Chair Addiction ... The Reality!

Hi My name is Kim Macumber and I have a Chair (and possible sofa!) Addiction.  And no matter how many steps I go through ... I am not certain I will every overcome this.

Some people (my Husband) might call this hoarding.  I have no idea what he is thinking.

I am saving history and being the most "green" a person can be.  Repurposing.  Whether I have the immediate purpose or not.  That is NOT the point.

So ... back to my addiction ... as I might not be the only one with this I thought I should share a little "new" source for you.  

This is a Louis XVI settee ... you know how I know this?  Well, I just know this ... but you know how I can find out things I don't know about styles and era's? I go here.

Perhaps you just buy things because you like them?  I have no issue with this.  You don't really care whether the styles you love are Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI, or Baroque.

But maybe when you are sitting around with the gals having a few glasses of wine, you cannot imagine the delight you will see in their eyes when you announce that you picked up this fabulous Louis XVI Chair over the weekend for a steal ... they will get wide-eyed with the whole mystery of the thing.

My husband does not give me this reaction.  You need serious friends for this!

This is a 1960 reproduction of a Bergère ... that was from my parents home.  Free to me.

And when I got it ... brown paisley.  Not my scene.

The orange leather hide was a find for $85.00 while looking for something completely different.  That is when it happens.  I had no idea what the future held for it.  But then there it was.  You can read more about this chair's adventure here.  And yes, I particularly like real furniture in the yard.

Then these two ... Fauteuils which I found at Brimfield.  I paid $250 for the pair.  I didn't haggle at all.  I was a neophyte.  My first Brimfield trip and my first ever purchase there.  I was in unknown territory and I wanted them.  Badly.  

All re-done and Red Cat Like.  

Once I started getting the hang of things I started working the system. 

 I am still uncomfortable with this.  Louis XVI Settee for $300.  Scored it for $150.  Erin was with me and we found this disaster in the field.  When I was taking it apart to recover it I found a petrified mouse.  No lie.  I immediately took it to my professional.  Some things you just have to send to others. 

 I know my limit.

I had this done for Erin's room.  She loves it and I know it will travel with her through life. All remnants of the mouse are long gone.

We had it recovered (re-built!) in an embroidered white cotton to keep it fun and flirty.  The best part is that she was with me when we were loading up the car with crazy items.  This was the last piece ... we made it fit.  You can read about this here.

So ... in my beautiful world ...  she will remember our adventure that day every time she looks or sits in this settee.  The Best part.

I have been a long supporter and shopper on OKL ... but now love the fact that they are not only a good shopping resource but you can actually learn a little about all the fabulous things that draw your attention.

Makes the whole game more fun!  Thanks OKL!

Next time your looking for something specific or want to know what it is that you have and love.  You have a new resource.  Use it!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Antique vs. Reproduction

Which would you prefer? I would prefer the real thing ... but like all else, it takes a large budget to always get the original.  So I have learned ... and actually have fun ... mixing the two and enjoying pulling them all together.  I try to encourage clients and friends ... and myself ... to consider "investment" pieces.  Those that you know are classic (to you, not style) and that will always make you happy. Not the trendy.  Spend the money on the investment pieces and then play around a little with the accessories or particular fun object that you won't feel guilty about giving up later in life!

What prompted this recent thought process?  The new Restoration Hardware Book that just arrived.  I found this settee.  I have a fondness for settees.

The Reproduction:

The hunt at antique fairs and markets is my passion.  I am still learning and educating myself on what is truly an antique and how to recognized one when I see it.  Mostly because I would like to know, but if I like it and think the price right on that particular day ... I buy it ... and am happy!  Antique or not.

Here's my "somewhat" antique, all freshened up!

This was one of my purchases at Brimfield Antique Fair this past Summer.  It is OLD ... but I don't know how old ... and perhaps it is an old reproduction ... but I call it Antique!

Here's where it began ... I know I keep taking you to these photos of Brimfield ... but this was a good day!!

And here is what the inside looked like when I attempted to DIY this thing ...

I found gross things inside ... I took it to my upholsterer!!

This was one of my inspiration photos for Erin's Room ...

I am close to being done ... the bedding is killing me ... I can't get it right.  Stay tuned!

What's holding you back????

xo,

kim

Erin's Room ... Before and Inspiration

I have a million things to do this week ... I am headed out of town to spend the weekend with Erin at Auburn and visit my sweet parents.  Thanksgiving is next week, I have things to do!  

But instead, I am inspired to re-decorate Erin's bedroom!!  

Do you ever just get an inspiration and you have to act on it ... well, that was my day!!  I think that happens when I should be doing something else.  My sort of procrastination I suppose!

Here is Erin's bedroom ... in transition anyway ... she left for college two years ago.  This is the leftover stuff!  I told you yesterday that "Black and White" is one of my favorite colors. Well, this bed ensemble is "Black and Cream" ... NOT one of my favorite colors!  The walls are "mushroom" ... they actually look much better in real life.  They look peachy here.

I painted the desk and chair for her room when she was six ... think it's time to move it on???  The Starfish art ... one has fallen off!  Also, will you take a look at the light fixture.  It looks like Saturn. 

 So many things to do in here!

Here's where it starts ...

Found these Curtain panels at West Elm ... light gray ... very fun and very reasonable!  Also, this
"circle" fabric at JoAnn's ... on sale of course!  Don't ever buy anything there for full price ... they always have a 50% off sale ... just be patient!

So ... cornices out of the circle fabric and the West Elm panels.  They will have to be shortened which means I will have enough for two pillow shams and a little "fun" for the settee ... see below!

Then, in place of the sweet little girl desk ... this settee. Remember when I got this over the summer at Brimfield? Well, it is going here ... covered in the circle fabric with the extra West Elm fabric on the back.  A little more sophisticated than the desk!  When Erin moves on to her own place after college, I am sure she will take it all with her!!

Now, for the fun.  This settee ... I am going to attempt to re-upholster it myself!  Check out a "how to" on My Crafty Home Life ... You will find a step by step guide on how to do a chair ... this is just a big chair ... right??  You will enjoy Linda's blog ... lots of fun and beautiful ideas!

Also, pop over to Tobi Fairley's blog and if you are so inspired enter her DIY contest!  I'll be entering the settee ... wish me luck!!

My goal is to have this room done in 3 weeks ... Look for an "After" post on Wednesday December 7. That is my self inflicted deadline.  Erin will be home on the 11th.

Now, to put together the grocery list for Thanksgiving ... I have managed to put it off all day!!

xo,

kim