I’m in the progress of “staging” a house for sale. One of my recommendations was to remove one of two matching sofas in the clients living room. This would make the space appear larger. To balance
out that side and add less visual weight, we added these two Louis chairs. The client likes traditional French furnishings so when I came across these chairs, I felt they were right for the room. I had looked in quite a few places, but ended up finding these at HomeGoods. I was happy about the find and my client loved the chairs and the price. ($199 ea.) Stay tuned, when the room is completed, I’ll post pictures.
1. Cathy–you are so talented! i love the look –also love your bedroom!!!
I watch HGTV everynight –I especially love to see how they Stage a house -when Lisa comes in and for $2k she works her magic—
This sounds like a great job? suzanne
by SUZANNE — 4/5/07 at 1:20 pm #
2. That’s a great price….
Beautiful chairs…
Super decorater!
by Julie — 4/5/07 at 5:51 pm #
3. Hi Suzanne,
Yes, Lisa La Porta (?) is really good at staging those houses on HGTV.
she really stretches the budget and gets great results. I usually work with what they have and remove a lot of things from the house. Declutter, Depersonalize, re Design.
Cathy
Julie , The chairs were a great buy!! Lots of style!
Cathy
by Cathy — 4/11/07 at 7:10 am #
4. Hi, Cathy,
I have been super busy lately and haven’t had a chance to check out the blog I’m happy to see all the new topics. I didn’t know what topic to post this under, but since it has to do with chairs, I thought I’d post here. Yesterday at the auction, I got 4 brand new dining chairs. They are in a creamy vanilla color, almost a pale yellow, I suppose you could say They are very heavy and have upholstered seats in a solid white nubby fabric.. The legs are curved like French-style chairs and the back is in a open-weave, almost lattice-like design. In other words, it’s a diamond cut-out design. They’re tall chairs and look very impressive with my round table. Although I have a red, white and black theme going on in the kitchen/dining area, the Pates Baroni poster I have in there, has a touch of yellow so the chairs would work. I really don’t want to paint the chairs because, as I said, they’re new. The plastic is still on the seats. So, I have a few options. I can recover the seats or leave them like they are. I could use a red and white toile “to the floor” cloth — or I could leave everything like it is. My round table is old, and it’s antique. I really don’t want to do anything to it either. What do you suggest? And, what would be a nice centerpiece for my new “impressive” dining area? Thanks for your help. ~ Janice
by Janice — 9/8/08 at 5:50 pm #
5. Hi Janice,
Good to hear from you again. Glad you could stop by for a visit. Those chairs sound great, interesting style and color. Since the chair frames are so light and the upholstery is light, do you think you might want to recover the seats in a more contrasting fabric? Maybe your red and white toile on the seats and leave the table “undressed”. Is the table in good shape to be left as is? Maybe make 2 criss-crossing table runners in the toile to match chairs and show more of the table. Or maybe go with more red, a red background with a small black dot…a little different.
Look around at some fabrics and see what catches you eye. It sounds like such a great mix. I love the look of mismatched chairs and table. Lots of style. A collected look.
As for a centerpiece. How about a couple of big clear,lidded, glass jars of black and red licorice, and/or black and red jellybeans…fun and different. Or 3 tall clear vases filled 1/2 way with black, white, red marbles or glass beads. Set thick white candles on top of one of those in the clear vases. Or turn over some tall clear vases and set thick candles on top of each one. you could wrap some thick grosgrain red or black ribbon around the centers of the candles. A few ideas that are a little different.
Let me know what you do. I know it will be great!
Talk soon.
by Cathy — 9/9/08 at 11:03 pm #
6. Cathy, thanks so much for the great information and ideas. My table is in pretty good shape. In fact, I prefer to have it “undressed” but thought that since the chairs are “collected” and didn’t come with the table, I should try to cover up the table. Does it matter that my table is oak and the chairs are in a colored finish? And, I do love the idea about the red and white toile, and I feel certain I will cover the seats with it. What a wonderful idea about the black and red licorice or black and red jellybeans! I would have never thought of that in a million years. Since we’re on the subject of centerpieces, what do you suggest that I use on the table for the Christmas season, which will be here before we know it?
by Janice — 9/10/08 at 9:31 am #
7. Hi Janice,
I love the look of different chairs around a different table. Yes, even different finish colors. Much more interesting and creative than a “set” of something. I think your fine with yours as is…like you’ve been to a French flea market! The toile will look good on the chairs. Make a table runner out of the same to tie in the table some more.
