Good Questions: Fabric Choice to Update these Chairs?

Sandra is looking for suggestions: I recently purchased a table and six of these fruitwood chairs, circa 1974 at an estate sale. I really love to lines of the chair, but would like to update the fabric to something more clean and modern. Neutral or bright colour? Plain or patterned? Smooth or textured?

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
sf(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Any suggestions (especially with links to images) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Please let Sandra know what your choice for a new fabric would be in the comments below...

Comments (14)

i just made new cushions for a chair out of Alexander Henry's home weight cotton print, Heath

it comes in a bunch of colors
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/4909
(i used an olive green not pictured here), i think its clean and modern and not too bright, but the slightly random lines make it still interesting.

posted by CaliinFrance on January 27th 2009 at 2:22pm
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I like them as is.

posted by sideproject on January 27th 2009 at 2:25pm
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nubby chartreuse. totally.

posted by SpanishOlives on January 27th 2009 at 3:17pm
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I, too, like them as they are.

posted by nihilistpancake on January 27th 2009 at 3:24pm
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Doesn't the choice rather depend on the decor where they're going to live? The chairs look versatile enough to take a tweed, an Eames jacquard, a bright bouclé, an Amy Butler print, or any number of other options. For clean modern and neutral, you can't beat natural Belgian linen canvas. And it's inexpensive at art supply shops.

Brava for not opting to paint the chairs white. The wood looks really beautiful.

posted by amed studio on January 27th 2009 at 3:25pm
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I agree with amed. what does the table/dining room look like?

posted by bigcityboy2 on January 27th 2009 at 4:45pm
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I like the chairs but I would go with a seat that would give a better contrast. Right now my eye goes right to the seat and totally misses the beautiful chair. I would go with black or a darker color.

posted by jen of the north on January 27th 2009 at 5:12pm
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White leather.

posted by patrick (the other one) on January 27th 2009 at 5:13pm
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This marimekko fabric is sort of retro:

http://www.marimekko.fi/ENG/interior/fabric/sannaannukka/spring2009/kanteleen_kutsu_220.htm

or this:

http://www.marimekko.fi/ENG/interior/fabric/sannaannukka/spring2009/taikamylly_162.htm

posted by Forestdweller on January 27th 2009 at 5:43pm
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Yeah, those chairs could take anything, depending on context.

posted by manys on January 27th 2009 at 7:16pm
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I saw this the other day, a more linen feel of a damask:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19739593

Could be fairly neutral but still modern.

Good luck!

posted by soph on January 27th 2009 at 7:59pm
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I would either do a Scandinavian-style wool or a nubby pattern resembling a basket weave, either in navy, black or a neutral, depending on your decor.

posted by madsarah on January 27th 2009 at 8:36pm
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They're perfect the way they are!!

posted by nashdp on January 28th 2009 at 2:15am
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how about a brown/cream houndstooth pattern?

posted by michmy on January 28th 2009 at 12:52pm
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