And now for a little chair-related riddle: What sucks more than buying eight chairs on craigslist only to realize that they’re really really not working after a year and a half of trying?
A: Buying eight chairs on craigslist only to realize that they’re really really not working after a year and a half of trying while you blog about it to the world at large. Haha. But you know we like to keep it real, so here’s the unfortunate chair lesson that we had to learn through trial and error. And boy were there trials. And errors. But you win some and ya lose some when it comes to making your house a home. So if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And again. And again. Haha. The good news is that this whole journey into home-making has a happy ending, so let’s skip to the fun part:
But wait. We’re getting ahead of ourselves. First let’s flash back to the whole struggling-to-make-our-original-eight-craigslist-chairs-work rundown:
- First we found our $25 craigslist chairs and snatched them up – even though we hated the crazy hotel fabric
- Then we hunted down some inexpensive slipcovers at World Market (score!) but they were too big (boo!) so we tossed them into the dryer and they shrunk up and fit a lot better (score!).
- Then we dyed them a nice mocha color in the hopes of letting the dark teal backs of the built-ins do their thing (the original off-white tone clashed with all of the white trim and the built-ins in person).
- Then we lived with them a bit and learned that they got baggy and messy looking after a week or two of washing them (boo!). Although they snapped back into shape whenever we washed them again, it was more maintenance than we initially thought (boo!).
- So I actually tried painting one of the chairs a happy apple green using textile medium (epic fail!).
- Then I tried spray painting them (knowing I could just toss the brown slipcovers back on if it didn’t work out, so I didn’t have much to lose). They were sleeker than the baggy slipcovers thanks to the tighter lines, but the swirled pattern showed through in texture, which was a little less than ideal.
I actually ended that spray-painting post with this somewhat deflated statement: “As for how we feel, we’re still sort of on the fence. They’re definitely better (muuch better) than the green painted chair debacle. And in person we think they’re marginally better than the baggy slipcovers. But we’ll probably recover or replace them someday down the line. There’s probably a lesson in here somewhere about how $25 craigslist chairs might not always be the answer if they have a crazy pattern and don’t fit typical store-bought slipcovers. Ah well, live and learn.”
In other words I took all of my crazy out on those poor hopeless chairs. Then I gave them the silent treatment for a few months while slowly growing more and more frustrated with them. Eventually we faced the they’re-just-not-working music and said things like this and this to folks who asked about them. And the good news is that the fifth (eighth? I’ve lost count) time is the charm! The key wasn’t saving those chairs and desperately trying to make them work, it was setting them free.
We’re planning to craigslisting the old guys in the hopes that someone who is much better at reupholstery than we are will be interested (they’re a great classic shape, but the fabric has to go) so we’ll keep you guys posted on what brave soul wants to keep giving these chairs a chance at survival.
But now let’s talk about the new chairs! They were actually a really good deal (just $62 a pop) and best of all, we love them just as they are. No more chair-speriments. At least in this room. The larger/cozier chair idea actually hit me one night while thinking about casual and super comfy dining room setups like this one from West Elm and this one from Ballard Designs:
Why do our chairs need to be tiny and why do there need to be eight of them? What if there were six big armchairs around the table? We still have seating for an additional four people at the peninsula (literally three steps to the left of the table) and if our family gatherings eventually get so big that we need to seat more than nine or ten people, we can always set up a kids table in the office since the middle of that room is clear (and that’s just three steps from the dining table in another direction). Plus seating for six in our first house’s dining area worked for the 4.5 years we lived there, so even just the four extra spots at the peninsula will be gravy.
So then I was on the hunt for armchairs, but because I worry about kiddos (& even adults) with a whole bunch of fabric + food, I had this very specific hankering for something wicker or woven. Just to add more texture and not have fabric that I have to worry about staining. The only bummer is that most wicker armchairs are in the $200-300 range a pop (like these $319 options from Ballard Designs, and these $299 ones from Pottery Barn). And then I found these. Four of them for less than the price of one of those others! And angels sang. Wait, that was just Clara in the background doing her Katy Perry impression (in case you’re wondering, if you ask her who her favorite singers are, they’re listed as follows: Katy Perry, The Chipmunks, Adam Levine, and Barney).
Guess why they were so marked down? They’re actually outdoor chairs! And it’s the end of the season so they were on super clearance. I was really nervous to buy two 4-sets of them sight unseen, but I read that:
- I could return them to any Target store instead of having to pay to ship them back if they didn’t work
- By using our Target credit card the shipping was completely free
- Also by using our Target card we’d score an additional 5% off (wahoo!)
