My house needs lamps. Lots of lamps. After some shopping, I learned that boring lamps are expensive, and interesting lamps are REALLY expensive, at least compared to what I'd imagined a lamp should cost. Small lights for cute little bedrooms can be reasonable, but if you want something that doesn't look dinky next to a sofa, they can get pricey. So I bought these on Craigslist.
There's a mid-century pair to go on either side of our bed. They're quite large and impressive. And I got this chubby pink glass item for the guest room because it looks happy.
The parlor needed a couple seats opposite the pretty settee, so I snagged two of these generously sized, fairly new (guessing) chairs. I want to paint and reupholster them in something fun. I'd planned to try it myself, but then began dreaming about how wonderful it would be to have it done for me. I got two quotes, and both were identical: $275 a chair, plus fabric. Right. So I'm thinking I'll do it myself. There are some great tutorials online. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how many times I staple myself or sew over my fingers while attempting double welt cord.
Sometimes I feel like I'm having an identity crisis in this Victorian house. I love mid-century style and then I go and buy that loveseat and these chairs. What the? I know. I can't help it. The house wants what it wants. I'm hoping to pull off some sort of eclectic but harmonious mix. Or it might just look schizophrenic, I don't know. I'm having fun, though.
The house spirits want you buy more pairs of beautiful lamps! -I noticed that I love the unhappy one:)
ReplyDeleteThe house loves the brown ones, too! I thought they would look weird in here since they're from the wrong era, but they're very lovely with our dark gray bed and brown woodwork. Our comforter is mostly white so it's kinda looking classy in our bedroom!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are having way too much fun with all your shopping! ;) And I'm having fun seeing everything. I'll have fun being in the guest room with that lamp and red headboard next time I come, too!
ReplyDeleteMum
Yard sales are also great places to find lamps. We found a gigantic gorgeous Snowy Owl/American Kestrel lamp at a great price at a church yard sale once.
ReplyDeleteSounds cool! I'm keeping my eyes open for rummage sales!
ReplyDeleteI love combining different eras in the same room. Looks a lot less boring than having it all one kind! I think you can have a lot of fun with the chairs. This is the only kind of upholstery I can do, since I can't sew. Gimp was made for people like me!
ReplyDeleteLamps are such a great thing to buy used! I love old lamps. I have far more than I can use at the moment, but they're all gorgeous. I love the pink one you found.
ReplyDeleteThat chair will almost certainly be a challenge, but I can't wait to see how it turns out! Upholstery is something that's always scared me. Maybe you could take a class! I know at a fabric store near me (VA) they have upholstery classes and once you've had some practice, you bring in your own piece of furniture and upholster it yourself with guidance. It might be pricey, but in OH I doubt a multi-week class would be more than the price of getting both chairs done... and you learn a new skill... AND you know you're doing everything right!
p.s. I invented a funny little fake-piping method... I don't know how well it would work on your chair cushions but it's way easier than real piping. I'll be blogging it next week and can send you a link if you'd like!
I helped a friend reupholster her wingback armchair and I must say: never again!
ReplyDeleteI do wish you luck and am looking forward to how that works out. It's a nice looking chair. In fact, all the items you snagged from Craigslist looks great!
Hi Jessica
ReplyDeleteI taught myself to reupholster and I can tell you that the chair you are doing is one of the easiest to master. No sewing! I used hot glue in some places and a lot of staples from a staple gun. I had a blast and learned a lot and it didn't turn out half bad! I ended up selling it when I moved, but am hoping to refinish another one when I have some room to do so. Good luck, I'm sure it will look awesome when you're finished.
As long as you love your surroundings it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
ReplyDeleteFor lamps, also look in the thrift stores. Look for shape and size, never color. Rewire them yourself, and then clean thoroughly and paint them with higher quality spray paint, if needed.
ReplyDeleteWhy rewire? Our two recent scores had old wiring; one was looking modern with aluminum wiring, and other one had very old copper wiring.
If you need ideas, the internet is filled with garage/yard sale, and thrift store makeovers.
I'm having the opposite problem: we just bought the mid century house my husband grew up in, but I'm much more of a Colonial girl at heart. This house has a personality that doesn't match my county kitchen accessories. Somehow we're going to need to make peace with each other!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're having fun and not feeling tethered by matching a style other than, your style!
ReplyDeleteI like your chair! You could use a mid century inspired fabric like e.g. MissPrint (love their patterns!) for the upholstery. So both, you and the house, have a point.
ReplyDeletehttp://missprint.co.uk/
Will you have the lamps re-wired (if that´s a word in english)? I keep seeing so many nice old lamps at flea markets here but resign to buy them because I´m a sissy and fear cable fires.
Great finds. I am a fan of mixing furniture of different styles, eclectic style is the best!
ReplyDeleteOoo, yes, I've admired MissPrint's stuff for some time!
ReplyDeleteAs for lamp rewiring, the MCM pair has new wiring already since the seller replaced it, and the pink one doesn't seem like a terribly old lamp. I need to look it over more closely. I like rewiring is an easy project to do, though!
For anyone who wants, here are a couple tutorials. You can get the parts at hardware stores. Lowes, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNcUst55t5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhXafvCWqSM
And thanks for supporting the eclectic-decorating plan, guys!
Oops, I meant "think rewiring" instead of "like rewiring."
ReplyDeleteI think the house spirits are telling you to spray paint the inside of the happy lamp neon yellow. It will pair well with the classic look ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, that would look EXTRA happy!
ReplyDeleteHinge will do this at a fraction of the cost with wonderful fabric options, and with a very fast turn over time. I know who normal quotes are and I know that it is typically out of many budgets. It was great that you stopped in today, and now I can see the chairs you were referring to. :) And my quote still stands!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! You found my chair project! :) So nice to meet you today, and if I get stuck on the upholstering I'll let you know!
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