying the most. ("install uniform white bookshelves that look like they blend into the white walls" ..."Against the white shelves they will pop out like never before and become the strong focal point that they were meant to be.")

While I'm not sure I can quite create that beautiful unified shelf look (I agree it's optimal, but i have a ton of VERY heavy books and financially I can't just replace all those shelves), I *can* paint the bookcases the same white as all the woodwork and trim ... another idea I've had kicking around in my brain for a bit. I love the idea that they'll make the table/chairs really pop. And I can't shake db1974's sentiment... they are perfectly good chairs.

Please keep the comments coming, though. I truly appreciate them!

i was going to agree with lightspeed and am so glad you liked his/her idea the best! i think along with painting your bookshelves white, to add the tourquoise like others mentioned, you could do it in your art or in a rug under the table. have fun painting - it'll be february fever :D

I agree with Lightspeed too, it's the shelves that are the problem here, the chairs are good.

The chairs are wonderful as is!!

I would imagine too that the cost of improving your shelving situation would be much cheaper than that of recovering your chairs..

Agree with changing the shelves rather than the chairs-they're a snazzy good find. Also consider styling the table differently as an inexpensive way to go for the "pop factor." The tray & candles are nice, but don't do anything for the room one way or another. Think about enhancing your color scheme with some combination of: a different centerpiece, placemats, a runner (not a full tablecloth), rug underneath.

I like the idea of white bookshelves, and a colored (turquoise) rug too!

Possibly you could also rearrange the bookshelves so that similar heights are together, instead of having the staggered effect.

Another "as is" person here.

I think adding black grosgrain piped roman shades would balance the room. Something like these:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p7394/index.cfm?pkey=cprwwinshd


I love the room. I wish it was my office/library.

since you like the idea of white shelves (which will make the colorful book spines stand out more) add a bright area rug and roller shades. There have been some HGTV shoes where they create or modify roller shades.

The area is very cozy, just needs more color.

If you have Photoshop, or a friend does, send them the photo and have them select the chairs or whatever your considering redoing. Alter the color on the chair leather for instance. It's rough, but gives you an idea of what it will look like.
Pat

I'm probably too late to the party, but the idea of a science lab/libary themed room is so awesome, I think I am going to try and do the same with my still inharmonious libary/office room at home. While I think the chairs upholstered in ivory would be swank, I don't think anything says science lab/libary more than black leather. The idea to brighten and unify the appearance of the bookshelves so that that chairs stand out more is a great way to go.

okay, you have all inspired me.
I'm totally figuring out a way to do shelves.

...anyone want to buy some lightly used bookcases?

you've gone from re-covering chairs, to new bookshelves as the solution.....an inexpensive way to create new bookshelves: use glass "bricks" as support, and the simple pre-finished white boards from IKEA. remove the shelving from under the windows, move the table/chairs closer to the window area (looks like it has an interesting angled space), and create shelf space on only two walls. group all the plants in one area for impact; terrarium on the table.

wow! great room (and i love that glass bottom lamp on the right). i'm also with lightspeed re: color & height variance of the bookshelves. another simple solution for the bookcase height (like maude suggested) is to attach sofa legs to the bottom of the shorter cases, ala osbornewood ...
http://www.osbornewood.com/images/md-res/4082.jpg

SCALE is so important in relation to space. as are details: update simple things like your planters.

you've inspired me to do something special with my thonet chairs. thanks!

good luck. you'll have a ball doing this with great results.

the chairs are awesome as is. even better as the leather ages and gets all worn and crackly. I agree that the dark-against-dark isn't helping; though i think that making the bookshelves white will work against the science-lab thing you are going for. If I were going to do anything i'd see if you could get / find glass doors that might fit some of the bookshelves, that would enhance the lab-quality. also possibly some metal accents (silver) and/or more of that dark turquoise color, maybe paint the areas between (but not under) the windows. and more plants!

i try to cultivate a science lab thingy at home, but haven't gotten very far. To me the hallmarks of the look are silver hardware, maple-colored furniture, black countertops/tabletops and that weird industrial turquoise paint.

I would reupholser them in a solid aqua or leaf green. I would also add more white or ivory accessories to the table or shelves aka adler ( http://www.jonathanadler.com ) or zeisel ( http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=50&f=7859 ) and ( http://www.evazeisel.org/ )

trex466, brilliant idea with the legs to make the funky bookcases a uniform height.

I like the chairs as-is, and agree with the other posters that you need some more color higher up - curtains, a rug, something to get more of that turquoise into your room.

Lacy,
I dig your theme but.... lets be real what library/science lab is gonna have white chairs? Just go to C&B if u want that look (boring). U have a great space, but I would tackle the shelving first- make it all one height and the same wood. maybe even line the edges w/metal to make it a little more masculine. Then reupholster the chairs in a dark inviting fabric like a linen or huge splurge-Horsehair-or something with a great texture and keep the nail-head trim- add a gross grain trim for the splash of color. good luck!

one more vote for lightspeed's idea. better yet, get built-in white shelves all around the room preferably with some molding on the top that matches the windows and leave the chairs alone