The first six chairs are back from our upholster's and they are a thing of beauty!
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| the before |
The dining room tables and chairs, if you recall, were my great-grandparent's, made for them sometime in the 1880s. There are 9 chairs (assume the 10th came to an untimely end at some point) and there are three large leaves to the table.
The chairs were getting in quite bad shape; the seats were falling inwards, every chair squeaked and shook when you sat in them, and if we were going to take care of them for the next generation(s), they needed to be dealt with.
I must say, Mr. Chessie of Chessie's Upholstery, did a fantastic job!
The chairs feel brand new and are so comfortable!
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| The After. We are painting the chandelier a creamy white today. |
The sapphire blue and patterned material I chose is absolutely beautiful on these chairs.
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| The back of the side chair uses the reverse of another fabric. I loved the pale blue detail! |
What I especially like is that depending on the light of the day, the chairs look either very dark and moody or lovely and bright.
It is wonderful to have the chairs back, since next weekend is Thanksgiving here!
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| I found this runner which is very autumnal, just in time for next weekend's celebrations! |
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| You can see the drop cloths in the background, ready to go, More pictures of our renewed hallways and stairs this week! |
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| You would be hard-pressed to buy a seat today with hand carved reliefs in a dining room chair, wouldn't you? |
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| And I did congratulate myself on finding pillows for our new love seat that echoed the material I chose for the chairs |
Some people decorate a room around fabric. We did it around my mother's portrait and are very happy indeed with the results!
Of course, one you get the painting bug, nothing is immune!
UPDATE!
Painted Chandelier! Feeling virtuous between this and the homemade linguine. Off to read on couch...
I plan to bring other pieces of furniture to Mr. Chessie to upholster and I still have a ton of fabric from this order, especially since we only have three more chairs that need to be done. What I love is that the dining room fabric choices and how they are placed on the chairs are uniquely ours.
UPDATE!
Painted Chandelier! Feeling virtuous between this and the homemade linguine. Off to read on couch...
I plan to bring other pieces of furniture to Mr. Chessie to upholster and I still have a ton of fabric from this order, especially since we only have three more chairs that need to be done. What I love is that the dining room fabric choices and how they are placed on the chairs are uniquely ours.
But mostly what I feel is gratitude. Gratitude for the wonderful job Mr. Chessie did on these precious family heirlooms, gratitude that I inherited them and gratitude that they will be passed on in even better shape than we received them.
I hope you have a wonderful day! I plan to read, make some home made linguine, and write!
xoxo wendy
WOW they look amazing, how beautiful! The fabric really sets off the dark wood and the carved details on the chairs. The new colour scheme is so fresh and gorgeous, and I love the way you decorated around your mother's portrait.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely ready for Thanksgiving and it will be a lovely holiday in your new dining room.
Thanks Dani! I can't wait till you come here! There is a whole bottle (well part of a bottle, well, what the hell we'll be more...) of Saint Germain waiting and some Scotch. Barry will love sipping scotch with Mr. BP!
DeleteI agree with Dani! Everything looks absolutely gorgeous! The chairs are stunning, and the pillows on the couch are the perfect added touch. Enjoy your relaxing day! We are headed out now on a road trip to Kootenai Falls. :)
ReplyDeleteOh have fun! It is pouring rain today, which is always a good excuse to goof off!!!
DeleteI inherited two very similar (almost identical) chairs from my grandmother. Mine were also part of a complete dining room set. They have the same carvings and legs- both are padded in black leather- and have a place of honor in my living room. I love them but seeing how you transformed your beloved chairs gave me inspiration to do the same.
ReplyDeleteYour dining room is gorgeous and belongs in a magazine. Love how you honored your mother's portrait. It's these details that truly make a house a well-loved home.
Wow - if you ever feel so inclined, would love to see a photo! I don't know where they were made, Nova Scotia or Sackville NB I think. I wonder if it was a popular pattern?
DeleteThanks for the kind words about the dining room. Since we eat every meal in there, I wanted it to look nice!
I adore that portrait of your mum and the chest of drawers, just pinned it.
ReplyDeleteThe blue on the chairs is beautiful too, and the chairs are swoon worthy.
Thanks Tabs! And love your new avatar! I can't seem to give up my pic with the Christmas crown!
DeleteI have a set of six chairs that was my grandmother's. The matching table is shot, alas (pun intended), because it is my in dad's garage covered with his equipment for reloading shotgun shells.
ReplyDeleteMr. Hex keeps muttering about getting rid of the (admittedly squeaky) chairs but maybe there is hope for them yet if I can find a magician like your Mr. Chessie. Did you think of "The Goldfinch" when you were getting the chairs restored?
He was really a magician like Hobie. There is not a single squeak left in these chairs - honestly, they feel brand new to sit in!
Deletewendy i love these chairs now! they really bring life to the room and i can't wait to see that chandelier painted. bravo!!! x
ReplyDeleteJanet - just finished will take a pic and update blog. I think you would be very comfortable in this room!
ReplyDeleteWendy, I love the transformation so much! The detail on the chairs is stunning, and the new color and pattern is so cheery. The painting of your mom is so wonderful. Have a great Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeletethanks!
DeleteThe chairs look great. I have my grandparent's antique dining room set - in need of some repair and reupholstering too, but I'll probably be selling the whole lot to find something that better fits my taste and decor. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteJulie - I sometimes wish I could be like that! my personality is creative nostalgic - I hold on to everything!
DeleteBeautiful! Great fabrics choice.
ReplyDeletethanks Jen!
DeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful before and after photos. Lovely job. Enjoy many wonderful meals in your transformed dining area. Very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThose chairs are gorgeous and look fab with the runner and rug. Wendy the new chandelier is also a beauty but I do hope it dims or Mr Chessie's beautiful work may fade over the hols.
ReplyDeleteVery well done!
You will be happy to know that it is on a dimmer! the chalky white I painted it may need silvery chandelier shades, but I am undecided right now!
DeleteThe chairs are beautiful, Wendy! Nice to have them for Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI know! I was kind of relieved! Would have had to buy card table chairs!
DeleteYou did a marvelous job with the fabric pick. Your chairs are indeed worth passing down, they shall fight over them.
ReplyDeleteWell I hope somebody wants them in the family, that's for sure!
DeleteOh they just look wonderful!! I love the carving on them - very Arts and Crafts. So lovely that you're able to enjoy using such special family pieces, and that it's all been refreshed in time for Thanksgiving. The fabric is just lovely. xx
ReplyDeleteReally spectacular--the chairs, the chandelier and the sofa. You aren't going to want to ever leave home.
ReplyDeleteI may sleep in there!
DeleteI love the choice of blue and white. You are such an accomplished chef that I am sure they will be put to great use. Here's to all the family dinners, holidays and dinner parties yet to be!
ReplyDeleteWe inaugurated them last night and no complaints about squeaks, sore bottoms. It was a delight!
DeleteYour chairs are beautiful! Your entire set up is so inviting. Thank you for sharing Wendy.
ReplyDeleteThese looks absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry it took me so long to come back here Wendy. Life has been like a roller coaster lately and the ride was high speed, which left me rather unwell...
ReplyDeleteI admire this work on your chairs! The choice of fabric is fabulous and they do look very nice. The transformation of this room is a success. Congratulations!
Gorgeous!
ReplyDelete