So it felt pretty risk-free. Thank goodness, because at this point I’m suspicious of chairs having unforeseen issues. Haha. Oh and getting eight of them would mean that we’d have two extra chairs we wouldn’t need, so we could craigslist them, hopefully for $62 each since they’d be new/in the box and there are far uglier outdoor chairs on our local CL for $75 (so although we’d have to buy eight, we hopefully won’t lose any money getting those extra two by reselling them, and the per-chair cost will stay at $62). Update: Lots of folks are suggesting that we keep the other two for our deck or patio, which was definitely our first instinct, but we tried them in a few places and felt like we were forcing them, so we’d rather sell them and save up/wait for something that could work better in those outdoor spaces :)
Then we crossed all of our appendages and knocked on wood while waiting for them to come (which makes Burger bark enthusiastically, btw – more on that here). And huzzah! They’re awesome! They make me want to sit cross-legged at the table for hours and draw with Clara (done!). I think they’ll be great for doing homework with her and stuff (they’re kind of cozy like an armchair) and I can’t wait to have a big family dinner with the grandparents and John’s sister so we can all sit and chat for a nice long time in them (who am I kidding, I have a toddler, I’ll be running around while they sit and chat).
Here’s a shot of John relaxing in one. We’re so happy they’re comfy and the right height for the table. Whew.
Another great thing about them being outdoor chairs is that they have these great little durable seat cushions (they’re made to work outside, so they definitely can handle spills and wipe-downs – they actually feel impervious, like most things should bead up – which’ll definitely come in handy).
I’ll keep you posted when it comes to how these babies wear – and how they work for homework, drawing, and hosting bigger dinners with the fam. So far they’ve been awesome for our little crew (they’ve already passed the Play-Doh test). The coolest thing is that because they’re outdoor chairs we can literally bring them outside and spray them down with a hose if need be.
And I sort of love how everyone gets arm rests. It’s like we’re all sitting at the head of the table, which is kind of fitting since a round table doesn’t have a head.
We’re so thankful. Seriously, I thought we’d never crack this chair code and in 2040 we’d still be blogging something like “so we cryogenically froze the chairs and we think that’ll work! Fingers crossed!” Why is it that failing a few times sometimes makes the simplest accomplishments feel monumental? We finally got dining chairs we love almost two years into living here! Somebody strike up the band!
Here’s the view from the kitchen. We love how the slatted wood stools and the woven dining chairs work together without feeling too matchy. They both bring a nice texture and warmth to the rooms without feeling overwhelming (since having so many seats in two adjoining rooms could easily get crazy-competey-looking).
And so ends the epic 2010-2012 Chair Olympics that we hosted at our house. Sure, we lost the first six events (and you have to hand it to us, we really bombed a few of those times) but I might just be found standing on one of these chairs raising my fake gold medal up and happy-crying at the crowd. So it pays to keep at it until you finally get those “this is IT!” butterflies… even if they don’t come easy. In the end, we’re just happy that we didn’t have to spend 1K on a bunch of chairs, which was definitely our fear ever since we got our big ol’ table – but even with the loss that we took on those first ones (including all of our desperate attempts to save them) our total spent is still a few hundred less than that… and will hopefully be even less when we craigslist them. I think we just had to try the parson’s chairs and live with them to learn that we didn’t want to live with them. Haha. It’s like how you have to get that glittery purple eye shadow to learn that no (NO!) it’s not gonna work, and you should probably try something else.
What oops moments have you guys lived through lately? Any other furniture switchouts or upgrades going on? Between our new kitchen stools and these guys we’ve deemed this phase of home-making: “turning a corner.” It seems like we’re finally refining things, working out little nagging issues, and bringing in more texture & natural tones (which we loved in our first house) to mix with the pops of color that we’ve fallen more in love with since moving into our current house. It’s actually pretty normal for us to take a year or two to get our bearings, so needless to say, it’s pretty fun to be making those “that’s it!” tweaks in a few rooms that we use all the time. We knew we’d get there someday. Never mind those five other untouched rooms that we have yet to start. Haha.
