These.
We went thrifting again — no surprise there. These chairs were originally priced at $90 each ($180 total), reduced to $70 each ($140 total), and then an extra 50% off brought them down to just $35 apiece. That’s $70 for the pair. Considering similar metal versions from Ballard run around $199 each and some rattan-style chairs reach $249, this felt like a steal.
They’re sturdier than I expected. I braced for wobbly frames and flat cushions, wondering why they were so inexpensive, but they held up just fine. I did my best Sales Pitch 101: walked around admiring them, chatted up John about where they could go, and explained how perfect they’d be in several rooms. After a little back-and-forth John agreed and we happily carried them to the register.
To be fair, John wasn’t as giddy as I was — not everyone is unabashedly enthusiastic about home decor like I am — but we have a rule: nothing gets bought unless we both love it. John can and will veto things when he doesn’t like them, so both our approvals are important. Fortunately, these chairs passed muster. I tend to move quickly from one object of affection to the next — a vase, a new fabric, or even the excitement of a Netflix delivery — so I’ll often be distracted by the next thing. This time, though, the chairs sparked genuine excitement for both of us. We started plotting a little makeover already; for us, projects like this are as thrilling as ice cream and puppies.
The finish is actually a deep navy, something that’s hard to discern in the photos. They’ve got plenty of chips and scratches, which gives them character and makes them ideal candidates for a refresh.
We plan to repaint and reupholster them with something more lively. When we start the transformation we’ll document the process with photos and share the results. We haven’t settled on a color or even the final location yet — they might become our new desk chairs in the office since they’re comfortable, which would free up the kitchen chairs we’re using now to sell or repurpose when we eventually build a DIY kitchen island. For now we’ll probably use them as-is while prioritizing more urgent projects, like the guest bedroom overhaul. Personally, I’ve always loved Chippendale-style lattice chairs, so these are right up my alley. And in a small triumph, John somehow managed to fit both chairs into the Altima like a pro. He deserves credit for that.
We found them at a local antiques shop, the Midlothian Antique Center, which sits next to Hancock Fabrics — our go-to for clearance-yard bold prints and patterns. Funny how a quick trip for a few fabric scraps can turn into hauling chairs out of a store ten minutes later. I spent the drive home daydreaming about fabrics and paint while John probably drifted off thinking about sandwiches or chores. Either way, the chairs came home with us.
Side note — I still have that rocker to finish: it’s about 15% complete. The old fabric and tacks are removed, and it’s waiting to be sanded, stained, and reupholstered. I’ll share photos once it’s fully finished.