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A Curvy Armchair For The Kitchen

Chairs are definitely one of those high/low things for us. In the low category we have our $30 thrift store egg chair…

Egg Chair Now2

… our $32 stools from a school supply website…

StoolPaint Detail Two Backs

… and our $35 secondhand office chairs just to name a few.

Office With Us In It3

And then in the “high” category (although I guess that’s all relative since some folks might spend more) we’ve also invested in a few of the chairs. Like the $230 leather chair from Target that we have in our office (which used to live in the master bedroom of our first house)…

Art Update6

… the $199 armchair in the corner of our bedroom from Joss & Main…

Bedroom Chair Corner

… the two $118 Dolce lounge slipper chairs from Target that used to live in our first house’s living room and den (and now hang in our guest room)…

Guest From Doorway

… and our new kitchen chair!

Chair Ottoman1

Surprise! We couldn’t resist free shipping and a price of $298 (originally $498) through Joss & Main, and we thought it would work well in that corner of the kitchen, which used to sport a too short, white Ikea chair (which we actually found at a thrift store). Why did that corner sport that little white chair? Why, for a great well-thought-out reason of course. Just kidding, it was because we shoved it there “just for now” after we moved and there it has sat for the past year and a half. It’s a great little chair, just not for that spot. But more on that in a sec.

Alang 2 Plug In Light11

It’s hard to make out all of the details in those far shots, but the new guy has great clean lines, a bit more of a tailored look, and some nice modern tufting on the back of the cushion.

Chair Detail22

Along with some pretty sexy little legs going on.

Chair Detail1

Here are the reasons we thought the new chair would work well (we tend to think purchases like this to death before clicking “buy” – just to be sure):

#1. It’s a nice dark color, which makes it easier in a room full of food and sticky kid fingers

#2. It has a nice tall back, so unlike the too-short white Ikea chair that used to live in the corner, you’d actually see the top of it from the other side of the room. See how the old too-short Ikea chair went missing the kitchen reveal a few months back?

Kitchen Other Side

#3. The curvy rounded shape looks pretty not only from the front, but from the sides, which is nice because with two doorways surrounding it, you definitely see the sides (so they should be just as good-looking as the front).

#4. It’s such a neutral color and clean-lined shape that if it arrived and didn’t work in the kitchen for some unforeseen reason, we knew we could easily use it in another room (the undone playroom or even the office or bedroom if we pulled a little musical chairs action an switched some things around).

Thankfully when it arrived it was perfect. We love the dark color in that corner to ground things, tie into the darker floors, and keep a room full of white counters and cabinets from feeling too white-washed. The color and fabric is actually extremely similar to the dark gray fabric on Karl the Sectional in the nearby living room, so that’s an unexpected but awesome “tie” between those two rooms (and that color/fabric has been awesome with a kid and a dog in the living room so we hope to have the same luck in the kitchen). Now we can actually let Clara eat Jammy Sammies in the chair (they’re sort of like fig newtons with peanut butter and jelly in them, so we always cringed when she carried one into the old white chair and pretty much held our breath the whole time).

Chair Ottoman1

The best part? We can actually see it over the peninsula thanks to the taller back, so it no longer looks like we have a weird empty corner from across the room.

Over Counter1

So it’s a nice little upgrade in form and function that has us loving our cozy little fireplace zone a lot more. Oh and the ottoman in front of the chair is from Marshall’s a while back (it used to live in our first house’s master bedroom, so we’ve had him a while).

At first we tried the white pouf that seems to travel around the house…

Chair Pouf1

… but it was a bit low and the taller ottoman is pretty much the most comfortable thing ever because it’s like you’re in a recliner because your feet are way up instead of just semi-up. And see how much higher the back is? It comes up over my shoulders! So you can definitely see it over the peninsula now. Hootie hoo.

Chair Sherry1

Don’t mind that weird hair that appears to be growing out of the top of my ear. I’m 95% sure it’s not really doing that.

