I’m Going With Burlap
I’ve finally decided on a fabric to reupholster these two chairs:
….. and you may be surprised to hear that it’s burlap.
Burlap is one of those things that has been done to death the past couple of years and in general, there’s no faster way to turn me off of something. But, having said that, some things are just classics and they’re classics for good reason. I’ve always loved burlap for its texture and neutral hue and if I still love it now despite all the efforts of Restoration Hardware, the explosion of grain sacks covering everything and bloggers hating on it, I think it’s safe to say I always will.
I found a good photo of how the chairs will look:
The only thing I haven’t decided on is whether to paint the wood or not. At first, I wanted to paint them gold like the settee in the first photo but there is already a lot of gold in the living room where they will go so I decided against that. Â But then again, I could use a mix of gold and white like this:
Or, my other thought was to paint them gray (naturally!), which would also look great with the burlap. (I’m leaning toward the gray as of this minute.)
(Photos: 1stdibs)
Ooh, my first thought when I read about the burlap was “I hope that Ally will lighten up the wood.” I think that the all gold can be hard to get right and am loving either the gray or white with gold trim option (nice with your walls). This is going to be a fun transformation!
Heather’s last post…Second purchaseHmm
I love burlap on chairs!! I think you made a great decision….I recovered a settee (French) in burlap for my last house and it came out amazing. The people who bought it bought a lot of our furniture including that but kind of wish I still had it!
The enchanted home’s last post…Join me in the English countryside for the weekend!
Buy it back!
Does burlap come in varying degrees of softness? I can only think of the craft burlap we used in church to make banners as a kid. If I sat on that, it would leave an imprint of the weave on my legs. I can’t imagine that being very comfortable. How do you clean it? I’ve seen burlap done on upholstered headboards as an inexpensive covering and it looks great from a distance, but how does it look and feel close up? This would be my concern as I am a hound for comfort. However, if the chairs are for show and not for use, I guess it doesn’t really matter. Ally, I’m sure you can make burlap look great! I’ve tried to understand the washed out industrial look of Restoration Hardware lately. I don’t dislike it, but I don’t understand it. I think it would have to be placed in the right environment–like the chateau in France where there is light and color from nature to liven it up and distract the eye. Last week on craigslist/NY/Fairfield someone was selling two RH roll arm sofas and two RH wing chairs all in the same dough colored linen for five thousand dollars. They looked brand new– If anyone is interested.
Yes, there are many different types so hopefully no waffle legs around here!
Once it’s on the chairs, I imagine you clean it like any other upholstery.
oh, this is so exciting. Yep. paint ‘em…
a perfect gray’s last post…out of the frame
love the burlap! great choice. xoxo jillian:: enter in TWO GIVEAWAYS over at cornflake dreams
jillian’s last post…dreaming of a bike
I think it will look stunning! Can’t wait to see the finished chair!
Kate @ Travelmoon’s last post…West Elm to the Rescue
I like the idea of the burlap and painting the chairs gray. I think both will bring a real modern edge to the traditional chairs, a look I really love.
A woman in an upholstery class I’m taking painted her traditional chair a taupe-gray color that is really stunning. You can see a picture of the chair at my post about the class – http://www.thedesignfile.net/thedesignfile/2011/05/an-update-my-upholstery-class-and-chair-project.html.
She used spray paint and I think the color was labeled taupe. If you’re interested, I’m happy to ask her tonight specifically what brand and color she used.
Good luck!
Lesley @ The Deisgn File’s last post…Fur rugs- Only for the floor Or on sofas too
Thanks for the offer, Lesley but I’m going to stick with the AS gray I used earlier. I loved the result!
Oh, I love burlap covered chairs! And I think you mentioned in an above comment that non-scratchy burlap exists? Can you let me know a source if you find some? I’ve been absolutely unable to find burlap that you could actually sit on comfortably where I am (london).
I’ll definitely let you know what I find.
they look so French
http://vosgesparis.blogspot.com/2011/06/la-famille-cest-importante.html
desiree’s last post…La famille cest important
i think gray would be beautiful!
Just so you know, I’m a blogger, and I STILL adore burlap! I would never dream of hating on it. I think you made a splendid decision. The gray paint will be a perfect touch, as well. Can’t
wait to see the finished product!
xo
Deirdre’s last post…IF and Pattern Rally submissionsand maybe a tad bit of whining around
Ooh I love that style of chair – and I think burlap with gray or gold will be lovely! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Great choice. Inexpensive, durable yet luxurious looking. I used burlap on the back of some chairs I had recovered a while back.
Tonia’s last post…ALLAN KNIGHT PAINTS
Burlap is such a chic classic. I favor the slightly more sophisticated burlap, less rough on the skin. Restoration hardware is killing the beautiful eclectic look that i have shown in my showroom for the last 15 years- market saturation- Hopefully some aspect of it will survive. I would paint the chairs, grey would be my color of choice, slightly distressed chalky pale grey.
Absolutely love these chairs. They will look great with either traditional or contemporary covers.
A classic choice for a classic chair