Young House Love

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Vintage Gold Chairs In The Kitchen

Maybe we should change the name of our site to WCL (Wire Chair Love), because guess who found four awesome vintage wire chairs for the kitchen for $15 a pop? This girl (*points to self with thumbs, notices there’s peanut butter on one thumb, and licks it off while beaming at pretty new chairs*)

Gold AFTER Full Table Vertical

Allow me to paint you a picture of chair-finding glory. We’re walking into our favorite local thrift store (Love of Jesus on Midlothian for any thrift-lovin’ locals). We pop in there a few times a month just to see what’s up, and 9 times out of 10 we leave empty handed, so it’s not like we’re always finding amazing things, but on this occasion we saw these guys from across the room. Angels sang. Little hearts floated around them. And I broke into a run to claim them before anyone else could snatch them up right in front of me as I cried “nooooooo, stoooop, waiiiiiitttt, whyyyy??” in slow motion.

Gold 1 In Thrift Store

Admittedly, the limp plastic-wrapped covers weren’t doing them any favors, but we knew that with pretty seat cushions like these, those nice clean lines would be an awesome complement to our chunky wooden table.

Gold 2 In Thrift Store DETAIL

We’ve been aiming for a nice mix of rustic/modern when it comes to our eating area, but of course the old white chairs (from my NYC days 8+ years ago) were a little too small and spindly with our big chunky table. But we were happy to use them as placeholders until we found something taller and a bit more weighty.

Stain After Main2

The funny thing is that I’ve admired this photo of Jenifer Altman’s dining room, which has nearly identical chairs, just in a silver finish. I wish I could add the picture right here, but we don’t have her permission to post it on our site, so just click this link to see it. So nice, right? I love those spotted cushions too! Anyway, so now the old white chairs are chilling in the office. Since they’re versatile and good to have on hand for parties/extra dinner guests, I’m sure we’ll find some permanent spot for them someday.

We can’t believe the new chairs were $15 each, marked down from $25… which actually means they sat there a while and got overlooked (the thrift store lowers prices every week or two if folks don’t grab something). So how funny is it that I ran towards them fearing that someone would snake them out right from under my nose when they had been sitting there for a week or two with no takers and even had time to be marked down? And thanks to their low thrift store price, I won’t feel too bad getting some nice-ish (and super durable and food-friendly) fabric for the cushions I want to make.

Gold 3 Price Tag

But how did we get four big wire chairs home with only one small Altima on hand? Geometry, my friends. Somehow we got all four of them in the car with three of us in there too (one chair was in the trunk, two could be nested in the front passenger seat, and one was in the back to the right of Clara’s carseat while I sat back there to her left).

Once home, we dragged them all into the kitchen to see how they looked. It was LOVE, folks. We’re so glad they’re higher (it felt like the table needed something with some added height) and they tie in nicely with the rope chandelier thanks to their vertical lines (which play off the horizontal ones in the light kinda nicely, don’t you think?).

Gold AFTER Other Side

When it comes to their gold paint-job, we’re not sure if they’ll stay that way (if so, they at least need some touching up) – but a few other choices we’ve debated are something deep to tie into the stained lower cabinets (oil-rubbed bronze? charcoal? dark chocolate?) or something crisp (like white or even a soft mint color).

Gold AFTER Scratched Finish DETAIL1

We’ve decided just to live with them until we’re 100% sure that we want to change them (and 100% sure about what color we’d prefer). Should be fun to see where we end up. Any color suggestions?

And as for the cushion thing, I’d love to eventually make leather or vinyl cushions for them like Dana’s, but until then we’ve had luck with a folded faux sheepskin on each one. I know that sounds crazy (hello food trap?!) but since they’re awesomely machine washable and so easily removed (they’re just folded and tossed onto each chair) I’ve had luck just shaking out any Clara-crumbs (and vacuuming the floor where they land with the hand-vac) without even having to wash them yet. I wouldn’t use them for the long haul, but for now they work better than I thought.

