I was trying to decide whether to slipcover my dining room chairs or have them reupholstered. So what was the solution I chose?
I bought new chairs. Oh right that wasn’t one of my options. Well, what can I say? I’m flexible… is that wrong???
I’m sure you will recognize my chicken wire bulletin board I showed you here.
Here’s the room before.
I actually loved my old chairs, but I was tired of them. I wanted a French look for my dining room. When I saw these chairs were coming up for auction, I decided I would give it a go.
The bidding started at $40 per chair. I was the second bidder at $45. There were no other bids. Wow! Can you say, “SOLD?” And after the gavel went down, the auctioneer looked right at me and said, “You got a bargain!” (I know, I know!!) I’ve seen some similar chairs on the internet recently and they are selling for $400 each (more than I paid for all six!)
This was an English auction, so the chairs came to the auction house from England, but when I turned them over, I realized they were made in France. I was now twice as excited! They even all fit in my SUV. Sweeeet!!!
They came with all of the gray detail painting already on them. And the caning was in excellent condition. I don’t think they are actually antiques. The condition is too good, and they are wide, there were some shiny screws underneath the seats, and they just didn’t look dirty enough on the underside. BUT, I prefer non-antique chairs for my dining room. That means they should hold up better and be more comfortable. They actually came with cushions, but as you can imagine, they looked worn and dirty.
I’ll make new cushions as some point, but I’m not in a hurry since they look great the way they are, and they are amazingly comfortable without seat cushions.
Just look at that wear, and they came that way!
While we are in here, I wanted to point out a few things, since I’m gong to show you the rest of the room in another post.
I love the chandy in here. I special-ordered this one a few years ago to replace the original 1978 one that came with our city house.
I’ve had this armoire for a long time. I also purchased it at an antique auction. It’s the real deal, French and old.
It used to have a mirrored front. A friend of mine took the panel off the inside of the door, and removed the silvering so that the front glass is now clear. He also added some shelving for me. And now I have extra storage for my china. I think it is more interesting than a standard china cabinet and it is smaller, which works in my small dining room.
So what happened to the old chairs? Well I sold them on Craigslist. With the money I made from the sale, I had more than enough for my new French chairs PLUS a French armoire I bought for my daughter’s room (I’ll show you later!!) PLUS some money left over for something else. Come back to see what else I did to my dining room.
Wow to your chairs and Wow-wow for the bargain deal you’ve got on it! It looks absolutely stunning! Well done! 🙂
Your chairs are gorgeous! Love that you got them at such a great deal. Good for you!
The chairs are gorgeous indeed…and who cares if they are antique or not, they do look like so this is enough…and you did a good choice not painting them – they are just perfect…and this armoir ohhh dear – it is incredible….lucky you, that is why you are so happy!!! And your dining-room looks beauuuutiful!!
Blessings,
Nadya
I considered buying new chairs, but went for the slipcovers when I couldn’t find any affordable ones. what a bargain your chairs were, and gorgeous too!! LOVE your dining room!
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Anita I LOVE your new chairs, they look fabulous in your dining room!! Lovin that gorgeous armoire too! Have a great weekend!
Daling Anita you made a big deal!!
Only 45 for all!!? And they look beautiful in your dining room!
Please please let them as they are, so perfect for your “new” french space =)
I love the armoire too!
Hugs Silvia
Anita it looks wonderful, and I have to tell you that armoire is beautiful!
~Bliss~
Anita, you must be livin’ right! That is a heck of a deal – especially since you didn’t have to do a THING to them! LOVE It.
-Revi
Oh my gosh, I love them and the deal of a century!
Whenever we get a deal like that I am so thrilled/excited/ecstatic that I have to keep looking and keep saying to my hubby how I love it and what a deal!
Beautiful chairs and furniture and room.
Beautiful! Lucky girl!!! I had a similar experience buying two rush-seated chairs a few years back. Got them home to discover they were made in Italy. SCORE!!!
love days like that! xox
Oh my, your chairs are totally unreal. What a bargain and I love the color. Beautiful. That armoire is stunning also. Hugs, marty
LOL – you really DID steal these chairs! I’m glad you’re not doing anything to them (other than cushions) because you’re right, they’re perfect just the way they are. Congrats!
