Saturday, June 26, 2010

Help Wanted

While on a little thrifting excursion Monday morning, I happened upon this: 
My love of Chinoiserie is no secret, so my jaw about dropped to the floor when I saw it. I've been looking for a different table and chairs for my breakfast nook since we moved in four years ago. I've always thought an oval table would fit the space better than my dark, rectangular farm table with cabriole legs.
In our old house, we only had one dining area and this table and chairs fit the space and style perfectly. However, in our current house we have a dining room and a breakfast area. This table was too small for the dining room, so into the breakfast area it went.   I've always thought this space needed a different set-up - specifically, an oval table with chairs and a banquette or settee.

So, four years later, I'm excited to announce that I purchased the Chinoiserie-style faux bamboo dining table (with 2 leaves) and four chairs for what I consider to be an absolute steal. Now comes the fun part - figuring out what to do with the finishes and fabric.

It's been suggested I should leave the table as it is . . .
Please excuse my super messy garage.

And paint the chairs a fun color. But it has to be a color that fits in with the rest of my house because of my very open floor plan. Luckily, most of my furniture is fairly neutral. Yet another reason a pop of color might be in order. I'm leaning towards a rich saturated peacock blue shiny lacquer.

Something like the color of this Miles Redd living room maybe. Of course, it would be on the chairs not the wall so you'll have to use your imagination.

I don't think I could pull off anything too bright a la Jonathan Adler:


Of course, there's always white . . .

Although white would not look great against my creamy cabinets. I guess I could go with a creamy white, but that's pretty close to how they look now. So, I could just leave them the way they are if I decide on that route.

Then, of course, there's the all important fabric selection. Should I pick that first, then pick a paint color to complement it?

I've always loved Chiang Mai dragon by Schumacher in the aquamarine colorway. I know some people might think it's overexposed or trendy, but I don't care - it's still one of my favorites. 
Unfortunately, it's super expensive. However, I shouldn't need much since there are just four seats to cover. I'll have to check with my designer friend Kristen to see how the price breaks down and if they have a minimum yardage ordering requirement. 

If it turns out that Chiang Mai is out of my budget (which it might very well be), I've found some other cute fabric options. Please excuse the sheer multitude, I went a little overboard.














Okay, so that's about a dozen fabrics. I have an obvious love of fabrics too. So, what do you think? Any keepers in the bunch? Would you prefer cream-colored chairs with bright seats? Or brightly painted chairs with a more geometric pattern? Oh, too many choices. So, please give me your opinion. I really do want your help!

Oh, and don't worry about the table and chairs that I'm replacing. I'm planning on using them in my basement once we re-do that (about 5- 7 years from now, if we're lucky) or I might sell the chairs and keep the table. Haven't totally decided yet. I'm a little indecisive. Can you tell?



18 comments:

bluehydrangea said...

What a find!! Love the table and chairs!! I say go for a bold color on the chairs otherwise they might blend it to much and they are too fabulous to blend in.

Milk and Honey Home said...

Okay...I vote zig zag in village green fabric & peaccok blue paint on the chairs....I love the contrast and it is a little wild (I know you are a little wild!) then, you can keep the table white...personally, I love a funky chair against a contrasting/calm table

let us know
fun find! Julie

Fran said...

Awesome find! I am definitely of the mind set of bold color on chairs (love the peacock blue) w/ a geometric print (in contrasting color) on the seats! Can't wait to see what you decide!

style chronicle said...

I saw the table and chairs at Habitat and loved them! I say go for some color! I agree with Milk and Honey though, if you do paint the chairs I would leave the table an off white. And as far as the fabric goes I vote the zig-zag or the vertical stripe. Can't wait to see the end result. Great find!

erilay said...

What a great find! Go for the blue and geometric print. I can't wait to see "after" pictures.

Susan said...

I love the idea of peacock blue chairs! You have wanted a zig zag for a while so.... But oh how I love the Koi and Coral Reef fabric!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

First, I will apologize for what I think might be a long comment. WHAT? I love this dining set and have searched high and low for something like this for quite a while to no avail! I am a person who loves color and great color combinations so if this were my dining set (I wish!) then I would paint those gorgeous chairs orange (I know...) and upholster them in that amazing Waverly Koi pattern. It is timeless and fresh and fun. The chevron fabric is great too but I don't know if it will stand the test of time. If you are married to the idea of the peacock blue (gorgeous as well) I would choose the Tazo in chartreuse or Cadence. You must let us know how this turns out. I am excited as if they are my own! And I am planning a surprise long weekend for my husband and I in Nashville this summer and plan to email you to get your shopping resources! Best of luck - this is a once-in-a-lifetime score!

Haven and Home said...

Yeah for you getting them!!!! I agree with Milk and Honey!

Kim said...

What a fantabulous find! I vote for painting the chairs. I like the contrast against the white table. Not sure what color, but boy, do I love that Richloom Cornwall Garden print. So lively and fun!

My Interior Life said...

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I'm digesting them all. Obviously, the consensus is to paint the chairs leaving the table as is. That's what I was thinking. Now to find the right combination (that my husband will approve). Kim@Chattabulous, I love the idea of orange chairs, I just don't think I can pull it off with the colors I have elsewhere in the very open space. My next plan is to get as many fabric and paint swatches and lay them out in various combinations to see what looks best. Wish me luck, and I'll keep you updated along the way.

Thanks again for all the great input! I truly appreciate it!

Matt said...

i think you set the bar kinda high on this find. and by the way, don't make it sound like i have veto power in this decision...

Aesthetic Oiseau said...

What a find!!! So glad my chair is helping inspire your thinking...Chiang Mai is always a good choice, but all of your fabric picks are wonderful! Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi gloss white with either Waverly fabric would be amazing...but thinking you really can't go wrong with anything! great post.

Anonymous said...

Love the Cornwall fabric... keep us posted!!! I love seeing what you can create!! EPB

3 Peanuts said...

LOVE this table and chairs...GREAT find! I would leave the table as is and paint the chairs a high gloss blue (the one that is in the fabric) with the coral reef fabric.

SHERRY HART said...

WOW....score on that table and chairs!!! I was looking at your kitchen and the colors. There is a Schumacher fabric called Ceylon Floral Vine. It has like a "silver sage" background, with gray, brown, cream, and it looks like maybe the color of your walls...check it out! It would look great with the color it is already painted!

SHERRY HART said...

FYI.....I just looked at the sample of that Schumacher fabric and it is the color way called Mineral.

Dayka Robinson said...

now i'm off to find what your chairs looked like painted blue. ps--do you find that your table is a little shaky with all of the leaves in? i noticed that with mine, but everything is locked in and screwed on tight....