Before and After: Houndstooth Chair

This is an oldy but goody from back when I wasn't writing a blog. But as I sat in this very chair having my OJ this morning, I realized I'd never given her a proper "before & after" on the blog. It all started with this image from Cottage Living (RIP...sadness...)



I'm so angry I threw out all my Cottage Livings and don't have a larger picture of this room. It was an adorable kid's room with some great, sophisticated pieces like that Victorian style chair in an unexpected, huge houndstooth print. Of course, a quick look at the sources revealed that this fabric was something like $45/yard. Which then of course prompted a 3 week long search for a similar fabric that wouldn't break the bank. I finally hit pay dirt at House of Fabric with a $9.95/yd pattern. Sadly they don't seem to have this same chenille weave cream/chocolate houndstooth in stock anymore. But they do have some fun large scale houndstooths to pick from here.

Then a few days later the stars really aligned when I found this chair at a local Ship on Site for $50.


It was a horrendous, split pea soup green damask but I loved the shape and the tufting on the back. Despite its age, it looked brand new. I'm sure it had been sitting in some sweet Grannie's parlor room covered in plastic for 50 years. {Aside: There was a matching, 3 cushion sofa that went with this chair for $75 and I have forever regretted not bringing home with me.}

So large houndstooth fabric + $50 chair =

I painted out the wood in a chocolate brown paint that coordinated better with the houndstooth I thought. Then my upholsterer finished her up and added nail head trim. Total cost, including upholstery services = $270.

It's moved around the house quite a bit but currently sits in our breakfast nook with a leather club chair friend. Together the two make up what we call our "Starbucks corner". As we start down the path toward high chairs and Cheerios, we'll be turning this corner into an actual breakfast nook with a table so she'll be making another move...final destination unknown.