Gold AFTER Chair Alone

As for the comfort factor, I’m not one of those looks-before-function ladies who would compromise on that when it comes to our eat-in kitchen. We spend TONS of time at this table, especially since we don’t have a peninsula with stools or anything, so virtually all of our eating is done in these chairs. Thankfully with our makeshift cushions on the bottom, they’ve been nice and comfy for the last week or so that we’ve test driven them.

Gold Clara Far1

They’re sort of reclined by nature so you don’t tend to lean back in them very much, but if you do it’s not uncomfortable – it’s sort of like leaning back in any spindle backed dining chair (like this) or a wooden rocking chair (like this). And if you add a pensive face, a la Clara, you’ll look like you’re thinking about something really deep. Like the meaning of life. Or how much you love marshmallows.

Gold Clara Close

So that’s the new kitchen view. Which beats the heck outta this one from about a month into living here.

Kitchen Before

Is anyone else trolling thrift stores for anything in particular? What are you searching for (or finding) lately?

Comments

  2. Amy J. says

    LURVE! ORB would tie in the cabinets and your sink pendant nicely, but I also like the idea of refreshing the gold. It’s kind of fun and doesn’t take away from that fabulous table. Anything you do I am sure to like. Admittedly, I’d have definitely passed those by in the past. Now I see the potential!

    Reply

  3. Anne @ Planting Sequoias says

    Wow, they look cool! Very unique.

    I’ve put a temporary hold on thrift store purchases since we are in the throes of house hunting and are pinching every penny, but I’m dreaming of filling a house with a mix of cool thrifted furniture and a few new “investment” pieces!

    Reply

  6. Shannon Summers says

    Sherry,

    Please just retouch them to that beautiful gleaming gold finish! They’re so beautiful! Great find!

    Reply

  7. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    We’ve been scouting for a few kitchen pieces and that hunt is still on along with a dining table and chairs.

    Three days ago we wandered into a Salvation Army and I found a toy piano for 99 cents. Perfect for road trips I thought as a back up car toy.

    The bonus was that white tags were 50% off. It was 53 cents and our daughter loves it!

    Reply

  8. Annie says

    I am a thrift store, trash picking junkie. My daughters and I just moved into a new home about 6 months ago, and the entire place has been furnished with inherited furniture, thrift store finds, and trash picks; my favorite being an over-sized stuffed chair and ottoman that I found on the curb!
    There’s nothing better than seeing a gem in the rough and making it your own!
    Happy picking!

    Reply

  9. Joules (from Pocketful of Joules) says

    You totally took the question out of my my mouth — I was thinking that there is no way these chairs are comfortable in the least, although pretty. So I’m glad that they are comfy too. I think they would look super pretty in a teal or even navy blue color. =)

    I’m always on the hunt for SOMETHING at the thrift store. Last time I went “looking for nothing” I found a super awesome kids table with two chairs for $20 that my son is now obsessed with. YAY for deals!

    Reply

  10. Loren says

    I get the whole ‘ORB’ thing. Although I don’t think you should do that with these chairs at all. They are so quintessentially mid-century modern & they look great as is (minus the touch-ups). Give-um some cushions and add a rug under the table and I think they will look perfect in this room.

    Reply

    • Aimee says

      They’re not MCM. These types of chairs are from the mid-to-late 70s. I should know, I almost tipped similar ones over regularly as a kid. These are not chairs you can flop into due to the bottom half design. Or lean back into suddenly. They’ll wobble like crazy when that happens. Warn people about that.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s so funny! Thanks for the warning! You couldn’t tip ours back if you tried. You know how you can tip back on a chair with 4 legs? Well, the U-shaped base doesn’t tip back like that – so the chair itself flexes back a bit when you lean back, but it doesn’t ever rock the base off the ground if that makes sense. Maybe yours were a thinner or more flexible metal so they were more tippy and wobbly? Ours are almost impervious to tippage, like if I fling all of my weight back against them they just flex a few inches back, but they don’t wobble or tip like a rocking chair or a four legged chair might.

      xo
      s

    • Sam says

      With the wall color that would clash terribly! They need to stay gold and maybe bring in a splash of color with the cushions.

