Young House Love

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A Curvy Armchair For The Kitchen

Chairs are definitely one of those high/low things for us. In the low category we have our $30 thrift store egg chair…

Egg Chair Now2

… our $32 stools from a school supply website…

StoolPaint Detail Two Backs

… and our $35 secondhand office chairs just to name a few.

Office With Us In It3

And then in the “high” category (although I guess that’s all relative since some folks might spend more) we’ve also invested in a few of the chairs. Like the $230 leather chair from Target that we have in our office (which used to live in the master bedroom of our first house)…

Art Update6

… the $199 armchair in the corner of our bedroom from Joss & Main…

Bedroom Chair Corner

… the two $118 Dolce lounge slipper chairs from Target that used to live in our first house’s living room and den (and now hang in our guest room)…

Guest From Doorway

… and our new kitchen chair!

Chair Ottoman1

Surprise! We couldn’t resist free shipping and a price of $298 (originally $498) through Joss & Main, and we thought it would work well in that corner of the kitchen, which used to sport a too short, white Ikea chair (which we actually found at a thrift store). Why did that corner sport that little white chair? Why, for a great well-thought-out reason of course. Just kidding, it was because we shoved it there “just for now” after we moved and there it has sat for the past year and a half. It’s a great little chair, just not for that spot. But more on that in a sec.

Alang 2 Plug In Light11

It’s hard to make out all of the details in those far shots, but the new guy has great clean lines, a bit more of a tailored look, and some nice modern tufting on the back of the cushion.

Chair Detail22

Along with some pretty sexy little legs going on.

Chair Detail1

Here are the reasons we thought the new chair would work well (we tend to think purchases like this to death before clicking “buy” – just to be sure):

#1. It’s a nice dark color, which makes it easier in a room full of food and sticky kid fingers

#2. It has a nice tall back, so unlike the too-short white Ikea chair that used to live in the corner, you’d actually see the top of it from the other side of the room. See how the old too-short Ikea chair went missing the kitchen reveal a few months back?

Kitchen Other Side

#3. The curvy rounded shape looks pretty not only from the front, but from the sides, which is nice because with two doorways surrounding it, you definitely see the sides (so they should be just as good-looking as the front).

#4. It’s such a neutral color and clean-lined shape that if it arrived and didn’t work in the kitchen for some unforeseen reason, we knew we could easily use it in another room (the undone playroom or even the office or bedroom if we pulled a little musical chairs action an switched some things around).

Thankfully when it arrived it was perfect. We love the dark color in that corner to ground things, tie into the darker floors, and keep a room full of white counters and cabinets from feeling too white-washed. The color and fabric is actually extremely similar to the dark gray fabric on Karl the Sectional in the nearby living room, so that’s an unexpected but awesome “tie” between those two rooms (and that color/fabric has been awesome with a kid and a dog in the living room so we hope to have the same luck in the kitchen). Now we can actually let Clara eat Jammy Sammies in the chair (they’re sort of like fig newtons with peanut butter and jelly in them, so we always cringed when she carried one into the old white chair and pretty much held our breath the whole time).

Chair Ottoman1

The best part? We can actually see it over the peninsula thanks to the taller back, so it no longer looks like we have a weird empty corner from across the room.

Over Counter1

So it’s a nice little upgrade in form and function that has us loving our cozy little fireplace zone a lot more. Oh and the ottoman in front of the chair is from Marshall’s a while back (it used to live in our first house’s master bedroom, so we’ve had him a while).

At first we tried the white pouf that seems to travel around the house…

Chair Pouf1

… but it was a bit low and the taller ottoman is pretty much the most comfortable thing ever because it’s like you’re in a recliner because your feet are way up instead of just semi-up. And see how much higher the back is? It comes up over my shoulders! So you can definitely see it over the peninsula now. Hootie hoo.

Chair Sherry1

Don’t mind that weird hair that appears to be growing out of the top of my ear. I’m 95% sure it’s not really doing that.

Anyway, the new chair is my new favorite spot to read magazines and then get interrupted by Clara about a minute into it and end up reading her board books. Haha. At least Snuggle Puppy is more fun for the hundredth time when you’re kicking back in a comfy chair with a nice big ottoman. Seriously, I’m working on a theory that a good chair can make almost anything more enjoyable (and there are far worse things than reading board books for the ten millionth time). Maybe dentists should get nice big plush arm chairs with overstuffed ottomans? Could be nice…

So that’s the first little upgrade in our cozy fireplace corner. We actually have a few more plans up our sleeves for this perennially ignored corner of the room that we’ll be sharing over the next few days as we chug along. Until then, what is the chair M.O. in your house? Do you have the high/low thing going on too? Any recent chair makeovers or upgrades going on? Oh and as for where the old white chair will go, we think he’ll be perfect in the sunroom with our white daybed when we finally tackle that untouched-since-we-moved-in space. Someday…

Psst- Check out our river adventures over on Young House Life (where Burger’s stick-chewing abilities are unmatched).

Comments

  4. Holly Rook says

    Thanks for introducing me to Joss & Main. They have some great prices As for quality, what is your take? Also, how have the chairs that you got from Target held up to wear and tear from Burger and Clara? I am looking at chairs for our living room and right now have really been interested in a West Elm’s Everett chair. With two dogs and and an almost 3 year old boy, it needs to be sturdy! Ahhh, that perfect chair is out there somewhere! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So far so good with both our Target chairs and our Joss & Main chairs! They usually come un-assembled so putting them together isn’t exactly fun but once they’re together they seem to be great and hold up well to a baby and a dog. Can’t complain!

      xo,
      s

  7. Tipling says

    I love that chair! I have been browsing Joss & Main for a year now looking for things and you always seem to pick out the best stuff.
    Also, I love that pillow you put on it..where is that from?

