Fabric Hound

I know they do it on purpose, because it is hard to miss, but do all of the clearance sale signs have to be in bright yellow?  It’s like a ray of sunshine, calling me to come and play. That is what Hancock Fabric has been taunting me with, and I finally decided to see what all the banners were about.  They did not disappoint.

I know I have touched on the subject before, of finding that one magical piece of the design puzzle that makes your heart skip a beat.  I found two! I was sifting through the clearance table of upholstery fabrics and found both of these beauties:

Upholstery Fabrics

I knew immediately that I loved them, though at the time I wasn’t sure for what purpose.  I just had to have them, and at $7.00 a yard I would take what they had left.  Imagine my surprise when I got to the register and found out it was an additional half of that! At that point I didn’t care if they sat in a closet for a year (shame on me for thinking that) because I was getting such a bargain.

After a quick internal design discussion, I decided that the faded blue floral would look great on our dining room chairs (craigslist find) and that helped my with my hutch dilemma in choosing a gray paint. I am attempting to teach myself how to take better photos, so these will have to do for now. When I first picked up the fabric I thought I was looking at the back, because it looked slightly faded.  But after turning it over I realized that the great aged, worn look was the right side.  It almost has a linen like texture, and you can see the thread lines and the non-uniformity as the pattern fades in and out.

Fabric Detail

The chairs are a bit run down, but have a great shape, so those may get a coat of gray too. These chairs are much taller than most (like me) and are currently sporting a green velvet seat.  You see that one cane back is damaged, but after paying only $40 for 4 side chairs and 2 armed-captains chairs I’ll make it work.

Wicker Chairs - Before

I’ll have to dissect the piece to see if it can be repaired, or perhaps a new look with an upholstered back also…what do you think? I’m torn because the caning is really starting to grow on me.  I have been looking at some antique French chairs for inspiration.

Country French Louis XV Dining Chair

French Antique Louis XV Side Chair

French Antiqui Louis XVI Giltwood Armchair

images found at: Alhambra Antiques

Insert Dreamy Sighs…..Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me.