Bergere chairs go back a ways. (Marie Antionette used them in her country home, Petit Trianon.) Antique versions show up a lot in traditional decor, but that doesn't mean they don't work in more modern rooms as well. For tips on integrating a Bergere chair into a contemporary space, click below...
Bergere chairs are a French tradition, defined by an upholstered back and seat (usually with a loose, overstuffed cushion) on a carved wood frame. Their "bones" are curvey, which makes them a nice compliment to more straight-lined pieces, and the extra padding in their soft cushions can make them pretty comfortable reading chairs.
To keep a Bergere chair from looking too dowdy, upholster it in a modern fabric. Examples are shown above in both neutrals, bold patterns, and delicate prints:
• Objets Plus
• Bespeckled Bergere Chair
• Duralee Bergere Chair
• Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon
• Annabel Chair from Layla Grace
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I found a chair exactly like this one by the curb. It was in really good condition. Sent it to an upholsterer to have it restored and redone in white patent. The company went out of business and I never got my chair back! Sniff sniff.
Also, see http://www.gumps.com/FURNITURE LIGHTING/SHOP BY ROOM/Living Room/Antoine Chair 50 fs.axd?cid=74
I think this is one of the great classics of design, and I love the idea of pairing it, in neutral or otherwise modern fabrics, with mid-20th century modern furniture and decor. It adds a timeless quality without detracting from the beautiful simplicity of modern furnishings. I especially like the Gumps chair linked to above. And for Gumps, the price is right.
I love how comfortable they are, generally, but if it's an old chair for me it has to have a modern fabric or MCM fabric. If the fabric is old-fashioned the chair frame needs to have a modern treatment (paint color or metal leaf). The one exception in my house seems to be if it's upholstered in natural linen. I'm not sure where I got the idea they had to be this way but it's making for some challenging furniture rehabs at my house.
How would I get my hands on that Duralee chair (on their site called Lyon)??
They only sell to interior designers and nothing came up with a Google search...
Any retailers who sell a chair like this? I've been searching the Web and coming up pretty empty-handed.
Love this idea. Has anyone ever done a DIY upholstery of a chair like this? I'd love to tackle the project, so if anyone has some hints let me know!
Horchow sells several chairs like this. www.horchow.com. I believe that white/ivory one in the photos is from them.
yespositively: If you're new to upholstery consider taking a class through your local community education program. If you're adventurous, consider arming yourself with an upholstery book from your local library & a digital camera, I find it helpful to take pictures of the chair/sofa as I'm taking it apart (viewed in reverse, that's how I put the chair back together with new fabric). Key: understand what's appropriate upholstery fabric - and - invest in proper upholsterer's tools.