Formal Dining Room Chairs

8 years ago

I am looking for input on what style of dining room chairs to purchase with an antique mahogany dining table I own. The space is a formal dining room in a 1905 brick home, but we do not have an eat in kitchen, so we do use the space for meals. Overall the design of the home is traditional but I like to take risks with color and texture. I do want to ensure the chairs are not too trendy and will age well. Should I stick with a Chippendale style chair? We just moved in and I haven’t really styled the space and please ignore the newspaper clippings on the table! Please let me know your thoughts!

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I would have a bit of fun and do the ghost chair. Either in clear or a fun color, with or without arms.

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Comments (13)

Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
lovely home.

a few thoughts on chairs used every day: no upholstery on the backs, just seats.. easy to grab to pull out...easy to push back in.

will you be using an area rug underneath? large enough for the chairs to stay all 4 feet on when pulled back.

we use our dining room every meal, hard to move chairs are frustrating. you want to be able to one hand them out, one hand and knee them back in.
hollybar
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Great space and a gorgeous table. "Chippendale" has come to encompass too many disparate chairs for me to comment. (Google Chippendale chair and you'll see what I mean) Can you share a pic or link of the chair you are considering? I do know that I'd use a straight leg chair to show off the table.
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kjg3
8 years ago
Some suggestions.
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ckaelin3
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks to everyone for responding so far. I do plan to have an area rug but I’d like to get chairs first incase they have a fabric seat. I think I’d rather match my rug to my fabric than the other way around, personally. Attached is a photo of a chair that resembles what I have in mind. That being said, if I decide to go with this style I will most likely try and find them at antique stores around town so the style may differ slightly. I agree on not getting fabric back chairs or full fabric chairs. I have a toddler son and a baby on the way and I know mealtime will be messy!!
hollybar
8 years ago
Personally, I would find a lighter leg chair. Not a ball and claw foot with that table. But if you love those,that is all that matters. Also,note that it is easier to re-upholster the second chair below than the first. And that the new performance fabrics clean up so much better than the old ones. Happy hunting!
cawaps
8 years ago
I like the idea of a cane-back chair.
ckaelin3
Original Author
8 years ago
I was just starting to look at caned back chairs! I really like this one but one chair costs about as much as I spent on the table. Also these might be overwhelming around the entirety of the table.

I agree a lighter leg chair will look better with the legs on the table.
Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
now see, i'd get the rug first.... its much easier to flip through an upholstery sample book and find something that goes with a rug you love, and is the right size. well, thats the order i did it in anyway. : )
njmomma
8 years ago
Something a little different.....

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suero
8 years ago
With young children, I'd avoid a cane back chair. The cane will break, especially where the cane meets the chair seat.
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
8 years ago
You could add six antique mint chairs, which pick up from the wall colour, with a couple of rattan side chairs for each end.
roarah
8 years ago
Such a pretty room to use everyday! I love my lyre back chairs in my older formal dining room.
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