Bergère Chair Makeover

I've been searching for a pair of vintage Bergère Chairs forever, really don't have a room in mind for them but I know I want them. Two weeks ago I came across this pair on Kijiji and picked them up in a snap - they are perfect for me in every way. I don't think they are going to stay in my living room because I do like to leave some empty space in a room for "chi" to flow through. Again, I haven't decided where in the house they go, but I know I want to do some makeover.

Here are the options I am thinking:

Option 1: Neutral all the way: white-washed oak frame as is, unbleached canvas upholstery - I will probably lose the seat cushions too just like in the picture below.

This is what they look like flanking a fireplace. Picture courtesy of Decorpad.

Option 2: Dark and dramatic: black glossy frame with geometric black and white upholstery like this from Bijou and Boheme.

Or with neutral fabric so the frame pops even more like this Louis XV Salon Chair from Ballard Designs. Not sure if I will like such a high contrast combo for a long time though.

Option 3: Shades of grey: charcoal grey frame with similar colour tone fabric (Windsor Smith Pelagos) like this from Switch Studio.

Option 4: Wild and glamorous: or how much gilt frame with animal print upholstery such as Brunschwig & Fils' Les Touches fabric?

Via

Or how about white-washed frame with a hide hair fabric from 1stdibs? So fun right?

 So which option is your favourite? Please vote below. 

Murano Art Glass Chandeliers

Enter my latest obsession, these vintage Murano art glass chandeliers.

1stdibs



I have an ugly nook in my kitchen that desperately needs a makeover. In addition to combing through local classified ads for antique/vintage dining chairs to replace those in the picture, I would also like to take out that modern chandelier. The light comes with the house, and I could pick out at least three things wrong about it for the space.

 

A vintage Venini Trochi Tubular Glass Chandelier like this is more me. Isn't it dreamy? All pictures via 1stdibs.

 

This tiered glass chandelier holds these textured glass tubes which casts an incredible glow and pattern - a definite statement piece over a dining table. 

 

This is another option I am considering, a Mazzega style Murano art glass chandelier in feather pattern. I would die for it!

 

And its blush pink cousin. 

 

 Or how about this one in leaf pattern? So artsy and elegant. 

 



So what's stopping me from getting one of these like yesterday? Mostly rrice tag and size. These vintage Venetian art glass chandeliers can easily go for a few thou, and a lot of them aren't large and substantial enough (mostly 12-14" in diameter) for my kitchen dining room. I am yet to find any lookalikes or replicas of these chandeliers so I guess if I really want it, I will need to go for a true vintage piece.
 

So would you use such an expensive glass chandelier like this in a kitchen dining area? Have you come across any similar styles? 
 



New Vintage Art

Happy Friday my friends! It has been an exhausting and stressful week at work, so you have no idea how much I am looking forward to some downtime during the weekend.

Lately I have been on a shopping spree for vintage arts for my home. The score so far is three but I am not done yet. One of them is this vintage William Carson number from a local antique shop. I am not very avant-garde when it comes to art collection (or anything), so an plein air landscape oil painting in less saturated colours works well for me.

You can also see the staircase ledge in this picture - now I am thinking a bust sculpture on a pedestal will go nicely with this painting. What do you think?

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope to share more pictures of my new art collection next week. Until then...

Nursery Daybed, Yes or No?

One of my best friends is expecting a precious little girl early next year, and she had asked me whether she *needs* a daybed in her nursery. If you ask me, I would say yes to the daybed, but what do I know? I am yet to have a baby or design/decorate a nursery. So I am hoping you ladies and new moms out there could give me some pointers - I would like to know too for my own benefits down the road.

So nursery daybed, yes or no? What would one need a daybed for in the nursery? Is it primarily for parents or baby? I could imagine a mom cuddling her baby to sleep on the daybed; or a dad attending to his fussy baby by napping on the daybed to keep them company; or spending some quality time playing with baby on the daybed. Are these scenarios all real? Do parents actually find good use of a daybed in a nursery?

Practicality aside, here are some gorgeous daybeds to send me into my design la-la land.

An vintage daybed in a soft and soothing nursery designed by Elizabeth Dinkel.

The ever-popular Ikea Hemnes Daybed in a nursery nook designed by SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Another good use of Ikea Hemnes daybed in a all-white nursery by Melanie Stewart Interior Design.

I am not usually a big-box-furniture-store type of gal but this Casey daybed in white seems stylish and practical with trundle for extra storage.

Oh and this dreamy Hamish Daybed by Oly.

Similar one seen in Christine's Bijiou and Boheme nursery.

West Elm's Window daybed has a geometric motif, suitable for a modern nursery setting.

Or Bayview Daybed with Trundle.

 So nursery daybed, yes or no?

Mirror Progress

Sorry for my lack of posts lately. There is this thing called work that's been taking up most of my time and then some.

Remember I was so obsessed about this Louis Philippe French gilded mirror that I had to order custom from Anne Quinn Furniture? Well, Christine never disappoints! A couple of weeks after the order, Christine's supplier came back with this drawing.

Mind blowing! It captured everything that I wanted!

Christine always sent me pictures once they were made before they were painted/finished. So last week this showed up in my inbox.

Mind numbing!

It followed the drawing to a tee, which means it's *exactly* the same as I wanted it to be!

After this the mirror will be gilded, and then travel a long distance to come home to me. I can't wait to have it in time for the holiday parties!