Would this be too bold on two overstuffed chairs?

14 years ago

I'm looking for a fabric that won't show dirt and my husband can't imagine anything with a pattern on these chairs. They will go next to a white twill, slipcovered sofa with sisal rug and dark hardwood floors.

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Featured Answer

feeny

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

In terms of design, yes. The chairs will look lovely in that fabric and the fact that there aren't other prints in the room to compete is certainly a benefit. However, let me suggest that you talk to your husband about it and assess just how much he objects to the use of this pattern (or any pattern) on the chairs. As I've mentioned in this forum before, my husband and I have a decorating veto policy. Anything one of us truly hates that the other proposes can be vetoed without further debate. We just move on to other possible choices, and this way no one has to prove the other is wrong or has bad taste. We use our vetoes sparingly, but I think they foster compromise, which has kept us decorating together happily for more than 30 years. I don't believe people should be forced to live surrounded by design choices they truly don't like. But maybe, if offered a veto, he'll think carefully about whether he is only objecting because he didn't like the last fabric pattern. Anyway, for what it's worth, that's my marital (as opposed to design) advice.

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Comments (13)

PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
14 years ago
If the chairs are not too large, this fabric should look splendid. If you could send a picture of the chairs along, we could give a more informed opinion.
PRO
Cynthia Taylor-Luce
14 years ago
A compromise you might find safer would be to use this fabric on the back cushions only OR to make the chairs entirely out of a solid fabric and put separate accent cushions in this fabric on them.

Personally, I love pattern and I would upholster them in the print.
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lefty47
14 years ago
HI --- Go for it -- just make sure the medallion is centered . But if we had seen a picture of the chairs that would make for a better not blind answer.
mjmil
14 years ago
I think this fabric is great and would look beautiful with the other elements in your room.
christamac
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for your feedback! Here's a (blurry) photo. Do you still think it will work?
PRO
Cynthia Taylor-Luce
14 years ago
Absolutely yes.
christamac
Original Author
14 years ago
The toile has to go because it's stained and my husband thinks it's too busy.
PRO
Cynthia Taylor-Luce
14 years ago
An alternative would be to cover the chairs in that lovely aqua and make new large down-filled cushions for the couch out of the print. If your husband thinks that toile is too busy, he might find the print too much when it's cut up by all the different surfaces of the chair.

If you do reupholster the chairs in the print, you can pay extra for flow-matching but it's kind of an old fashioned approach. How ever they are reupholstered, both chairs should match identically.
mjmil
14 years ago
I still think it would look great. Cynthia's idea of a solid aqua with the fabric as pillows is also a good choice. Although, I kinda of like that fabric on the chairs.
lefty47
14 years ago
HI -- Now that I've seen the chairs , yes it would work BUT , because the fabric is so bold and the pattern of the fabric is timely maybe not using it for the whole chair is the better way to go . Do the chair in a basic color and use the print for some zippered cushion covers. Then when that fabric becomes dated in a few years then they can be taken off and replaced without having to do a full recover.The fabric might be too much for your husband's taste if the whole chair was that pattern.
christamac
Original Author
14 years ago
You are so right. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback.
N A
13 years ago
Anyone know the size of the medallion?