Decisions decisions....

I am steering away from the KWID Imperial Trellis pattern because

1. it is very trendy
2. it is very expensive
3. it is a very bold statement for chairs, especially when you factor in reasons 1 and 2.

I think I prefer it for pillows, drapery, and headboards.  I do reserve the right to change my mind on this at anytime.

So........anyone like these options?

Bocce in Coffee

East Village in Pink

High Voltage in Sand

High Voltage in Smoke

Yes, I'm obsessed with the chevron pattern.  Very trendy, too, but still very classic and the colors I chose are muted.

I do already have the High Voltage in mind for something else (cross your fingers the piece is still there on Thursday!) but there is no harm is using the same fabric twice.

Thoughts?

Updates and new project

I just ordered the East Village fabric in Raspberry from Rubie Green!  Thanks, Michelle, for setting up an account for me!  I feel very business-y now.

The chair is coming along great and the fabric should be on it by next week's class.  This is the current state of the project.  I just tightened the springs, added webbing and burlap, and started working on the arms with cotton and muslin.  Next is more cotton and muslin on the seat and back and on to fabric!

I am scoring my resources for fabric for this new project:

They are both the same color, but the photo came out weird.  The wood is in pretty bad shape so I may have to paint it (white? or a bright color?)

Anywho, I was thinking Imperial Trellis

I was playing on a fabric site and ordered a bunch of expensive samples.  They all arrived this week and I am in love.  Why do I have champagne taste and a bud light budget?

From left:  Couture Home's Contessa, Donghia's Suzani, Schumacher's Imperial Trellis, Schumacher's High Voltage, and Alan Cambell's Zigzag.

Swoon.  Apparently I have to return the samples within 30 days.  Now what is the fun in that?  I wonder if it is a designer faux pas to disregard that request.

Fabrics and Cane Back Chairs

When I was in Charleston last week I had the pleasure of touring Coastal Living's 2009 Idea Cottage featured in this month's issue.  I had borrowed the magazine from my sister because there were some great fabrics showcased and I wanted to look them up.  I was thrilled to be able to see and touch them in person!

My sister has already laid claim to 2 fabulous cane back chairs I planned to start after my current project.  After being in the presence of all those fabrics, I was inspired to find the perfect cloth for her chairs.  Now I just have to get her over her fears of patterns and color.....

I am going to paint these white and reupholster the seat.

Wouldn't they look great in Donghia's Suzani pattern?

or a fun animal print?

I'll keep you posted on what we decide.

Faux Bamboo Chippendale Chairs with Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon Fabric

While this fabric is overused, it is still one of my very favorites.  All the pretty colors make me so happy.  And, paired with a timeless classic as the faux bamboo chippendale chair.....perfection!

Here is the transformation......

I had to replace all the innards of the seat.  After taking off the old fabric, foam and cotton from the frame and tightening the webbing, I traced out the new foam and cut it using a kitchen knife (ssshh, don't tell my husband).

And then wrapped it in batting

Had to make sure it all fit

I then positioned the dragon image over the cushion, cut it out, and used my trusty nail gun to attach it to the frame.

The final product:

These are for sale for a really great deal....$250 each for the armless and $275 each for the arms.  I would prefer not to break up the set, which is discounted at $1,000 for all 4 chairs.  Shoot me an email or visit my Etsy store if you are interested.

UPDATE:  The arm chairs are sold, but 2 armless chairs are still available!  SOLD

And the winner is.....

Chiang Mai Dragon!

Thank you for all your comments. For those of you who voted for the Carnival fabric, I am still on a search for the perfect chair or settee. As the images below show, the pattern needs a bigger surface area than a measly ol' dining chair. Yes, I would have DIED to find the fabric in these colors. Alas, I did not, but at least you can see what I am aiming for.

Onward and upward to the Faux Bamboo Chairs make-over........

Alvin, Simon, Chippendale!

I often have to entertain myself. It is the little things...

Lookie what I found on my hunt (please disregard cell phone camera shots):

I really really want to keep them for myself. I kind of feel like I am working at an animal shelter and will inevitably just take them all home with me.

Can't you just picture them sitting at a white Saarinen tulip table? Or around a kitchen banquet like Ballard Design's Coventry Collections. Or with a long farm table like this:

Now....which fabric do you like best?

Exhibit A, Christopher Farr's "Carnival":

Exhibit B, Schumacher's "Chiang Mai Dragon":

Here is the Chiang Mai Dragon on my current dining room chairs:

Let me know with a comment.

Next Class Project

I signed up for my second Reupholstery class before the first one even ended. And, I already found a project! While I have time now to tackle this, I'd much rather have some guidance with all the work it will take. I spent about 2 hours in my parents garage a few Saturdays ago and almost demoed the chair completely. A few callouses, fatique, and a Booster Club kid looking for support for this year's sports equipment (only in the suburbs!) stopped me short of victory.

She was in pretty good shape. The fabric was just dated and dirty - the kind of velvet that makes you want to wash your hands :(

I think this used to be horsehair. It was so wiry, but I'm sure that chair was cozy in the winter.
Upholstery is dangerous! Beware of sharp objects at any turn!

Now - what fabric to use. I'm thinking this, by Rubie Green:

Too trendy? I'd love to hear your comments!