Anyway, the new chair is my new favorite spot to read magazines and then get interrupted by Clara about a minute into it and end up reading her board books. Haha. At least Snuggle Puppy is more fun for the hundredth time when you’re kicking back in a comfy chair with a nice big ottoman. Seriously, I’m working on a theory that a good chair can make almost anything more enjoyable (and there are far worse things than reading board books for the ten millionth time). Maybe dentists should get nice big plush arm chairs with overstuffed ottomans? Could be nice…

So that’s the first little upgrade in our cozy fireplace corner. We actually have a few more plans up our sleeves for this perennially ignored corner of the room that we’ll be sharing over the next few days as we chug along. Until then, what is the chair M.O. in your house? Do you have the high/low thing going on too? Any recent chair makeovers or upgrades going on? Oh and as for where the old white chair will go, we think he’ll be perfect in the sunroom with our white daybed when we finally tackle that untouched-since-we-moved-in space. Someday…

Psst- Check out our river adventures over on Young House Life (where Burger’s stick-chewing abilities are unmatched).

Comments

  3. Julia @ Chris Loves Julia says

    That chair is a stunner!! Glad you sprung for it. We are definitely ones to mix high end (not THAT high end) with low end (Ikea) with DIY and it has been working well for us. Just this weekend, we replaced our DIYed chandelier with an actual one (we’ll call it high end because it was $300, but it was also the cheapest on our favorites list. hahaha) and it completely amped up the whole dining room!

    http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2012/08/our-new-favorite-chandelier.html

    Reply

  4. Wendy says

    Cute! I love the shape and the color.

    I’ve been agonizing over a chair decision lately too. We’re in the process of giving our sun porch a little facelift (http://www.oldtownhome.com/2012/8/13/I-See-London-I-See-France-New-Paint-Colors-Make-Me-Do-a-Happy-Dance/index.aspx), and I can’t figure out what to purchase to replace our beat up wicker bench. Last night I came across two 1930s club chairs in a store near our house, but they would definitely give meaning to the “high” in high/low. With two messy fur babies, I’m not sure if I’m ready to invest that much.

    …but I can’t stop thinking about those chairs. :-)

    Reply

  6. nancyo says

    I love the new chair. The $295 balances it out when you spend so little on the other chairs.

    What’s your plan for the side table that you see through the door opening? The wood color kind of throws me off. Sometimes, I feel like I have an aversion to wood tables because of how it mixes with wood flooring.

    To me, it’s like seeing a picture of a celebrity wearing denim with a denim jacket and you think how awesome it looks. Except when I try the denim on denim, I look like I’m stuck 20 years in the past or like I stole the Canadian Closing Ceremony denim jackets.

    Any tips that you could share on wood furniture with wood floors would be much appreciated.

    nancy

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Do you mean the dark wood console table in the hallway with all the frames? We’re planning to refinish the floors to be that dark mocha color (we have furniture of that tone throughout this house and our first one, so we love it). Hope it helps! I think in general it’s cool to have one or two tones of wood throughout your house if you love them, and as long as they each appear in a few places they tie together. We have the same hardware philosophy (we love a layered oil-rubbed bronze + brushed nickel look, as long as it occurs a few times so it looks intentional and not mismatched).

      xo,
      s

    • nancyo says

      yesss… the console table. That’s a good tip. I’ll keep it in mind.

      Also.. you guys haven’t had a running project to-do list in a while. I feel like my house balances from a state of disarray to normal life. After the deck, what’s your next big project? How do you prioritize? Do you do a general plan yearly and adjust as the projects move along?

    • nancyo says

      You know .. I’m almost as psychic as the ladies on the NJ boardwalk . . .

      I’ll look forward to it.

      Thanks,

    • Esther says

      Lol on the Canadian closing ceremony jackets!! haha
      and I’m from the ‘true north strong and free’ so…. i’m allowed to laugh :)

  7. Heather says

    *Wolf Whistle* Hello gorgeous.

    Love the chair! And do my eyes decieve me, or do I spot a new color on that beautiful sideboard in the entry way? :)

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Ahh, gotcha. I love the sideboard and it’s color, but on my screen it looks almost cream colored! Glad to hear she’s unchanged. She needs an old lady name like Myrna, or Cordelia. :)

  9. Taylor says

    Love the chair! What’s the brand/style so that I can keep an eye out for it next time it rolls around on J&M.

    That chair. I lusts for it.

    Reply

  10. Sarah says

    Looks great! I’m on an intense chair hunt right now for my new living room. I’ve been saving all summer, but now that I can pull the trigger, I’m far too indecisive to settle on THE chair(s).

    Reply

  11. Kate says

    Love it! It makes the space feel a bit more homey. I especially love the 3rd pic from the bottom where you can get a peak at the stools, new chair, gallery wall and entry buffet. What cozy and inviting spaces you’ve made!

