apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Have you tried Ballard Designs? Their pieces may be too Louie, but it's worth a shot.

Also, Brocade may have something as well.

Good luck,

Why not scope out the consignment shops for a similarly shaped chair and get creative by painting the fabric with fabric paint using stencils and/or stamps?

bepsf is right on. You wouldn't even have to paint if you found the right vintage or retro fabric. Plus, I think you might tire of this look quickly, so getting it on the cheap is smart.

yes, you could get a quirky chair for $30-100 on craigslist and have it upholstered for another $350-400. five hundred bucks spent total, max, unless you go with a designer fabric. if you've got an "in" with someone who knows reupholstery, you can get an even better deal.

you can set up all your search parameters for craigslist and then bookmark the result page. check it every day at the end of the day - it's easier to keep track of the new additions that way.

if you want to cast your net further to include the south bay in your searches (things tend to go a bit cheaper down here on CL) and find something you like, i'll drive it to SF for gas money and dimsum! ;-)

I would search to see if your local Anthropologie has that chair and then bide your time to see if it goes on sale. I've gotten lots of great furniture from Anthropologie just by keeping my eye on certain items. A Paul Smith Antwerp chair went on sale at my local Anthropologie last year for $500. I've purchased the great Amelie sofa for $1000 - a 75% reduction.

Also, Anthropologie always has a 20% off sale on Furniture in April.

this one is not even beat up, which means while you search for an upholsterer and your fabric, it wouldn't be an unbearable eyesore.

I did a little eBay search for you, and here's what I found:

http://search.ebay.com/Louis-Chair_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQfrtsZ50

This one looks the closest among them to what you're looking at, but it's going to cost you something to have it re-upholstered unless you're pretty dang crafty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FRENCH-ANTIQUE-LOUIS-XV-WALNUT-BERGERE-PERIOD-CHAIR_W0QQitemZ320229049068QQihZ011QQcategoryZ63566QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This one actually has a lower opening bid, but I don't really understand the whole "live auction" thing:

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/18th-c-French-Louis-XVI-bergere-arm-chair-2092254_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ28221QQihZ025QQitemZ380006686539QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Anyway... I think the other people who said you could find something in a thrift store could be on the right track. For one thing, there are some VERY interesting modern fabrics out there at the moment, which could be very interesting alternatives to the one you're in love with, like:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10357421

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10357408

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9945512

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10322891

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7082624

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10322944

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6028966

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8684329

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8519071

http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/vrnqbk.html

http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/mk20365030.html

http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/nvtrfl.html

http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/kllyyl.html

OK, that's enough for now. You get the idea. Seriously, I got carried away. Meanwhile, NOW I want you to go ahead and get the one you're talking about AND do a thrift shop one and have it upholstered in SEVERAL of these that pick up something in that original one -- different ones of these patterns on different sections!

I agree with going to a consignment store and finding a similar chair and just have it reupholstered. I found a really great chair for $50. I went to a reupholsterer (is that a word?) and she quoted me $250, not including fabric.

Check around, this is from an auction a couple years back that has a similar chair for a third of the price:
http://www.stanleyandco.com/lots.asp?DayAuctionDate=28&MonthAuctionDate=8&YearAuctionDate=2005&RecordStart=1&RecordFinish=50

And once you have a good, solid frame, anything is possible:
http://www.theultimatelouis.co.uk

Wow! Thanks everyone. So this style is called Louis?

Lots of fantastic suggestions--I do love all of the fabrics out there now. Unfortunately I am stuck in the dark ages with respect to CraigsList and Ebay (this would be my first time), but maybe I can find something to fix up on the cheap. I love your suggestions.

Thank you,
Ali

Wait... wait!!!! One more: http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W922 This is a nice clean color that can be complimented with any type of accent color pillow!

I didn't really know what it was, until I started searching for chairs. I'm guessing that it is along the lines of the Louis XV style, with the curvy lower legs. The Louis XVI seems to have straighter legs.

Where did I see that? Ha!

Once you learn a few keywords, then you will have better results, searching online and offline.

Other keywords would be "French Country" or "Country French".

Even Italian, this has the scrolly arms:
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/placebellecour/item/RA-004

Here's another good one:
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/placebellecour/item/05-128

Once you start seeing them, read those descriptions and use those to make new searches.

Then you can find whole homes and online books:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14715/14715-h/14715-h.htm

Scroll down there to the Louis Seize bedroom. Another LONG bench with the scrolly arms. You'll see MORE similar chairs without the curling arms in the Drawing Room image.

This image "MISS MORGAN'S LOUIS XVI. LIT DE REPOS", see the legs, they are straight. I don't know holds true for all the styles, but that is what I noticed.

Here's a blurb on chairs:
http://doit101.com/Collectibles/Classicchairs.html

It doesn't mention the Louis ones though.

This has some basic drawings and periods:
http://www.connectedlines.com/styleguide/

Once you have words and names, you can find all manner of colors and styles. Floral on white:
http://www.vintageglamour.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=341

Hooker makes leather and fabric versions:
http://www.csnstores.com/Hooker-Furniture-200-35-139-HKR1549.html

Custom upholstery with 20 different wood finishes:
http://www.heals.co.uk/invt/735181

Couple more keywords, Bergere and the frame à la reine (queen’s frame):
http://www.pierredeux.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=StoreDisplay.ShowProductList&SubCategoryID=205

There seems to be a vast variety of antique and new, wood colors and finishes, and fabric options. Some are less expensive. Like at Walmart, yes, Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6225422

And I can just see using that basic frame and having a custom thick back and seat cushion made, with a solid on the sides (making it a box construction pillow) and a floral on one side, with another pattern on the other side.

Scroll down here to Pimp my Chair, parts 1 and 2 (big squishy boxy base cushion, yummy):
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/gritcity/?cat=169

Some are a lot more expensive:
http://antiquesandthearts.com/AW0-06-18-2002-12-09-12

"The auction's top lot was a pair of Louis XV carved giltwood marquese, stamped "Falconet." The pair, with crisply carved crests and excellent proportions, fetched $47,150. A great deal of interest was expressed in the seating furniture overall.

A pair of Louis XV carved giltwood bergères sold for $34,500; a pair of Louis XV carved giltwood side chairs, stamped "P. Remy," sold for $11,500; a similar pair of Régence carved walnut fauteuils à la reine fetched $19,550; and an Empire gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany revolving desk chair sold for $23,000"

I learned a lot about chairs today. And had fun doing it!

thanks for tempting me with all those gorgeous fabrics

these are a couple of things I have found in my favourite furniture site:

a) upholstered stuffed armchair and ottoman
b) upholstered stuffed armchair in fancy fabric

think you can ask for personalization. You also may ask for a retailer in your area or for shipping costs as these are made in Italy!
and they sell for around 300 eur (around 450 usd, ottoman excluded), but I have no certain price.

HEY, I have news.... That chair will be 25% off starting April 1st - 30th for the Anthropologie Upholstery event. That is if you don't have the creative energy to recreate one for yourself. : )