Cane Chair Makeover - Switch Studio

I was browsing craigslist one afternoon when I saw a listing for a pair of vintage cane chairs on sale at the local (okay, not local, I had to drive about 45 minutes) ReStore. Now, let me tell you, a pair of anything vintage is hard to come by, and when you do find a pair, it usually means $$$. But these were reasonably priced at $50 each, no tax. I knew that I had to have them. 

After folding down the seats in my parents' van and making the drive to the location, I was a bit disappointed to see that the upholstery was in very bad shape. The cream striae velvet was very yellowed and very dark and stained in places, and some spots looked like they had been scratched by a cat, leaving rips and tears in the fabric. Still, they were the perfect thing for the apartment I was on the verge of renting, and I knew with a little love they could be really special. See the before below:

Fast forward 11 months into living at the new apartment and the chairs were still sitting here unchanged. Finally, I enlisted the help of reupholster extraordinaire Staci Edwards of Switch Studio. I left the fabric, chairs and plan in Staci's capable hands and on Saturday, I went to pick them up!! I was so nervous to see them but I am thrilled with how they turned out!

I went with a simple 100% linen in soft blue from Designer Fabrics for the front body of the chair. While I initially thought about doing a striped pipe as well, I think it would have been too busy with the texture of the cane. The stripe on the back panel, however, is the perfect touch. It adds pattern and interest but is not trendy. It is classic and timeless. 

Switch Studio also did up the sweet little lumbar pillows. The Schumacher fabric used was the first 'ah-ha' moment I had when developing the scheme for this room. It really made the corals and aquas in my existing (and beloved) rug make sense, and I used this fabric to pick out the fabric for my sofa cushions. I love the contrasting coral pipe on these pillows. It compliments my coral velvet pillows from Stuck on Hue so nicely. 

 I chose to keep the wooden and cane frames of the chairs in their original condition. They are a little roughed up, but I love the sense of patina and history that they contribute. I like my vintage in vintage condition.

 The peak-a-boo striped back is so charming.

Truthfully, I thought about attempting a DIY reupholstery job on these chairs to save money, but I knew that I wanted to keep these chairs for many years to come and didn't want to mess them up. I wanted them to look perfect, not just 'good enough considering I did it myself'.  

Switch Studio did an amazing job on the chairs and pillows and I couldn't be more thrilled! Well worth the investment. They are located in Oakville and service Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Milton, and Greater Toronto Area. If you are looking for an excellent, fairly priced option for reupholstery, this is your spot! A big thank you to Staci Edwards for making my chair dreams come true!

Cane Chair Score

If you follow my instagram account, then you might have seen this beautiful cane chair that I picked up at Good Will for $10 last week (excuse the iPhone picture..read more about the mirror here):

 I was so happy when I found this. I have been looking for a cane chair just like this for well over a year now. Last summer, I saw one at the flea market but they were asking $90. My best friend Laura major low balled for me and we basically got kicked out of the booth. Good times.
But, I'm glad I held out because this one is gorgeous, in great condition, and a great price! Ideally though, I'll be able to find a partner for her, and a great reupholstery fabric.
I  might leave the wood natural though...just touch it up a bit...is that crazy?:

via Lonny February/March 2010

via Lonny February/March 2010

Do you think this is an upholstery job I can tackle on my own? I am an upholstery virgin, keep in mind.My girl's Hannah and Elizabeth were able to do some amazing cane chair makeovers! Check them out.
xox
 

Wednesday's Doodlings

A little chair I drew up. Lovely. Hope your week is going well!

xox Tiffany Leigh

Favourite Furniture Fridays: Swan Chair

What do you think of it? I'm completely smitten. Unfortunately, it's almost $4,000. A girl can dream though!
Read and see more HERE
xox Tiffany Leigh

 

 

 

 

 

Roses are Red, but VELVET is Blue

Don't tell my boyfriend, but I have a MAJOR CRUSH on blue velvet. Actually maybe do tell him, that way on special occasions I'll get velvet instead of flowers...wouldn't that be lovely? I spend my time day dreaming about this rich, warm and luxurious fabric! Drooling.

via Emily Henderson

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^ Bright blue chair steals the show.

