You can do whatever you want with your chairs . . . but I believe it would be a terrible, terrible shame. ;-; Clean them up, make them shiny, and ad some colorful seat cushions!

Those are very cute chairs!
Don't know anything about Josef Kohn but I'm sure it's worth researching before embarking on major work.
That said, if you do decide you want some color, perhaps a colored stain, rather than paint, would allow the pattern to show through.

I think these chairs are beautiful as they are. I would clean and wax them then let them be.

They're so special! If you don't like them as they are, consider selling them to someone who does and buy yourself a pair of chairs better suited for a make-over.

They could be worth several hundred dollars as they are. If painted they won't be worth much of anything.

If this Josef Kohn has any importance in design, don't paint, you'll ruin them and any value they might have. If Kohn is nobody, do as you wish.

I think they would look great if paired with 2 other yellow or chartreuse chairs.

Why don't you just do what you'd like to do? In the big picture it probably won't change the (your) world.

I understand that they are your chairs and you can do what you want, but it really would be a shame to paint them. They are so unusual and look great as they are. I would just clean them up. I'd love to have them! I agree with tallsarah, pair them up with painted chairs.

I think it's really up to you and your decor style. If you're not sure yet, I would live with them for awhile. Collect pictures of dining areas you like, ruminate. Eventually you will either fall in love with them as is, or feel compelled to paint them.

If you decide to paint them, do two or three thin coats. It will look better that way. The first coat will look pretty streaky, but stick with it. In between coats, you can gently sand down any areas that get too globby. A higher sheen paint will highlight the texture better, but also highlight imperfections, like that nick at the back of the seat.

Today I am with the no paint team. Clean em up and find two others to paint, them use them all together. Love your suggested colors.

! they are SO beautiful as is..... No no no no no!

absolutely do not paint them.

I heard a great rule of thumb on the Nate Berkus show about painting furniture- if it's 19th century or earlier, it's a true antique and you shouldn't mess with it. It severely decreses the value. If it's newer than that (1900's) it's vintage and you can paint away... it's prob not THAT valuable that you shouldn't make it into something you love and want to live with.

Since you asked - I say, no need to paint!

Oh please don't paint them!
Josef Kohn was one the American designers who was influenced by the Weiner Werkstatte group in Vienna in the early 20th century. Those chairs are unique (I have not seen the scallop design before) and in such good condition, it pains me to think of them painted. In fact, if you were in my area I would be offering to buy them off of you.

When the question is, "should I paint this antique?", the answer is always No. There are plenty of similar modern pieces for you to practice your creativity upon.

And I question the wisdom of attempting to make a 19th century chair "zesty". It'd be like forcing your great aunt into Sass & Bide jeans.

Oops. I need to clarify my above comment - I just get really excited by Kohn chairs.
Josef Kohn wasn't American - he was Austrian. However, his company was one that opened American production and distribution shops. There were some in Canada too. The labels on the bottom of your chairs (if still there) will tell the country. Also, intact labels add to the value of the chairs.

I agree with many of the others. Don't paint. The pattern would most certainly be lost. Give a good clean with mineral oil (found at your local drugstore in the laxative section, usually near witch hazel. cheapest and best furniture polish ever). You will be surprised what a good clean clean can do.

Yes please paint them and send in a picture to AT so I can comment and say that I like the before photo better.

put em up against a white wall and you'll see immediately how beautiful they are. mix em in with brand new immaculate stuff and see how well they play.

Once and for all..Never, ever add paint or any finish to antique.
Dust them, that's it.
Don't buy an antique if you are going to mutilate it.
The terms sprucing up, adding some color and pop are just plain murder and a crime against
history and design.
The chairs are lovely.
LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Don't do it. Don't. Those chairs were beautiful a hundred years ago and will still be beautiful in a hundred years if you don't paint them. I don't mind painting things if they weren't something special before- often a good paint job saves things from the curb- but those chairs are beautiful, old and special already.

Nooooh......!

PAINT THEM! They will be gorgeous painted. One of the beauty of old objects is how we reinvent them for use in a modern time. As is they look like they should be in a puritan house full of darkness. The fresh cheerful paint represents your state of mind, your outlook, joyfulness. Free those chairs by painting them!

I hate most wood furniture. I think it's ugly- before anyone gets all butt hurt at me, that's my opinion so leave me alone.
BUT
I *like* these chairs just the way they are.
I would leave them.

If the chairs were dinged up or the finish ruined or something... but these chairs appear to be in immaculate condition. Preserve... don't paint.

They're gorgeous, very unique. Congrats on your find.

Please. NO. You will lose all detail and patina, and as others pointed out, any value they may have. They are beautiful.

The patina on these chairs is priceless, especially with this detailing. Painting them will deaden and flatten them. They are absolutely gorgeous. Why not explore looks which capitalize on such patina?

Good condition, no need of repair, functional, they are stunning and I bet they are comfortable. And they have PATINA, a rare and exquisite finish that cannot be found in a can of paint. Please don't change a thing about them, and don't don't don't alter their finish by cleaning. By all means, use them and enjoy them, and if you can't love them as they are, let them go, someone else surely will... In fact, I feel I'm in love...

They have a fantastic patina and should not be painted! If you ever want to sell, I would be interested!

Thanks for all the comments. I've decided to enjoy them in their unpainted glory and have already lined up a chair (not antique) to try out my painting skills. Thanks for the painting tips Frances.

Yeah, holy crap, if you were hell-bent on having painted chairs, sell those to someone like me who loves Vienna Secessionist furniture and go buy some inexpensive Thonet knockoffs to dribble paint onto.

Cheers to you, Cliona, for leaving them unpainted! Thank you preserving their original design and their acquired patina.

Enjoy your painting project -- with different chars. ;)

I like them how they are just paint a clear gloss over them!!

http://www.prevailingetquette.com/

I think these are gorgeous the way they are. Usually I would go for paint because I often think paint does a great job making ugly wood look awesome. However these are really pretty as is, and I think paint might just make them look cheap.