Friday, September 3, 2010

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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!

3 comments:

Real Estate Agents Geelong said...

those pieces are so classic..love

CJ_Story said...

Thanks so much, Jessica! I love these ideas and am working on getting chairs now! I am between parsons and ghost chairs. I promise to send a picture when the dining room (furnished by craigslist) is done! When you travel through Boston you are welcome to come by, I owe you a drink!!!

Raiana S @ lifeSTYLE said...

Hi Jessica!

I have this identical piece, in the console table size, available for sale in my Etsy shop! It is priced at $800, and shipping within GTA is free!

Raiana xo,
lifeSTYLE
Raiana Schwenker Atelier - Etsy Shop