Chair Reflections from 2017

Well, it’s that time of year to reflect on some of my favorite makeovers and I’ve got plenty to choose from! It’s been a busy year, and I feel truly blessed to have had so much business. 

I completed many different fun dining sets, so it’s not possible to cover all of them. But here are a few that really spoke to me. This first one used a combination of ethnic prints that we ordered online and paired with solid velvet seats. The dark blue paint helps the fabrics stand out. 

I love Otomi embroidered fabric! This one was the nicest Otomi embroidery I’ve ever seen with small animals, insects, and plants. The bright blue paint worked perfectly with the fabric and the yellow faux leather seats. 

What fun I had with mixing fabrics for a couple in Dallas. This set below mostly consisted of fabrics by Dana Gibson

I can’t forget this amazing floral by Designer’s Guild. There were so many flowers to choose from to make each chair unique. Dreamy! 

This was a new take on the eclectic style as I mixed both original grain sack designs with vintage-inspired new fabrics. The paint was distressed and the seats on the armless chairs took on different shades of velvet that complimented the tops.  

This super fun set went to a nail salon in Utah. The fabric was a bold black and white with a purple rose sprinkled throughout. 

This embroidered fabric was a show-stopper for me. I couldn’t get enough of the bold colors on a grey background. I paired it with a durable velvet on the seat. 

I designed several eclectic sets of chairs this past year. It never gets old figuring out how to put together chairs that look different enough from one another, and yet still go together as a set. 

I delivered a farmhouse set of chairs to my friend Sara in Louisiana. She was just finishing up her farmhouse restoration home project and these French antique chairs just made the space. 

I got a little brave and used a new textile on these balloon back chairs. These consisted of two frazada rugs made in Peru. I love the stripes and fun they bring to a space. 

Sometimes clients order end chairs for their dining space, and this is one example of that. The seats were dressed in a luxurious teal velvet and the tops had a beautiful floral. The grey paint was a perfect backdrop for the fabric. 

I did several chairs using one of my favorite artist’s fabrics, Kim Parker.  Remember the trio of chairs blog about  the Three Sisters?  All these are full velvet with solid seats so they wouldn’t compete with the fabulous tops!

Of course the backside is also from the same collection of fabrics that you can find here

My favorite Kim Parker fabric in linen is this one and I used it several ways this years. These two are paired with an animal print in red on the backside and a dark blue paint all over.

I love the preppy look and this same linen floral pairs great with checks. Here I’ve got it on an antiqued white chair and a pink seat. 

And, of course my latest blog showed the same fabric with faux leather seats to make it durable for kids. I used a buttermilk yellow milk paint for this one. 

This past summer, I was tasked with the opportunity to create some special boho pieces for a clothing market in Las Vegas. I went with two arm chairs, two armless chairs, and a settee to round out the set. The wood was stripped to give it a relaxed feel while keeping the French and Victorian vibe mixed with ethnic fabrics from around the globe. 

Otomi fabric from Mexico was dynamic on this chair created especially for a Frida room in a client’s home. The colors really get a chance to pop against the black frame. 

I did countless cowhide chairs this year too. This was one of the more unusual ones because of the antique chair frame. 

Sometimes the best shot for a chair is the backside. Here’s a few of my favorites. This past October, I participated in Hospice Austin’s Beauty of Life auction. This chair below featured a Dorothy Draper fabric on a stripped down antique frame.

I found this super fun fabric at an antique flea market. It was a one-of-a-kind quilt made from scraps. I knew it would make an amazing upholstery and I convinced a client to let me use it for her special chair.  Again, the dark blue paint frames in the variety of colors. 

This fabric has been discontinued, but I had some left over from a previous project. It’s a huge print, but it worked perfectly on this small vanity chair. I love the back so much!

My final makeover was this mongolian hide with a furry top and silver hide arms on a black gloss frame. It’s a great way to end the year and invites celebrating. 

Here’s to 2017! It’s been a crazy busy year, and I’m not complaining!  I’m looking forward to a spectacular 2018 and all the great things the new year will bring. Cheers!
 
 
 
 
 

Wendy

I'm Wendy Conklin, The Chair Stylist.

What brings me joy is helping others live more creatively. I design antique-inspired, boutique chairs, and I teach others how to do what I do. Check out my shop, services, and courses to bring more whimsy into your home and life!

Check out my online courses to spark your creativity and upgrade your joy, starting today!

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