Thursday, June 4, 2015

The Search For Steampunk Chairs

Our last construction projects for the steampunk room are currently on hold, since the weather here in Florida has gone from "melt your face off" to "Hell, but with 3,000% humidity." It's so bad that even John doesn't want to leave the house, much less go work in our metal solar oven of a garage - and it's hard to blame him.

However, since we've been parking Claptrap back there, we've decided he really HAS to stay in the steampunk room - and not just because he won't fit anywhere else. :D So we moved Clappy to this back corner:


... and decided to use the low crank table that *used* to be there as a game table! 

Which meant that we needed some low - and very small - chairs to go with the table.

TIME TO GO SHOPPING.

I was impressed with what we found in the discount home stores around town - especially since I couldn't find anything online for less than $300 per chair. I was hoping for a small accent or club chair, preferably in a vintage style with nail head trim. And check it out - we actually found several possibilities!

 This is from Home Goods, and was about $140. A little too modern, maybe, but not bad at all for a cleaner steampunk look. (I like those rope end tables, too, which would be an easy DIY.)

We found the ideal steampunk club chairs over at Tuesday Morning:

A little pricey at $200, but really not that bad for the quality. Unfortunately, it was just too big for our space. (Those rolled arms gave it a whopping 30 inch width.) Onward!


We were reallly close to pulling the trigger on these two over at Marshall's. I like the Damask,  and at $120 each, they were the cheapest option we'd found yet. BUT... I was still kinda "meh." I just wanted something with more zing, you know?

I started eying these two, also at Marshall's, because I love the shape:

They'd require a complete overhaul to fit a steampunk style, of course, but ahhh, all those rounded edges!

WAY too big, but oh, how I liked this chair (found at a SECOND HomeGoods, because yes, we drove across town to see both):

If it'd been orange or teal instead of cream, I think we'd have brought that sucker home anyway. :D

Speaking of color, this one was much prettier in person: kind of a dusky teal:

 
 Plus, that shape! It reminds me of an octopus, reaching out to hug you. LOVE. 
(That's from World Market, btw. Here's the link - only $330!)

But, again, way too big. 

And then, barely 5 steps into World Market (and our 7th store of the day) we saw this:

 OoooOOOOOooooo. ZINGY.

Then, as we looked closer, we realized the price tag said it was on clearance, and cost only $45. 

FORTY FIVE DOLLARS.

We quickly asked a clerk if that was the last chair, and she said it was. Our hopes.. dashed! [sob]
BUT THEN.

I gently nudged the box the chair was sitting up on - and it was heavy. Fast forward an excited 5 seconds, and we found a second, matching chair inside the box! Cue the heavenly chorus!

Ninety dollars and a little car Tetris later, Lily was putting her furry stamp of approval on our new game chairs:
 "This'll do, human. THIS'LL DO."

(She had to try both, of course.)

 John and I originally discussed trying to tweak the chair color with dye, but once we got both chairs set up in the room, that bright green didn't seem too bright, after all:

Plus, we were pleasantly surprised to see it picks up the greens in our stained glass doors!

[Update: Do not adjust your monitors; they really ARE more teal than green, especially in this room. For some reason the store lists them as "Emerald," though.]

We still plan to make a few alterations, of course: we'll be adding nail head trim to the chairs, and possibly painting the leg tips gold, to mimic brass ferrules. (It's so dark down there, I think that'll help the legs stand out.)


I'd like to do something fun with the nail heads, too; maybe make a pattern on the seat edges? I'm still brainstorming, but so far I'm liking this:

 via
 
 Thoughts?

This game table arrangement was all John's idea, btw, and I was convinced it would never fit - so thanks for being right, Sweetie. So chuffed that we gained two more seats back there!


There's even still room for the low shelving John will be building on the wall behind the left chair.

Of course our game table needs a game now - and those of you follow me on Twitter may remember this:

 More Harry Potter stuff? Yep. More Harry Potter stuff.  

 Those are still a work-in-progress - and a very tedious work, at that - so stay tuned for the finished product.

 Now I'm off to order a bunch of upholstery tacks. :)

PS - Our chairs are the Lindsey style from World Market in Emerald Green, but since I can't find them on WM's website, I'm guessing they've been clearanced out everywhere. Sorry, guys!

51 comments:

  1. Great work, guys! $45 is awesome, and the chairs are faboo! I long to one day be able to afford furniture from World Market...

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  2. Hi Jen! I work at World Market, and love that you found some chairs that will work for your awesome room! I do have to confirm though, that those chairs have been discontinued, and if any are still available it will be at select stores. Hope that helps anyone on the search for them! Congrats on the beautiful room!

