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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Victorian to Parisian

I hate to admit it, but I have never met a carved chair I didn't love.  Sometimes it's such a problem, I think I might need some intervention.  I found four of these chairs at a thrift shop a few weeks ago.  They were not even particularly inexpensive and I knew I would regret the purchase by the morning after, but what could I do?  All that beautiful carved wood was just calling out to me.
The second my husband saw them, he started complaining about how difficult they would be to recover to which I replied I thought they would be a piece of cake.
I hate to admit it when he's right, but these were a bear to redo because of all the curvy lines of the seats.  We covered them in drop cloth.  I put a grain sack design on them and then to cover up our amateurish upholstering (these were really beyond our talents), I gathered some grosgrain ribbon and attached it with Tacky Glue to cover the staples.
I finished two of them already and will finish the other two in the morning, then I'm whisking them off to my space at Aubergine Emporium. 
I love the light airy look of the Old White paint.  They almost look Frenchy now especially with the grain sack stripe.
I have had a whirlwind of work these past couple months.  I am trying to visit everyone who leaves me a comment and leave a comment in return, but unfortunately I have not been able to reply through email so I apologize for that.  Hopefully the new year will bring me a more peaceful schedule.  

This will be my final post of the year so in closing I will wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

I may be partying at...


Fridays            French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                     Common Ground
                                   

15 comments:

One Shabby Old House said...

Maggie those turned out just beautiful. I am like you I just can't pass up the chairs and I wouldn't have passed those up either!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I would have been drawn to those chairs, too, Maggie! I think they turned out great. I'm sure I wouldn't have thought ahead to any difficulties with recovering them.

Merry Christmas!

Jeanine said...

So gorgeous! How did you go about gathering the grosgrain ribbon?

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

I'm with you...all that carving, would have paid more than I should have for these. I think you did a great job recovering, they look fantastic!

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

The chairs are beautiful, Maggie! I love the carved design on the backs.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Donna said...

Your chairs turned out beautifully, Maggie! All of the details of the carved wood really pop since you've painted them. And the upholstery is lovely!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Maggie a month or so ago I posted about a little Parish stool I did and it was so difficult because it had those same curves...Who knew! I think those chairs are ADORABLE! And the ribbon was the perfect touch! You have a great Christmas and New Years!!! I am off for the rest of the year too...I think the short season really caught up with us all!

Carol

Bliss said...

You are always so wonderful stopping by to visit me Maggie, thank you. The chairs are wonderful, and a certain someone has a grain-sack stripe on some dining room chairs too!

Sharon said...

I think your chairs look great! I bought a couple of similar chairs at a yardsale not long ago. They also have an upholstered back as well. I am going to redo them after Christmas. I am both looking forward to and dreading it...it will definitely be a learning experience!
Merry Christmas!
I'm a new follower
Sharon

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Maggie, I love your chairs and the painting really gave new life to the carved details. It would have been really hard to pass on them. Love how you did the seats too. Beautiful.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year!
Hugs

Deneen@dreaming-n-color said...

Merry Christmas! Enjoy a break. Love the chairs!

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Oh Maggie, those are so pretty! You have an eye for what's going to look great and a skilled hand for doing it. Merry Christmas my friend!

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

The chairs are beautiful! So worth all the hard work you both did.

Merry Christmas Maggie!

Alicia said...

LOVE THESE CHAIRS, I WOULD HAVE ALSO BOUGHT THEM! :)

karen@somewhatquirky said...

Maggie, these are beautiful chairs! I would have had a hard time passing them by as well. Thanks for the holiday wishes and I wish the same for you.