    Reply

  9. Anna says

    LOVE it! I need a new chair for my living room area, as the one I have is a hand me down, too low & chunky for the place. (But it makes a nice reading nook near the balcony so I’m very grateful for it)
    Now I know which kind of chair would be perfect for the spot!
    Thanks :-)

    Reply

  12. Koliti says

    Looks like a comfy spot take some time to unwind & relax.
    (And the perfect mommy & Clara reading chair :) I’m surprised Burger didn’t sneak in a shot!)

    Hey, Sherry, did you take a pic of you sitting in your egg chair after it got it’s make-over? I missed that if you posted it.

    If the white chair is slip-covered – maybe you can dye it a fun color.

    Reply

  13. bfish says

    More low than high (price) here — the lowest was $5 for a 1950s rattan and bamboo easy chair from a yard sale that we pulled a U-ey to go back and get on the way home from an unrelated mission. We love our Dutch-East Indian style arm chair with caned seat (from Greenfront for $40) and my best find of all time was 2 excellent condition Bar Harbor style wicker (rattan) chairs, circa 1900, for $100. (We could sell them for quite a bit more.) High is all dining room chairs — we went all out and some years ago bought Stickley furniture so that stuff cost more than all of the other furniture in the house combined.

    You’ve gotten some great deals and transformed them beautifully but — as always — one suggestion; you could find something a lot nicer than the Target leather chair in your office. It looks “low”.

    Reply

    • bea says

      Thanks Heather! I’ve been on a living room chair hunt for a while too, seems like a lot of us out there, and this one might be perfect. Nice to know it’s still available for those of us who missed the Joss and Main sale.

  17. selena says

    I love all the progress so far and look forward to seeing the completed deck. I know it’s been a long, hot project but it’s looking great. I believe you will find yourselves using it every bit as much as you anticipate. I was wondering how to find the reveal post you mentioned in a reply to someone asking questions about the kitchen list- other than going through the posts day by day to find it. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful tips!

    Reply

  19. Karishma says

    Love that chair! May be because I have had the exact same chair pinned from overstock for a while now, but at 388.99 instead of the great price you got it at :P

    Reply

  20. Wrenaria says

    That chair would look great in my living room. I am always scared to buy seating online since it might not be as comfy as it looks. Looks like it has worked out well for you though!

    Reply

  21. Emily says

    Oooo! Snuggle Puppy of mine! Everything about you is especially fine!
    What a great book! I’m glad you have a cozy, new place to enjoy it. :)

    Reply

  22. Lisa says

    I pinned this chair recently and showed it to my husband and said, “I WILL HAVE THIS.”!! We are moving to a new home soon and I totally want two of these for our living room. I’m so glad that you guys bought it so I have some actual idea of how it looks/feels. You guys have the perfect spot for it! Well done!!

    Reply

  24. Melissa says

    I love the new chair and keep meaning to ask… what type of fabric is it? We have a little girl that’s Clara’s age (and another that’s 7 months) & are looking for a new couch and chair for our living room… we’re wondering what would hold up best with sticky hands, but still look nice. Thanks!

    Reply

  25. Priscilla says

    Hello! Love your decoration style and home! I wanted to know where you have purchased your large colorful rugs (glanced quickly, not sure if you mention it anywhere), and how much? Thank you! ;)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The big green one in the living room was from Joss & Main (it’s huge, like 12 x 14 I think?) and it was $499. The blue one in the bedroom was $250 at a local outlet I think. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  26. Cat Hines says

    What was the name of the gray chair you purchased from Joss & Main? I’d love to have the same shape in my master suite, but cannot locate anything similar.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I wish I could remember any details but it was part of a yellow and gray collection I think. Maybe try searching wayfair.com or overstock.com for a gray wingback chair to see what comes up? They usually have many of the same items that end up on jossandmain.com.

      xo,
      s

  27. Laura @ DMHB says

    I know you mentioned this was a Joss and Main find, but they usually carry items that are found at other sites (manufacturers/other vendors/etc.) I LOVE this chair! Could you post the manufacturer or chair name? Please and thanks! :)

    Reply

  28. Karen says

    How is this chair holding up? Does the cushion start to slide out after some sitting? (It’s back on J and M! But for more than you paid– good going!).

    Reply

  29. Harly says

    Hi Sherry,

    I found your chair at Overstock for $380. I love the lines but my concern is the overall quality. How is it holding up so far? Any wrinkling on the seat yet? As in did the foam remain the same or it deteriorated a bit? I’m leaning towards the Ikea Strandmon for price, styling, optional ottoman, and how Ikea abuse tests their upholstered furniture. Though I have to admit I love yours too. Our decision will be based on your findings. Thank you!! Have a great week!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Our chair still looks great! No flat cushions or wrinkling in the seat or anything. The legs were a little wonky when we got it so we had to find the right tightness for each one so it was steady so that took maybe 15 minutes and it has been awesome since! No complaints. Although we don’t sit on it all day everyday (if you sat in it for 5 hours a day like a recliner for a few years it might have more wear than ours since it’s in the corner of the kitchen, but it gets lots of use by Clara and we hang in it about an hour a day too. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

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