I got to thinking about the new Widdicomb chairs and what I want to use to cover the seats. I like the gray bonded leather I got at Home Fabrics – the color was nice and neutral and the material would wear really well. But I think the gray is probably too close to the floor color and I don’t want the space to get too neutral (most everything else in our kitchen will probably be a neutral color other than the red lanterns and the accessories). I was looking through inspiration images and I came across this oldie-but-goodie from David Jimenez.
Such a great space. And the blue leather was calling out to me as a great option for the louis chairs. I thought ideally I would want something a little more on the green-blue side to work better with the lanterns and the gray floors. A quick eBay search later and I found this beautiful peacock leather.
Whenever I’m trying to imagine the way a fabric or leather will look on a piece of furniture I just search online for images of chairs or sofas or whatever in that general type of fabric. “Peacock Blue Leather Chairs” brought up a couple of chairs in the exact shade of teal that I’m considering. I think the color is really nice!
I like that it is definitely not a neutral, but it isn’t too in-your-face either. And I think it will pair beautifully with the red lanterns I’m planning on in the dining area.
I ordered a sample and used it to conduct a little testing with a bit of ketchup, some soda and a dripping-with-condensation cup. I left everything to sit for a couple hours and I was surprised that it all wiped off without so much as a shadow of a stain.
If I order the hide or two that I’ll need for the six chairs, I might be tempted to change the finish a bit on the chair frames. I’m committed to living with the chairs as-is for another week or two while I get the leather ordered, just to really give it a chance. But the last two days we’ve been using the chairs at the table and I’m sad to report that the finish is not sitting so well with me in here.
(but doesn’t the whole set fit the space perfectly?! I love it)
The finish is just a little to bespeckled and glazed. And upon close examination, there are some chips in the caning that would help justify my cause a little too.
If these were antique chairs, I definitely wouldn’t touch the finish, but these are mid-century chairs and the finish just screams “bad vintage paint job!” to me right now, but I know I’m being overly critical.
If I do paint them, I’ll lightly go over the green with a pale gray paint and then dry brush the whole chair white, just to brighten up the glaze. I still want an antique look to the frames though – and I think the combo would be so pretty with the new leather color.
Love the peacock color! Such a great idea.
Blythe
fromditchplainstolevanto.com
Leather dining chairs are fantastic!
That finish def needs an update.
Peacock blue: of course!
Gorgeous leather. Those chairs are going to look amazing when you're through with them. I'm with you on switching up the finish. It looks like an attempt at faux vintage.
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
Paint them and don't look back! I don't think there's anything to regret in painting those.
I adore the peacock blue leather.I can't wait to see how they turn out. I love the ketchup test.
Agreed.. you can't leave this finish.. looks too much like you bought them at a shhh… consignment shop!
Your idea for painting sounds great… just make sure you take a lot of pictures for the tutorial… please? Am working on fixing up some chairs for my kitchen and dining area as well and need all the help I can get.
I LOVE the peacock blue! Did you buy the gray vinyl? Do you have a different plan for it? I always get such buyers remorse if I buy the supplies for a project and I don't end up loving it. How do you deal with that?
I know what you mean about the finish – I think the thing I fall in love with when I see something finished similar to your chairs is the possibility of it being more beautiful. Gray is so practical – blue is so fun! Go for fun!
I definitely support painting them! Do it! Do it!! And love the peacock blue! :)
Okay, now I have to find something in my house to cover in peacock blue. I LOVE IT!!!
Loving that leather. Can't wait to see the final product. It will be stunning!
LoVE hearing your thought process on it all with your maybe this maybe that mentality!
Yes, yes, and yes! I will always say yes to peacock blue leather. I can't wait to see all this come together!
Jenny, loving that color of leather!
Beware of trying to strip this speckled finish if you have any dreams of doing so. It is a mess!
See my disaster here :).
http://www.astoriedstyle.com/index.php/2013/01/when-you-fail/
I'm all for a little paint job OVER the finish. ;)
xoxo
LOVE the peacock leather. So fun…and will really make the chairs pop! I agree about the finish being too speckled. Can't wait to see the finished product!
How are the painted bricks holding up with the chairs (and kids) going across them? I'm trying to convince my husband that painting the tile in our house will work out ok.
The peacock is gorgeous! It will be beautiful with the neutral palette.
That finish color combo was just what I was thinking too. Silver and white will really make them pop and feature them like they totally deserve! Can't wait to see them transform!
When I was growing up, everything in my parents' house had that fake-antique speckled finish, and to this day it distracts me from anything else good about a piece of furniture. TEAM PAINT!
