Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Chairman of the room























Trust me, you cannot truly see the T.L.C. of this chair, the upholstery is ready for a lift, ready for a freshening up.  As my thoughts turn to spring cleaning and giving the house a good scrubbing, my "to do" list includes reupholstering this chair.  Any suggestions for fabric, something bold or beige?  I am thinking a fun stripe or a fab print and then I wimp out and say what about a chic neutral.  This chair is a "Baker" and sits in my living room.  My husband and I bought it when we lived in the city, b.c. - (before children.)  My sofa is a sage green velveteen. As much as I love white or light upholstery, my life with three children and one dog, (see his head peaking  from his bed, bottom left corner) requires something a bit sturdier and something perhaps to endure lots of wear and tear.  Just like a chairman needs to reside, govern and provide counsel, this chairman of the room does provide a spot for reading and solving world problems.  























I recently found this lamp at a local shop and knew it would add a fresh vibe to this spot. 
The fabric shade makes me smile.  I want my sad old chairman of the room to smile again.  
Even he looks like the economy of time has taken it's toll, no matter how resilient a character.
Love to have your input.

33 comments:

Debra said...

Love your old gentleman chairman.
I'm thinking something fun and sassy~Anna would certainly show some wonderful choices on her blog.
Even the most genteel of chairmen would want to don smething bold for the coming of spring and summer.

pve design said...

Debra,
oh yes, that Anna, would have the perfect prescription to make this chair feel young again.
thanks-
pve

Anonymous said...

Hm..I like it the way it is, but I do understand that you want to upholster it. Upholstering in my opinion, takes away the Soul it has gotten over the years. For me it takes ages to decide what to do with such things. I don't know, does this make any sense to you??

Some advise? I would go for heavy linen / flax? (your husband), neutral colour (for you) and an additional colourful cushion (for the kids).
So the wood, combined with a thick natural fabric and a cheerful touch would be something I like. Bet hey.....it's all about you!! I'm curious how the end result will be.

pve design said...

C.T.-
thanks, I like the way that sounds. A heavy Belgian Linen and then the pillow could pack the punch.
thanks-
pve

heidi said...

I can't wait to see the re-do. Love the lamp! xoh

Kwana said...

I'm loving C.T.'s idea of the flax. You can always add a whimsical pillow to change things around. You don't want to go too crazy. I love that chair. What is the hubby thinking or are you surprising him?

ralph and martha said...

I love the Belgian linen idea - I just did this in my living room - flax colored slipcover on my grandmother's old reading chair. I made an apple green rectangle shaped pillow to accent it. I enjoy the history and the update. I an adoring your lampshade pattern,I can see why you chose it! Hope you are well!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

I say go for a print to hide the inevitable dirt -what about a green and white pattern similar to that lampshade?

Anonymous said...

Love all those green accent colors you use in your interior.

Good Luck with the Re-Do!

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

PVE- love your room- the natural light looks glorious. The lamp shade is great, and I just used that on an old family antique in a clients sunroom-it is a Thomas Paul fabric(duralee) There is a Chanelesque fabric(the handbag) called Babes Tweed-the colorway is Granny Smith and designed by Jamie Drake (for heavy duty you might want to knit back it) There is also another Scumacher indoor/outdoor(iron) graphic diamond pattern that is called Tortola-Kiwi( this will be an ottoman in the same room I am at work on) Happy Decorating.

Formerly known as Frau said...

I love the lamp shade, can you find something along those lines?

Mrs. Limestone said...

I can't really see the chair well in the photo but if you are going to keep in near the lamp, what about painting the frame with a pale green and upholstering the chair in cream?

Love that lamp shade. But of course you knew I would :)

GrannySmithGreen said...

Call me boring. I'd go with a neutral or solid. I heard someone once say, "stand back a few feet and squint at the fabric you are considering. If it appears to be a solid block of color when you squint--it's 'solid'". I thought that was interesting advice, but good. With a neutral or so-called solid, you can add the punch of color or pattern to the bolster pillow. How fun would it be to change it our seasonally--the spring pillow, etc. What do you think?

