If they don’t work with the new look or you hate them get rid of them sell them on ebay or send to a second hand store

Those have never been attractive chairs, and there are so many beautiful chairs to pick from out there.

Looking at this settee's fabric, wondering if a small-medium print in neutral might not work... bit busy though.... maybe paint the current fabric a bright fun color.

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What if you reupholstered them? While it won't change their size it could dramatically affect their appearance. It might make a good compromise. Certainly something you two could do together for very modest price.

It sounds like a marital issue not a designing one :). What if you find a suitable replacement that you both love? So that your husband doesn't feel he is giving up something he loves.

Alternatively, you could recover the seat for the short term to make them look less tired, and/or find another place in your home for them ... like a game table in the basement, or as side chairs in a spare bedroom or den.

I like compromises. They mean both parties are willing to see something a bit differently. In that spirit, I would deconstruct what made these interesting to you in the first place -a sense of detail, patina, craftsmanship - and give it modern reference, for juxtaposition. That would mean artisanal modern, to me.

That direction also highlights the question of the sentimental value of the chairs vs the ease of their replacement, so it may be of more use to you in making short shrift of their further discussion. :)

studio, I've read your comments here and there - photo? bright fabric? what modern....

'its' what .... value idk.

I'm all about working with what you have- reupholstering sounds like a great idea! Maybe put covers on the back of the chair or possibly repainting it to give it a brighter and newer finish.

If they seem too big for the table possibly place them as its own fixture in the living room or bedroom, as a piece of decor.

You can "funk" them up with bright paint and a fun fabric. Here are old chairs painted white with fresh fabric. The head chairs are similar to yours.

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like the song, Funky Town....

The screen blacked out mid sentence. It should read more like English now!!

More painted chairs like yours. You won't get much selling them so it's worth a try painting and reupholstering. (Scissors, fabric, staple gun and screw driver) is all you need. Easy Peasy. Then, if you still hate them, donate them to charity.

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Before I let them go, I, like Darzy, would paint them and change the fabric. Don’t use chalk paint for these; go high gloss.

For examples of what can be done with tired chairs, check out wildchairy.com.

I love the carving on those chairs...I would just upholster them and if not used in the dining room, put the around the house...bedroom, desk are, entry. I probably would not paint them either but some nice cheerful fabric would look so nice.

These chairs aren't working around a round table because the backs are very flat instead of rounded/curved. The corners of the backs "ears" are also pointed/ sharp looking. In addition, both the seat and back look linear in nature (mimicking the shape of a rectangle.) Usually chairs for round tables have curved backs with rounded ears to hug the shape of the table and a wider seat. You will find that these chairs will definitely work better with a rectangular table. You cannot change the heaviness in weight but you could certainly give them a lighter aesthetic. You could achieve this by painting the frames to a lighter color (high-lighting the carving with a rub, glaze or gilding) and reupholster the slip seat (less than one yard fabric needed per seat) in a fabric that appeals to you more. Honestly, the chairs are quite lovely and look well made. It would be great to keep them since chairs are so costly. Hopefully, by painting the frames, reupholstering, and pairing them with a rectangular table, you will grow more fond of the chairs and find they work for you! Good luck--- if you redo the chairs I would love to see a "refurnished" pic!!

Good chairs can cost $200 and up and these look pretty solid. No matter what the shape of the table, they will still be heavy to move..they are what they are. I would also go the route of striping and either whitewashing or painting and reupholstering...but the table has to suit this look. If not a good combination, then they will just look old fashioned vs feeling shabby chic/rustic. Below is a nice look and really easy to achieve.

Can you keep two chairs -- one for each end of your new rectangular table -- and replace the rest with something else? You could rehab the old ones to complement the new. Just a thought.

@JudyG ...love that bird fabric on the chair.

How many of these chairs do you have? They seem high quality. Is there a makers mark? Do you know the type of wood. You may be able to sell them for quite a bit. My vintage maple chairs are marked MADE IN ITALY, i.e. they are quality given their age especially. I agree they don't seem right for a round table.

I would not toss them. Rather I would try listing them on Ebay and finding comparisons which will give you a sense of their real worth. Then look for something you really like and ask hubby if he would be willingly to sell them for the price you have determined is fair for a set you have already located and love.

Asking him to get rid of them in the abstract is a lose/lose proposition. Good chairs cost a pretty penny.

How often have you been using them? Get the new once, they don't look so comfortable and if you hate them try to find some that you both like. There is nothing better then the compromise...There is plenty of possibilities in the market. Sometimes we get used to some object just because they remember us something. If your taste have changed it means you have changed and keeping the old will not let you go ahead. Take advantage of the fact that you are changing the place and get a new stuff. You will "refresh" your surrounding and will feel much lighter.

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

To answer some of the questions - yes, they are very well made. They are actually quite comfortable, and we use them every day. The cushioning has held up well, but the fabric is blah to me. Pricey indeed, they were over $100 per chair during a clearance sale. I believe they are/were worth the cost, but will need to make changes if I am to live with them going forward.

I think I will try to convince my husband to at least start with the fabric - then go further if that doesn't do the trick. Once they are set in the new space with a new table, I will return with photographs and see what else you fine people can advise me to do.

I think they would be great either gloss white, or completely stripped and stained darker.

You could go with a French Country vibe, especially if you paint them a soft neutral color. It's a much lighter and more casual look.

French Country Look how to