Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Black Wing Backs

I got these chairs back when I got my green ottoman.. I can't believe I haven't shared them yet! Probably because they pictures aren't so great... sorry.

The before:



And the after:




The wing backs were reupholstered in black sunbrella canvas outdoor fabric, which is fade resistant and soooo durable. Which is good because Charlotte loves sitting in the chair by the window and looking out.

I love them!! I like how they look with the black entry console. Since I really like things in three, I'm thinking of painting the back of the front door black, too. Then there would be three black contrast pieces (in a triangle). hmm... I'll think about it.

Speaking of this room, my brother in law walked into our house for the first time and said "I like what you've done with the place" - looking at the near empty room. He's a joker, but it is true - it's funny how it's so empty, especially since I decorate other people's homes for a living. Slowly but surely!


Random question for those photographers out there - my camera seems to always add a pink hue to my images. Is this something I can adjust in the settings? If so, what typically would it be under? (It's an older Pentax). Thanks in advance!

EDIT- I had some questions about re-upholstery pricing. My work room gives me to the trade pricing, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $200 per chair to $500 per chair depending on the company and detail of the job. I'm sorry that's not very helpful! I recommend asking around in your town, or simply googling. Also a good way to find upholsterers is asking your local fabric store. Usually they have a print out of work rooms you can contact. Always ask for photos of previous jobs, or visit the work room to see their work in person.

43 comments:

  1. I love the chairs!! And your blog - I think I've only commented one other time, but I'm a regular reader. :)

    Do you have a DSLR? You may want to customize the white balance to get rid of the pink tone. There are all sorts of ways to do this, but the easiest and cheapest is probably going to be holding a coffee filter over the lens, aiming the camera at your light source, then taking a pic to save the data to your camera. You'll want to do this whenever you change light sources to get the most accurate colors.

    Sounds complicated, but it's really not. You can probably search youtube for a tutorial on how to customize the WB for your specific camera.

    - Steph

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  2. Great choice of fabric for the chairs, they are very striking! And camera advice, I have none. I find I get more pinks in the images I attempt to shoot at night...I've been told to read the manual for advice, have yet to do that! I suspect you no longer have yours, if the camera is older?
    Janell

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  3. I gasped when I saw the after pics!! Absolutely beautiful!

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  4. You might want to adjust your white balance and also if you have a button for "light source" you'll need to adjust that, too. For instance, mine can be set for indoor light, light bulbs, flourescent bulbs, shade, etc. It makes a big difference in how the pictures look.

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  5. bryn they are STUNNING!!! I think painting the door black is a great idea! And I appreciate that you are taking your time to decorate your home thoughtfully and as your budget allows... it's hard to see all of the "instant" rooms on the internet and not feel discouraged. I love watching your home progress!

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  6. gooooooooooorgeous!!! Love them Bryn!

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  7. They look awesome. Do you mind me asking if they were they expensive to reupholster? In NY one wingback was going to cost me $600.00 a piece... ugh. =(

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  8. I am absolutely speechless. Those chairs look beautiful!

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  9. An amazing transformation, they are beautiful!!! You have the best upholsterer. Love them.

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  10. I love the chairs. I'm looking for 2 wing recliners to do the same thing too. Ditto Beth, would you mind sharing the cost? I know I'm not talented to do it myself.

    I love your blog and I would love to see a post about mixing and matching furniture so you don't have the "I bought a matching sofa and loveseat and the coordinating coffee and end tables at the Roomstore" look. I shop estate sales for our house and want to learn how to get coordinating pieces that look great!

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  11. These turned out so gorgeous!! Absolutely beautiful. I'm now wondering if I should consider saving up and recovering our wingback with black or charcoal.

    I have no advice on the camera - I think our camera pretty much sucks, but hubby told me I'm just not using it correctly.... evidently I need to read our manual too!

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  12. The black cahirs are goregous! I was thinking of doing the same to the inside of my front door- but wasn't sure if it would work with white crown moulding and trim everywhere else??? But- if you are contemplating it as a designer-then maybe I should go for it!

