Chairs in Pairs

Much like roller skates and the Hemsworth brothers, some things are just better in pairs. I happen to like chairs in pairs. Of course there is no hard and fast rule that says chairs HAVE TO come in pairs. But if you can have two, why settle for one? Who wants to skate around on one rollerskate without Chris Hemsworth? Not this girl.

So sit back and relax and enjoy some pairs of chairs. But before I forget, I must first mention that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to get your Ugly Lamp Contest submissions in!  Email your original photo of the ugliest lamp you can find to betterafter@live.com, subject line: Ugly Lamp.

I have to tell you, the submissions I’ve already received so far this year are downright terrifying.  I might have to change the name to the Scary Lamp Contest. You’ve been warned.

And now … chairs!

Better After reader Beth seems like a kindred spirit of mine. She bought a pair of powder blue chairs at a garage sale with the intention of giving them a makeover, which she did.  Twelve years later. I totally get it.

 

But once she decided to do it, REALLY do it, she had them stripped, painted, reupholstered and sold within a month. She even made the double welting herself! Oh, the things we can accomplish when we put our minds to it. I’m really going to put my mind to putting my mind to it one of these days.

 

Tamara scored with a pair of $6.50 thrift store chairs that she recovered with about $8 worth of fabric. (Tip from Tamara: most fabrics sold from online fabric retailers can also be found on Amazon, where she saved a bundle on shipping). 

 

They turned out great, and I’m so impressed with how perfectly she lined up the stripes of the fabric to the seats and the backs on both chairs. I’m sure that took much more patience than I possess. See more at Provident Home Design.

 

Beck actually started with four of these mid century dining chairs, but she was able to sell two of them after doing a beautiful refinishing job.  

 

I’d buy ’em too! I really love the shape, it’s got a bit of playfulness to it. Like they want to hug you.  See more at Beckwith’s Treasures.

 

Folding chairs can get in on this party too! Better After reader Lindsay snagged this drab little pair from a neighbor’s yard sale, thinking she could cute them up considerably.

 

Cuteness Level Maximum: reached!

 

But Lindsay had more tricks up her sleeve. She redid this musty and mustard-colored set as part of a surprise office makeover for a woman at her church. Lindsay wanted to complement her friend’s effervescent personality, and was hoping to find a fabric that said “fun and effervescent adult” and not “I’m made for a six-year-old!”

 

Bam! I think she nailed it. The frames look so great in purple too. Now I’m hankering for a brightly painted chair, and also a surprise makeover! Have you ever done one for someone? It’s really fun and rewarding, and I would totally do it for a living if I could. Maybe when I put my mind to it I will.

Don’t forget, last day to enter the Ugly Lamp Contest! Details here.