  14. Heidi says

    I’m thinking dark turquoise chairs with a cushion incorporating some coral colors/pattern would look great against all of your wood tones.
    Great chairs!!

    Reply

    • ShellyP says

      Heidi: I am so with you on spraying them a rocking color like dark turquoise, adding an amazing colorful cushion and getting a modern, well-proportioned rug under that table and chairs. Put a colorful runner on that table, too. That informal dining room can be seen from the front door/foyer so it needs to draw the eye in, be appealing, inviting. Good score on those thrift store chairs. I’m gonna pop some tags this weekend.

  17. Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says

    Looove them! You guys always find the best deals. Think I haven’t commented in a while here. You guys did an awesome job on lightening up that kitchen already. What do you have in mind for the back splash? We’ve been research on back splash tiles but can’t seem to make up our minds. The penny tiles you had in your old home is a strong contender though.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh man, we loved penny tile! I think we’ll leave the backsplash just painted until Phase 2 when we spring for something we love. We had a fully reno’d kitchen in our first house without any backsplash tile, and painted walls are pretty wipe-able these days, so I think I’d rather save the budget for something really fun later!

      xo
      s

  18. ErinY says

    I would love the gold finish with charcoal walls and some pink cushions like the color of Clara’s leggings. Or the current wall colors, the gold finish and some black and white striped cushions.

    Lots of possibilities, I’m sure whatever you guys come up with will be great!

    Reply

  19. Caroline says

    I never would have imagined that those would look fab in your kitchen and they DO!! Love the geometric “plus sign” pattern they leave on the floor with their legs. Good choice.

    Reply

  20. Samantha says

    Retouch them with gold, please! They are gorgeous as-is, I’d rather buy them from you for double then watch them get painted another color.

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Ditto this comment! Painting them a dark or pastel color will take away from what they are: gorgeous mid-century chairs. I say this with love: I think you guys got the ORB out of your system in the first two houses! :)

      Keeping them gold will maintain their charm and “look,” I honestly think that turning them into a different color will make them look awkward.

      Gold is a great way to add warm tones, and it complements almost everything– your kitchen included.

    • Julie says

      GOLD!!!!! Or sell them to me. To think about it, that would be the best option out of all listed here. Just sell them to me. Easy-peasy.

  21. Suzy says

    Great find! Please do not paint & leave gold/brass!!!!!!!! Some laminated cool fabric for cushions would look great and easy wiping!

    Reply

  22. Laura @ Rather Square says

    I can definitely see those chairs in some ORB. Interested to see what you end up doing with them! We went thrifting this past weekend as well, but didn’t find anything in the way of furniture (it’s definitely a hit-or-miss kind of thing). Our toddler did score a $2 kid’s digital camera though!

    Reply

  24. betty says

    I love these!! I actually like the gold/brassy finish.. but I think a fun pop would be great too! either way.. yall have great taste!

    Reply

    • Evelina says

      Oh my goodness! What are the chances!!
      I love the mint idea! Second choice: Gold. Third: Yellow. I’m looking forward to the refinishing process because I wouldn’t even know where to start with these.

  26. Paula says

    Two questions and a comment (or two): Where’dya get the faux sheepskins? Where are those gorgeous wicker chairs you had at your previous dining table? And my vote is for keeping the new chairs some light color. I think it will provide contrast for the lower cabinets and tie in with the light fixture above. Thanks so much for your blog. You continually inspire me!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Paula! The faux sheepskins are Ikea (I don’t know if they still sell them, but I bought them like hotcakes when they added them a few years ago as alternatives to the real ones they sell). And my wicker chairs are in the dining room with the dining table. We owe you guys an update on that room, we just haven’t done anything in there other than removing the wallpaper a while back. Soon I hope!

      xo
      s

  27. libradesigneye says

    Gorgeous lines – love the way they echo the tone of the chandy now . . . saw the leather cushion inspiration and wanted to mention a secret place i go for upholstery fabric that is really marked down and i have snagged snazzy ultraleather there before – newtoto.com – not sure where i got the reference but they organize their stuff by type of fabric and also by yardage left – they are selling ends . . up to 8 or 9 yards so plenty for your task ahead . . you might like to check out their stock as you search. Kudos to the eye that spies the prize!!

