Well, the other day I was cruising Craigslist like I always do, and there it was. A mid-century Eames-like lounger for $175. I immediately emailed the seller, and luckily it was still for sale! I had the intention to pick it up, have some reupholstering done, and then sell.
When I picked up the piece, the seller said "go ahead, sit in it!" And boy, is it comfortable. The second I sat in it, I thought... oh man. Maybe I want to keep it for our house.
There is a nook in our living room that I've planned on putting a chair.. the perfect little reading nook that I can use while my husband is watching football. So when I got home, I put it there.
And here is what it looks like (as taken this morning):
In my living room, the chair definitely looks like the life of the party!
After looking under the chair and googling, I found out the chair was manufactured by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. It's called the "Mr. Chair". The company did knock offs of the Eames lounger, but are now popular for their unique styling. Here and here are listings for similar chairs.. with a price of $1,300!
I have to admit, I'm leaning towards keeping it. I would love to reupholster it in a blue/gray tweed.. (but I'd have to check if that would ruin any value it would have). It definitely looks "out of place" in our family room, but in a good way.
There was a quote by an interior designer (I'm sorry I don't remember who, and I'm going to butcher the quote) that went something like this: Put one thing in your space that is a little shocking.
I'll definitely have to sit and stew on this one!
I know you didn't ask for opinions, but.... I think the leather adds a little balance to the upholstered pieces in the room. It definitely is interesting. Not sure I love it personally (maybe it's the color, so I can see why you might want to reupholster), but I think you'll go with what your gut instinct tells you! Love that quote (and your blog) by the way! :)
ReplyDeleteyou have to keep this chair! it looks great in your living space as is or reupholstered. i just found one for a friend on craigslist & would love one for myself. i think it adds that unexpected wow to the room!
ReplyDeletePlease keep it. It looks great in the room. I wouldn't even re-cover it. The existing leather looks good & protects it from spills & mess.
ReplyDeletewhat a great find! i actually really like it in your living room. its unexpected and warms up that bright little corner!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely keep the chair! It's amazing and the leather looks great. Leather only gets better with age and this one looks so comfortable to sit in!!!
ReplyDeleteperfect as is
ReplyDeleteI actually think the chair looks really great in your space! I agree, it has a little "shock" value (just because it's a really unique piece), but I think it kind of ties the room together. I'm no designer, but I'd keep it and for now, I'd leave it as is.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great too, I would definitely keep it
ReplyDeleteI'm not an expert but I love the look of it, as is, in your living room!
ReplyDeleteBryn oh Bryn oh Bryn...
ReplyDeleteit look waaay better than when you should me in the pictures. I know you are going back and forth of whehter to keep it...but it looks soooo amazing in this room. I can see myself sitting there with a book chatting with you and your husband and...wait...Im sorry Im not supposed to be in this conversation...lol
It looks amazing!
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
What an awesome find!! I think it adds the perfect amount of character to your family room. I love it and think you should totally keep it! and I actually don't mind the leather either. Love your blog btw, look forward to reading it always!
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a steal! I'd keep it :)
ReplyDeleteYou HAVE to keep it and I think you should leave the leather- it looks stunning in your room!
ReplyDeleteif you don't keep that chair I will stop reading this blog. srsly.
ReplyDeleteKidding, of course! But it's wonderful - I personally like the caramelly leather and would keep it, but then again you've done lots of furniture makeovers that I would have left alone and they all look even better after, so go with your gut.
i love it as is!! I think it goes perfectly in your room, and not out of place at all. keep it keep it!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a KEEPER. My boyfriend goes gaga for these chairs and will arm-wrestle you for it if you are on the fence of keeping or selling. You made out like a bandit on that deal.
ReplyDeleteIf you sell that, you're insane. That's all I have to say to you about that.
ReplyDeleteI have an Eames style lounge chair, and while its a bit ugly, I LOVE it! I recently draped an Ikea sheepskin over it and I love it even more.
ReplyDeleteKeep it! But be warned, reupholstering it will be expensive. One guy quoted me $445 for the chair and ottoman. I'm going to get a second opinion... but for now the sheepskin is keeping me happy.
I vote to keep it! It definitely adds a little something unexpected, which is a great touch. And I like the leather!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh- it looks absolutely perfect in your nook! Congrats, amazing find!!
ReplyDeleteE+J
keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep it!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks awesome, even in the current leather. Looking at the photos, it seems like it blends nicely! It's such a great find, I hope you keep it!
ReplyDeleteI love it. And I love the leather, too. I definitely think you should keep it (and as it is!). It was made for the corner of your room.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, I think it's a must keep. It adds to the "layered look" by not being of the same period and type of furniture that currently reside in the room. What a great find. I just get giddy when a find like this happens. I like Naomi's idea of the sheepskin from IKEA.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
The leather is gorgeous with the green ottoman and cowhide rug! Fem the room up with some accessories and it will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! gorgeous! I think one reason it might be hard to decide is that everything in the room right now is blocks of color, because there are no pieces of art or colorful pillows yet. And maybe if there was a flowy, sheer drape behind it to up the feminine feel the chair might fit more cohesively in the room, because the chair really is on the masculine side. But it is a knock-out, and that would be my favorite corner of the room to read in.
ReplyDeleteKeep it. Leave the upholstery alone. Yes, it would ruin it's value. Put a wonderful, sassy pillow on it and call it a day. A good day at that.
ReplyDeletemb from Dallas
You absolutely MUST keep it! I think it looks great in the room, even as is. Just add a fun pillow. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a great find! I love it in your living room. That quote reminds me of Celerie Kemble's take on interior design because she thinks that things that you love, even if they are out of place (which I don't think that it is), make the space yours!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so amazing! Don't change a thing... I love it in that corner with that fabric/leather. I just LOVE it! SO classic!