Jenny, PLEASE tell me an affordable reupholsterer in New York. Everyone wants $2500+ to re-do a sofa.
the leather is such a great pop of color and way exciting that it wears so well. need to tuck that idea away! and totally think painting them is a good idea, they will look amazing…!
CanNOT wait to see the finished product!! I am still smitten with peacock blue – will be super paired with those chair frames!
Gorgeous color, I say go for it!
I definitely like the peacock leather instead of the grey! And yes, definitely change the finish…are you able to strip the paint and expose the wood??
Love the peacock leather! I can't wait to see how these turn out.
Jenny, the peacock leather is SMOKIN' HOT! Paint 'em white and never look back!
Loooooooooooove. I love it. That color is a dream, and I think your plans to refinish are great, too.
The peacock is GORGEOUS – adore! And changing up the finish makes sense, particularly with the close-ups showing just how speckly it is. I liked the idea of the chairs before, but now it's love :)
I like the way you walk your readers through your design decision process. The blue is gorge. Cute post over at peppermint bliss, btw. Congrats on having a namesake bedding line!
Peacock color is just stunning. The idea of using such color is mind blowing. Beautiful Blog. Check my website http//www.luckies.co for unusual gifts for men. Thanks
Agreed- love the peacock blue but I don't think finish on the set fits well.
My bedroom is peacock blue and I never get sick of it. You will love the color.
Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget
This is my new favorite color, and I think of it almost as a neutral! Peacock blue seems to look amazing with everything, and I'm loving this leather a lot more than the grey vinyl option. I'm also totally with you on the dry-brushing over the chairs. Up close, the finish is a little cheesy. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!
Love it!
xoxo
emma {from my little pink couch}
Love the peacock blue. I gotta say though, I'm in the minority and like the current finish. It has a Restoration-Harware-I'm-Not-Trying-Too-Hard thing going that I think would be killer with the blue color. Will you feel differently when the other stuff in the room is where you want it to be? They'll be great either way though.
LOVING the Peacock blue! I actually like the current finish and like it the the blue., but NOT in that space. The green speckled with the gray floors just looks grim. I guess what I mean is go for the new finish! I'm all for making the furniture fit the current space, unless it's antique or super valuable "as is". Then I say "find something else".
Where did you source that leather? It's fabulous. CTD
Jenny,I love the example images, particularly how the legs of the chair in the picture with the lucite side table go with the peacock blue leather. Would this sort of dark colour (is it a very dark brown?) be too much on the chairs?
Peacock block is my jam. It's everywhere and I can't get enough. I'm doing a room right now with it as the primary accent color!
And your test on the swatch is pure brilliance. So simple but perfect way to know for sure whether they'll really hold up.
This is a great color combo
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/40673202854643316/
peacock with a rusty red
I love the peacock leather and I agree that you should freshen up the frames!
I think you will be so happy with a fresh finish on the chairs! They are too fabulous to not add a little bit of your great taste too!
Really like the leather too!
Good luck!
LOVE the leather — it will be perfect. Seems like it wouldn't be hard to get that finish to a Gustavian look — maybe just by sanding a bit and whitewashing?
LOVE the leather! Such a chic choice. And you're a genius to test the fabric with ketchup and other food culprits – well done!
Absolutely LOVE the peacock blue and I agree about the finish. A bit of sprucing up and covering up the green would look great. Can't wait to see them done!
Paint those puppies! Those speckles have to go, love your paint ideas with the blue leather!
I get why you want to paint them, but white is starting to feel overdone to me. I think the peacock blue leather would be spectacular with a wood color. I love seeing your house come along!
You can't go wrong with that beautiful color. And I'm with you on freshening up the paint. Never been a fan of the speckled vintage paint finishes.
Love that aqua blue leather–it will look amazing in your kitchen–can't wait to see your magic. Happy Nesting!
i'm very tempted to use that same material on some cool mid century style chairs we just got, refinished in a high gloss lacquered finish, however HAVE to say… LOVE the table! killer legs with the capped brass feet on casters. so so cool! once again, i'll be staying tuned :)
Oh how I love, David! He is leaving Kansas City to move out west, but I had the pleasure of working with him while he was here and he threw the most amazing parties at his home! Probably the most hospitable person I've ever met.
I love the leather and I think a wash would be great on the chairs! Yes, as long as they don't look freshly painted, I think they'll be perfect. Exciting to see some things coming into place!
You should check out Pier1's fall catalogue online, pg. 46. They show a louis chair very similar in peacock blue (p) leather.