Chairs ...

Restoration Hardware Catalog - Lorraine Chair

I've been a big fan of the Lorraine chair from Restoration Hardware since my bloggy friend, Des used them in her living room redo here.

Interior Design by Des of Peeking Thru the Sunflowers

The chair is reasonably priced, given its glowing reviews from those who've bought it, and it's classic shape and perfect scale, easily fitting into just about any room.

Click here to buy it!

Of course, there are a lot of other options out there. Heck, this style of furniture dates back to the Louis XV period of the mid-to-late 1700's. The furniture came from a period of great stress and struggle in France, a symbol of beauty and femininity in a kingdom ruled by a dominant and brutal king.

Compared to earlier furniture in France, the Louis XV furniture has less harsh lines, more curves, and carving that is often very detailed and might even have intricate design work. They're graceful, "light", and often symbolize the love, sensuality, and romance that was oppressed during Louis XV's rule.

Antiques are usually expensive, and coveted. But there are a host of copies from all era's, most of which are from the resurgence of French furniture in the 1960's and 70's. It's what you see on thousands of blogs, painted with milk paint.

via Picasaweb

After Restoration Hardware started their collection of French inspired pieces, all bathed down in a lime wash over distressed oak frames, there were a lot of copies made.

via Layla Grace

When the burlap craze started, you started to see a lot of burlap upholstery on French pieces, like this one, mixed with linen. Just another perk with a chair of such a great lines and scale - you can have it be trendy and it's still timeless!

Designer Credit: Erin Fetherston via DecorPad

via DecorPad

Design Credit: Jonathan Adler

I actually happened upon a pair of these babies yesterday, and I couldn't be happier with the chairs and the price!! The upholstery is a little blah, it's nice - a great job, and very fun. It even works really well with the new spice colored sofa. But, because my new gray slipcover came out so beautifully, I think I'm going to slipcover the chairs for a look that can transitions between seasons or decorating whims. 

One great example of the slipcover method (switching for seasons) is Suzanne Rheinstein's beautiful Beverly Hills living room: 

Design Credit: Suzanne Rheinstein 

Here, the look for fall and winter. Sumptuous velvets and rich silk/linen blends cover antique frames - looking so fabulous!! And then the same room with the slipcover method in place:

Here, slipped in cafe striped linen in a seafoam and white - the room feels fresh and new for spring/summer. 

So, my thoughts began to reach for how to do my own slips, with peek-a-boo ties or tabs. I've worked on them before, and have learned a lot from my first time, amateur mistakes. So, off to the sewing maching I go to work like a mad man, hopefully to create something as lovely as this:

via CotedeTexas

Design by Joni Webb

via Lamp Tramp

via Undercover Slipcovers

I'll be back with an update ... and pin pricked fingers, soon!