Reader Request: Dining Chair Dilemma

I often get questions from readers asking where to find certain things I post about, for decorating help and even to purchase items (do I look like a store?), but one query from a reader was blog-worthy in itself due to my being deliriously jealous of her dilemma. Here it goes:

“I just picked up a Greek Key Mastercraft Dining Table on craigslist and wondered if you might have ideas on dining chairs that may work with it?” –C.J., Boston

What a lucky lady! Did I mention she only paid $200 for the beauty! After finding out C.J. loves Kelly Wearstler’s eclectic style and has other funky pieces, including a fabulous vintage bar cart, I got to work sourcing some dining chairs to complement her drool-worthy dining table.

My official design prescription for this decorating dilemma is to counteract the lighter feel of the brass and glass dining table by choosing a more solid parsons chair with glam detailing.

The woodhouse dining chair from Jonathan Adler has a cutaway silhouette at the top that gives the chair a feminine yet tailored feel. This added detail would really complement the regency-esque dining table.

The curved top of this SITA chair also has the simple parsons form but with that extra sinuous flair. It is a smaller scale piece and would be more delicate choice for a smaller space that may be overwhelmed by the tall back of the Woodhouse chair.

For fabric, a deep grey or taupe to complement the existing wall colour would be a nice neutral foil for the shiny brass frame. Choose something with texture, such as ribbing, so it doesn’t look too flat. If you're adventurous, choose a textured vinyl with a small scale animal print for added punch and easy cleaning. (Vinyls above are Brentano's Amazon in sidewinder, and Duralee's 15272 and 15244 in pewter)

If you don’t have the budget to purchase new chairs, look to craigslist and your local consignment stores for a set of simple parsons chairs that you can makeover and add your own flourish to. Choose a durable solid fabric for the body, spice it up with elegant yet tailored details, such as contrast piping and diamond button tufting, like in Nicky Hilton’s pad, and voila: a perfectly glam dining set!