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Our Chairs Are Here!

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Our chairs are back from our favorite upholsterers, and we couldn’t love them more! Although there was a bit of an outcry to keep the mustard fabric (and believe us, we have nothing against yellow), we went with our gut and stuck with a durable Sunbrella fabric in Frequency Ash. Not only was the original upholstery nubby, scratchy and well loved, it felt a bit too much like all the colors! when paired with our blue sofa and predominantly red/pink rug.

But look! So streamlined!

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We asked the upholsterers to leave the legs alone, but as soon as they made their way back into our home, we buffed out scratches with a touch of Restor-A-Finish, fussed with a couple of the bent metal tips and finished them off by applying non-slip pads. The piping along every seam is truly perfection, and the slight slub texture to the fabric adds a little something extra – just a teeny step up from plain, old gray.

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A while back, we also purchased this rug for our nook during a sale, and although it was on back order for over a month, it finally arrived! We had picked it out with our new-to-us chairs in mind, and they play nicely together, don’t you think? My only complaint is that the gray is much more blue in person, which is highlighted by the blue-ish light we receive from that north facing window. We don’t plan on our green velvet chair staying there (that room has had quite a round of musical chairs!), rather, we think it’ll live in the guest room. And although we stuck it in the nook to get it out of our way while we repair drywall, we were surprised that we sort of liked it! So, who knows. That room is very much a work in progress!

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The living room is shaping up, but there are still a handful of tweaks/needs: proper end tables, a substantial plant (or two?) and perhaps a lamp (or two). We’ve never been huge fans of having stuff all about, so while I feel like the media console and coffee table could use something, we’re still toying with the idea of what. (Aside from the occasional vase of flowers or candles, you know?)

In any case, we’re being careful to not force anything that doesn’t feel right, which is likely why the large main spaces in our home – living, dining and studio – are evolving so slowly. And we’re okay with that!

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  • Laura @ Rather Square10.2.14 - 6:51 AM

    The chairs turned out great! And I love the blue-green tones going on on the nook – it seems very calming and cozy in there.ReplyCancel

  • Adrienne10.2.14 - 8:01 AM

    Those chairs look amazing! I really love watching your rooms evolve slowly. It makes me feel better about my decisions (and changes and more changes) that I always seem to make to a space. READ: I’m not crazy!ReplyCancel

  • K Frer - cozycapecottage10.2.14 - 8:42 AM

    Great fabric choice! I think you’re totally right, the texture really does make them feel pretty sophisticated. I’ll have to file it away if I take on another upholstery project someday!ReplyCancel

  • ann10.2.14 - 8:58 AM

    love the chairs! and as soon as the guest list has our names on it the parents will come visit.ReplyCancel

  • Julia [Chris Loves Julia]10.2.14 - 9:10 AM

    The first photo with the plaid throw draped just so had me. I’m in love.ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 9:57 AM

      Nothing solves too many patterns like more patterns! Rug, throw, pillows. Somehow, we think it works.ReplyCancel

  • allison h10.2.14 - 9:13 AM

    Those look amazing! I have a pair of red/orange chairs very similar to these that were my grandparents. I have held off on recovering for sentimental purposes.. but these turned out so great that it motivates me to take the leap and recover!! Love that fabric!ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 9:56 AM

      I understand being hesitant to take the leap for sentimental reasons, but I bet it will be worth it, and you’ll love it so much more! We got a chair from my grandma (that was a wedding gift to my grandparents), they recovered it maybe 20 years later, and most recently, we recovered it to a peachy fabric (it used to live in our old studio): https://yellowbrickhome.com/2012/04/17/the-evolution-of-grandmas-chair/

      I showed it to my grandma when it was done, and she almost cried! In other words, go for it, give it a new life, and every time you sit in them, hold on to those memories.ReplyCancel

  • Erin@Suburban Bitches10.2.14 - 10:02 AM

    Those chairs look great! Much better than the original fabric and I am surprised that Sunbrella makes fabric that look so good (and I mean that in the nicest way possible). And since I love to give out my opinion, what about a pair of plug in sconces on the side of the tv? Something cool like ones from Schoolhouse Electric? Though that white thing on the side of the tv might prohibit that.ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 10:10 AM

