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Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Antique Dining Chairs

Hello everyone!
Hope you are having a good week!
I am super excited.  I've been searching high and low for a set of dining chairs, and was about to give up.  Then, I spotted a really unique set of four antique chairs on Craig's List, that we went and looked at over the weekend.  I was hoping and praying all the way there that I would love the chairs as much in person as I did in the photos!  Especially since they were an hour and a half drive away!
I loved them as soon as I spotted them!  They are solid oak, and have lots of really interesting details, such as the gorgeous hand carved backs.  Love!


 I'm currently in the process of painting them a creamy white.  I know, many would think it was downright sacrilegious to paint antique chairs, but I bought them for us to enjoy and use, not for their resale value.  Plus,  you know how much I love shabby chic anything!
 One of the things that really attracted me to the chairs was their interesting twisted legs.  I've never seen chairs like them before.  (Our furry girl Emily had to get into the shot below!)  The chairs had been recently upholstered in red, which I am going to change out.  I am not a red person, it's one of my least favorite colors!  The neat thing is, the chair inserts pop out, so I should be able to easily (hopefully!) recover them in a nice cream or light tan fabric.
 The couple that we bought them from really didn't know anything about the chairs. So, I did a bit of research on line, and learned that the legs are referred to as "barley twist", and that they most likely were made in England in the 1920's.  Oh, the best part?  The four chairs just set me back a grand total of $145!
Considering that I'd been eying Pottery Barn chairs that start at $200 each (and were totally out of my budget, I might add), I am beyond thrilled!
 I think my new (old) chairs will be a great compliment to my antique table that I showed you a few weeks ago.  Which I still need to paint!  I began painting the chairs yesterday, and they have proven to be more work than I imagined.  Alot more work!  Needless to say, it's a project that I will be oh so glad when it's done!
 Here is a sneak peek at one of the chairs!  It's not finished yet, I still am going to do a bit of distressing, and them poly coat. Then tackle the chair covers.  I'll be sure to show you when I'm done!

7 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

SQUEAL! They are fabulous. Can't wait to see more. I needed something fun to look at this evening.

The Bear's Blog said...

I love the chair that you painted, it looks so fresh and clean. I think you can appreciate more of the detail now.

Oh, dear, sweet Emily is just sunning her paws in the sunbeams - how precious. Look at that sweet face. ♥

Hugs

Carol Stuck said...

Well, you know that old saying..."good things come to those who wait." Looks like you found the perfect chairs for your wonderful table. I love the white and of course they will be perfect with a little distressing. YOU GO GIRL~!!! Can't wait to see what you do with the seats.

hugs and smiles,
Carol

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

I'm so happy you found some great chairs, Donna! I can hear the excitement in your voice. I just know the paint job will be worth all this effort for you. :)

NanaDiana said...

Donna- I LOVE those chairs. They are beautiful painted. I think we should do what we love with furniture. I am about to paint an awesome old secretary, too...and I am sure that will create some gasps but I want it to fit into my home. We have so much wood tones already that I need a little contrast- xo Diana

joseph said...

Excellent!Great dining chairs all have several things in common, whether you're buying them for your dining room or for your outdoor eating area.Continue reading

Betty Stapleton said...

Saw this suite further ahead without a skirt on the leaf. You seem to have a lot of help available, could you not get one made? Shouldn't be hard . My table has four leaves two have skirts and two don't. I have really been enjoying your posts.