Hmmm, centerpiece for Christmas…how ’bout one big red Amaryllis flower in a black pot, or Paper-white flowers in a red pot. Ask me closer to Christmas again for some other ideas…I’m not thinking Christmas yet,,,or at least trying not to LOL.
by Cathy — 9/10/08 at 11:13 am #
8. I appreciate your help, Cathy. I, too, think the red and white toile will look great on the chair seats, as well as for a table runner. I just have one more question about the room. As you know, the table and chairs are in my “eat in” kitchen. The lay-out of my kitchen is similar to yours, and I have a sliding glass door on one side of the room. I don’t use any coverings on it because there is a beautiful river view outside, and privacy isn’t an issue. However, over the kitchen sink, I have a small window, which does need something — just a valance, perhaps. Should it be the same red and white toile as the chair seats and table runner — or is this too much toile for the room? You’ll recall that I have a black and white backsplash, like you do, and my cabinets are ebony. The space above the backsplash (where the window is) is red. What do you think — toile, no toile, something different, or nothing at all?
by Janice — 9/11/08 at 10:11 am #
9. Hi Janice,
Yes, I think the toile valance would look fine. If you can, install it close to the ceiling so you don’t block light on your window. That should give you a nice deep valance. It sounds like it goes well with all the elements in the kitchen. I say it’s a “go”! How cute it will all look! Love it!
by Cathy — 9/11/08 at 5:34 pm #
10. Thanks again!!! At first, I couldn’t decide if I should red and white toile for the kitchen or black and white toile. But now I know red and white is the better choice — for everything — the seat covers, valance, and table runner. I appreciate your guidance. And, yes, it will look wonderful!!
by Janice — 9/12/08 at 10:24 am #
11. Cathy, I forgot to ask you about something (imagine that! LOL) When you said that I could put red and black licorice (or black and red jellybeans) in a jar for a centerpiece — did you mean one of the apothocary jars that are so popular now? Just didn’t know what type vase or jar to use.
by Janice — 9/15/08 at 1:24 pm #
12. Hey Janice,
Your welcome.
Have you seen those taller jars with lids…apothocary jars or any that are tall, clear, with a lid (I don’t like edible food just sitting out uncovered for more than a day, yuk.)
Just simple, tall clear glass jars that add some height to the table. Maybe group in 3…red licorice in one, black in another and a mix of jelly beans in another. Look for other candy that have the colors you like, even candy that has a red or black wrappers. Kinda fun, don’t you think? something different.
by Cathy — 9/16/08 at 11:30 am #
13. Definitely, fun, Cathy. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for the right jar. Speaking of table decorations, can’t wait to hear your ideas for the holidays. As you can tell, I’m so ready for cooler weather. Speaking of clever ideas, I must tell you about my latest idea. In fact, the idea didn’t come to me until I was sitting at the auction and a mannequin came up for bids. It wasn’t a “full body” mannequin, but just the torso of a woman, and was probably used on a jewelry counter or to display hats. She was holding up one arm, and I thought how great it would be to put all my braclets on her, so I could see them readily, rather than scramble through my jewelry box looking for them. And, I could put all my chains and necklaces around her neck. Well, you guessed it. I got her and she resides by my closet, and holds all my pretties. I couldn’t resist dressing her in a pretty pink blouse, and now I’m looking for just the right hat! LOL
by Janice — 9/22/08 at 5:15 pm #
14. Janice! Love it, Love it, Love it !!!
You know a great thing when you see it. These are things that give great personality to a room. You have a good eye for finding great things at those auctions. You’ll have a friend to talk to while you get dressed, and she’s not too opinionated, my kind of friend…hope she doesn’t scare you at night, until you get used to her. LOL. Love the jewerly and hats she’ll wear. You come up with the best stuff.
Give her my regards and have fun!
by Cathy — 9/22/08 at 6:59 pm #
15. That’s what I try to do — look for unusual things that serve a purpose. Glad you love my idea. And, you’re right. At first, I thought someone was in the room but I’m accustomed to her being there now. But, you should see my little Chihuahua. She doesn’t know what to think of a strange lady in the house! LOL And, speaking of strange, the auctioneer (who is a woman) told me that she has a carousel horse in her living room, as well as a lifesize doll named Eula, who sits on her PURPLE Victorian settee. I can just imagine what a fun house that is. Needless to say, this auctioneer doesn’t have a problem with mixing and matching styles.
by Janice — 9/23/08 at 5:22 pm #