Kasey said...

I just love that lamp shade....
xo

littlebyrd said...

Oh geez, that is tough. I love the chair - beauitful lines! I just don't know what I would do. I am sure whatever choice you make it will be fabulous!

Liz said...

Whenever I see green(lamp and couch) I think red, or some shade thereof. I love the salmon shade of red this spring and have seen it on many new purses. But i know there are more neutral shades that may work. Get some paint samples and lay them out on the chair and have the kids pick their top two favorite colors. Gee that sounds like a lot more fun than actually getting it upholstered. I like C.T's idea too and you could get one of the purse lady's fabrics to complement shade and chair.

Joyce said...

I agree with Deb, his new coat should be something fun, bright and sassy! Something to compliment the the misses. I do love the gentleman's structure and even his current coat. His coat I'm sure holds many memories. Keep us posted! xoxo

London Calling said...

I was going to suggest a greige linen and a punchy print on a pillow to complement your new fabulous lamp. Looks like others are on my wavelength. Smiles, LC

Michelle said...

I like the idea of another solid...maybe Robert Allen's Cashmina in grey. It's manly, but I like it too! LOL

It's a goreous chair! How did the DR chandelier go? Did you have it refinished?

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, a print. Definitely a print!

Leciawp said...

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Jackie said...

Love your lamp! I have the same fabric as the shade on a pillow in my daughter Kara's room (except in lavender)from Thomas Paul. I think the chair looks very cozy, and I would choose a fun, funky fabric like this: http://premierprintsfabric.com/ann.shtml

Good luck choosing! I have a chair that needs to be to and I am having a heckofa time choosing.

tyler said...

hmmm, love the lines of your old 'chairman'. is it currently leather? i tend to default to the neutral chic and accent with pillows and new lampshades (love it by the way). to pair with the print and the green velvetine (and keeping the kid/dog factor in mind) what about a textured chocolate? love the deep hue and the contrast it would provide. we have a sofa of similar fabric and it wears very well and always looks crisp. can't wait to see what you do.

Laura said...

I've been into greens and oranges lately...maybe sort of darker burnt sort of orange color would be cool? Not too crazy, but something new...

pve design said...

Who said that it was hard to find good help, was wrong. My Mother always told me to never be afraid to seek good counsel and to ask for help, and I thank each of you for your kind help, I am going to mull all this over and let you know what I finally choose.
The fabric was black, a black geometric jacquard but has faded...
thanks so much for all your great advice.
I feel so fortunate to have help!
pve

rebecca said...

I love that lamp, Patricia!

I also adore seeing your dog in the wee corner of the chair picture. Too cute!

I can't wait to see what you do with the chair.

annechovie said...

Love your lamp and esp. the perky shade! I would go with a similar solid green for the chair.

Renae Moore said...

Patricia...I so understand what you are saying. I have sent you two pictures of fabrics that I just happened to have on hand for clients....one a blue paisley with a green that should go with sage and the other a stripe! I agree with you about kids and dogs...while the linens and lighter colors are refreshing, not practical with real life. I look forward to seeing what you decide!
Blessings...

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I think you could do white pleather. My friends did and it looks fabulous (rich, not cheesy. I swear!). Plus pleather wipes clean with a sponge. :-) And the light fabric would show off the fabulous wood work. If I had legs that good I’d wear white all the time! ;-)

We Blog Artists said...

CONGRATULATIONS PVE!!!!
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Char

Mary-Laure said...

I can picture Benjy curled up in that chair for his nap!

N said...

I love this lamp! Was it there on my last visit? Surely I would have seen it.

And you know I think that chair is wonderful. I say...some fabulous stripes. Totally transform it and will add some pep. Or something very springy, such as a granny-smith apple print. Completely take it elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

i love that lamp!!!

and i love the header you made for miss camilla!