apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Solid neutral with a bright or patterned pillows that you can change out with the seasons or your mood or the phases of the moon. But not a plaid neutral. noooooooooo. :-)

PS -- though I like the way they are now!

They look as though the backs and the seats are two separate cushions that aren't attached to the chair...if so, I would make two sets of covers that just zip open and closed - one with a neutral print and one with a bold for when the mood strikes you!

I don't know if you are planning to do the work yourself or not, but most upholsterers will charge less for cushion covers that are removable than they do for those that are permanently attached. I'm currently taking a class at the local community college - pretty cool since they have the space, the tools, and all the help you need.

And by the way, nice chairs : )

Is something structurally wrong with the current upholstery? I love it!

Other than that I agree, if you're going to go with a neutral, make it a solid or near-solid, like herringbone.

I really like the current pattern. It's unusual. Sorry,I know that's not too helpful if you're set on changing it but, there's my two cents.

Maybe something close to it in a different color. I think a small pattern adds to the design of the chairs.

Another vote for keeping them the way they are. The current chairs would be such a great feature in the room if there was some kind of warm color on the walls.

But if you're set on re-upholstering them, it looks like it'd be fairly easy for a seamstress to just sew new covers.

I also like the covers that are on the seats...
...but if you're set on making a change, don't go with that drab & dull stripe - go with something bold, like the fabric on the orange pillow.

I like them now, although a close up shot might make me change my mind. I'd stay close to the original fabric if you must re-do them.

go BOLD!

I have the essentially the same chair which I bought in late 1960's orange tweed that the cat just couldn't help himself but scratch.

the new electric blue upholstery is beautiful, comfortable, and that cat doesn't seem to feel morally obligated to tear apart.

i'm so happy to this question posted here, i have two chairs that are similar that i am looking to have redone as well. i do like the print that is on them now, another thought is that maybe you could add pillows in a rectangle shape (maybe even lumbar pillows) in a neutral color like white or ivory to make the pattern pop. i've been looking for a neutral print with a nubby texture...lately i've had my eye on some of these:

http://www.modern-fabrics.com/store/store.php?pg1-cid38.html

i learned about the source from AT and it's been great for inspiration. now to narrow it down...

http://www.clothfabric.com/ff.html

boardwalk, spotcheck, stony are my favorites...a contrasting solid linen welting would make any of these prints pop.
for example, surf on cream would look wonderful with a red-orange cording on the edge.
http://www.clothfabric.com/stoney.html

i like what you currently have, but your art work would be enhanced by one of these unusual prints.

Many bold patterns are going to look very dated in a couple of years. Maybe an animal print like zebra or leopard would give the chairs some oomph, while still working as a neutral in the room.

Leave 'em as they are. They are very cool. Add rectangular lumbar pillows in a coordinating bold print . Use the color as the minor note of your decorating scheme. With a 60/30/10 color scheme, 60% is your key color, with 30% for your major note and 10% for your minor note.

I guess it depends on your style and whether you tire of bold prints quickly. I'm the type that likes to change out patterns a lot (love your lara cameron pillows btw!).

I hope you don't mind me asking, but where is your TV credenza from? And with your picture rail, did you use one hook for both of your pics? (can you tell I'm redecorating?)

I just had new cushions made for a similar set of chairs. Make sure whoever makes them doesn't overstuff the cushions. By default they but in foam that is 1" thicker than the sewn depth, making the cushion wider in the middle and smaller on the top and bottom. With open sided chairs like this, that makes part of the bottom of the chair show. Plus, the flat cushion fits this style better. But you have to be explicit that you want the foam depth to = the sewn depth. I didn't and what a headache to get it fixed!

i'd go with a solid and accent pillows.

historically these chairs won't have had a bold pattern ( a tweed or a woven stripe maybe ) and a neutral allows for future decisions/changes. if going monochromatic a nice off white/oyster ultrasuede. for more color i'd do a light icy blue mohair or pull a color from your rug.

i like them as they are, but in some lotta jansdotter fabric they would look good also.

Darren -- Love the chairs! I think the first question you need to ask yourself is "How often do you like to change things?". If you like to mix things up on a regular basis -- getting bored of something after just a month or so, then you should go with the neutral color chair and lively pillow. If you are someone that once you've made a decision, you stick with it and love it, then go for the bold pattern. I think these chairs have such a great structure that they can easily carry off either choice.

Good luck in your decision.

I like them as they are too, but really I wanted to ask: where did you get your coffee table? Thanks.

is there somebody who knows where I can get that credenza/TV stand? thanks

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to comment, its much appreciated and also thanks for the links to fabric suggestions, they are great.

For those asking about the TV stand, I designed it myself and had it custom made (glad you like it). The coffee table was a junk shop find.