Mixing wicker with traditional

11 years ago

I have always wanted wicker furniture. So when I saw an 8 piece grouping at a consignment shop for 250.00, I jumped at the chance. Never mind that many of the pieces needed repair to the wicker:) I went online and found a distributor of rattan or reed (I'm still not sure what it's made of). It was a challenge for me at first to create a system for wrapping the reed and gluing/stapling where needed. I was so proud when I finished the last piece. My husband then spray painted all of the pieces with a good semi-gloss paint. The results were more than I expected.

Now I have a few pieces in the sun room and my husband informs me that he really doesn't like wicker, but will not complain as long as we keep the two wing chairs (which I will have recovered).

My design questions are: 1) How do I coordinate the fabric to be used on the wing chairs with new cushions I will need for wicker chairs? 2) Does the wicker work with the metal table and chairs on the opposite side of the room? 3) How is the flow from sun room to dining area?

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Mary McKenna
Original Author

8 years ago

Thank you, Johncar. I am using the wicker outside and have replaced them with these chairs.

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Comments (12)

Heidi Timmons_Owens
11 years ago
Oh, Mary, I love wicker, too. But, honey, the wicker doesn't look good here (at all). Can you use it in another room or location? The only thing I can think of is to recover those armchairs in a royal blue and get some royal blue cushions on the wicker, but honestly, it just doesn't go together.
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
You have done a wonderful job. Love white wicker when it's on a porch with other light colors. But given your room decor and colors, I would definitely paint them brown. I know you just painted them. It's a modern take on wicker, will work better with your decor; then just add plain beige cushions. Second alternative is to spray paint the metal set white and reuphoster the seats in a lighter color, keep wicker white and have the wing backs slipcovered in white. Cushions on wicker and on dining seats should be coordinated. [houzz=
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Mary McKenna
Original Author
11 years ago
Heidi, While I am so sad that they don't go together, I appreciate your honesty. What if I get rid of the wing chairs? I could have them reupholstered to fit into the master bedroom. Then I replace them with the white wicker loveseat I still haven't moved into the house.
Mary McKenna
Original Author
11 years ago
Maureen, I don't think I better ask Hubby to re-paint the wicker:) I could convince him to move the wing chairs to our master bedroom however. I also have a wicker loveseat that is part of the original set. I still have the question about how to coordinate the fabrics on wicker with fabric on chair covers that go with table. They are easy to do, so I could recover them.
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Cushions for the wicker may be easier to find in a plain fabric and select based on colors in wingbacks (if keeping there). For your dining seats select any pattern that includes a color or two in your wingbacks and the wicker cushions. Think also about purchasing more fabric and make pillows that you could add to the wicker.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I hate to agree but adding the wicker anywhere close to the glass and metal table is going to clash. I'm usually all for mixing woods, styles and just about anything else but I'm afraid that none of your existing pieces are playing well with the wicker. Unfortunately, the wicker is tipping your other furniture into the realm of hodgepodge not eclectic. Even removing the wing chairs is not going to do the job.

Painting might help if you can convince hubby the white was really just a primer coat (?) but I'm afraid even that isn't going to do the trick. You said you have eight pieces of the wicker. Do you have an extra bedroom or study that you can "wicker up"?
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Or....use all eight pieces in the sunroom and remove the wingbacks and metal table. If you could find a glass table of the right height to accommodate a few of the wicker chairs for seating.
hatetoshop
11 years ago
If keeping the wing backs here, I like Maureen's slipcover suggestion -- it would give the chairs a much-needed casual feel. You might also want to change you rug to something more casual as well.
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Mary McKenna
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank all of you for your suggestions and frankness. It's given me a lot to think about. I may remove all wicker and use on the back and front decks. If I do that, what would work with the wing chairs, or should I get rid of those and start over?
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
See ideas for wing chair slip covers and adding an ottman might be an idea as well. Whatever color you are using to reupholster the dining chairs, incorporate in wing back. Good luck.
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johncar889
8 years ago
You can mix upholstery with wicker in a room with the right combinations. First try keeping the wing back chairs. I would spray the wicker brown. If the table set looks odd with the brown wicker chairs replace the chairs and I think it would all work fine.

I have attached a sunroom with a paisley chair and wicker chairs (only one chair shows) done in a red & green combo. The end tables need to be replaced but I think the chairs work fine. I like the mix.