apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love the fabric, although 6 in that fabric is probably overkill.

Don't paint them white if you're going to put them next to a pristine while Parsons table. They'll just look shabby. Dark gray crackle could work, though -- neat idea.

In South Africa, I saw a bunch of chair upholstery painted in acrylic paint. It looks cool, but I doubt it's too long lasting. Maybe that's more for side chairs you don't use often than for chairs you need to sit on every day. Also, that fabric may be too porous to paint -- ask an art supply store. They'll know about what types of fabric can and can't be primed.

Nice lines on those chairs. You can go so many different ways with this. Gold frame, Silver frame with gray fabric, and you obviously have eclectic tastes. Figure how you want them to look around your table, ethereal, solid, or graphic. I've seen some cool graffitti painted fabric on chairs.

Love the chairs.
I'm a fan of the "pop" of color look- especially in a white / gray room.
I'd possible paint the frames a bold rich - peacock blue, magenta, even charcoal? color and then go light or white -textured- on the upholstery- sort of the opposite of "dark frame, light fabric" that they are now and is expected. I think it will pull out the shape and curves of the wood which is so nice. It will also look really fun and bold with the white floors (love those)

I'd stay away from the crackle- it will fight the shape, and painting the fabric- though I like the concept will probably look like cheap DIY.

The chairs also look like they could be nice with nailhead trim around the cushions instead of the double piping thats there now.

did you see her's:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/jan-jumpstart-2008-east/east-13-sagesses-black-chair-reno-041644

?

I'd paint it silver metallic and do the upholstering myself in fun AMY Butler fabrics.

If you're going to sit on them every day, get them reupholstered. Paint the fabric if they are decoration chairs (and reupholster if it ends up looking terrible!).

Personally, I hate painted wood. And if your whole apartment is white/gray, it might be nice to have something a bit warmer in there.

Hard to say that's the right choice without seeing your apartment, however, so use your best judgement. Just don't get stuck in a rut. ;)

the well-loved design*sponge always has breath-taking makeovers, if you're looking for inspiration! good luck!

I'd leave them natural wood but reupholster in a large, black and white, zebra fabric.

oh - and i'd recommend steering clear of the crackle option. these chairs have graceful, classic curves and having a busy finish might interfere with those gorgeous lines. ;)

This type of Louis XV chair can go wih anything, so go wild and do as you please.

I also agree that white would look awful next to a white table, although Louis XV chairs look nice in off-white tones.

You could even try two different types of material for the back and the seating with matching colours.
Some stores offer prints with very large "toile de Jouy" motifs that can fill the entire back of the chairs, if you can find the right cloth you could even vary the picture on the chair backs. If you place them with a white table in a light coloured room large patterns shouldn't be to overwhelming.

for inspiration :

http://www.123meuble.com/boutique/images_produits/AGR_CRU_124_chaise_LXV_2.jpg

http://temp.duchessedulac.com/catalog/images/FAUTEUIL.jpg

http://www.deco-in.com/assets/drgalleries/336/big_fauteuil-cabriolet.jpg

I found this French blog, photos are for inspiration :
http://tapissierdecoratrice.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

I don't see a problem with painting them white if you prepare them well (sand, prime) and use an oil based enamel. I'm feeling taffeta for the fabric (here I go breaking budgets). Would love to break up the slick enamel of the parsons and white wood with a strong graphic pop (either a great solid or broad stripe) on gorgeous taffeta. yum.

I feel like you might want to stick to something shiny for the wood, as the shape is contrast enough for the parsons- a crackle will further the antique feel, won't work towards bridging the traditional-modern elements.

ooooh, or wide wale corduroy!

Go for a "Wow Factor" since you already have the neutrals covered. Select a really fun fabric, and paint the wood to coordinate.


Or

I'd reupholster in a bright faux-silk taffeta stripe - maybe pink and orange? - and paint the frames white.

Fabrics mentioned in my last comment:

http://www.designersguild.com/all-collections/monteverdi-fabric/giordano/giordano-peony/

Or

http://www.designersguild.com/all-collections/ariana-fabric/almaviva/almaviva-fuchsia/

I think painting the fabric would look like a cheap Trading Spaces revamp.
It might look good for a second, and then you realise you're sitting on painted fabric. Yuk.

Yes, the chair silhouette is nice. That fabric has got to go (very granny needlepoint).

Also, crackle finish comes in a variety of sizes. The larger ones have a rustic farm house look (which would not be right with your chairs). French crackle on the other hand has delicate/fine cracks, and isn't as visually pronounced (if at all, depending on size) from farther away. Also it depends on what two colors you use for the crackle, which can make the cracks more visible.

Could be very elegant with a burnt umber or charcoal grey base (what you see when the top coat cracks) with an off-white or cream top color (rubbed down to a nice lustre with tinted wax, for a slightly aged look), combined with a colorful modern print. A bit of the old and new, all in one.

Modern Masters makes some nice products. They also have a variety of color combinations that might be interesting. One caveat, depending on where you live, crackle paint is very much affected by humidity and this can influence the cracking to some degree. http://www.modernmastersinc.com/default.aspx

Paint the wood frame any color high gloss paint. Fabric? Patent leather! (same or contrast color).

........or leave chairs as they are and just add a grafitti like graphics over fabric and chair.

paint the chairs , not the upholstery, ugh. what is the accent color in your home?? reupholster in a white vinyl. it is easy and does not look like you will need a lot of material. just staple away.

beautiful lines. i would let them speak for themselves. leave the frames wood, reupholster in white. something with a pattern in the weave, or tone on tone.

I'd paint the chair frame a high gloss white so that you can tie together the modern and antique style. Spray paint is fast and works great (I just repainted a french chair myself).

I would also reupholster using a graphic modern print or a pretty floral print (this depends on your preference and other furnishings in your home). There's some wonderful fabrics by David Hicks and Allegra Hicks. They are very pricey so you may just want to use them as inspiration. A natural linen is also very nice as you can see many designers opt for linen for its natural beauty. If you do not paint the chairs, I would leave them as is and use again a pattern with a bit of pop/color or use linen. Good Luck!

Also...Ikea fabric is a good alternative. They're bold, pretty, and inexpensive. Check out the "Before and After" section in the Design Sponge blog. There are lots of chair makeovers!

i like the idea of leaving the wood as is (maybe restaining for a glossier, newer look) and then using zebra print (or some sort of FUN, accent) fabric.

I think the crackle idea and the painted fabric sounds too cheesey. Cute for a minute, but then it could get old fast.

I'd think about painting the wood silver or pewter and using a fabric that's some combination of gray/black/white. Maybe a contemporary foliage or flower sillhouette print.

Dove-gray microfiber or leather could work for the fabric, too. A very smooth, cool look against those traditional wood frames, and reasonably durable.

Paint the chairs a high white (Fine Paints of Europe has an oil based that is to die for) and cover the chairs in a patent leather. I have no idea what your color schematic is in your home but if you can, red or black looks super sharp.

another vote for not painting them. i really like the wood color and would use a fun, colorful fabric. or maybe something in a pin-stripe?

Moss green velvet. Tan grosgrain trim. Delicioso.