Vintage Rattan Chairs – Update In The Dining Room!
Vintage rattan chairs are perfect to incorporate into so many decorating styles from Grandmillennial to Chinoiserie Chic to Hollywood Regency! See how I changed the look in my dining room with these Ballard Design Dayna dupes!
Vintage Rattan Chairs – Update In The Dining Room
I’m excited to share my vintage rattan chair update in the dining room today! In a way this was an unexpected change, but one that I’ve been thinking about for some time. If you’ve been here for awhile then you might have seen my recent dining table project. I showed you what I feel is the best way to paint furniture…and it’s NOT chalk paint! While I was at it painting the Facebook Marketplace table (trash to treasure!) I painted my existing chairs.
These chairs went well with the table. You can find them still available HERE, and honestly they are lovely! After about 5 years with them though I have been bored. 😝 Notice the legs on the table and the chairs. They are close to the same, but honestly I’m not a matchy-matchy person and I’ve been looking for something lighter in feel. NOTE* I’m storing the French style chairs as an option to use in the “winter” months. I say winter lightly, since it’s always tropical down here!
But I digress…as I was scrolling Facebook Marketplace. Typically I’ll peruse FBMP a couple times a day when time permits. Woah… up popped this set of 6 (4 side chairs and 2 armchairs). They were just what I was looking for!
I believe that they could be Henry Link cathedral chairs and if they are…well then...😱
Lucky me that the seller happened to live almost around the corner, and they were priced at just a couple hundred bucks! 🙋♀️ When you find something that you know others may covet on FBMP, hurry and be nice to the seller. Don’t act like an a_s and try and bargain them down too much. I’ve been both a buyer AND seller of vintage since the 90’s and find that the best way to negotiate is to just ask “can you do a little better on the price”?
The Original Look Of The Vintage Rattan Chairs
The chairs had been recovered at some point and were already lacquer painted in a pure white. Lucky me again, since I only had to recover the chair seats which only took a few hours. But wait! When I began inspecting the seats I pulled the cambric off one to see what I was dealing with. Behold…glorious vintage tropical barkcloth!
The Chippendale Dining Chairs Original Seats
Red just isn’t for me, so I started looking for pale blue performance fabric. Of course I turned to Crypton Fabrics a company that I had gotten to know more about when I worked with the Design Blogger Tour at High Point Market.
I ordered THIS Crypton fabric at just $20 a yard. It came quickly and I couldn’t be more pleased! It has a nice hand to it and was thick enough that I could just cover what was on the seats.
Simple Steps For Recovering Chair Seats
First of all, I am NOT a professional upholsterer by any means but I have done my share of home projects over the years! You will find THIS DIY UPHOLSTERY TUTORIAL useful that goes into it a bit further. On these chairs, I decided to remove the piping and staple the fabric directly over the existing red fabric. The homeowner told me that they hardly ever used the chairs and they were in excellent condition.
Cutting the piping and then pulling it off was pretty straightforward. The only tip that I have here for you is that corners can be a bit tricky, so use a razor knife to cut into the corner folds with a new blade.
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I laid out the fabric on my kitchen island and measured then marked with a pencil. Be sure to leave at least 2″ all around to be able to pull your fabric taught. Put a staple in the center first of each of the four sides. Then you’ll work your way out from each staple to the ends. HERE is a great tutorial to watch on YouTube and there are plenty of others.
* TIP *
Corners come last and be sure to flip over the chair to see that you’re pulling tight enough in the corners.
The entire process took me no more than 3 hours at most for 6 chairs. Don’t be intimidated to take on projects like this, as I promise they aren’t that difficult. After you do your first chair the rest will be much faster! Just make sure that when you order your fabric you measure correctly and purchase a bit extra…just in case.
The Vintage Rattan Chairs Reveal!
I’m not sure if I’ll add some contrasting piping and going to live with it for awhile first. When I took these photos I hadn’t yet screwed the seats in place, but I’ll get around to it! As I mentioned, there are four of these vintage rattan side chairs and two arm chairs. Our dining area isn’t very large, so I opted to place the four side chairs around the table and an armchair on either side of the buffet.
Dining with a view around here! I placed an oversized sea shell on the dining table and filled with a few oranges. Since it’s currently summer, I enjoy keeping the decor light and uncluttered.
The vintage Thomasville buffet was a thrifted find that I painted several years ago. It’s tropical look mixed with my French finds give the room a Palm Beach Regency vibe…perfect for Miami life! Interesting side note: I have several of these HUGE shells that came from the former Miami home of Sly Stallone!
With our dining room facing west, we have outdoor canvas roll down shades to block the afternoon sun. We installed this at least 25 years ago and had them custom made with marine grade canvas. One of the best things that we’ve ever done here! Anyone notice the photo bomber 😻 outside?
I’m contemplating wallpaper next over the chair rail, but not 100% convinced. We plan on painting the interior of our home in the fall because it can use a fresh coat of paint. Not sure that I want to go down the rabbit hole of wallpaper, so will see. Thought of something floral…as in my visualizer photo below. What do you think?
I ordered a sample and it is definitely more on the green side then seen in the photos online. So it might be back to the drawing board if I decide on going the wallpaper route.
Are you looking for some blue and white accessories? I have had a nice collection for awhile now, and put together some products for you! Just tap on any image to shop the look below!