      Haha, I had to laugh at “white thing,” as those are our speakers that was QUITE the dilemma when figuring out the sound system last year! Love the idea of sconces as well, but perhaps we can rethink sconces for the sides of our couch?! That could be neat. (And LOVE Schoolhouse, obviously.)ReplyCancel

      • Erin@Suburban Bitches10.2.14 - 4:09 PM

        Oh yes, sconces on the side of the couch would be great too! I’m pretty much pushing Schoolhouse Electric sconces on anyone who will listen because I can’t find the right spot for them in my house but I LUV them!ReplyCancel

  • Staci @ My Friend Staci10.2.14 - 11:07 AM

    Oh, man! This rules, and the view from the blue couch into the nook, plus the gallery wall, is perfection! I want to hang out in your house so bad!ReplyCancel

  • julie10.2.14 - 11:36 AM

    Everything old is new again — best thing about reupholstering is that you get a classic, well-built piece of furniture and yet with some new fabric it becomes made just for you. Hooray, they look fantastic!

    Thanks for the part in the previous post about the scratch test. I have a couple of chairs that I have wanted two recover but I was afraid to for fear of the furry squatters in my house recreating them in their taste.ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 2:37 PM

      No problem! I should also admit… just last night, it survived a red wine spill with no issues! This fabric is a champ.ReplyCancel

  • Rachel10.2.14 - 11:44 AM

    The living room looks freaking awesome!! I’m a huge fan of mustard but I agree that with the couch and rug it would have been waaaay too much. Ahhhh I just love your guys’ whole aesthetic so much! The house is looking amazing!ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 12:05 PM

      Thanks, guys! Rachel, yeah, it’s definitely an outside-of-our-comfort-zone aesthetic, but we’re having fun experimenting!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah10.2.14 - 12:34 PM

    I absolutely adore the chairs and love the fact that Sunbrella is now making such great/simple options. BUT, I’m mainly commenting because I have to know where the cat pillow is from?! It’s unbelievable.

    I love your style.ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 12:45 PM

      Isn’t it hilarious?! I got it from H&M a long, long time ago, but it doesn’t look like they sell it anymore, sadly.ReplyCancel

  • Nikky10.2.14 - 12:43 PM

    I love, love, love the fabric you chose for the chairs and how well it coordinates with the blue velvet couch I adore.ReplyCancel

  • Carolyn10.2.14 - 1:09 PM

    I love that smooshy-face cat pillow. Remember where it was from?ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.2.14 - 1:59 PM

      We picked it up from H&M a long time ago – sadly, it doesn’t look available anymore.ReplyCancel

  • Liz10.2.14 - 8:08 PM

    Those chairs turned out incredible! Did they have to replace the seat cushions or were you able to use the ones that were on the chairs?

    I have two 1960s chairs to recover in a threadbare silk fabric but I can already see that the foam has turned orange and is disintegrating underneath and it will all have to be replaced, adding to the cost! Why oh why is it so expensive to reupholster stuff??

    On another note, where did you order the Sunbrella fabric from?ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.3.14 - 8:59 AM

      Once they got them completely uncovered, it was obvious they needed to replace all the foam as well, which added $50 to the upholstery cost for reach chair. It was a bummer, BUT by replacing all the foam, the old musty smell went away once and for all! We picked up the fabric from Housefabric.com, but I don’t see it on their site anymore. At the time, it was much less expensive than the same fabric from Fabric.com!ReplyCancel

  • Melanie @ Pebbledashedpad10.3.14 - 1:19 AM

    I love them!! I have three junk shop chairs I’d like recovered and have been holding back terrified of cost and also a bit at sea regarding what kind of fabric/colours I should go with. I’ve got some pics here….if you have any advice/suggestions I’d be all ears!
    http://pebbledashedpad.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/the-kitchen-cosy-corner-before-and-after/

    (I’m based in London though so sadly can’t nick the name of your upholsterer!)ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.3.14 - 8:54 AM

      Those are all so beautiful! Because they’re all such classic shapes, I’d stick with a subtle solid colored fabric (in other words, no geometric prints or loud colors) – but that’s just what I would do! Go with YOUR gut ;)ReplyCancel