    Reply

  17. Amanda C says

    Just this weekend, hubs and I had a new chair delivered from Ashley furniture for our living room! It’s a chair and a half that we got a great price on since we opted for the floor model. And I fully plan on using that corner of the room as a “reading nook” too, although so far, it’s really a “napping nook” since less than an hour after having it delivered, I fell asleep on it! :)

    Reply

  18. Desiree C. says

    Reading board books for the one millionth time…makes me think of my husband. He insisted on his parents reading him “Mickey Make It” every. single. night. They even tried hiding it from him, but he’d be sure to find it.

    It basically walks you through several easy crafts with each craft starting off by listing the materials you need. It’s pretty cute! And now I read it to him every night. Ha! Just kidding. :)

    Beautiful chair! Looks mighty comfortable!

    Reply

  20. Alex says

    ooo i love it! Have you guys heard of Myhabit.com? Its similar to Joss and Main with all the great deals, created by Amazon. Check it out!! They have lotssss of great events (home stuff, but also men’s, women’s and kids’ stuff)

    Reply

  23. Rachel says

    The only chairs we’ve purchased for our house are our dining room chairs. The rest have been hand-me-downs from family members. This has worked out well for us as they are typically “high” purchases, but we don’t have to pay for it!

    Reply

  25. elizabeth says

    i have been looking for a chair for the nursery. it doesnt have to be a rocking chair, i just wanted it to be the perfect chair … and that is one perfect chair. sadly it is out of or budget which qualifies it as “almost perfect” i guess. now i have chair envy. thanks a lot! :)

    Reply

  27. Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    ooo – I love it! Is it really as cozy as it looks.

    I have two chairs that I am trying to redo – actually they are Little Tikes yellow plastic kids chairs and I would LOVE to spray paint them a bright green for my little man….any suggestions on how to proceed. My hubby thinks the spray paint will flake right off.

    Reply

  28. julianna says

    Love the new chair. I’m always too nervous to buy chairs online in case they aren’t as comfortable as they look — any tips on gauging comfort online?

    p.s. That shirt color is really flattering on you. You look good in black, too, but it’s nice to see you change it up once in a while.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Julianna! You’re sweet. As for online comfort, I try to read reviews (often times a chair on Joss & Main will also be on overstock.com or wayfair.com and I’ll head over and find it and read those reviews). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  29. Tracie@Gurtler+Home says

    I just got a pouf like the one you showed. But I have to put the filling in it. I was wondering if you knew what was inside yours. OUrs is going in our new nursery in hopes that the future twins will be able to crawl around it without hitting hard corners, but I want it to be sturdy enough to act as a footstool. So if you have any ideas I would appreciate them.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ours has some sort of foam in it I think- very tiny pieces that are wadded up and shoved in. I’ve heard of folks filling it with old blankets and rags or even old stuffed animals though!

      xo,
      s

    • molly says

      As a child, my parents filled my large bean bag with strips of foam mattress toppers. It has held up for 12 years and still maintains a nice shape.

  30. kathy says

    Love the chair! I, too, agree with the theory that “a good chair makes almost anything more enjoyable”! Case in point: at my worst teaching job ever I did have an excellent “teacher chair”–perhaps the best teacher chair I’ve ever had! It didn’t make me stay at the job more than one year, but it sure was comfortable and I appreciated a new chair in a nice green fabric over the many awful older-than-dirt teachers chairs I have inherited over the years!

    Reply

  31. Kait says

    OOOO snuggle puppy of mine, everything about you is especially fine!

    Haha, as far as children’s books go I enjoy the Sandra Boynton books. The Belly Button Book is my fave.

    Love the new chair, great decision adding a darker element.

    Reply

  33. Brenda says

    I love the color and shape of the chair. I’m on the hunt for new furniture myself, and I have my heart set on a lounge chair, like a chaise lounge but with arms on both sides. I don’t know how it would work in my tiny studio, but I can just see myself spending long hours reading and watching TV in comfort.

    Reply

  34. Emily says

    Love the new chair! We are mostly on the low side with our chairs. I once (okay, more than once) made my hubby stop the car so I could rescue a cast-off chair (side tables, shelf, etc.) by the side of the road. The chair got re-covered with fabric from an old tablecloth with a burn hole in it, and now it’s perfect place to sit in the corner of the entryway and put on/take off shoes!

