Which Chair is Which?

Yesterday morning started off with a phone call from my upholsterer saying my chairs were ready and could they bring them right out to me.  Of course, I said no.  Just kidding!  I was excited, but holding my breath hoping they had turned out the way I had invisioned them.  I do that with all my projects.  I get a vision, set about creating what I see in my mind's eye, and then get a little frightened that I got it wrong.  Can you relate? 

Here's  a little background on this project.  I had been looking for a coordinating chair to one I already had and the one I had had great sentimental value to me.  That chair was a gift from my husband the day we brought home our first baby.  The chair has been recovered three times, plus its original covering.  Our first baby will be thirty years old in October, just for the record.  Here is how it looked for the last twelve or so years.

Before

This picture was taken at the upholstery shop--I forgot to take one at home.  The back of the chair was upholstered in a different semi-floral print.  This all went with a plaid wallpaper that was on the part of the wall in the basement that was underground--chair rail height.  Lots of prints, lots of color, red color.  I have to remind myself that I liked it all and had copied a Ralph Lauren ad about twelve years ago.  Now the house is neutral and feels much more calm.

The story of finding another chair similar to my beloved chair above happened about two months ago.  I had been looking for at least a couple of years at  estate sales.  I had checked with the manufacturer and they were no longer making the model of chair I had.  But, really, with the bedbug thing lurking in my mind, I wasn't too keen on the idea  of buying a used chair until I found a pleather fake leather chair that was the cousin to my favorite chair and it was only $30!  I talked them down from $35 because of a tear in the pleather, even though I had no intention of ever letting that chair in the house until it was reupholstered.  They probably felt sorry for me having such bad taste--the chair was horribly ugly.  It took some determination on my part to have to carry this heavy chair up basement stairs with my son!  Yes, it was  a hot day too.  But here are the final results.  I didn't get the beautiful pleather covering photographed, I mean, really what was I thinking not to want a picture?

Original Chair After

The fabric is a wonderful linen that is commercial strength fabric and, according to the upholsterer, should wear like cast iron.  The last of the big red pieces in my house are gone!  Happy dance! 

Cousin chair After

Linking to http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/, http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/feathered-nest-friday_28.html,

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/