One of the big house projects we haven’t tackled yet is the built-in bookshelves in the front room we’re calling the library (it’s the sunken space just inside the entry). I have a handful of inspiration images and a few drawings that I want to share with you guys. It’s turning into a sort of expensive project, so I’m nervous about pulling the trigger. More on that later though. In the meantime, I’ve been making some progress on decorating the other side of the room!
We had my Lee roll arm sofa (which we’ve had for almost a decade! – a record for me!) upholstered in a mohair that I got for something insanely cheap, like $15 a yard, on sale at my old favorite fabric store in the city, JEM. It’s a deep moody charcoal with lots of blue-green undertones. When the upholsterer dropped off the sofa a few weeks ago, my Gracie said now it was the color of the ocean and I think she was spot-on.
The newest addition to the space is this pair of bright yellow Henredon chairs I got from a consignment store for $50. I picked them up at the same time and place that I got the pink ikat sofas (they were probably owned by the same person).
I fell in love with the color and the Schumacher strie velvet was pretty new, just a little marked up from sitting in the store. And I knew the chairs could look a little more modern if I removed the skirts and left off the back cushions.
When I got them home, I used a damp microfiber cloth to take off most of the smudges. I usually give all my vintage upholstered finds a good vacuuming and then a pass over with my steamer in case there are any mites or bed bugs (haven’t had any problems yet).
I'm all about traffic flow of a room, so it doesn't bother me when furniture hugs the walls a bit, though I do love the look of a floating sofa or chair. We're going to add a coffee table or ottoman and move a small settee to where the green chairs are and then float either the bergeres or the yellow chairs at that point. :)
The windows in this room ( and your whole house for that matter) are to die for. Love the seating area you have arranged and esp enjoy the rug, but perhaps you have a better spot for it. Couch looks like a great place to snuggle up w/ a book!
Weren't you hinting that the rug might turn into a runner for the stairs? I've been so intrigued by that prospect as I need to figure out how to DIY a runner for my own stairs. So…nudge, nudge :)
The chairs are awesome. I initially assumed you'd recovered them in that great yellow velvet. Amazing that you found them in such great condition!
Love the mohair. Any chance you can reveal the maker and color?
Love the yellow. Orangerie pillowa are perfect!
Love the bright colors! I found some vintage chairs that are similar; I'll have to look into removing the skirts on mine.
I see your new floors. Please tell us about the installation!
Wow! I can't believe how great they turned out. The yellow really pops!! PS- I'm in love with those lumbar pillows on the couch! So pretty!! :)
This room is going to be awesome; can't wait to see close-ups of the floor!
Question: In this room and your room with the fireplace, I noticed you've arranged the furniture around the perimeter of each room. I thought this was a designer no-no?? Maybe you could explain your thoughts on furniture placement in a future post?
I LOVE the windows in your home! The chair colour is perfect. I'm interested to see what you do for the coffee table. Do you think you'll pull a few chairs closer to the sofa once you decide on a table?
Beautiful room so far! May I suggest to paint the feet on the chairs black? I think that would look great..they would sort of disappear..plus you have the black lamp shade and the legs are dark on that gorgeous sofa. Are the chairs comfy without the back cushions? I have a Henredon sofa.. I love the comfort and support of the back cushions…
Sofa cushions no; everything else, emphatically yes! Where did you find that stylish chair along the wall in your entryway? (and why don't I ever stumble on the treasures you find?)
Love all the pieces! What finds! Your room looks so spacious…might you later move the chairs away from the walls a bit?
We have the exact same sofa in almost identical fabric, but we bought it made from MGBW.
I'm all about traffic flow of a room, so it doesn't bother me when furniture hugs the walls a bit, though I do love the look of a floating sofa or chair. We're going to add a coffee table or ottoman and move a small settee to where the green chairs are and then float either the bergeres or the yellow chairs at that point. :)
I love, LOVE the bright cheery yellow. What a knack you have for sourcing great finds for cheap. And your sofa, sooo yumm!
Did you try some of the accent chairs pulled off/away from the wall? I always love a room that isn't "encircled" by chairs. It's like at a dance party when no one wants to be the first one to jump in the "dance circle". :) Love all your design ideas and hope your spirit and joie de vivre has returned!! good luck with your new studio.
LOVE this! those chairs were an amazing find for sure- that color is killer- and the sofa looks amazing as well!
I love the colors. The yellow is sublime. Thanks for some room updates- its great to see how far you've come. I only wish we could see more of that gorgeous floor!
Loving the yellow chairs in that room! You will really be able to snazz them up with some different feet/legs. And the wall color is such a beautiful neutral. The mohair is seriously gorgeous and I like the tie in with the black mirror. (I think the flowers on the mirror are dogwood though … it's one of my little design obsessions.)
Loving the yellow and what a great price!
oh – and can't wait to see your designs for the giant wall of books! it's going to be stunning!
Jenny, I'd love to hear about how to replace legs on arm chairs (especially when the legs appear to be part of the frame, and not screw-on legs).
I've got a pair of armchairs with legs that are less than desirable, so I'd love to hear your tips!
Your sofa looks fantastic in its pretty new clothing!
Those chairs are perfect. And I love the new upholstery!
