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debbysotherstuff

Whole house renovation, working on decor, fabric for chairs

9 years ago
Having just completed a 10 year in the making renovation, we are working our way through interior design.
Many of our selections were inspired by Houzz. this question is a specific one regarding a fabric we like for 2 chairs we want to reupholster. The sofa, large print chair, floor, wall colors, (I know many of you are tired of gray, but we needed a change from beige/tan etc. and love our gray), fireplace, pictures, coffee table, rug, chest , and small chair will remain. We need tables and a bench and....other stuff, but today please look at the striped chairs. will the fabric draped on them look OK with what we have? We like it a lot, but is it too busy ? If so, what could you suggest? We love our new, old house and are trying to make choices carefully. Wow, this is long, thank you!

Comments (26)

  • 9 years ago

    Love your old new house too! Please place the new fabric on the large patterned chair and take a photo so we can see the relationship. Thanks.

  • 9 years ago
    Pretty busy, we tend to roll that way, but we don't want to make a mistake here. Thank you by the way for looking at this.
  • 9 years ago
    I think that fabric goes very well with the decor you have and compliments the fabric of the large pattern chair.
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    From the last close up (and this is very hard on monitors, so take with a grain of salt!) but I don't think this is best choice. The undertones on my monitor for the new fabric are beige and purple? So that doesn't work with fabric on your chair. The pattern itself is fine that can work. I see a subtle pattern on your sofa piece as well, kind of a tone on tone? So, since you will have two of these done the same, and there are what appears like green shades in the printed chair fabric? Then I would try to pick up that color, which would blend nicely with your fireplace stone and your other pieces. Beautiful job and I know you really worked hard on this home. Excellent effort!! (small thing- pull your cabinet out from the wall a bit, because your black lampshade is too large for the top of the cabinet. this will provide space for lamp shade) I will look around a bit for some fabric that might work.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    The reason I selected this one is because on my monitor the greens looked similar to the one green in your chair, but you would have to face to face verify that as you probably know. But also, it is a curvy design, which repeats the curves in the other chair, without matching perfectly and it has off white background which picks up sofa. The print is smaller so it works with the other large print. Use this as a "concept" in your search, but I think this conveys what I would look for to add the final touch to your upholstered pieces. Then maybe a couple small pillows on the sofa that pick up the lime/lemon green/yellows. Just a splash. Hope this helps a bit. Fabrics are hard. But you are in the final sprint!!

  • PRO
    9 years ago


    debby · More Info

    debby · More Info
    This is front Calico Corner website. it is a Robert Allen fabric, and I have really good luck with their fabrics.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    The first photo is a more contemporary fabric called "Stellar Dusk" by CR Laine, and the second photo is closer to your original option but with a little more personality called "Pompeii Stone" also by CR Laine.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    You need some more color in your space IMO, so seek some tone of green. I would look for a lime/lemon tone. I also like the idea of perhaps getting a "texture" like a velvet, because there are a lot of hard surfaces all around you in this seating area. So explore a solid velvet or ultra suede. Getting the perfect color is the trick.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Oh and not more gray!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It's a lovely fabric but I might be tempted to go with a neutral that can be more easily updated by changing the pillows as geometrics become less popular and also given the patterns you already have with your rug and other chair. Consider velvet or linen for a modern and warm look. Add pillows that incorporate a few colors (stripes, solids and a print) on your couch and I think you would achieve a really nice balance in regards to patterns in the room. May also want to consider brining in some black, to compliment the black railing and frames. If possible, I would ask the upholster to update the shape of the arms and even skip the skirt.

  • 9 years ago
    Thank you all. Flo, the colors are a steel Gray, beige/Gray and gold. I love Robert Allen fabrics and the corner chair is a RA stripe. RA is likely to be too pricey for me with all I have spent . I noticed the lamp. It is a bit too tall anyway, but will do for now. Thank you, I do think you have some great ideas.

    I like the Pompeii fabric , though I need to check it out online.

    Maureen I picked that same fabric for a love seat in my bedroom and a headboard. Clearly, we think alike. I love the picture you sent. I do want more color! I don't want to overdo the geometric as you stated. I plan to bring in color on the tables and with pillows. I have had my eye on some moss.

    if anyone has any thought on side tables, jump in if I am not asking too much of you. This all takes bravery for me. Yikes!
  • 9 years ago
    Maureen, good suggestion about styling the chair. I did that with the sofa, but never thought of the chairs. Great idea!
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I redid my comments and cannot remember the fabric - lol. Can you see my revised comments around using some black? Moss would be a great compliment and if you reupholstered in a neutral linen for example, using these colors along with grey and ivory pillows on the chairs and the couch might work really well.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    My link above should have been fabricresource.com I just looked and there are a few upholstery fabrics that you might like and they have very good pricing. But you do have to get samples of course. Can't tell from names of fabrics or internet photos.

  • 9 years ago

    I love the fabric you chose. It will look great on the chairs.

  • 9 years ago

    Here are two leopard prints (pick one) that would work beautifully with your rug and the single chair.

    What do you think of either for the pair of chairs?



  • 9 years ago

    You don't need another geometric no matter how beautiful it is.

  • 9 years ago
    I get it Leelee. I think that has been my hesitation with this fabric without realizing it. It is interesting how this has all become like this. It must be just what has attracted us. the rail design was from Houzz and it is of course very bold. Your first fabric is too close to tone on tone which I have on the sofa. My husband would not like the animal print. I love the geometric, but it is too much. Flo's RA suggestion is good , but not quite it either.

    I think a solid or subtle print that is not geometric is what we need . The search continues. Thank you Leelee.
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I would go solid but with texture. Pull out a blue/green from your printed chair.


    Moody Blues · More Info

  • 9 years ago
    I think you have received some very good advice from others!
    I absolutely love your chair with the leaf pattern. Just what I'm looking to complete my sitting area. May I ask where you got it or what is the fabric name?
  • 9 years ago

    Ha, I thought you wanted to have a monochromatic look! I get it about husband's taste but I bet if he could see the finished chairs and you didn't call it "animal print" he might like it. But that would be too much of a chance to take.

    Look for a fabric either with nubb or some definite texture.

    Or would you consider a totally new color like persimmon.

  • 9 years ago

    Leelee said exactly the same as I was going to. I believe a tone on tone or something nubby would be a better choice.

  • 9 years ago

    katinparadise, I admire your superior intelligence and good taste.

  • 9 years ago
    David, thank you, I love that chair. I got it from fabricresource.com.
    The fabric is called Autumn. I bought it in May.

    Persimmon, Huh? I actually like it. I was considering using that color or aubergine or a blue on a bench I have yet to buy. It is going under the rail by the eating area. It would be a bold move with the chairs. I am not sure I am courageous enough for that, but I do like it. It would draw attention away from all the geometry. I will check into some of the suggested fabrics

    By the way, I do have some paisley! It is in the sunroom just off the living room. No geometry in there. So I have mixed that up a little bit! The picture is kind of dark. it is very GRAY here today.

    Thanks leelee, Flo, Maureen, blue, Katin and others. All of the comments are helping me move forward
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    How comfy! Love those!