I secured these chairs off Craig’s List last fall. The lady said they were from the Copley Hotel in Boston. She bought them at an employee sale. I went to get just one chair, but couldn’t decide which one, so I came home with all three. (Much to the chagrin of my dear husband.)
I directed my attention to the one on the right. I thought it would look great with the computer desk in the common area downstairs.
I started by stripping the layers of paint off and removing the fabric.
I decided not to completely disassemble the chair to recover the back because overall the upholstery work was in very good shape. I thought I could paint over the plaid and do something interesting with it.
I painted the chair with Annie Sloan Chalk paint in CoCo. Then a month or so passed before I decided on the fabric. Then it was really cold and I didn’t want to work in the garage.
Here’s a photo of my helper taken while I cut out the fabric pieces sometime in February. You can see he was offering much encouragement. 🙂
Once I had it covered and the back fabric painted Old White to match the desk, I decided that there was too much contrast between the chair and the back.
I mixed some Old White and CoCo together to kind of match the lighter shade in the fabric and then
the chair fell into a decorating black hole.
My vision was to stencil the back with a big monogram D. I even ordered one and it never came in. Long story short I ended up ordering a new, even better designed, stencil from Vintage Vinyl.
I was so happy with how quickly it came in and it was perfect! The afternoon the stencil arrived I went right to work. I was so ready to call this project done.
I must admit stenciling on the chair was a little more difficult than I had anticipated with the curve of the back. I ended up hand painting in some of the details because when I removed the stencil the last layer of paint (remember I changed my mind and repainted it) came off with the stencil. I don’t think that would usually be an issue, but I rubbed the adhesive backed stencil with a really heavy hand due to the curve.
Here’s the front of the chair and my helper, Tucker, again. I had to share this photo. He’s just too cute perched on his bed watching me flurry around with the camera. 😉
Here’s the whole area.
I just love it. And the spring in this post? Well, that would be these amazing tulips I cut from my backyard.
Aren’t they gorgeous? They are a special hybrid that I bought and planted last year to support Breast Cancer.
I was hesitant to cut them because they were so beautiful and happy looking around our back patio, but with the storm we had coming this weekend I thought I’d get to enjoy them longer if I brought them in. And I certainly have.
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8 Comments
Jennelise
April 18, 2012 at 5:27 pmGorgeous chair! I love the stencil and your flowers are beautiful!<br />Jennelise
Connie
April 18, 2012 at 6:39 pmYour chair is fabulous and frenchy. You'll enjoy it for many years to come.<br /><br />I live in the deep south where growing tulips is hard to do. We just don't have enough chill hours in the winter.Yours are so pretty..almost heavenly.
Inspired by you
April 18, 2012 at 9:56 pmLooks so good! Just love the stencil!
Kahli
April 18, 2012 at 11:03 pmThat stencil is great! I've been on the search for a chair like this for my desk I hope to find one.
Leslie Davis
April 19, 2012 at 12:52 amConnie, I'm from Louisiana so I understand where you are coming from. It is one of the pleasures of living in the mid-west. It almost makes up for the long winter.
Rosemary@villabarnes
April 20, 2012 at 3:29 amI love your chair. Great design.
Swimtaxi
April 23, 2012 at 1:02 amYet another amazing job showing your creative talent.<br /><br />That chair and desk could be in a magazine. STUNNING!
ide-puffen
April 23, 2012 at 7:33 amI just love it. The stencil is great too. <br />Randi