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^ A cozy blue tufted headboard.

via The Decorista

Um...Excuse me, were you just checking out my crush? Well that's okay, I don't blame you ;)
Which is your fave?
xox Tiffany Leigh

Prettiest Little Bedroom

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Isn't this the prettiest little bedroom that you ever did see? So feminine and delicate. I love the incorporation of Pantone's colour of the year, Tangerine Tango, in such a temporary form, yet it still steals the show. The upholstery on the chair is perfect, the floral pillow on the setee compliments the desktop accessories so well, and don't even get me started on the tutu inspired chandelier! I could go on and on! Photography by Monic Richard for Style at Home Magazine.
Do you love it?
Tiffany Leigh

Favourite Furniture Fridays: The Wishbone Chair

A Brief History:
The wishbone chair was designed in 1949 by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. Since it's invention, it has been in constant production by the fine furniture company Carl Hansen and Son. It gets its name from the unique centre piece on the back of the chair, which literally resembles the forked clavicle or collar bone found in most birds, commonly called a wishbone. There was an ancient belief that chickens were fortune tellers, and that when two people hold the wishbone and pull it until it breaks, the person left with the longer piece will have their wish granted. Kinda cool!

For the more practical minded, it's also known as the Y-chair. Officially the CH24. Easily customizable and made from steam bent beechwood. Priced at around $800. It's name is totally appropriate because although it's way out of my budget, one can always wish.

What I love about these chairs is their delicate, gorgeous frame, and their tremendous customizability.

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I'm going to wish on a wishbone for a wishbone chair. How about you?
xox
Tiffany Leigh

Favourite Furniture Fridays: Eames Lounge Chair

EAMES LOUNGE

To kick off my very first Favourite Furniture Fridays I wanted to pick a piece that reshaped the history of the furniture world. I had to pick the classic Eames Lounge 670 and Ottoman 671. I recently saw the handcrafted process of making this lounge chair on HGTV’s ‘Design DNA’ and learnt that the construction hasn’t changed much since it first hit the market in 1956. This iconic beauty was designed for the Herman Miller furniture company by Charles and Ray Eames (a married couple) who were inspired by a baseball glove. The design took years of planning, trial and error. In the end, the final design was a keeper, and hasn’t been messed with for over 60 years! The only major changes are switching from rosewood veneer to a more environmentally friendly plywood, and from five layers of wood fused together to seven. In fact, it is part of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PERMANANTLY, making it not only an ingenious piece of design, but a work of art in itself. What an honour! Just looking at it you can see why. 

Its molded plywood shell is what makes it truly beautiful, and keeps each chair unique. The cushions are made to maximize comfort, and rubber shock mounts allow the chair to flex slightly for a discrete rocking motion. It also swivels 360 degrees. The leather is cinched for a worn look. The classic black leather is a popular choice (and my personal favourite), but Herman Miller now offers the Eames Lounge in a variety of colours and finishes. It makes my favourite list because I love its masculine, industrial and yet comfortable look and feel. It is an iconic piece instantly recognizable in any space.

Warning:
Before you fall completely head over heels in love with this furniture piece (maybe I should have cautioned earlier), I should warn you that it is pricey! In 1956, it retailed at a bit over 300 dollars. Now, a newly constructed Eames Lounge will run you about $4500 before tax in the United States, with some classics selling in auction for close to the $7000 mark! Even high quality and convincing replicas approach two grand. The European Vitra version is even more expensive. But hey, we can dream right? If you’re ever blessed enough to purchase one of these beauties, however, the attention to detail and high quality, hand crafted construction will last decades making it an heirloom to be passed on from generation to generation.

This chair made its TV debut in 1956 on NBC’s broadcast of Arlene Francis’s ‘Home’. You can watch the videos of this vintage appearance on Youtube. Part one here and part two here for those interested. 

This chair is often quoted for its prominent appearance in the hit show Frasier (reportedly seen in all episodes but one!). I'm not the hugest Frasier fan, however, so my favourite guest appearance of the chair is on Gossip Girl, where it was recovered in a gorgeous Missoni fabric. 

I hope you enjoyed reading all about this iconic and historical piece of furniture as much as I enjoyed researching it! Stay tuned every Friday for an edition of Favourite Furniture Fridays.

Love always, Tiffany Leigh