Today let’s talk about French chairs. Some are old and some are new, but they all add style and grace to a room. In fact, I believe adding a French chair to a room, is the best way to add Country French style. The chair below is not old. It’s about 10 years old. It’s an oversized chair and ottoman that I slipcovered in linen.
They come in all shapes and sizes. This is a vintage chair that I had recovered in linen. It is a bergere chair.
These chairs are antiques and I had them redone also. They are Louis XV chairs. Louis XV chairs have curvy legs.
More chairs, but these are Louis XVI chairs. Note the straight legs. I had these recovered also. This is one of the simplest ways to determine if a chair is Louis XV or XVI. Louis XV has curvy legs, while Louis XVI has straight legs. These chairs came to me in another fabric, and I had them recovered.
This chair is caned and the seat had a hole in it when I bought it. I slipcovered this chair also. This chair is probably not that old.
Below are two Louis XV chairs in black leather. Oddly enough these came to me like that. They are vintage and made in Italy. I like the black in my closet.
These chairs are also vintage and I had the redone in matching buffalo check fabric.
The chairs below are the same ones I showed in the third photo. This is what they looked like before I recovered them. They are very old and were stuffed originally with horsehair. I had that removed and replaced with new foam.
Below is another set of chairs that I bought at a resale shop. They were covered in a rusty colored corduroy, but no more. They have a completely new look dressed up in anitque grainsack material now.
These chairs below are from France. They have rush seats and were probably from the countryside. They were very, very dark, so I painted them white to go with my bright kitchen.
I only have one of the chairs below. I believe this chair is French, but I’m not sure.
This chair is fairly new. It’s a Louis XVI style.
So my point is there are lots of different styles of French chairs. They vary in size and shape. They do tend to be more expensive than other chairs. If you can find them at a consignment store, you’ll save money. Whether you choose an old chair or a new one, I think you’ll find they really dress up a room.
I have a few new French chairs on my Amazon affiliate page CLICK HERE. For the disclosure, CLICK HERE.
I simply adore French chairs!!! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful pictures. Have a great weekend!!!
I love your ‘French Tips’ every week, Anita, and your beautiful style! I also have a lot of these chairs and am always on the look out for more. Thanks for your beautiful examples!
love and blessings~have a wonderful weekend!
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thank you Lynda!!!
All of your French style chairs are lovely.
LOVE them all – but my favorite has to be the bergere chair. It is spectacular! Thanks for sharing your wonderful style.
Best & Bisous,
Michelle from Simply Santa Barbara
I too love chairs. Unfortunately I have no room for more chairs. My favorite are the blue buffalo check. Although the ones in front of your desk are great, too. Thank you for sharing your collection.
I have a set of 8 to recover. How hard is it to do. Love seeing what you have done.
Also whats your thoughts about painting them. Ta
I sometimes repaint them. It just depends on how they look. But be sure to paint before you reupholster the chair.
Well it depends on the chair Jo. I only do the simple ones. The other ones I have done by professional.
Hi Anita, I enjoy your newsletter and blog. I also love chairs…and sheep! Could you share the artist and / or title of the painting of 4 sheep? What was its source? Thank you very much.
The way you use your French chairs inspired me to purchase a French chair on E-bay. However, the seat is really wide and sits low to the floor. It doesn’t seem to go with the farmhouse look that I want to create. I think I made a design blunder!
Bren
Hi Anita,
Can you please tell me where I can get some grain sack material wide enough to upholster some chairs as you have shown here on your French chair advice? I really love them!
You can find it on eBay, but it might not be wide enough. I buy antique homespun linen sheets (also on eBay) that I used with the grainsack fabric.
Love the chains…thanks for sharing!!!
Love all the chairs!!!!! So gorgeous!!!!! ? Roxann
Wow you have so many chiars! They are all fabulous! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
I don’t decorate in the same style, but I can appreciate the beauty of these chairs. Furniture really are large art pieces in your home.