Melissa says
Gorgeous! Now all you need is a rug. :)
Steph says
The second to last picture up there has so much going on… it seems crazy to me. The other half of the room gives off a much different vibe. I can’t tell if I like these chairs in there or not (not that it matters at all if I do or don’t – it’s your room!) but it just feels like it’s too busy. I know it’s a work in progress, so I look forward to seeing how it evolves.
karen says
I have an awesome dining room table and chairs that aren’t working. I just about bought a whole new suite. Now I see what a difference chairs can make and that I can think a bit outside the box. I think I will keep the table and just stay on the watch for perfect chairs.
Your chairs are (insert swear wording) fantastic. The shape is perfect with the round table. They look great with the new stools. Well played. Well played.
Julia says
I’ve thought you guys have been wonderful for years but have noticed you have bought quite a bit of furniture lately (new counter chairs, new dining room chairs, new patio chairs etc.). You always get wonderful deals but as someone whose been counting her pennies as she tries to furnish a small apartment- I know that all of that can add up! Would you say you are purchasing more things now that you are more settled and able? I suppose I am just hoping that someday spending $25 dollars (times 6) on a chair will not seem like a lot of money.
YoungHouseLove says
I would definitely say it happens in waves (there are months and months where we don’t buy much and do cheap updates and then some months where we save up and get something or tackle a bigger project). So it’s really all about waiting for our bank account to build up, finding a good deal, walking away if something’s too much, etc. There are many times we see something we love but can’t afford it so the buck stops there. Haha. But after living here 20 months we have happily been able to save money where we can, and then if we see something that’s a good deal we’re more apt to go for it, especially if we get to sell the older objects or items we no longer need (in a yard sale, on craigslist, on ebay, etc). For example, we have someone interested in buying all 8 of our old chairs for the full $25 price (per chair) that we spent on them from craigslist, so it makes everything feel like less of a loss. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Tiffany T. says
I’m with the others yess times a billion these do look so much better! P.S if you’re actually reading this far down, I totally had a dream I saw you guys at the Cracker Barrel in Bremen GA of all places..weird yep I know. I’m in Carrollton GA so not so far fetched and hey sometimes my dreams come true..not all the time but every once in a while!
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! That’s too funny. Can’t say we’ve been to Bremen, GA ever but at least we know we’ve visited it in a dreamland. :)
-John
eileen marie says
Wow! Those chairs look way better in person than they do on the Target site! It’s funny how similar my aesthetic is to yours -I have been admiring a very similar chair in yellow from Pier 1 for quite some time! Our place goes on the market tomorrow, so maybe I can talk myself into ol’ yellow for our new house (providing they accept our offer, fingers crossed)!
Ashley says
love love love those chairs!! It looks so cozy and relaxing! This is by far one of my favorite rooms. All you need now is a nice big area rug under the table and it would be perfect!
Kate says
*Exhale* these are such a better fit for that room! It’s funny how when something is right, you suddenly wonder why it wasn’t always there! Love it, looks FAB!
Kathy says
Great idea, Sherri!! One thing I learned a few years ago when watching Candace Olson’s show was how using contrasts was the key to good cohesive decorating…and I LOVE how you’ve really been embracing the warm, traditional wicker/wood details that contrast and set off your cool, modern colors!
And you’re so right about how a home is something that must evolve; yours is definitely coming together beautifully.
Maria @ All Things Luxurious says
This update looks so great! I love the natural tones between the peninsula chairs and the new chairs, too — what a great idea!
Heidi P. says
So fun! They’re so inviting! Any thoughts on painting the table now?
YoungHouseLove says
We love both as-is for now, but you never know where we’ll end up!
xo
s
Jen says
They look great and I even think they do a better job of taking up space in the room as well as bringing in a nice relaxed feel. They are also a bit beach housy, moreso with your newest art addition, and, in my opinion, that is always a nice feel to have year round.
This post made me realize the major downfall of apartment living and moving. I have never had the time to get past that first 1-2 years of gettign a feel for a place and making tweeks to evolve with out life and really come to a conclusion. It seems something is always in flux and then its almost tiem to move so I figure why bother going further just to start over in a new space. Now I am moving into a (gasp!) furnished apartment and already trying my best to bring in some of our stuff and add fabric for personalized pillow covers, etc.
Sofia - WinterStays says
They look great, I agree, giving everyone their own armrest is really nice as well.
