Q: I have a very busy apartment, style and living-wise. I have these chairs that are at least 10 years old. Ideally, I would like new, more-Victorian styled chairs, but money is an issue. These are very sturdy but the fabric doesn't match my style and design. I'm at a loss for what color(s) or pattern to reupholster them.
I also don't want to overdo it because I do have a lot going on everywhere pattern-wise, as you can see in the last picture of my living room which is connected to the dining room. I would like to do a nice, crisp, plain white, but I have a toddler and a messy husband so it's not realistic. I would really love some fresh ideas. Thank you in advance!
Sent by Caity
Editor: Leave your suggestions for Caity in the comments — thanks!
• Got a question? Send us yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first).




Shaw's Original Fir...
I don't find your space to be busy but quite lovely.
Find a pretty fabric to pick up on that beautiful green dresser/buffet. Then I think I might paint the silver to duller grey to pick up the color in the wallpaper.
http://www.joann.com/waverly-modern-essentials-fabric-fun-floret-spruce/zprd_10725760a/
Hopefully this link will work: This one somewhats mimics your wallpaper but of course, get something to your liking.
Good Luck
One word: Slipcovers :-)
What a lovely space! I vote for a textured velvet in a fun color, something along the lines of
http://www.etsy.com/listing/106786578/red-velvet-upholstery-fabric?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS&gclid=CPvvrP66rrMCFQWe4AodABQAGA
I'd actually leave the chairs alone and paint the table white. We're I to recover the chairs I'd probably go with a solid sage.
My first thought was to replace the chairs because to me they look like those uncomfortable chairs they have in church basements.
Have you tried thrift stores and/or Ikea? You might be able to find something inexpensive (or less expensive than reupholstering these).
All good suggestions... I like the slipcover idea b/c you can wash em...and you could also use an outdoor fabric, like Sunbrella or the like, which is treated to resist water and stains if you like the white -- which, I do too, btw. I have five cats, a dog, kids and husband -- we have white heavy denim slipcovers --and I've never looked back.
I've also had success with a product called Vectra for waterproofing my covers -- helps resist stains.
Depending on your upholstery person, there are some Duralee fabrics which can be ordered with a Teflon coating --they are quite plain, but have a nice weave about them--seems like you wouldn't need more than a few yards for your chairs.
I guess I should add that my slipcovers are on my living room furniture, NOT my dining chairs...
I agree with HHRI... for me the best option would be replace the chairs. Mainly because they- absolutely- don't match the otherwise lovely room. And their back legs take too much space (very sloped). These kind of legs make difficult to slipcover the chairs, too (my own experience)
Ikea Ingolf chairs would work with your table and buffet and are a quite cheap option... considering how pricey chairs are.
Or perhaps it should be better to live some time with these chairs and save your pennies to buy something different that you really love and suits your style.
Is Craigslist a possibility for you? Because it would probably be cheaper to buy three chairs at a reasonable price than it would to reupholster. Check to see what's out there - you might be surprised.
You have the standard "banquet" commercial chair. I'd say give it a shot at reupholstering them yourself. You'll need 2 layers of cushion in the seat (firm on the bottom and medium up top) and batting to fill out the form. The back should get a single layer of medium foam and batting. Get enough to do one: that way if you find that you don't like it or it's too much trouble, you haven't lost much.
From a design point of view, the chrome frame is distracting and screams cheap. I'd go with basic chairs from Ikea (or the equivalent) with a nice paint job.
I would suggest saying away from a pattern. Your wallpaper is really nice and it would be a shame to have a conflict with it. I would go for a solid fabric in a colour that compliments the green hutch (love that colour). Not necessarily the same colour, maybe a nice coral or a yellow that would pop in the room and enhance what's already there. You could leave your table as is or you could consider painting your table a light dove grey which would look nice with the green hutch and a host of other colours
OR
You could go with a grey plain linen fabric (not too far off of what you have but without the blue tone to it) and paint your table a bright fun colour.
I myself would redo the chairs in a coral/yellow and see how it looks with the wood before painting.
I would agree with the above poster that you might want to go to thrift stores or check craigslist for some old wood chairs. Even if the chairs don't match if you painted them the same colour and used the same upholstery they would look nice together.
http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/192177109069657760_98fWM5Ul_c.jpg
I know these chairs are all the same but you get the idea: http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/157907530654185073_LDLuuPeG_c.jpg
This table is a bit dark: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcBCrOycIFk/TcISC7FF7cI/AAAAAAAAATU/xzGBoqBgL-8/s1600/grey-painted-dining-table.jpg
http://www.arthurjohnson.co.uk/Catimages/0509/A1503.jpg
AH HA! I found the table/chairs image I was looking for....
http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/162481499027710505_Ru8Wpcg4_c.jpg
Caity,
I love your wallpaper and hutch!
I just bought some fabric to reupholster my couch, and good lord did it turn out to be expensive. It was even half off and I was shocked by the price!
So if money is really tight, I would consider some other options. Other commenters have suggested finding other cheep but fun chairs to tide you over until you get your dream set, and that could be a good idea. But have you considered spray painting the metal part of these chairs and keeping the fabric? It might be really cool and will completely change the look of the chairs. And I am SURE it will be easier and cheaper than upholstering. Again, maybe a bright coral or poppy red to add some contrast?
Just a thought straight out of left field!
I like the velvet idea, but I would go with a bold ochre, or something else in the yellow family to brighten it up! Painting the metal could also go a long way, like kdiane said. Velvet (and all upholstery fabric) can definitely get expensive though. All I can say is sale shop and bring coupons. Or dig in the scraps and mix and match.
No need for slip covers. I don't know how slip covers could possibly work with the lines of the chairs, which are nice. The colors are the problem.
You really need some artwork and a rug. I would figure that out first. Keep the brass chandelier in mind when framing your artwork...make the chandelier stand out, it's lovely.
When picking out artwork, stay away from cool colors. Find warm colors that you like to complement the green buffet. Tie them in with the rug.
I would spray paint the chair frames and find a fabric to match so the overall effect of the chairs when finished is monotone, the frames in a soft white (not too bright) and match it with vinyl (the kind that has a leather texture, not the awful shiny kind) in the same shade.
We recently had four Selig dining chair refinished and reupholstered with a creamy white vinyl and I couldn't be happier. It's easy to clean and looks amazing.
Best of luck to you!
These chairs are so clearly different from the victorian style of your other furnishings and your wallpaper that I think you might as well acknowledge it and make it deliberate. I'd upholster them in white or pale grey, and then add black images of ornate victorian chairs to them. Try these links to see what I mean:
http://www.understellasumbrella.com/Scripts/PublicSite/index.php?userid=&template=ShowCatPublic&cat=446397
http://www.marthastewart.com/267314/decoupage-chest-and-magazine-file?czone=home/diy-decorating/furniture-fixtures¢er=277001&gallery=274985&slide=267314
http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/classic-chair-backs
Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! I just wanted you to know that I found some new chairs on Kijiji which is like craigslist. $25 for 6 chairs and I plan on painting them white and reupholstering them with either a black crushed velvet or a light pastel blue.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzQ2WDEwMDA=/$T2eC16NHJGoE9nuQeR6!BQo9CHK3bg~~48_20.JPG