Friday, May 17, 2019

Curbside Find: A set of Louis XVI French Chairs


 In a bizarre and fortunate twist of fate, there is an update to the story of how I found this
one French chair in front of someone's house waiting for the trash truck. I scooped it up and felt 
very lucky indeed.  Fast forward almost one year to the day, I was driving by the same house
and what astonishing sight to my eyes did appear??
 Four more of the chairs that matched the original curbside treasure I hauled away!
How could this be? It was truly amazing, and even though I was driving my mother in law's 
small Ford Fusion, and not my pickup truck, I lurched to the curb and jumped out.
It was tricky to stuff all four chairs into such a small car, and I was glad I didn't have the baby or any
dogs with me, as they all just barely fit.  Now they are safely ensconced in a storage trailer waiting
to be reupholstered and restored for our lake house (that has not been built yet, haha).
 So the pondering began....what did I want the chairs to look like, and what did I think 
the lake house decor would look like?  The general idea in my mind is to have it be more cottage
style than French style, so the right fabric and finish on the frame would be critical to the look.
For over a year I have been admiring the fabrics designed by Paula Arndt, of LilyOake on Spoonflower.  Paula has created a bunch of designs fit for an updated Swedish cottage look which could work perfectly.
One of my favorites is this small check in a color called faded blueberry.
I brought in a chair and taped the sample to the back. Maybe I will have a coordinating fabric
on the front of the chair with the check on the seat and the back.  Lots to think about,
and it is one of the most pleasant parts of decorating....the pondering.

To give you an idea of how it could look, take a peek at 
Ballard Designs, with a similar French chair in a painted finish
with a gingham or checked fabric.  

But gasp, look at the price!  It would cost $2296 for five chairs
finished in this fabric and finish.  Right now the base chair is on 
sale for $399, still a fortune compared to FREE on the curb and the 
cost of a yard and a half of fabric per chair.

You could pay that for a set of 6 real antique French chairs on first dibs!



These were a few of my very favorite fabrics.  I have learned over the years 
as a window treatment designer and interior decorator that checks and stripes will
always stay in favor with a homeowner over a floral or patterned fabric.
And I plan to have these chairs for a very long time....
Even so I love the Lily of the Valley pattern, as that is a flower I adore, and 
one rarely seen in fabrics and wallpaper.

So the solution is easy....put that darling pattern on a ballroom chair and 
I can have my cake and eat it too!! 

Read about the day I found the first French chair here.

6 comments:

  1. OMGOSH! There has to be one more of those chairs hidden away in that house! LOL You certainly had the 'luck o'the Irish'on those finds! I like checks and stripes but I also love florals. What a fun decision to have to make! xoDiana

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  2. Wow, Amy, people sure do throw out nice things in your neck of the woods!

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  3. Can't wait to see everything Amy. I love Lily of the Valley too.

    Have a super weekend

    Cindy

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  4. What you love will always be in style in your own home.
    Janet xx

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  5. You were meant to have those chairs and them being there at the right time that you drove by!!!...Divine intervention I say! I love the fabrics and have really forgot about Spoonflower...they are actually located in my neck of the woods!....are all the patterns by the same designer?...and I must say that I am partial to Lily of the Valley too....so glad you are putting it on that fabulous chair and are you thinking about pillows too?

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