Kathy says
This post had me laughing aloud!!! I went back thru the chair re-dos. I am actually glad that the old painted, slip-covered, dyed chairs will be released to a new home. And I do like the new chairs, but what really caught my eye were the new stools. Wow. They are perfect! Then I thought, wait a minute..I get emails of your updates. How is it that this lovely “share to much” couple forgot to write about this addition. No, that would never happen…so read on the there it was…somehow I missed something! That made me laugh, too. Over and over again I’ve heard people say that once everything is done…it’s no fun…so enjoy the process and I, personally, am looking forward to the sunroom redo.
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
love the beachy feel of the room now!
gail says
I hear the band playing.
Julie Jacobsen says
These chairs definitely establish your dining room in a FABULOUS way! Congratulations on your gold medal winners!
Karo says
I just had to chime in to congratulate you on the upgrade. I couldn’t put my finger on it before, but the other chairs, even if they had been reupholstered, etc, just wouldn’t have been as right. Nice job.
Ally says
Love, love, love the new chairs! So much that I wanted to purchase some for my house, but sadly, the great bargain you got is gone. The chairs are still available, but are back up to $399! Darn Target!
Adrienne Mendonca says
Yay for y’all! Boo for the chairs now being $399. Why’d they jump back up in price?
YoungHouseLove says
So weird right?! Let’s hope they go back down next week!
xo
s
Kris says
Oh my god I feel like you guys just had another baby. Or 6. Seriously, having gone through all the trial and error processes with you, it’s so gratifying to see the fruits of your labor/patience paying off. And I know it must be ten fold for you. Congrats, they’re gorge!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, thanks Kris!
xo
s
Valerie says
Didn’t realize the chairs were a little off until I saw this post, and thought, THAT’S IT! The chairs with the table look gorgeous. I actually like the look with the lighter wood floor. You guys are so talented. Makes me feel better that even my favorite DIYers have some oops moments.
Andrea says
Yesterday, my boyfriend asked me how I would like a round table with a couple of comfortable lounge chairs in our living room… ;)
I actually never liked the “hotel” chairs, these are SO amazing! Great find! :)
Isabel says
I love that you are bringing natural, textural elements into your home. The chairs and stools look amazing and substantial!
Rachael says
Okay at first I thought you were crazy not to like your old chairs because they are classic and I honestly didn’t mind them with their spray painted upholster and just kind of thought you should leave well enough alone. But after seeing the new chairs I agree they are sooo much more inviting and makes the kitchen and dining room just look simply GORGEOUS! So good job going with your instinct! I wish I lived closer to you so I could snag one of your old chairs to reupholster and use as a desk chair, but that’s a different story!
As for my recent home mistake…I am trying to repaint all the main rooms of our apartment because it’s an old place and I don’t think it’s been painted for 30+ years= disgusting! But we are currently on a small income so I couldn’t afford to buy paint made to my favorite colors. So we have been checking out the mis-tints of the home improvement stores regularly and scored a five gallon bucket of great paint in a “neutral” beige for $25 = PERFECT right?! No, I painted two rooms to realize is looks like a light pink in our apartment (probably due to the red brick next door and our red couch). Anyway I still have a lot of paint and so I am trying to fix the problem by taking it to the store and get green paint added to it, but it’s turned into a HUGE headache! I just wanted a “clean” apartment, haha!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, I’m so sorry Rachael! I can totally relate to having to paint a room a few times to get it right!
xo
s
DJ Sherry says
A way better use of the space…more proportioned to the size of the room. The room is big and the temptation to fill it up with small pieces is always a risk, leaving it feeling cluttered. Kudos for cutting bait and moving on :)
Cindy says
They are perfect! Totally make the room. It must feel great to have the chair conundrum settled after so long.
Laura says
Very nice change in both rooms.
Nora says
These chairs are great! I’m the pillow queen, so I’m thinking a few pillows to soften the look, bring in some color and make the long, relaxing dinner talk, just that much more enjoyable.
Can’t wait to see what’s next! Basement, sunroom, tricked out back deck?
Cheers.
Farhana says
Love the chairs! Where did you get the beautiful greenery on the table?
YoungHouseLove says
Believe it or not, that’s just a weed John pulled from the back of our lot. So funny, right?!
xo
s
Kathleen says
I love the outdoor chairs around your table. People gather around tables anyway, and comfy armchairs say “Welcome, stay awhile” much more convincingly than any armless slipper chair could.
I have a resin wicker settee and two chairs (also from Target) in my living/dining room. They’re lightweight so it’s easy to rearrange furniture or pull up a chair, and it’s easy and affordable to change the cushions to fit your decor. I may even slipcover my settee.
“Think outside,” I say!