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The chairs are awesome. I can’t wait to see which wallpaper that you choose. It’s going to add so much character to an already beautiful room.
Love the new chairs. But i love the old ones aa well. Wanna sell?
Playing catch up today Renae…thank you and I’m still debating wallpaper!
What a lucky find! The chairs are beautiful. I love the wallpaper. I think you should go for it.
I love everything ! I saw a table similar to your on FBMP and thought of yours. I wish I could start my DR over! Too bad the wallpaper really shows as green, because it is gorgeous in the picture ! It will be fun to go on the hunt, though…..
Lovely! And I too love that wallpaper. Gorgeous!
Go for the wallpaper! It’ll take the room to a whole new level. What a find in those chairs. Love your style!
Beautiful Janet! What a great find, the chairs are gorgeous. I also love the wallpaper. Definitely adds warmth to your beautiful home. I have always loved wallpaper. Awesome!!
They’re wonderful! … and i LOVE the wallpaper in the mix. It adds so much lusciousness to the room
Cindy
Love the blue and white
I have chairs like your previous ones and I love them but must admit I’m seriously crushing on your antique rattan ones! I think the wallpaper adds a beautiful layer to your room.
Total swoon over your new chairs! I adore a mix, and also Hollywood Regency & bamboo in every form or fashion. Enjoy the process & possibilities, since we all know it’s never “done”!
WALLPAPER – Yep! Makes it look “finished!”
As I love your style, I liked both the before and after chairs AND the wallpaper. I would take the time to find one that has the blue vibe of the room; looking can be such fun, too!
Love the chairs! They look great!
Definitely do that wallpaper. It adds so much.
Hard decision Sylvia, but there is also the possibility of grasscloth wallpaper I’m considering.
I prefer the older chairs. But you could mix both chairs. I’m not personally feeling this new look. That floral piillow is cute, perhaps on the other chairs, mix it up. Wallpaper? I don’t think is your answer. Your room feels bare. The walls seem to be screaming, I want some pictures or sculptures on me. It would be a shame to wallpaper and change it again in a few months!😉 But, the wallpaper with some pictures on it may bring some umph . Good luck!
Janet,
Gorgeous blue! I love the wallpaper and I’m not a fan of wallpaper, but as you said, the color is off. I love how open and spacious the pattern is. It’s not too busy that it takes away from the serenity of what you’ve created.
I love the way you use your style and make it Floridian. I’m in Central Florida and most of what we see is just too heavy for our homes, so thank you for plunging out there ahead of us in Florida to keep our Frenchish style, but Florida mindset and purpose. I appreciate it.
Blessings,
Teresa
I’m glad that as a fellow Floridian you can appreciate my eclectic French coastal style Teresa!
Love the chairs and the fabric you picked! I’m a real fan of wallpaper, so it’s a thumbs up for me. As you said, the sample was more greenish, so maybe keep looking for a more blue one.
I love the chairs and the light blue.the wallpaper shows very pretty even if has a touch of green. The whole room looks nice.
Thanks Barbara…still thinking about wallpaper and haven’t pressed the BUY switch yet!
Wow, you found the most fabulous deal of the year! I can hardly believe what great shape the chairs are in and the new fabric with that wallpaper is beautiful! Love how serene yet energetic your dining room is now. It’s always been pretty but I always love a fresh new look. Enjoy!
Right?!!! I’m loving the chairs and still have the others so I can switch things out!
That wallpaper is gorgeous! I’m with you on the paint versus wallpaper deal though. It’s a tough decision to commit to, but that paper is worth making the change at least on one wall. The chairs came out great – I’m on the lookout for some wicker dining chairs and struggling with the prices so that was a steal!
It’s so tempting Dawn, but I’m considering paint and also grasscloth peel and stick wallpaper!
You did a very good job! Chosen the right color, great.
Thanks so much Heike!
Hi…
Your chairs are beautiful!
I was looking for similar style and found them at Ballard Designs, but my budget was no where near the price!
I kept looking and found a set of 4 (almost the same) on FBMP.
It was well worth the hour drive to pick up four for $40!
Then another $40 on performance fabric, $50 on paint & lots of elbow grease ….. viola….4 perfect chairs for $130 !
I have the Ballard Designs barstools at my kitchen island and they are pricey but lovely. Glad you found your perfect chairs Beth!
I love the chairs! So fresh and perfect for a hot climate. The wall paper is lovely but almost impossible to get the right color.
This look does go really well in our hot climate Valeri and I’m also considering a tinted grasscloth wallpaper!
Hi Janet. First time replying, although I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few months now. I love country French and soft shades of blue.
I was totally intrigued this round with how you recovered/repainted those wonderful chairs. I chuckled when I read you have painted furniture when you were a teen. I too did the same thing to my mom’s first bedroom set (dated 1940). I inherited it as a teen but . . . So, I decided to paint the brown mink-colored dresser a 1957 black with gold antiquing. She was not happy, but I loved it in my pink bedroom. As an adult I’ve recovered chairs a number of times. Wish I had that super looking stapler you referenced. It’s a “must have”. Please continue with al l your adventures.
Hi Joanne and thanks for following the blog! It’s so satisfying taking something old and making it new again, as I see you already know! Enjoy your day