Every time you post about a room you're working I remember just how much space you have to decorate! I'm sure it's a lot of fun (and a lot of work).
I just think you're great!
Beautiful pieces! Oh my goodness, those yellow chairs and that couch are to die for. Your floors are absolutely stunning.
I am wondering about your furniture placement in here and in your living room – is there a reason why you have all of the furniture up against the walls? Curious about your thoughts on placement…
The yellow chairs are such a perfect pop of color!
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
Do you know where the side table is from? The one between your two adroable yellow chairs. Thank you!!
Those yellow chairs look SO great in there! And I really love your cloud painting in this room, too. Beautiful!
Absolutely love the yellow!You always give great tips about shopping for furniture,I think I would have passed them over due to the skirt,I'll certainly be more open-minded in the future! Méabh
http://www.peachparade.com
Those chairs are stunning – like sitting on sunshine!! I can't believe what a bargain they were too- you do find some amazing stuff :) xxx
LOVELY!
It looks beautiful Jenny! Congrats! Just one suggestion, I think it could look great if you didnt have all of the furniture bordering the room, maybe brought it in a little bit? like a foot or so away from the wall…. Just a suggestin, gorgeous pieces!! xo
I love your bright colors! The sofa is beautiful and those chairs are so fun! Great idea to take the skirts off – the yellow is so fresh and happy!
I really can't believe the pieces you find! When I'm out shopping and debating whether something is hideous or fabulous, I ask myself "what would Jenni think?" Thanks for all of your help ;)
I LOVE the yellow chairs — especially without the skirts. So bright & cheerful!
Michelle @ ahealthymrs.com
Love the yellow chairs. Its so bright and cheerful. So happy that I stumbled upon your site. You have given me so much inspiration. Thank you.
I actually couldn't love those yellow chairs more if I tried! I love that you saw their potential, I am very jealous though! :)
Looks like a waiting room. Very dinky accessories and inappropriate as well.
It's looking so great!! Love the bright yellow chairs and I have to say, the floral pillows work well :)
hammerandheels.blogspot.com
It's looking great so far, but what are your plans for the windows? I think I equate libraries with moody English Manors, so it seems like floor to ceiling drapes would be appropriate and would help emphasize those crazy high ceilings.
Also, I think the main problem with that rug is that it covers up too much of the lovely herringbone floors that you slaved away installing!
Love the cheerful yellow chairs (whoever called them sunshine, right on!). I also like the bolsters, but perhaps life in Snowville has made me unthinkingly embrace anything with flowers?
Thanks for sharing your process; it's so great–and inspiring–to see the journey, not just the finished product.
Not inspiring: rude, anonymous comments (though I'm jealous of the waiting rooms h/she apparently frequents). I hope that person is having a better day.
I love the colors in this space! I think the side table you put in-between helps to balance out the chunkier legs on the chairs. I'd say for $50 and some amazing upholstery, you did great!
Are you concerned with your new wood floors cupping. Yikes!! I thought they were new, 3rd photo show major cupping. So sorry to see that.
Just gorge. I hope you have the strength to move beyond the rude comments. Keep on with the details and photos as it is such a fun read.
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Taking the skirt off used chairs… What a good idea! I much prefer chairs with kegs ( they looks so much less heavy) so I rarely find any I like. Such a simple thing to do but so effective.
I love the space! May I just sugest moving apart the walls all the furniture a little bit? Or what are your thougths about the place of them in the room?
I like the furniture and the colours you've got going on, but I just don't understand why all the furniture is mashed up around the walls. It looks like a collection of chairs you'd find in a shop not an actual living arrangement (or three separate vignettes for the sake of blogging not living).
I would pull out the yellow chairs and put them facing the couch and tuck the other chairs on opposite sides of the couch facing each other (the coffee table would be in the middle once you get one). You don't need to keep chairs side-by-side when they're the same. You can split them up. This arrangement would be more conducive to conversation and flow. Plus it would be nice to have the option of looking out of those beautiful windows instead of having them all to the back of your furniture.
Jenny…always love what you do. Yours is one of my favorite blogs to follow, bar none. I was inspired about a year ago to reupholster my camel back sofa with a velvet. While I still love the idea of it, the execution in my case wasn't great. Your couch in this post, on the other hand, is sublime. Would love to get some info on what types of velvet options are out there and your tips on how to pick the right ones. I feel I have a good handle on other fabrics, but velvet is a mystery to me. I live in Dubai, so my options are limited, but I'd love to be educated. Thanks!
LOL/ouch! Looks like it's time to turn off anonymous comments again. :)
The good news is this room is very much in progress. We need to find a coffee table and then we'll move the chairs around and play with the layout. Everything's just thrown in there right now. We've had lots of little kids staying with us this month and that rug has been a great place to spread out with puzzles and those rainbow loom bracelet things, so it made sense to have an open space. Haven't had a chance to move things around since then. Just mostly wanted to share the new chairs find and the reupholstered sofa! :)
Zoe, Kelly, Angie, Rachel, Tiffany and others – your comments meant the world to me this morning. Thanks for taking the time to give a girl a little boost! xo
I really admire your ability to see past what's right in front of you. It's inspiring when you say exactly how you'd change these great finds because I feel like I can go out and put these ideas into practice!