Jenna at Homeslice says
They look great with your new stools, and I think they’re much more inviting and casual then the last chairs. Don’t worry about switching things up. It happens to the best of us- especially those of us who hunt for bargains. Sometimes things aren’t quite right and you have to change it up. They look great!
Alice says
I read some of the comments about the price of these chairs increasing on Target. They have a 2-week price match policy. If you buy something and within two weeks of purchase the price decreases, you can contact them and get the difference paid back to you. I did that on the two sets of patio furniture I bought from them a couple of years ago. I saved an additional $60 on one and $40 on the other on the already clearanced items.
This may make some of the commenters interested in buying the set feel a little more comfortable pulling the trigger, although it is a gamble whether the price will decrease.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Erin says
Holy freaking upgrade. I am one of those terrible readers who rarely comments, but I always follow what you’re up to. I HAD to comment on this. Your room just jumped from so-so to ‘magazine cover’ with this change. It’s really amazing what the texture and oversize dimension does for your table and room. Really, really, really good. I have learned from my own work on our house that the worst thing you can do is be so married to a particular object/color/etc, that you are unwilling to open your eyes to the idea that something else could be way better. Letting go of the so-so makes room for the fabulous! I really applaud you for showing us that getting our homes right takes a lot of trial and error sometimes. Well done!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Erin!
xo
s
Jeanna Walton says
Huge improvement!!! So glad you finally got new chairs for that table………… looks amazing :)
F. says
It’s funny how widely taste varies. It’s also funny how sometimes you have that one spot you just CANNOT GET RIGHT, no matter what. You guys tried so many things with those first chairs; I think my favorite incarnation was actually the last one, with the spray paint. I really liked the contrast of the ORB with the wood table. It made the floor and table two obviously separate planes, and the dark color looked beautiful against the bookshelves in the back.
I’m really stoked that you guys found something you love so much, but I think it’s a bit too much brown for my personal taste. (Have you heard the theory that people are drawn to the colors for decorating that they look best dressed in? I look horrendous in browns) It’s entirely possible that it’s just the angle of the photo, and I have great faith in your eye(s) for scale and proportion, but in those photos the floor, chairs, and table all kind of blend together in the middle and look brownly blobby. That and the much lower backs of the chairs makes it all look squat (again, because we’re level with the table in photos, maybe?)
Also I guess maybe I am just not a big fan of wicker in general, but the whole thing is looking sort of resort-y in a bad way. I’m all for mixing in natural materials, and I adore the new kitchen stools, and probably it’s incredibly awkward to post a comment saying you don’t like something in the first place, but I think the chairs don’t really harmonize with the more comfortable-modern-curated-eclectic thing you guys have going on in the rest of the room. It almost makes the table look kind of like a big wood circle on top of a keg, in a german beerhaus kind of way. Maybe if, as someone else mentioned, they were painted? So it was less of a brown polka-dot in the middle of the room? Though on the other hand, at that price, I’d probably bite my nails to the quick if I got out the paint sprayer.
I guess, in summation: really happy you guys found something you love, generally not a fan of an excess of brown in a room, and can’t wait to see photos from different angles that maybe show off why you guys love them so much, since I really respect your taste.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks F! You’re so sweet. I love the idea that people decorate in colors they love to wear, although I love navy and black and red, which aren’t in the house much. Haha. But I love Clara in yellow and green and blue and other bright colors so maybe she’s my house muse ;) I think the natural tones just carry over from loving them in our first house too. They feel homey to us. Haha.
xo,
s
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I love them! Might be mean to say but I like when you guys talk about your mistakes. Makes me feel better about my decorating disaters!
Jennifer Sedor says
Hi guys – I know you have over 500 comments already – but honestly, I made an audible gasp when I saw this photo… LOVING IT. Cheers guys, have a great day!
JS
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jennifer!
xo
s
mary says
LOVE IT. i had a similar fail with a parson’s chair i got for our built in desk-nook in our apartment– after a few months of sitting and studying for the SC bar, my boyfriend had completely wrecked the upholstery on the seat, which was definitely not built for long periods of sitting and studying. and our cat really liked so stretch along the tall sides of the chair so it has tons of snags. finally this weekend i went out and happened upon a vintage mid-century leather and metal desk chair. it was $95 but it’s not one of those ugly tacky things you get at staples, it has so much character, is comfortable and will last forever! i’d take a picture but i have my own studying materials everywhere now. love your blog and our parallel parsons chair failures (though i do have 2 in my craft room that were $12 each at goodwill that i love to death. so they definitely can be winners in some situations).
mary says
oh and do you have a list of Richmond thrift stores you love anywhere you could link to? i’m driving through on my way home to delaware at christmas (love your rehoboth posts!) and would love to see check out some of the places you blog about!
