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*)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?).
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).
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.
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.
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.
So that’s the new kitchen view. Which beats the heck outta this one from about a month into living here.
Is anyone else trolling thrift stores for anything in particular? What are you searching for (or finding) lately?
Anne Phillips says
Team Gold. No question. I have an idea for the cusions… with a little looking I bet you could find some coordinating fabric so the cushions could be wipe-able on one side (kids) and softer fabric on the other. All-around washable but sticky kids could sit on the wipe-able side for everyday use.
I’m about to recover my kitchen chairs (not quite a thrift find, but still a great price for vintage mid-century pieces) with a stiff, scrubbable microfiber in a bright pattern. I’m hoping I can hide/scrub off any stains for a good 6 or 7 years. Whatever you do I’m sure we’ll get to see it!
YoungHouseLove says
Such a smart idea to double side them like that!
xo
s
Danielle Purtle says
I don’t see my comment from yesterday, either some system error or I am blind! I think though the gold is gorgeous, it is too similar to the warm honey tone of the table and light fixture in my opinion. I would like something that compliments both the table and the cabinets wuthout blending into them. Maybe a introduce a new accent color? My first thought was a luxe violet blue or Hermes orange!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry that’s not showing up for you (sometimes when so many pages of comments come in its hard to find stuff) but here’s a link to your original comment from yesterday for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2014/01/wire-chair-love/comment-page-4/#comment-2096611
Glad Mr Spam Filter didn’t eat it! And it sounds like a really fun idea!
xo
s
Danielle Purtle says
Oh thank you! Maybe my computer is the problem! :)
ryan says
LOVE the chairs. while i do love me some gold spray paint (it’s an issue…must stop painting things gold in my house!), i think a pop of color would be AWESOME. maybe a coral to contrast nicely with the light blue walls and pop off the white trim? the beauty of those chairs is they can be repainted when you tire of the current color. white sheepskin pillows on coral chairs…SWOON! good luck!
WC says
My cupboards are an awful dark brown, darker than your originals. How many coats of white did it take you to get to that color? Did you paint the insides too?
Love the before and after; your work is so inspirational.
YoungHouseLove says
It took two coats of primer and three coats of paint (we didn’t do the inside since we didn’t in our last house). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Amy K says
NOW the chandelier looks like it truly belongs! I love the drum shade and pendant light over the sink but was honestly not a fan of the dining room one until NOW! The chairs make all the difference and I am also loving the gold. The sheepskin adds chic and softness. Reminds me of when you found your big rattan chairs and sold off the never-looked-right hotel parson chairs that underwent paint and floppy cover make-overs but still didn’t ‘fit’.
I too would like to replace our dining chairs and table. I scored a nice chunky round table on craigslist but am missing our antique table (with leaf). It’s only put away as our new house has so much light and I didn’t want the antique table to get sun damaged. It would be a shame to have to cover it up all the time. I am inspired by your chair score!
My Crappy House says
I think these chairs look perfect with the light fixture you chose! For a second, I wondered if maybe you really did get the chairs first and match the light fixture to those, but you guys wouldn’t do that…
I liked the color when I thought they were natural wood (from the first picture), but I don’t love gold, so I would vote to paint them. The mint you mentioned is intriguing.
Anna says
Go GOLD team!! I’m in agreement for keeping them gold, I love how the gold looks in there now with the warm tones in the chandelier. You could always try a “dipped” look if you don’t want them all the way gold, maybe a combo of white and gold?
Grace says
Love the Chairs! I’m kinda late to the party but….where did you buy the chunky round table, I want one!!!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from Restoration Hardware but we found it at a local outlet for 70% off (called The Decorating Outlet here in Richmond).
xo
s
Amanda B. says
Another team Gold here! I like how it plays as a neutral, but a little more interesting. Their shape grabs a lot of attention already, I would think a darker color would make them too shout-y. Great find!
Lauren says
I’m loving the gold – the metallic sheen just brings in something extra to the room and the contrast it creates with the rustic wood table. Great find!
Lisa Guimond says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the chairs!!! The invite to touch up the paint but leave them gold!
Lisa Guimond says
I meant, ” I vote to “…..touch up the gold. Darn auto correct!
Bailey says
What a great find – they’re PERFECT! They definitely look great with the horizontal lines of the lighting above them. I bet they’d look good as a bright, crisp white, but I’m sure that no matter what you guys choose will be amazing. Can’t wait to see how these pan out :)
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Laura says
TEAM GOLD!!
They really play up the wicker-y tan of the funky light pendant over the table. Before I enlarged my viewer to study more closely, I thought you painted them to “match” the chandelier!
Love them!
Andria says
Oh how I love those chairs! And $15 each?! Amazing.
Julie says
What about the rug that was under it all in the thirft store? I wouldn’t put it under a kitchen table but it might be a good fit somewhere.
YoungHouseLove says
I hardly looked at that (I was so focused on the chairs) but in my memory it was a little faded/worn down (I also have cat allergies so things like rugs and upholstery from thrift stores worry me a little more for that reason). Maybe if we’re back there I’ll check it out again if it’s still there!
xo
s
Sian says
Hey J&S. I see the chairs were paired with a gold table at the shop – what came of the table? Were you required to purchase it too as a set or were you able to purchase only the chairs? I’d love to see those chairs in ORB!!!
YoungHouseLove says
The table was priced separately so if someone wanted them all they could buy that as well, but didn’t need to buy it in order to buy the chairs. We didn’t have a need for it, so it might still be there!
xo
s
Avone says
Oh my goodness! My heart was beating faster as I read your account of seeing them across the room, and I found myself holding my breath. Duh. Obviously you got them, hence the post, but it’s like watching a scary movie I’ve already seen…I still jump. I love that glorious feeling of finding something perfect! Hooray.
I’m team gold, I think. Or white, but not dark.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that your heart started beating faster in solidarity, Avone!
xo
s
Sarah @ Just The Bees Knees says
I’m smitten!! What a score! And I agree….keep them gold!! I love the contrast of the gold with the rustic wood table…and they are nice and warm too….LOVE the sheepskin on those chairs too!!
Christina Garnett says
I have to say, when I first saw the picture, I thought these would be your next yard sale item. They are not my fav. Not sure if it’s the color or what?! I’m thinking the gold blends too much and makes them look funny up against the table, I say paint them a color that pops! :)
Beth says
They look awesome. Good score!
Sue Erneta from Sue at Home says
Keep them gold!
Tarah says
So jealous!!! I am in LOVE with them…such an amazing find!