I’m a bit of a chair addict….there’s just something about chairs that I love!  So when my in-laws gave us these gorgeous and incredibly comfortable family heirlooms, I was beyond thrilled.  I kept them in my home as-is for many years, but I knew that they needed to be reupolstered and refinished, a project I embarked on in 2013 and now, they’re finally done!  It’s only been four-and-a-half years but who’s counting?!

 

THAT WAS THEN…

You can get all of the details about this history {HERE} but to give you an idea as to what they used to look like, here they are in all their glory!

 

My original plan was to re-stain them, so I worked tirelessly with Q-Tips and toothpicks to remove the original coats of stains from all of the nooks and crannies.

 

Once down to bare wood, I was amazed at the difference, but I also grew to love the lighter color.

 

 

Then, one day while browsing Art of Salvage, a favorite vendor of mine at the Alameda Point Antique Fair, I finally worked up the courage to ask the owner, Michael, if he’d be willing to refinish and reupholster my chairs for me.  Thankfully, he said yes!  After seeing his work, I knew that I wanted the chairs painted, not stained, and didn’t trust myself to such an important job.  You won’t believe how these beauties turned out!  They don’t even look like the same chairs, right?

 

THIS IS NOW!

TIDBITS&TWINE Master Bedroom Mantel with French chairs

 

 

I chose to use two different but coordinating fabrics.  The front of the chairs is a small-weave, linen-like material, while the back is reminiscent of burlap, but mush softer and more elegant.  I’m a sucker for chairs upholstered with two different fabrics!

Antique chair french style makeover with two fabrics

 

And can we talk for a minute about the carved details?!  I love how they pop with their new paint finish…

Chalk painted antique chair

Antique chair chalk paint french style

 

The new look of these chairs is much softer and more in keeping with the rest of my bedroom as you can see from this sneak peek of my nightstands, now complete with mirrors that I purchased from Art of Salvage.  I know I’ve shared this picture on Facebook, but this might be a first for the site…

TIDBITS&TWINE French master bedroom

 

Michael from Art of Salvage also made me two custom-stenciled lumbar pillows for the chairs.  They are so soft and gorgeous, but as you can tell from the photos, I sometimes change them out depending on the season….or my mood!

Someday {hopefully soon}, I’ll share my entire bedroom with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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24 Comments

  1. They look wonderful, I love the materials that you chose, just perfect with the wood finish!

  2. Oh my goodness, Kim. Those chairs are screaming, “We are fabulous!!” They really do look beautiful and are amazing in your home.

    Deb :-)

  3. Marlene Stephenson says:

    Oh, these are so beautiful, you saved their style and made them better. He did a wonderful job. Thanks, now to see the rest of your bedroom.

  4. jeani miner says:

    I too have a passion for chairs and tend to have unfinished projects: witness the 10 (that’s ten) dining chairs in various stages of refinish/upholstery. I may have to take a page from your book and send them out.
    Michael did a fabulous job and I love the colors and textures. Very similar to what I’m doing (still doing) to my dining room chairs. And oh yes, I am also a sucker for more than one fabric on a chair.
    And those mirrors – swoon worthy.

  5. Wow, these are show stoppers. I love the finished product. Beautiful! Great job finding such a talented craftsman.

  6. Simply gorgeous! You must be thrilled with the finished product. I love the two fabrics together. Great choice, thanks for sharing.

  7. Well knock me over with a feather! Beautiful!

  8. Gorgeous! Very well done. Might you give the name of your fabric and the source. Thank you.
    Best,
    Pat

  9. Those chairs are just stunning! It takes time to figure out which way you want to go with a project…right? We’re talking quality, not quantity. I don’t procrastinate…I just ponder…HA!!

  10. Norma Rolader says:

    Oh my how gorgeous they turned out … Thank you for sharing with us

  11. Oh my goodness, what a magical transformation. In the ‘before’ state, I would not have given it a second thought, but, WOW!! I totally LOVE the outcome! Great job. Now it I could just find a chair in the ‘raw’ like those babies..

  12. The transformation is amazing! They are absolutely gorgeous! And you are right – they don’t even look like the same chairs. LOVE!

  13. Absolutely amazing. The paint job is outstanding with the two different tone on tone paint finishes. I’m dazzled at his artistry.

  14. Wow! Just beautiful!! Nice to have parents that are willing to give up such treasures:)

  15. Stunning transformation ! Well done.

  16. How gorgeous they are now . . congratulations the “finish”

  17. KNOCK ME OVER!! They are AMAZING and you’re so right, don’t even look like the same chairs. You did find a treasure in Michael!! Stunning! Speechless!

    Get on the rest of that room, so we can see it! The little “hints” are fantastic!!

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