YoungHouseLove says
This post should help! https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/02/five-richmond-top-fives/
-John
mary says
thanks!!
Lesley@ChaoticallyCreative says
Oh boy, these are so much better. No offense but I did not like the outcome of the metallic spray painted chairs. I am so glad you were able to find a replacement! Phew. They are lovely. Lesley
Gayle says
I am breathing a sigh of relief over the chairs for both rooms. Watching the story of the dining chairs has been kind of painful over time. I knew there would be a day when you would wipe the slate clean and do it right. I’ve always been of the decorating opinion that when in doubt, consider wicker.
As for the kitchen chairs….HOORAY! I remember I commented when you were debating what colors to paint them and I posted to not do colors, and the look was leaning toward a daycare center with all the random pops. These chairs make the room more GROWN UP and they are GREAT!!!!! There’s a point where all the colors become sensory overload and are not pleasing anymore. Good job.
Amy says
What is the diameter of your table? Looking for a round table that can seat that many with that size of chair :)
YoungHouseLove says
It’s 70″ wide. Big momma. Haha.
xo
s
Cynthia LaPan says
So first of all, it occurred to me yesterday that I think of you two as friends, despite the fact that you have no idea who I am. I think that makes you officially celebrities (of the blogging type.) Congratulations! I now realize that your perpetual self-description as “over-sharers” is not simply modesty. ;-)
Secondly, I have been patiently and silently waiting for this post for a long, long time. I Knew that you guys would get new ones sometime, but I didn’t want to criticize your decision to keep the old ones. (After all, I get free entertainment, advice, and links from you all the time!) You guys made an awesome choice, by the look of it. Have a good day!
–Cynthia
Kasia says
Love the new look! Where did you get your table?
YoungHouseLove says
That was from a local furniture outlet called The Dump.
xo
s
Rose says
I rarely post here even though you’re my favorite blog/website but I LOVE this makeover! Your new chairs are awesome! They look so cool in there. Kind of tropical but totally perfect. I am really happy for you guys, oddly enough. Lol. Congrats!
Elizabeth says
Hi. I’m new to your blog, so forgive me if this info is listed elsewhere… but, would you share the paint color you used in your kitchen (I think it’s your kitchen… the last photo here with the greenish/yellowish paint). We just bought a house and it needs a major facelift. Thanks! Loving your blog so far :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s Sesame by Benjamin Moore. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ginny says
I’m sorry about the Parsons chairs; you were so excited about them and worked so hard to get them to fit in. Don’t worry, I’m sure someone out there actually likes the textured swirlies and things always have a way of working out.
I love the bigger armchair style for big round tables. I actually did the same for my big round table, but my chairs are too low or my table is too high. Is my only solution replacing the legs? Did you have this problem? Love to know your thoughts (or anyone else’s for that matter!). Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, ours happened to be the right height (we were definitely nervous about it, though) so maybe your idea to replace the legs is a good one. You could also try adding another seat cushion (or a thicker one) or somehow build up the seat part under the cushion so it’s taller. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Ginny says
Thanks, it does. One last Q: tips on measuring legs for correct height? Ratio? I’m a wood dunce and so I rely on my Lowes guy to cut for me. Everything is “vintage” (haha), so I think my prob is a little bit of both too tall and too short. Thanks again, I really appreciate your replies!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe measure the body of the chairs (without including the current too-short legs) and figure out what amount of inches in the legs will boost it up to the right height? If you have a chair around the house that’s the right height, you can also use that as a guide to see how much you want to tweak the too-short ones ;)
xo
s
Jennifer F says
I lova lova what you picked. I agree with your other readers – they fill the space and look fancy and comfy casual at the same time. Don’t be hard on yourself about reselling them – part of the reason we buy on craigslist is so we can make mistakes and not be out too much! SO nice.
Megan D. says
Love the final outcome! Any chance you’re still trying to sell the other two? My fiancé and I just bought our first dining table and think these would look great (instead of the current rolly-wheeled desk chairs- we’re classy like that!). Didn’t see anything on Craig’s so I thought I’d ask!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we sold them to someone already! Good luck with everything!
xo
s