ReplyDeleteKEEP IT! I dont think it looks out of place at all, I think it was made for that corner of your room!!
ReplyDeleteKEEP it!! It looks fantastic and I love the masculine edge of the leather. Ugh, what a great find - I wish our craigslist was that good.
ReplyDeleteWe have a very similar chair that my husband some how scored from an old office. I am hoping to have it re-upholstered soon!
ReplyDeleteI too will say that if you don't keep it/leave it there/stick with the leather/enjoy having it every second, I will stop reading this blog. It's PERFECT. And how lucky are you to have found it.
ReplyDeleteIt really makes the room. Hooray! What an awesome find.
jbhat
Everyone is saying keep it. You found a steal of a deal! I think it looks great in your space... but my new thing is if you don't love it, don't keep it. Because you're trying to decide, my vote is sell and use your profits to buy the chair you've always wanted - it would be like getting a chair for free! :) LOVE the green ottoman BTW. Plus you can make yourself feel better knowing someone else is getting an awesome chair.
ReplyDeleteLove it! You must keep the chair. It looks like it belongs in your living room as is. So funky and interesting!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks spectacular in your space! Even with the leather. I love trolling CL for great finds.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the chair! Have you tried any estate sales, too? They can be addictive...
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't you keep it!?! It's an amazing find! I like the masculine leather this chair adds to your room (but I'm sure if you changed the upholstery it would look great, too!)
ReplyDeleteOMG Bryn - Keep it exactly the way it is. I think it's gorg, and it totally fits in there. Gives the room total character. LOVE!
ReplyDeleteThe chair completes your living room. It's awesome. Great find!
ReplyDeletehow exciting!! its like finding lost treasure!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks GREAT in the room - definitely a keeper. :) What an amazing find!
ReplyDeleteMandy @ This Girl's Life
That chair is PERFECT for your living room. And your entire room looks like the life of the party. What a great space!!
ReplyDeleteGOOOOOORGEOUS! Great addition.
ReplyDeleteLove how your home is coming together! And really admire how you're able to buy/add piece by piece. I would have tried to do it all at once. I love how selective you're being --- a gift I wish I had!
ReplyDeleteIt looks cool Bryn. I wouldn't blame you if you kept it.
ReplyDeleteI think it really fits your space and especially that nook well! Great find!! CL is the best.
ReplyDeleteBryn,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the best rush to find a deal like this?
I just ordered a replica for a client. Love these.
I think that this chair looks right at home and sometimes when serendipitous things like this happen, I just look at it as the design gods smiling on me and pointing me in the right direction.
Love it. I think it is a keeper!
don't move it, don't change it...it makes the room
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous - that chair is really amazing and for that price..awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think recovering it is a great option - sure it may decrease the value but it will make it your own. I think it's worth it.
I actually really love that chair in the room - it's that little surprise that every room needs!
ReplyDeleteKeep it! And don't change a thing - it looks amazing in your space!!
ReplyDeleteGive it a good clean and leave as is..It looks great in the roomx
ReplyDeleteBryn, keep it. It's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful find.
Sandy K
looks good in an out of place more awesome way!!
ReplyDeletedid you see that i bought an olystudio jonathan lounger for $150 on craigslist the other day? that mother sells for 3,000! in your face craig!
oh you lucky lucky girl. Don't let anyone tell you (and they will) what you can and cannot do with that chair - because guess what - it's yours now.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's definitely the life of the party - perfection. Envy!
Love your blog by the way. Please come for a visit @ braxtonandyancey.blogspot.com/
Peace,
Yancey
Keep the chair. Lose the chaise (if you must.)
ReplyDeleteLoving your living room! What a find with the chair
ReplyDeletei know you're not asking but ... KEEP IT! and keep it just like it is! it MAKES your room. and if you don't want it - just like it is, i do! it is killer!
ReplyDeleteI adore this piece just as it is in your space!!! Girl, what a fabulous find!!!! Janell
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic as is! It has a great aged quality that adds so much to the room.
ReplyDeleteWow what a great find! I'd definitely keep it!
ReplyDeleteKeep the chair. Lose the chaise (if you must.)
ReplyDeletedon't move it, don't change it...it makes the room
ReplyDeleteI think it really fits your space and especially that nook well! Great find!! CL is the best.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't you keep it!?! It's an amazing find! I like the masculine leather this chair adds to your room (but I'm sure if you changed the upholstery it would look great, too!)
ReplyDeleteEveryone is saying keep it. You found a steal of a deal! I think it looks great in your space... but my new thing is if you don't love it, don't keep it. Because you're trying to decide, my vote is sell and use your profits to buy the chair you've always wanted - it would be like getting a chair for free! :) LOVE the green ottoman BTW. Plus you can make yourself feel better knowing someone else is getting an awesome chair.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a great find! I love it in your living room. That quote reminds me of Celerie Kemble's take on interior design because she thinks that things that you love, even if they are out of place (which I don't think that it is), make the space yours!
ReplyDeleteI have an Eames style lounge chair, and while its a bit ugly, I LOVE it! I recently draped an Ikea sheepskin over it and I love it even more.
ReplyDeleteKeep it! But be warned, reupholstering it will be expensive. One guy quoted me $445 for the chair and ottoman. I'm going to get a second opinion... but for now the sheepskin is keeping me happy.
OMG, I just found your blog via LGN and have fallen in love.
ReplyDeleteDid you end up keeping the chair? Oh, I hope you did. It looks great in that room :)