    Reply

  28. Olivia says

    AH! I’ve been wondering if/when new chairs would show up and these are great! I love the added height they give to that space, and I am personally really hoping you freshen up the gold as opposed to a new color.

    There’s so much white in the room that I fear you’d lose the great lines of the chairs if they were also white (or another light color) and I think a darker color would almost be TOO harsh. I think the gold is the perfect mid-tone to work with the rest of the space. I’m excited to see what you come up with!

    Reply

  29. Keely says

    Those are great! I have to say, I kind of love the gold. If anything, I wish the chunky table was darker, like the cabinets. (Obvs, that would only make sense if that’s the table’s permanent home, and if your future cabinets are also dark wood.)

    Happily, you could repaint those chairs a million times, so you can go a little crazy with the color without worrying too much.

    Reply

  30. Cassy says

    How fun are these chairs?! I would love to find something like this for my dinning room but I have a feeling my hubby might cringe if I brought in another chair. :) As for the color I think it is fun and unpredictable for your style but yet it really works. I also love that the bottom of the chairs around the table mimic the chunky shape of the base of the table. Great Find!

    Reply

  31. Lisa says

    Do you ever worry about lead paint when going to the thrift stores? Did you use your lead tester on these guys before bringing them into the house?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I definitely worry about lead paint – especially when it’s brittle/chippy/old looking. These guys were so freshly spray painted that those plastic seats pulled off the gold when we removed them. I think someone sprayed them right before donating them (or the thrift store sprayed them when they got them in). Can’t hurt to use my lead testers on them to be sure though! Will do that right now!

      xo
      s

  32. Minne Apple Girl says

    Nice! I love how you have an eye for these things – they look like chairs I would totally pass up, but are fabulous when put in a room. My house is so traditional that I struggle with adding a contemporary look. Good job!

    Reply

  33. Megan says

    Love the chairs! I agree that the gold is beautiful! Rustoleum makes a spray paint that is very similar to the original gold color on the chairs now. It is called Champagne Mist. It is gorgeous, understated, and slightly shimmery! It would look fantastic on those chairs.

    Reply

    • JustAng says

      Well of course I had to look that color up now. Curiosity gets me every time! And I agree. This Champagne Mist is a gorgeous color for you guys! Keeping in the same vein as the original, but with a slightly modern update. There’s a reason styles like that are timeless. Also, it won’t compete with whatever flooring you eventually put in. Then your accessories/cushions can do the “talking.”

    • diane says

      Another vote for Rustoleum Champagne Mist ~ I re-sprayed a gold & glass coffee table with it – all of the feel of the gold color but it’s more subtle and updated. Fresh gold, let’s say!

  34. Sherri says

    I personally love the gold. I’ve been on a bit of a gold kick lately. I am afraid doing the ORB would make them dissappear next to the dark lower cabinets, and those babies were meant to SHINE! Someone mentioned coral earlier, I like the idea of a very muted coral cushion. I like the warmth of the chandelier and table so keeping the colors warm would really make that spot feel cozy! Can’t wait till next month when I plan to do some thrift shopping of my own! :)

    Reply

  35. Megan says

    YOU LUCKY DOGS!!!!!!! Amazing find. I think any color you go with (except mint – ha!), will look fantastic. Charcoal is my pick, but gold is a close second! In fact, I think it’s the floors giving the gold a hard time… I envision them with beautiful, rich hardwoods and they look perfect! As for fabric, I am a big believer in outdoor ones – canvas/duck cloth – sprayed liberally with scotch guard. What a fun project to look forward to! Nothing better than fabric shopping… except for when you actually pick one, and it’s over. :-(

    Off topic – how are you liking your kitchen light without the diffuser? I am debating the same, for kids playroom, but keep thinking it will bother me.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Megan! I agree that those floors aren’t doing anything any favors. haha! As for the light, in our last house we had a fixture without a diffuser (just a bare bulb in a cage) over our last dining table and two glass pendants (again no diffuser) over our peninsula along with a basket pendant in our fireplace area of the kitchen- so I actually don’t think we’re used to diffused light in eating spaces for the most part, but it doesn’t bother us. The key might be adding a dimmer switch and using the right bulbs though (some can be blinding or cast crazy ceiling shadows).