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  3. oh my gosh i love those. so jealous

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  4. The space looks fabulous, I love the teal, looks so good with the brown-er tones.
    On the nailing, here is my professional upholsterer tip: use a tack hammer with a nylon tip, it prevents the nail's lacquered surface from being marred as you hammer. Worth the extra investment for two chairs (and I know you'll use it for other things :).
    Also, don't try to place nails over places where the upholstery is applied with metal strips, usually around the sides of the outside back. The decorative pattern you showed would be a cool way to add that interest away from the edges (it's usually 0.5" of metal), Also remember the check that there is wood (not just cardboard) under the areas where you want to nail. Might be happiest to find and pin mark those areas before you work up the nail pattern.

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  5. so jealous you got yours on clearance! I bought one of those (isn't that color just the best?!) off the floor at my Cost Plus for my Alice in Wonderland themed bedroom-even found matching sheets on sale for $17 at Macy's for added pop in my mostly white room. I love my little chair, it's what I sit in to practice ukulele :)

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  6. Score! Those chairs are awesomatious! They look so good in your gorgeous room. Glad to see that Lily gave her shed of approval. She definitely looks at home.

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  7. Holy heck, the colors on my monitor must be WAY off because those chairs look perfectly teal to me. When I saw the photo, I nearly jumped out of my seat with delight, and I definitely squeeeeed all over myself. Was so vicariously thrilled that you'd found a pair of such lovely teal chairs at such a low price. They look nowhere near "bright" emerald green on my screen, heh. But, still, they are really perfect, and if Lily approves, and if they bring out the leaves in the stained glass doors, then that's all that matters. They look great with that table and in that space. Can't wait to see them spiffed up with the upholstery tacks (although they look awesome as is), and can't wait to see what you're doing with the Harry Potter chess set.

    I received an Epbot thank you card and button in the mail today for the stuff I sent for your birthday (Epcot book, etc..), and my heart exploded with joy. That was so kind of you and such a sweet surprise! I'm glad you didn't already have the book.

    KW

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    1. Do not adjust your monitor; the chairs are VERY teal-ish green, and I was surprised they listed them as "emerald." In the dim back room under the Edison lights, they seem even more teal - and you'll notice I am NOT complaining! Ha!

      Glad your card got there ok, and sorry it took me so long to send it! Thanks again for all the happy. :)

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    2. I think they are probably referring to them as Emerald because of the Pantone CotY from a few years back. That Emerald was super teal too. Also, a big, fat YAAAAAASSSS on the scalloped/ bunting nailhead trim!

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  8. Love love those chairs & the pop of color they bring to the room. Just Perfect!!!

    Gold tips on the chair legs would also be brilliant - but instead of paint what if you wrapped them with a thin brass metal and glue on some matching brads?

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    1. I'd love to do that, and we may try. Only issue is the back legs have a funky curve/swoop to them, so getting the shape right *could* be too hard. :/

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    2. Could you use the metal tape you used for some other projects a while back?

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  9. We have been redoing our whole place room by room. In fact we are just finishing our steampunk craft room and I have to tell you I am a champ at Adult Tetris.

    That is what we call it every time we have to figure out how to put all our purchases into our little Honda Civic. So far we have completed two rooms and the balcony and the only item we have had to have delivered was our bed. Nothing feels more amazing when you manage to get all four doors and and the trunk closed after another big shopping trip.

    Thanks for inspiring us to redo our home.

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  10. As an experienced dyer, I would not recommend dyeing something that will come in contact with other fibers regularly when you can't wash the excess dye out. If you do, use an alcohol based dye like Evangeline, but we aware that it still might bleed onto your clothes.

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  11. You have quite the eye for decorating. My first thought on that chair was, "Oh my, so bright!", but when I saw them in the room I thought the browns really made them look quite lovely. I love them!

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  12. score! great find. love the green.
    in the first photo from home goods, i love the pattern of the nail heads!! wow.

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    1. Yeah, the Greek Key design seems to be quite popular now; I've seen it on everything from chairs to end tables!

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  13. Love how beautiful Lily looks on her new chairs. Good to see her in full coat. What does Tonks think of the color?
    With 2 Maine Coons - I look for fabrics to hide the cat hair and deny them a new scratching post on the arms.
    Don't try to dye the chairs unless you want your bum to be the same color.

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    1. Dying is definitely out - er, in all senses of the word - and the fabric IS a concern with the cats. (Tonks took her turn on them, too, by the end of the first night.)