Anita,
Don’t you love it when you find “the perfect” chairs from England that were made in France and already painted grey and distressed??? I can’t believe it! Then to sell your chairs on Craig’s List and have money left to boot! I do believe the Heaven’s parted!!! What a teriffic purchase and yes, I’ll be back soon, dear friend! Your French china cabinet is exquisite, too!
Fondly,
Pat
The new chairs look wonderful and the darker color on the arms looks perfect with your table! What a deal at $45 each!!! Was the auction in Dallas? When we an antique booths in McKinney, TX, we use to go to an auction in Greenville. He brings in containers from England, I believe. Great stuff!!
You are one lucky person!! I’d love to find some chairs to go with my dining room suite. Guess I just don’t go to the right places. I am thrilled for you. enjoy them.
You did great, Anita, finding those beautiful chairs. They really help to lighten your dining room nicely.
Mary Alice
Wow, Anita, what a score!!!! I love them just the way they are. You lucky girl. That is funny that the auctioneer told you you got a bargain.
I LOVE these chairs! They are so much like the style I’ve been looking for! Beautiful and they go so well in your room! Congrats ont he great buy and the great sale of your old chairs (which I liked a lot too). Can’t wait to see the entire room and the piece you bought for your daughter! Hugs, Leena
Wow – love those chairs! What a deal – and already distressed! Linda
You did get a great deal! They look good, you don’t have to do anything to them, and you made enough money from the sale of your other chairs to justify this purchase and then some…a win-win in my opinion!
Fabulous chairs and what a bargain! It just doesn’t get any better than that!
Wow, what a wonderful bargain. They are gorgeous. This is less than redoing your current chairs. 😉
Oh I love the new French look you are doing in your dining room. The chairs are gorgeous, and all the prettier for being a bargain. Now you can take your time dreaming about the french prints that would look pretty on the seat cushions.
I love the new French look! Your chairs are incredible! The chandy looks amazing with your furniture! It’s a lovely room!
I love those chairs! What a wonderful bargain you got. I love the French direction you are going in.
Anita, Your new chairs are fabulous and what a great buy!! Love the armoire too.
They look fabulous Anita!
Nice! Those French chairs are beautiful!
I knew you got a deal on those gorgeous chairs but seeing them in the room…wow. They look so chic and expensive!!! I’m just in love with the whole look!
♥Linsey
You’re right,they’re perfect! I wouldn’t have changed them, either. I SO want to redo our dining room, but it’s just not in the cards…..right now I’m happy to live variously through you! Love it.
What a bargain, Anita, you lucky, lucky thing! They are gorgeous, as is your armoire, which looks fantastic with your lovely china on display. Your dining room is fabulous.
bravo!
Your chairs are wonderful! I love getting a bargain at auction. They look so grand with that beautiful china cabinet.
Okay, so wow, wow and wow….speechless, really I am!!
Great bargain, Anita. I’m currently shopping for some more French pieces, too. I have my eye on an armoire and waiting on a shipment from France from a favorite dealer!!!
I absolutely love these chairs! I’m glad you decided to leave them alone – I think they are perfect. And what a bargain – sweet!
Those chairs are gorgeous, Anita! What a deal, too!
Anita,
WHAT a steal!!! They look beautiful too.What a lovely dining room you have.
((Hugs))
Anne
Wow just wow! I can’t believe the price you got on those chairs. They are gorgeous! I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing in my dining room (not French, but new chairs). My chairs are so heavy and I would love something new and fresh and light around the table.
I’ve never sold anything on Craigslist. Do you have any tips for doing so? You can email me, if easier. Thanks, Anita.
Anita, Your chairs are really gorgeous! What a buy. You are a smart one… selling your old chairs and using the money to buy these beauties and other things too!
You were right not to change the finish on them… don’t mess with perfection!
