Thanks RNmom, I love a good check too.. The only reason I'm not going there with the chairs is that I would love to change out the drapes in the FR with a buffalo check. I love my black drapes but in the summertime this room gets so deadly dark I was thinking some lighter drapes would be nice.

java buffalo check

But that's another thread, lol!

jam--no suggestion on a fabric for your chairs, but I noticed your framed fur parka right away--I'm an Alaska girl! I still have mine from childhood, that's a great idea to "frame" it!

PS: Your room is just lovely!

Ah, thanks tvq and RNmom again; the parka belongs to DH. He was born in Alaska when his dad was in the air force.

I think it plays well with your rug and the chair cushion (which has blue in it). I like it better than the existing olive. Can you show us a close up of the rug and fabric together? Beautiful room(s) and rug(s)!

I think the herringbone fabric works well in the room!

I like the herringbone as well!

I'll cast the dissenting vote here. I'm not fond of the herringbone as it reads very masculine on what is otherwise a feminine chair. I also prefer the look of the mismatched and would probably only do the one if the other is in good shape. Having them of different fabrics makes it look more collected and personal. I would prefer to see it in a beautiful rich gem tone, more like the red/gold pillow that's on the chair to pick up on the cognac in the leather bench.

Thanks decor dummy and shee; here are a couple of shots of the fabric on the rug:

This is the one that has me a little worried, but maybe it's just my phone camera going a little wonky: We also have can lights and the light was shining right on the fabric here.

This is probably a pretty true look. Since I'll be having two chairs done, and they're pretty substantial in size, the undertone could be important.

Annie, your comments do give me something to think about! I guess I've never seen two identical chairs paired like that with different fabrics. When I took the photo though, it did surprise me that I didn't really mind them being different. Hmmmm. As for the herringbone being masculine, I don't really see that but maybe I'm missing something. I have seen bergere chairs done up in just about any type of fabric and never given a thought to whether the chair is more feminine in nature.

I love your room and have always loved the other room seen behind it.
I think that fabric looks wonderful with your rug...even the shot that
gives you pause. You can see that tone in some of the smaller elements
of the rug.

I like the contrast of a less traditional fabric on a very
traditional chair. I think it keeps it from skewing too "staid old
lady." Or frumpy or predictable. And since I'm an old lady, I can use
that term! But not staid. But maybe only old ladies even know what staid
means any more. :-)

Do you have enough to do both chairs? If not, a contrasting fabric on the backs might look wonderful.

what ever you choose will be lovely, the rest of the house already is..come decorate mine..lol

I do have enough for both, but I also like the idea of contrasting backs. They wouldn’t be seen in the FR but would be seen when approaching the room from my LR. Honestly don’t have an idea what could work but will let the idea rattle in my head for a bit. Thanks Oly!

First herringbone for me, it goes sooo well with the total effect of the room.

I like when decorated related items pair masculine and feminine together. I think it can add a nice balance. I'm saying masculine only because herringbone (and plaids, etc.) are considered that. I don't look at any of those types of fabrics and necessarily think that. If I'm making any sense..... It looks good to my eye on that chair. Overall it reads more solid so it's not dominating but closer it has something going on.

The picture that you're worried about, I think it's the camera. The upper part looks maybe a little questionable but if you look at the lower, I think it looks good and works very well with the rug. And if it looks good to your eye IRL, you're good to go! :)

I like the chair just as it is, the mismatch gives interest to the room. I wouldn't touch the other one either. The English live with slightly shabby furniture even in great country houses and yours is really not in bad shape. I wouldn't change anything. I don't feel the herringbone goes with the rug, and I like the green of the original much better with the rug than the new color.

Hi everyone and thanks so much for your thoughts. Ingrid, I hear what you are saying but I do think I would like the chairs to have the same fabric. While I much admire rooms with that slightly shabby, mismatched look, I feel like those homes often have great character and interest in them architecturally, so they can pull off that look more easily. My house, while nice and comfortable, doesn't have much in the way of character details, really. So if I tried that look I'm afraid it would fall flat. I've also been trying to keep the chairs from distracting from the bookcases and fireplace, and wonder if having two different fabrics might be a distraction. I appreciate your thoughts about the fabric, too.

I will likely keep the herringbone awhile longer. I have about two weeks left before I have to return it. I also got a couple of samples. In looking at these photos, you can see that what looks like a solid green in the photos of the chair as is, that it's also a herringbone too. There just isn't as much contrast so it reads more like a solid.

I like all of these too but IRL the herringbone has the softest feel and the nicest texture. Of the other samples, probably the top one is my favorite but wonder if it may be too busy (there will be two chairs) with all the visual clutter that is going on in my bookcases.

Shee, you may be right about the camera. But I find the camera sometimes picks up an undertone that I can't see initially, and sometimes that can be a good thing. I think a lot will depend on what kind of accent pillows go on the chairs, too.

You all are a great help when making a decision. It makes me weigh my options more objectively, thank you!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful answer to my comment. You make a very good point, and I think you're right. If it were my choice, I would pick a fabric that is closest in color and texture to what's already on the green chair, because I feel it pairs best with the carpet. However, of everything else you've shown, the herringbone seems the best choice, and since you like it that pretty well makes it a slam dunk. It will be very interesting to see the finished product. In my mind's eye I'm seeing them with soft yellow pillows!

FWIW, I really like the green herringbone. Your rug is fantastic and I love the way the new fabric looks when connected to the other room.

Ingrid, funny you should mention....I was thinking a shot of yellow would be nice and tried two of my DR chairs, which are upholstered in yellow, alongside my tv cabinet on the adjoining wall. They look amazing there! I do think the yellow will be great and will connect well to the yellow chair I have in my LR.

Thanks lobby, and I must agree on the rug, vintage Karastans are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned!

I agree with Annie, but I'm certainly not an expert! Somehow, the herringbone lacks the color depth I would like to see in your room.It looks a little casual, for want of a better term.

But your rooms are beautiful and anything you do will be great.