Sunday, October 16, 2011

Black and White and Green All Over



A few months ago a dealer called and said, "I found some chairs you might like.  I thought I might clean them up myself, but if you want them I'll sell them to you."  At first I couldn't decide if they were better than my old chairs, or just different.  In the end I decided better.


Obviously, they needed to be painted.  The dealer thought they should stay light, as did the landscape designer, but the curtains may have a Miles Redd-inspired ruffle and I thought the sweetness of the room needed to be cut a little bit.  So I preceded to turn my dining room into a work room and, as Mr. Blandings is not me, he didn't say a peep.  For weeks.


Painting things black I got.  The gold detailing is more vexing than the entire wall project.  Times ten.


Still.  I am determined.
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44 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Mrs. Blandings,

    These look fabulous! I would swear that you bought them off of 1stDibs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mrs. BlandingsOctober 16, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Thanks - they are getting there. I do think they need a quick hit of sandpaper. And cushions. Hopefully by Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DavidOctober 16, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    I voted for better over different! In another room I could argue for light, but in your dining room I absolutely think black was the way to go. A little bit of visual gravitas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mrs. BlandingsOctober 16, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    David - thanks for the second (third, fourth) opinion. I remember your vote, and honestly, it was remarkable how much better they make the room. Are there really, really better chairs? Natch. But for $150 for six, there was a lot to love.

    ReplyDelete
  5. PeekeOctober 16, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    They are gorgeous! Well worth the effort! Bravo!

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  6. cotedetexasOctober 17, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    omg, they are gorgeous and so perfect - love the touch of gold. can't wait to see them next to the table. it is such a beautiful room. i was so excited you were showing it again!!!

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  7. quintessenceOctober 17, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    Looking good!! And from my view, even the inline looks great! Every room needs a hit of black!

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  8. LaurieOctober 17, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    The black makes a statement! Great choice.

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  9. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    These are perfectly beautiful chairs. They look very sound too. For $25/chair it's in the top 10 for bargain of the century.

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  10. My Dog-Eared PagesOctober 17, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    I think black was most definitely the way to go... I am so impressed by the walls, still!! I can't wait to see it all again [just before Thanksgiving]!

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  11. Laura Casey InteriorsOctober 17, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    You are going to have the best DIY dining room in history. Love the dark chairs and gold detailing.

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  12. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    They are beautiful! Just make sure your gold paint has a nice slippery consistency and relax your hand. You can do it!!

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  13. my favorite and my best- MFAMB to youOctober 17, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    you made the right choice.

    next on your list of "show jenny" is ruffled curtains.

    chop chop.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Look at what you diiiiid! Genius. And I love being back in your DR again. I remember the cabinet/cupboard you recently transformed into black with gold trim, back then little did you know these chairs were on the here-we-go-again-gilding horizon. I can hardly wait for the Thanksgiving reveal.

    -Flo

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  15. Style CourtOctober 17, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    I'm with Laura Casey. Just stunning, Patricia. And absolutely you. I love them in this room! Enjoy.

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  16. maryOctober 17, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Oh, I love them. I paint chairs and lacquer case pieces all of the time. Besides, every room needs some black (or red) to keep it grounded and hot & spicy, My new favorite is very deep Italian green with a black glaze. Your chairs are going to make the chinoiserie walls sizzle. Mary

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  17. VictoriaOctober 17, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    love the black as well what are you
    using to paint the gold on? which is
    what really elevates these to fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Mrs. Blandings-
    The chairs look wonderful. I was wondering what kind of paint you used. I've had a little trouble painting things black. Thanks-

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    I absolutely love what you've done! I hope you'll share your secrets on the gilding as well. Can't wait to see what you've planned for the seats. They really look marvelous against the green walls. Congrats!

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  20. R. ScottOctober 17, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Much better. And every room needs a bit of black!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Valerie@DesignCallerOctober 17, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Admirable,courageous work on those chairs! Especially the gold detailng.
    You did a marvelous job...If you live anywhere near me I have some chairs....Just kidding, but -- wow that's good!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lissy ParkerOctober 17, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I love the results! Black, always a classic.

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  23. judithOctober 17, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    These are fabulous. I am green with envy. Great painting job!!! And the gold trim is so worth it....WOW!

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  24. KarenaOctober 17, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Gorgeous Patricia. The black is the perfect choice with the hand painted walls. The gold trim I can only imagine how vexing. Well worth it though!

    Xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  25. TreeOctober 17, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Love that you take the time to clearly determine your design direction, and then have the talent to realize it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    You might want to try a "paint marker" for the gold trim. Just google it...

    ReplyDelete
  27. KarenOctober 17, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    The chairs look great...so pretty in black with the gold detail. Way to go.
    Karen

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  28. UnknownOctober 17, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Look at you!!! Well done -- that gold is just right, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    When I do gold in lines I use a gold leaf paint pen..they work great..you will be amazed at how much easier it is to go on a straight line..love your blog..

    ReplyDelete
  30. The Devine LifeOctober 18, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    The chairs look great. I painted a set once... they are a lot more work than one would think.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Toby WorthingtonOctober 18, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    The chairs look smashing, Mrs B.
    Now tell us how you managed a steady hand while
    lining them out in gold. Never an easy task...!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AlwaysMeOctober 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I think you did a FABULOUS job!! I love the black and the gold adds the designer sparkle that a dining room needs. Kudos to you! I agree with the 1st dibs assessment.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Vickie H.October 18, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Spectacular! And WHAT A DEAL on them! MY OH MY!!! Love love love the gilding!!! Can't wait to see how you upholster the seats! Counting the days to the big reveal!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousOctober 19, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Amazing chairs, Mrs B! Great job!
    -linda,ny

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dalai LinaOctober 19, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Holy Cow, somehow I missed the wall work. Looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  36. JanelOctober 19, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    I love these chairs -- very elegant and lovely. But why do we only get 2 armchairs -- look how much more stylish they look -- why can't we have 6 or 8 armchairs? I always wondered at this custom of the host and hostess taking the comfortable chairs and giving the guests the less comfortable ones. Hmmm.

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  37. annie@mostlovelythingsOctober 19, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Oh these chairs are amazing...love the black with the gold. They do like something from 1st dibs!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Decor Data | AnikasophiaOctober 20, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    You did a nice job here. Thought you might like a California artist who specializes in painting murals. Her blog address is http://designamour.com/ and her name is Melanie Royals. She has another address called http://www.artoflivingonline.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Decor Data | AnikasophiaOctober 20, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    And another one from Melanie!

    http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2011/09/stencil-splendor.html

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Love these chairs. The new coat of high gloss paint suits them well!
    Hope you have an amazing weekend!
    xo E + J

    ReplyDelete
  41. Grant K. GibsonOctober 21, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    They look amazing. A little elbow grease and black paint makes everything better. Now what is the fabric for the seats going to be? I can't wait to see the follow update!

    ReplyDelete
  42. HeatherOctober 21, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    I absolutely love these chairs! The black with touches of gold is so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The French TangerineOctober 23, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    You go girl! I don't think they could be prettier...
    Can't wait to see them finished!
    jan

    ReplyDelete
  44. LifeLoveLuxeOctober 25, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Insanely gorgeous! I'm beyond inspired.

    ReplyDelete

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