Earlier this week, I showed you how to use a pediment as artwork that had broken off of an armoire, (see it here) and today I am continuing my theme of using broken furniture.
Well when you put an antique chair in a teenager’s room, you know you are playing with fire, right? I knew the risks, and yet I spit in the face of fate. I was willing to go there. I believed that if you raised your kids right, then your furniture would be in good hands, or seats errr… whatever.
Well I was wrong.
My beautiful antique chair lasted only a few months in my daughter’s care. She knew it had begun to strain under her delicate frame, but being a teenager, she never thought that it would someday actually break. It did, one day… quite unceremoniously…. break that is. I was sad, but not exactly shocked. I knew that if you swim with sharks, you’ll eventually get bitten. So now I had a broken chair.
But being a ‘woman of a certain age’, I am not easily shaken. I have seen bigger defeats in my life. This was nothing. I shrugged my shoulders and walked off to think. I found another chair for my daughter’s room, a new French one, that doesn’t creak or sway. I presented it to her with a flourish and a smile, then left the room saying under my breath, “Let’s see how long this one lasts.”
Then I was alone with the wounded chair. It looked at me, rather pathetically. I hated to throw it out, after all it’s a beautiful antique. We had been together for some time, and I felt it deserved better. I even though of selling it, but really who want to buy a chair you can’t actually sit in?
Then, as often happens around here, I had an idea. What if I just put it on top of my armoire? Yeah, I thought. Sounds good to me. And so I did… put it on the armoire that is.
It kinda has a old antique store feel, only without the spiders and cobwebs. Well maybe the look isn’t for everyone, but I really like it.
Pillows courtesy of Heritage Lace.
Now, that is one awesome look!!! Love it!
It is quite unique! (It’s what we English teachers say when we do not want to commit : / ) I think if it stays up there long enough, you will begin to see the other uses for pieces of it. For instance, the feet could be cut off and used as a series of 4 hooks to hold your daughter’s sweaters, necklaces or scarves and the like. The center back of the chair has a lovely urn looking shape from the top to the seat that could be used decoratively, perhaps again in your daughter’s room. After it’s totally cut apart, my cat would love the seat! In light of Good Friday and Easter, I think it’s the perfect to think about resurrecting this beauty from its dismal shape into something new! Have a happy one!
That is hilarious Philomena!
As they say, there’s a place for everything, and you’ve certainly given truth to that idea.
As we say in the South….”God bless her heart she tried”
Ha, ha! Some people aren’t lovin’ this, but I like it.
Brilliant, Anita! What a great and very upscale use for your sweet broken French chair!!!
Hahahaha… Genius. I mean, I know it’s not for everyone, and some will poo poo it. But I think it’s a great idea. Definitely something I would do. If I luv something, I always try and work it into my décor. Like you said… kinda like an old store display. Go you!!
Happy Easter!
Hugs, Gee
Anita:
I think I would rather see it hanging from the wall like the Shakers do as it is a lovely piece! Just a thought…….
Happy Easter!
Deborah
I think you should just fix the chair…. It looks quite out of place up there.
It looks like it belongs there and is just perfect.
I think it’s just plain fun. It looks like an elf got up to flee the room before you could see him and he tipsy-topsied his chair sideways. That would be the story at MY house anyway—lol xo Diana
I like the idea- its seeing so much of the underneath that isnt working for Me, but if it works for you ,, great..
Sorry to say, but I think it looks rather silly up there and I agree with the suggestion to hang it on the wall if it can’t be repaired.
Advice from a chair lover
That’s what happens when you clean house after drinking wine LOL. Well it works in your house because it is rustic and elegant. People can view it as art because you have a large, fancy house. But for most of us in our regular houses, if we did something like this people would think “Oh Lord her garage must be full again cuz she’s piling her stuff in the parlor.” When you get sick of it, like next time you dust, you could take the back off and make it into a wall shelf and give the seat to Philomena’s cat. Keep having fun Anita.
P.S. When visitors make a comment about it, look up, act very surprised and say “Oh my! How did that get there!”
I like your quirkiness. When I look at the back of the chair, I imagine it perhaps spray painted white or black or orange and with a mirror fitted behind it. I like the idea of pulling it apart and repurposing all the bits in your daughter’s bedroom. It looks fine where it is but I doubt it will stay there for long, it will call to you.. reuse me, reuse me!!
I don’t mind it up there but I would hate to block the light that streams in through those windows. It is a lovely old chair.
I took an old chair and hung it from the wall at the height of my guest bed. It is now a very interesting and effective night table. I had a piece of glass cut to size so it is flat and can hold a lamp and other items. I love it!
I think you’re playing with us!
You are creative Anita! I would want to save that lovely too! How about sawing off the legs to make it a short chair & stack design books in the seat topped with a florentine box or something?!
I can’t wait to see what you do next!