      xo
      s

  36. Leiann says

    Sweet chairs! Those look awesome next to that round table. I would definitely NOT change the color. The gold is what makes them unique to their vintage vibe and shape. This is just my opinion, but painting them a different color might ‘cheapen’ the design and make it look like a plastic deck chair or something from a distance.
    Good luck and good find!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Those are fun! As for our old white bentwood chairs, they’re in the office right now. I think we’ll always keep them on hand for extra dinner guests or entertaining since they stack but are so easy to pull out.

      xo
      s

  40. Kelly says

    LOVE THEM!! Have you every thought of putting the chairs 45 degrees from where they are now (meaning that, when you pull them out, they would move into the corners of the eating area)? Having the chairs break up the grid-like everything’s-at-a-ninety-degree-angle thing always seems really refreshing to me!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I actually had the old chairs that way for a while and thought I liked things lining up with the legs a little better (it looked less busy on the floor if that makes sense) but since these have a different base I’ll have to try that again to be sure!

      xo
      s

    • bella says

      I agree with Kelly. I can’t remember where I saw a designer do this but it made such a difference. It must be some kind of “fool the eye” thing. It felt like the chairs were more featured when you walked into the room and you weren’t just staring at the back of one of them. I would say to turn the entire table 45 degrees so you can keep the chairs lined up with the legs.

      I vote for keeping them gold, too, maybe even spraying them a shinier gold for some flash. =)

  41. Sherri says

    They are drop dead gorgeous, guys! The room is now magazine worthy. They look like they are a soft brass finish from a distance, which I like. I never am critical when I post, because I am not into negativity, but I would love to see something more substantial as a centerpiece. I realize that the cactus planter was a project, and they appear to be doing well, but now it looks a little small. Everything surrounding the planter makes such a statement, which could be what you are going for anyway. Just a suggestion, not in a mean- spirited way, of course!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Sherri! I have a nice big glass vase that looks so pretty on the table, but Clara loves those dang cacti and it’s sort of our dinner ritual to talk about them and assign favorites and give them names and stuff, so for now I think I’m one of those moms who says “my kid loves them so I can’t move them just yet” – haha!

      xo
      s

    • bella says

      I love the planter, but agree, it looks small. You could put a nice colorful round placement underneath the planter to give it some umph. That’s a word, right? ;)

    • Sherri says

      I don’t blame you for keeping the planter since you are playing that game with Clara girl. She is growing leaps and bounds and has your exact smile, Sherry. She is going to be the best big sister! That was a good idea that Bella had. Also, you may want to turn the plant. In one picture it looked like it was leaning toward the window/sun. Btw, does John still have his “winter” look with a beard growing? He looks hot, like he could have a side-line gig with GQ. He has that nice bone structure thing going on, too!!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, thanks Sherri! I’ll have to rotate those cacti so they don’t give up on me! As for John, he’s still rocking his winter look and I love it! He’s even learning how to use a beard shaver thing to keep it filled in but not too long. Pretty exciting times!

      xo
      s

    • Aimee says

      Michaels sells taller terra cotta pots (like as tall as an insulated coffee cup) and you could transplant the cacti to jack them up heightwise. You oould rotate those cacti on a lazy Susan. If you got a wooden one you could paint it the wall color and scribble a design with a gold paint pen. I’ve also seen some gorgeous marble ones that would provide some oomph as well as height. Clara could play Spin the Cactus when she sits for a meal and the winner (the one that ends up in front of her) gets to come off and sit next to her plate and get some plant-talkin’-love from her as she eats :-D

  42. Mara says

    Please don’t hate me for saying this, but those chairs are ugly. I usually love everything you guys do, but this just isn’t doing it for me. I felt the same about the first round of dining chairs you guys did at your last house, so hopefully you’ll change your mind about these too.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I don’t hate you at all, Mara! I think a bunch of people will think they’re completely weird (they’re definitely less universal than many of the things we bring home), but we just fell hard for them :)

      xo
      s

    • Rachel says

      I should probably give up on wondering why people who dislike something feel like they must comment. But I’ll probably never be able to stop wondering if they say things like that out loud in “real life,” too. Kudos to your thick skin, Sherry. <3

    • Paige says

      I hate to say it but I agree. The other chairs work better for me. Something like a tollix chair would look good as well, and still offer some contrast since it seems like you guys don’t want a matching finish with the table.