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  13. Ack!!! Bryn, those chairs came out beautifully!!!! Really gorgeous!

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  14. LOVE the chairs, and yes, definitely paint the door black!

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  15. I totally love those chairs in black. They look amazing! I wish I had camera advice to offer, but you know my photos always look horrible. It's seriously a curse.

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  16. those chairs look amazing! after taking a few upholstery classes, i know how much work goes into it & have a real appreciation for such good work. love the black door idea too!

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  17. Bryn! They look fabulous. I totally vote to paint the door black!

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  18. Those chairs are gorgeous Bryn! Can't wait to see how the room comes together. It'll take time. :)

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  19. Chairs are amazing!!
    Is that your front door on the right, across from the drawers? With the brass knob and the window transom?...every time you show your house I think "she needs a least a 4x6 laid down in that space"...no?

    I am sure you are on top of it!

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  20. They look great! Love the nailhead. And I'm crazy about my interior black door, but if yours faces east or west, it may get quite warm. Mine does not, so I don't have experience, but I've read about others having issues with paint bubbling bc of the heat.

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  21. I am so jealous of those gorgeous chairs. I have been on the hunt for a matching pair of winbacks forever. I was quoted $500 /chair and with the addition of the fabric, that makes for pretty expensive chairs- I just adore the look of them so we shall see. I love the choice of Sunbrella- I know about decorating with kids and you will enjoy the chairs so much more not having to worry about them getting stained or damaged- the nailheads are perfect and I definitely vote to paint the door black- I'm thinking of doing the same thing to mine (we just did the outside a dark charcoal and I love it.) As for the camera, my only advice would be to lower your shudder speed right down so more light gets in through the lens- I have been changing the shudder speed when taking interior shots of my house and it makes them look a lot better- my favourite time is at night, with the lights on and the shudder speed way down. Hope that helps:)

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  22. The chairs are fantastic! The black was an excellent choice and the nailhead trim is spot on.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  23. LOVE THEM!!! Great job.

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  24. Love the chairs. And I love seeing a room slowly come together. I'm going through the same thing - lots of renovating with little furniture to fill the spaces. It all comes in time.

    Have you considered painting the glass-paned doors black? Could be stunning!

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  25. Now that is a HUGE difference....they came out perfect. :))))

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  26. Those look fabulous. And give your brother-in-law a smack. A little emptiness is a good thing. (Love what you've done with the dresser, too, and I voted not to paint it.)

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  27. I love the black. You should defiantly paint your door!

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  28. OMG I love them Bryn! And I wish I would have spoke to you at the Nest party after the Nate Show. I think I was just to nervous to try to have a convo with you and Jenny! Hopefully there will be a next time!

    And PLEASE paint the door black!

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  29. The black is very striking. We love it.

    -- The Sunbrella Team

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  30. So stunning! Love your chairs and can't wait to see the rest when it as you pull it together.

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  31. Those look amazing! I want them!

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  32. Your chairs look beautiful! Amazing what great fabric can do.

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  33. I painted the inside of my front door black and I love it. Our entry has white board and batten and blue wallpaper so the black is a great pop in an otherwise light room.

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  34. You could consider painting the inside of the french doors black... a friend of mine did that in her home and it looks amazing! I think it would look so cool with your room! I am so jealous, I don't have french doors in my current home and I would kill for some! I LOVE the chairs, that is so chic, putting that black fabric and nailhead on those "old" wing chairs.

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  35. You could consider painting the inside of the french doors black... a friend of mine did that in her home and it looks amazing! I think it would look so cool with your room! I am so jealous, I don't have french doors in my current home and I would kill for some! I LOVE the chairs, that is so chic, putting that black fabric and nailhead on those "old" wing chairs.

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  36. Those look amazing! I want them!

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  37. The black is very striking. We love it.

    -- The Sunbrella Team

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  38. Those chairs are gorgeous Bryn! Can't wait to see how the room comes together. It'll take time. :)

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THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate each and every comment.

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