    Also, Snuggle Puppy is one of our faves, too. Sandra Boynton has several CDs that go with her books and they are catchy little tunes! The Belly Button song is the best!

    Reply

  38. Megan says

    I like it! I definitely like the constrasting colors. Maybe paint the frame above it too?

    I need some more chairs in our house… we want two leather chairs (kinda like yours) for our TV area in our master bedroom and I’d love a smaller chair for my office, not to mention a better desk chair too. But for now, it’s either super super cheap (under $50) or nothing at all. Some day!!

    Reply

  39. Michelle says

    Lookin’ Good, Sherry! The chair looks super comfy and very nice! I have been a huge YHL fan for a while now, and I love getting inspiration from your blog :-)

    I have a blue color scheme going on and when I found these chairs online, I fell in love!

    http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=parsons+chair&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories

    If you have a few moments, I’d love to hear your opinion on mixing and matching chairs for a dining room table. I plan to use these 2 chairs for my white round dining room table, and the other 2 chairs I have on hand are all wood (dark brown)–same color as the legs of the blue beauties. Do you think it would flow to use 2 kinds of chairs, or should I stick to 4 of the same chairs (the blue ones)? Hmmm…. ;-)

    Thank you!

    Michelle
    Long Beach, CA

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh I love the idea of mixing and matching! I think it could be really pretty- just tie in those colors elsewhere in the room (both the blue and the wood from the chairs and the white from the table) in things like art, curtains, accessories, etc. That way every color will appear more than once and won’t look like an odd-ball choice- it’ll fell layered and lovely!

      xo,
      s

    • Michelle says

      Thanks for the tips, Sherry! I can’t wait to see how it turns out :-) Love, Love, Love your Blog!

  40. Kristy Swain says

    Love the new chair! I’m afraid to purchase certain things like that on J&M when the exact hue of color matters, but at least in this case there were backup plans just in case. That’s exactly how I work if I do order. Looks great though. We have some thrift store chairs, craigslist chairs, homegoods chairs… My favorite chairs are our faux bamboo chairs in the breakfast room – Craigslist find!

    Reply

  41. Heidi P. says

    Oooh la la! Love me some tufting.
    I have family in town, so we’ll be going to Ikea today to buy a few more chairs for the kitchen table so everyone has a place to sit.

    Reply

  42. Deb D. says

    Chair looks great! Love Snuggle Puppy, too! Fond memories of turning it into a song while reading it to my two children. Makes it easier when reading for the millionth time!! Enjoy your snuggle moments….they’re fleeting!!!

    Reply

  43. Michelle says

    In case the link didn’t go thru, here’s the name of the chairs from target:

    Avington Parson Dining Chair Blue Matelasse – Set of 2

    Thanks!

    Michelle
    Long Beach, CA

    Reply

  44. Elizabeth says

    The chair is perfect for that spot – but I can’t believe no one has mentioned how absolutely STUNNING it looks with the rug! The chair is dark and sophisticated, but the super fun rug keeps it from looking too serious. Great find! :)

    Reply

  45. Sarah K says

    Gorgeous chair. Absolutely love it in the kitchen. Looks like such a comfy spot now! Also, I somehow missed the new chair in your bedroom – I love that one too. Sarah

    Reply

  46. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    Gorgeous chair!!!! I’ve actually been getting quite a few chairs lately! I want to show you!! but no pictures handy. My recent finds – two identical-to-yours Ikea chairs ($40/piece and need to be slipcovered) and I’m thinking kids’ room, two beautiful green tufted vintage (early 70s) chairs from estate sale – one owner ($35/piece), AND a huge (like 6ft tall) wicker chair that my hubby likens to a canoe because of its tall rounded wicker top ($55) and after a new cushion, I picture it in Ruby’s room with little lights hanging from the ceiling of it for reading!

    Reply

  49. Linda says

    Love love love the new chair! And I’ve totally become a Joss & Main addict! I’m must say that I’ve got a little more “high” than “low” going on in the chair department myself. But I’m making up for it in other places around the house – artwork, dishes, lamps… And I’ve been working on taking some thriftiness pointers from you guys, too. You guys are so inspiring!

    Reply

  50. SJ says

    Fabulous chair! I love the darker element in your bright sunny kitchen. I also LOVE the little turquoise side table or maybe it’s a garden stool? Either way, i’d love to know where you got it?

    Reply

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