I often talk about new stuff, so today I wanted to go for vintage. The picture above is from a Gideon. It's from his home that he submitted three year's ago for Small Cool 2006. The chairs are really beautiful classics — McCobb Planner Chairs...
Look! McCobb Planner Chairs (Painted White)
Paul McCobb (1917-69) was an American interior decorator and designer who helped shape American sensibilities after WWII.
His contemporaries were George Nelson and Harvey Probber, and his furniture and style were explicitly modern, affordable and practical. Considered "modular" furniture, his designs were aimed at middle class America and he became known as "America's Decorator" in the 50's (more on Paul McCobb).
But the cool thing about these chairs is that Gideon did something that few would have dared; he painted them white. Or not exactly white. He had them professionally painted Greenmount Silk after finding them in a beat up state. As he says, "If Elsie de Wolf can paint vintage pieces, then so can I."
I am all in favor of painting classics and urge you to give vintage pieces a new life with a good paint job. It not only can refresh them physically, it can update them stylistically. Gideon's chairs are far hipper in white.
>> More McCobb Planner Chair links
>> IKEA Olle Chairs are really similar
>> Nice ones at 1st Dibs
Here are a few more similar matches as well:
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oh, thank goodness for this post. I've come across great vintage pieces in not-so-great condition and have been tempted to paint over them, but I feared I would get struck by lightning. The chairs look gorgeous!
view selena's profile
i don't have a problem with painting this stuff either. i think mccobb and most designers would be happy to know that their furniture is still being used and reworked half a century later.
view duckumu's profile
I have one of these chairs that I rescued from a dumpster probably thirty-five years ago. It's in great shape and I use it as a desk chair. I had no idea...
view Aldyth's profile
I'm not knockin' the chairs or anything, but where can I find that 2-person table?
view ac676's profile
My parents had those chairs when I was growing up.Actually, they still have them. I prefer them "natural," partially cause I like seeing the wooden "screwhead" on the seat of the chair but probably also for sentimental reasons. Either way they're super comfortable.
view epindc's profile
I'm interested in that table too. Anyone???
view SFali's profile
Have always loved these McCobb chairs, and they are particularly attractive here (awesome entry, btw!).
view mschatelaine's profile
Funny, I'm in the process of restoring a stripped black Planner arm chair now that I'm going to paint pea green. The wide splat on it is so cool it drives me crazy.
view trikitixa's profile
I just bought a set of four of these chairs and the drop leaf table (which seats two) and is perfect for a small apartment. I was so excited to see them painted, but I don't think I would want to lose the screw detail either.
view taracakes's profile