  • Tori10.3.14 - 8:20 AM

    It looks great you guys! The room is really coming together. I like the green chair in the nook because it is so monochrome with the paint color. Looks cool!ReplyCancel

  • Jodi10.3.14 - 1:17 PM

    the chairs look fantastic!!ReplyCancel

  • Trude10.3.14 - 5:57 PM

    So lovely! The new fabric really helps to show off the shape – the curve of the back when seen from the side is so unusual!ReplyCancel

  • Rachel @ My Two Pitties10.4.14 - 4:41 PM

    They look awesome! Love the whole room, those are totally my favorite colors! Love the artwork too:)ReplyCancel

  • KRT10.5.14 - 8:58 PM

    Hey guys! Love the chairs so much! Question about pets: do your dogs jump up and put their paws on your nice, new, white window sills? How do you pet proof everything from claws/paw prints? Our dog knows better than to do it when we are home, but when we’re gone the rules go out the window!ReplyCancel

    • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode10.6.14 - 7:45 AM

      Hey KRT – I’m not Kim, but your problem is one I’m so familiar with! Because I’ve always rented, I’ve had to be super careful about dog claws on window sills. Years ago I actually trained my dogs to step their front feet up onto a little foot stool so they could see out without having to be on the window sill. It worked like a charm! I can share a link to a little video post about how I did it, if Kim is ok with that. I don’t want to hijack her comment thread :)ReplyCancel

      • Kim10.6.14 - 10:43 AM

        Jane, please share the link! KRT, we don’t have too many issues, but of course we need to wipe them down when we clean other areas of the home. I like Jane’s idea though!ReplyCancel

  • Jean10.6.14 - 9:50 AM

    I just had to chime in to say I love the shape of these chairs, and the fabric you picked out with that texture is just perfect. Love watching your space come together!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah12.13.14 - 12:34 PM

    Where did you get the clock?! I have been looking for something wood and special for our living room, and just haven’t been able to find that special clock yet.ReplyCancel

  • Katie3.29.15 - 10:28 AM

    I keep coming back to this post – we have a pair of mid century Craigslist chairs that we would like to reupholster. I’ve gotton so many fabric samples, including the same fabric that you used. I’m unsure about it with just the sample in person, but love the way your chairs look in the photos.. Have you been happy with the fabric choice? Has it held up well? With pets and a toddler, I like the fact that it should be more stain resistant. My husband is also concerned that they will feel like outdoor furniture…ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.30.15 - 9:52 AM

      Hi Katie, all great questions. We personally loved the look of the sample, but I can see where you might have some hesitation. That slight slub contrast can sort of look a bit intense in a small swatch, but once it’s on a whole chair, it adds a lot more interest than just having a pair of regular gray chairs.

      It doesn’t FEEL like outdoor fabric in the sense that it’s super stiff, because it’s NOT, but it does feel thick and durable. Sort of like upholstery grade canvas. When friends come over and sit in these chairs, they always, always comment on how comfortable they are (which could be because of the shape as well) and ask WHERE DID YOU GET THESE?!

      And because it IS outdoor fabric, they have held up so well! I’m wiping up dog slobber on the daily, and one of our cats has tried to sharpen her claws on the top and they look as good as the day we got them. The slight pattern in the fabric also hides pet hair very well.

      In other words, we couldn’t be happier. We’re trying to decide on a fabric for the Milo chair we purchased to go in the adjacent reading nook. Scott wants to use the SAME fabric again, if that says anything! (I, on the other hand, am leaning towards pink velvet. Because, pink!)ReplyCancel

  • […] Yellow Brick Home […]ReplyCancel

  • Ali1.24.18 - 12:58 PM

    Hello! I’m really hoping you’ll answer a comment on a 4 year old post! I’m looking everywhere for the dinosaur and ostrich prints you have above the velvet sofa. Please let me know where I can find – I absolutely love them! Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • Bess4.5.19 - 12:54 PM

    Hi – not sure if you will answer on an old post, but I love that rug in your photos. Where did you get it?ReplyCancel

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