    • Ana Silva says

      When I first saw them I made an audible eww, sorry lol. But as I scrolled down and read your blog I realized you made some great points. The white chairs were very unproportionate to the table. Plus that inspiration picture won me over. I do think it works and they look great. I think I want some now. It’s your house so you have to do what makes you happy. Good for you! I like that you are risky enough to take chances or odd things or what not. Then I can just get inspiration from you guys :) How boring would the world be if everyone liked the same thing, right? I like them gold, but again that’s just my opinion. Can’t wait to see where it all progresses to.

    • bella says

      Rachel, I know you have the best intentions, but I respectfully disagree. I like to see other people’s opinions, and actually look for them, to see if anyone is thinking the same thing I’m thinking. As long as someone is respectful about it, it’s good to see things from another perspective. Maybe someone has a better idea that they didn’t think about. I certainly would not walk into their home and say I didn’t like something they did, but on a site like this, that is what the comments section is for. Good and bad. No one should feel the need to keep silent for having a differing opinion. We wouldn’t have this country if that were the case.

  43. Rachel says

    I totally would have passed those by, but they look gorgeous!

    Another vote for keeping (but touching up) the gold here. It’s unexcepted, more so than any bold color might be, and adds just a hint of elegance to the room.

    Cushions? I’ve got not thoughts other indoor/outdoor fabric. Definitely grab up all the samples you can and decide at home.

    Reply

  44. Katie S. says

    Wow. Those chairs look amazing. I know it’s not my house and everyone has an opinion, but please, leave them gold! They are so beautiful and look beautiful in your kitchen as-is, it’s like a little extra sparkle for the room without being overbearing or boring like a “pop” of color of ORB would be.

    : )

    Reply

  45. Rosie s says

    Love the chairs!!!! Perfect! I love thrift/junk/resale stores…we were looking for an antique mirror for over the mantel..and my hubby measured and pronounced that we needed, EXACTLY, a 42 x 31 inch mirror. And I am like, ok, could you be more specific!?? :) After ONE day of looking, we came across an old gold leafed mirror measuring in at 42 x 31…are you kidding!?!?? We fell over! And I did one of those ‘NOBODY LOOK AT THIS BABY’ body blocks while we got it down and re-measured to make sure it was THE one. Oh, and it was marked down, so was there for a while too….sometimes, you just luck out! Happy thrifting!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s amazing! Rub some of that good thrift store luck on me! We have hunted for upstairs bathroom mirrors forever – so I know how tough a specific size can be!

      xo
      s

  47. Sarah J. says

    i would try something with a little color to avoid too many nuetrals happening in that room. a pop of mint or pea green would be my vote. of course, i’m always a fan of bright yellow (west elm had some wire yellow chairs last summer that were beautiful), or even a dark navy blue would be pretty. have fun!

    Reply

  48. Mrs Patty says

    Seriously, I’m obsessed with those chairs. My husband and I are on a serious budget right now, so thrift store shopping has become a budget friendly way to decorate our house. Great score!

    Reply

  49. Alyssa M says

    Like a number of people, I think the gold looks terrific. It’s a nice, slightly glamorous pop next to the rustic table and hanging lamp. Also, as others have noted, it’s a cool mid-century gesture in the room. I think they really stand out and “make” the room. With a little touch-up they’ll be perfect!

    Reply

  50. Kelsey H says

    TEAM GOLD! I think the gold adds a little unexpected surprise in that room. Love how the kitchen is coming together! You guys are the best.

    Reply

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