I have very very good mahogany chairs that I would like to replace, but I can’t seem to give them up because I never could replace the quality now. Seeing your chairs really tempt me!
What a beautiful room…and the chairs are PERFECT!
So perfectly aged, and the gray is such a nice touch. Don’t you love it when you can upgrade and come out ahead. That is fantastic. I look forward to seeing the French Armoire and what you did to the dining room!
Liz
I enjoy your blog so much. I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can get all of the information on my site. Congrats. http://bellascraftymom.blogspot.com/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html
Wow, what a deal! Or steal! They look so great. Love how “simply” changing the color of the chairs lightened the entire space. And you’ve done such wonderful things already in the dining room … first time visiting here so I have a lot to catch up on 🙂 I currently have very dark chairs in my dining room and I’ve been thinking about slipcovers in a light color … but gosh if I could come across a deal like you that would be the way to go. Love it all.
Robin
happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com
You got a great deal for some wonderful chairs. Your newest follower!
Anita, the new chairs are GORGEOUS!!!!! And the finish is PERFECT!! I love them. Your armoire is gorgeous. Our new dining room will be smaller than this one so maybe I will look for an armoire to replace my hutch. You have inspired me! XO, Pinky
Wow! What a deal on these gorgeous chairs!!! And I love the armoire as well! 🙂
Oh wow – I am giddy just looking at them – can’t imagine how you feel actually having them in your dining room lol
Absolutely gorgeous!
I’m your newest follower – would love you to visit and follow back
Hugs,
Woo hoo, Anita, what a deal on your gorgeous chairs!!
Your old chairs were beautifu and I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to replace them. At least you know someone else is treasuring them now (and you made money!). These new chairs are really special. I would never put cushions on them. The color and detail is so attractive. The room has taken on a completely different personality.
Robin
Robin Flies South
I agree~the chairs are perfect just the way they are!
I love the look of your beautiful chairs just as they are. It changes the entire look of your room. Beautiful!
You are so right not to mess with perfection! I love these chairs just as they are and your new Frenchy dining room is just beautiful!
Lynn
OMG! I love your room. The armoire has me drooling. I have wanted one since I was a teenager but thousands of dollars for one piece of furniture is just out of my league. I keep hoping to get one at a bargin price. Fingers crossed!
Your chairs are so sweet and from France too. Don’t you just love a auction bargin? Have I got stories to tell about that. That is what I like Best about buying things at auction. Everypiece in my house has a story to tell and often we sit around the dining table sharing these stories with our friends. Fun conversation.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
You’re right! Those chairs are perfectly perfect!! I ADORE that armoire! I saw two similar ones a few years ago at an antique show, and the prices weren’t bad, but since my husband threatens me with divorce if I show up with another armoire, I left them. Now I think I made the wrong decision!!!!
In love with your chairs Anita! I have yet been to an auction. Cant wait to go one day. Love your armoire as well with all of its frenchy goodness!
I sure hope I can find a bargain like that. I bought a table with the same shape legs and with the curved apron and I’d love to find some chairs with the same style legs! I love your and I’m so glad you got such a bargain!
Love those chairs!!! I am REALLY into caning right now. A phase? We’ll see.
Ang
SoLongFarm.blogspot.com
Wow! I can’t get over how gorgeous those chairs are. I could just stare at them all night. I love the gray. I’ve always wanted to go to that English auction, but had forgotten about it until you mentioned it. Hopefully I’ll make it over there one day.
Look me up when you’re in town.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class dot com
I am very giddy over your chairs.Gorgeous! I’m glad you left the color. Enjoy!
Oh I just love those French chairs! I am totally jealous! I have been looking for some exactly like that with the cane. Please tell us where the auctions are that you go to? They seem to be a well kept secret!
Would love to go to one. Anita you seem to always be in just the right place at just the right time! Lucky You!!
Beautiful room. Love the chairs.
A bargain indeed! The caned seat alone is a pricey item. Who doesn’t love a deal? Wish I was near your auction house.