Today I am talking about French chairs. On a podcast episode this week, we discussed chairs and selecting the best accent chair for your home. LISTEN BELOW.
So let’s talk chairs, more specifically French chairs. Below I have two different types of French chairs. Both have caned backs and seats. Although I love the caning, in antique chairs it is often easily broken, so beware if the seat is caned, even if it is in good shape. I do have a fix for a broken seat, CLICK HERE. The skirted chairs came from an antique auction and was made in France.
Rush seat chairs are typically pretty sturdy, but tend to be on the small side. These are vintage. They were very, very dark when I bought them. I found them at an antique auction, and painted them white.
Notice how much bigger the seats are on the chairs below. That tells you are not that old. These are leather and I am guessing they were made in the 90’s. They are comfy and sturdy. I bought them secondhand. I did have to paint them. You can see the BEFORE photo HERE.
This chair has sadly broken, but here it was when it was in it’s prime. I painted the fabric! You can see how I did it HERE.
This chair is so comfy! It’s great for lounging and reading. Can you believe the chair is actually red? I ordered this chair new, but that store has since closed. I made the slipcover and you can see how I did it HERE.
The French chair below are antique and were originally covered in tapestry. The fabric was coming apart and the upholster told me that it was full of horse hair. I’m pretty sure they stopped doing that a long time ago. I found it at a consignment store. You can see the transformation HERE.
The chair in this photo I found at Home Goods! It was (I think) about $100. It’s comfy and pretty.
These chairs were from the thrift store I think, but they were bought separately. You can see how we transformed them HERE.
I get asked about my counter stools a lot. They are from Restoration Hardware, CLICK HERE. The fabric is Perennial Linen in fog.
The chairs below are from World Market, CLICK HERE. They have been discontinued.
I found these chairs on Craigslist. They were pretty cheap, but I had to drive way out in the country to get them. And then I had go down a sketchy road. It was a bit scary, but so worth it! These started out looking much different. I had them upholstered in the grain sack fabric.
So where can you find French chairs? You can find old ones on Craigslist, at the consignment or thrift store. Also check the antique stores, and flea markets. Remember it will probably need to be recovered. For new chairs you can find them online like the places I mentioned above. You can also buy them from Soft Surroundings
I love all of your things. They are so pretty. Enjoy your podcasts also.
Thank you for this helpful post on French chairs. All of yours are just beautiful! I feel like it’s difficult to find antique ones in my area. You just don’t see them at sales, or antique stores. I may have to eventually purchase new. Thank you for the resources!
Have a wonderful day!
Treasure hunt tips for wonderfully French – Merci!
Great post on French chairs. I love the changes that most of the chairs received. Thank you for sharing the information.
I love a pretty French chair! Thanks for posting. Love your style.
This was very helpful. It’s amazing how many chairs we have in our homes! I never stopped to think about that before. I am looking forward to the hunt for some ‘upgrades’ to what I currently own. ?
Love your stuff. I live near New Orleans, so we have access to a lot of antiques. We are always on the look out for chairs, can’t seem to get enough
Oh I bet you see some gorgeous things Linda!
I saw a yard sale advertised for this morning on Craigslist with some old French gilded chairs. So tempted, but I stayed away because like you said those old chairs are so small!
I end up buying them any way Janet!
All the chairs are beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Love the information and the chairs!
I love the plate racks in the first picture. Did you have them built? Love the chairs, too!
Yes we did Lee. Thanks!!!
I bought two tapestry covered fauteuil chairs on Marketplace (Facebook) for $50. One still had the tag on the bottom so I know they were made in Italy in 1986. They need to be recovered but the biggest challenge is that someone cut the last couple of inches off of the legs on one chair! The previous owner had also bought them second-hand and didn’t know why that was done. I think the solution for regaining the original height is to small wood castors to the legs of the shorter chair.
Love, love, love all your design! Some of the best finds are in out of the way places. There’s a cute little junk store/antique place in Mason that I’ve passed many times on my way to El Paso. Need to make a road trip!
Love French chairs. You have done such interesting and varied upholstery on them. Great ideas.
Thanks
Anita, I’ve long admired your large chair with the ottoman that you recovered. It looks like a perfect lounging chair. We have a big Bergere chair and ottoman in our master, and it gets lots of use. Thanks for sharing your chairs. We seem to gravitate to chairs here and have more than we have room for. 😉
Happy Weekend!
Simply love your chairs!!! Thanks for all the great information, the beautiful photos are inspirational! Oh, how I enjoy reading your blog with a cup of tea!
I always felt that gray was more a condition than a color and shied away from using it for years. Not today! Used it to redo old, original and nondescript builder kitchen cupboards 30 yrs. old with a white lime wax edge over Paris gray chalk paint; now a cement patio, porch paint gray with white stenciling, white wicker and retro white iron table and chairs. Added a t&g wall on one side for privacy and weather, whitewashed/gray cedar boards first. It just goes with everything and most any style from modern to shabby/farmhouse and industrial touches. Love, love love my mental transition to a smart and stylish approach. I strongly suggest this crisp, new look and seeing it on this and similar blog sites. Pure envy!
LOVE your design and podcast!!
And I love learning from you 🙂
I am wondering if the links here are not working correctly? I keep trying to click but they are “no longer found”.
Is there a better spot on your site to search for painting and reupholstering?
Bless you, Anita!
Oh Tiffany, this is an older post. I’m so sorry the links aren’t working any more. I don’t do the upholstery myself. Miss Mustard Seed may have some posts on that. I have some posts on painting furniture. CLICK HERE
Hi Anita! Love all your French chairs ~ soooo pretty! I have six caned French chairs I picked up about 15 years ago at a thriftshop. I painted four of them white to go with two others around my antique oak dining table. Always on the lookout for a few more! 😉 Congratulations on being featured this week at Share Your Style #181! I am enjoying being one of the hosts this fall.
Have a great rest of your week and Happy All Hallow’s Eve,
Barb 🙂