      Happily, I've already discovered if we put the larger accent pillows on the chairs the cats won't jump up, since they're selfish and want the WHOLE CHAIR to stretch out on. And for now they're scratching post is just a few steps away, so fingers crossed they keep using that instead!

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  14. Oh - major score!! Well done on the shopping. Those chairs look terrific, and I'm sure whatever you decide on the "bling" will also look terrific.
    Maureen S
    [Hi Lilly! Lookin' good there furry girl!]

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  15. I love the World Market and could probably spend hours upon hours in there looking at all the stuff they have and grabbing ideas on new projects to try at home.
    Plus, if I had the money, my entire home would be outfitted in World Market furniture!
    Now, off to shop!

    BTW - Good score, Jen!
    --Piper P from Washington State

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  16. I'm so vicariously psyched for your find! woohoo!

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  17. Those chairs are great! They look more teal than emerald on my computer screen, but I love how they add some color to all the browns. I'm currently working on my first steampunk costume and am working in bits of turquoise/teal in addition to the browns to give it that pop. This confirms my opinion that I'm making good color choices. :D

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  18. Very nice!! Love the idea of the nail head pattern! I wonder if the gold foil tape would work for those ferrules??

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  19. I'm in love.
    And I'm not sure if they're still there, but World Market had string lights that were edison bulbs not too long ago. They were about $50, which was a bit pricey for an apartment balcony and a poor actress, but holy cow are they cool.

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  20. Those add a perfect pop of color for the room. Well done!

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  21. Just be careful, we had World Market dining chairs that literally BROKE IN HALF when a person of usual size sat in one. When we tried to talk to them about their majorly defective and dangerous furniture, we got the big blow-off...they look nice in your room, but please, people, don't start a run on WM furniture, it's not made well and they don't care if something goes wrong...

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  22. Thank goodness you decided not to change the color. I love your steampunk room but it needs some pop!

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    1. Yeah, we always planned to bring in an accent color with the... well, accents, ha! Now we'll look for more finishing touches in this crazy teal green.

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  23. My suggestion for 'little' games for your game table include Jaipur and oddball Aeronauts!

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  24. Sorry to be the grammar diva but it oughta be, "Cue the heavenly chorus!" because I think you mean, "Make them start singing now!" Queue would mean more like, "Get them all to stand in a single file line."

    *Cue star flying across the screen...* The more you know! :) Super awesome chair bargains, and I love the vicarious shopping trip you took us on!

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    1. Whoops! Thanks for the heads up; my brain is forever playing the homonym game with me; can't tell you how often I write "their" when I mean "there," and vice versa.

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  25. "queue" the heavenly chorus? Those angels do not want to stand in line! They're ready to sing right now!

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    1. They're queuing up to sit in these chairs, of course! :D (Sorry, sorry - I fixed it!)

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  26. Love the chairs and their new home! You always have the most awesome ideas, and inspire me to keep working on my home until I get it how I love it. Go you!

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  27. Damn in Jen, didn't anyone ever tell you that no one puts Clappy in the corner? Even when they look made for each other.

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    1. Don't worry, William, I assure you he's having THE TIME OF HIS LIFE. And he's never felt this way before. Yes, I swear. It's the truuuuuth.

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  28. If you ever wanted you can paint furniture with chalk paint. (Annie Sloan, Cece Caldwell, etc. or mix your own) I love seeing all your decorating talents. I'm less phobic than you and NEVER have guests so I don't really care about my own home being decorated, but love seeing others.

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  29. Sherri Evans RobinsonJune 5, 2015 at 8:45 PM

    not $45 but I did find the chairs for sale online

    http://www.houzz.com/photos/22551851/Modern-Emerald-Green-Lindsey-Chair-contemporary-armchairs-and-accent-chairs

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  30. Pretty! Those chairs are just the right color and provide a nice pop of color from all the earthy toned browns and golds and creams. Breath of fresh air right there!

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  31. Do you ever walk into this amazing room and think "wow! This is in MY house! I did this!" Because I totally would!

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  32. It was very nice of you to get chairs that make your cat look so good. ;) Athena T. Cat gives her two paws, one tail, and a clump of fur calico of approval.

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  33. Jen,

    When I saw these chairs I went a little wild with my idea. I thought it would be steampunk fun to make a brown leather corset on the back of one chair and a brown leather vest on the other chair. Use the tacks to attach the leather to the sides of the backs, then do the corseting with teal leather strips. On the vest you could use teal leather to make a pocket square.

    On the legs of the chair, you could make the front legs of the corseted chair laser guns, facing the grips toward the center of the chair so that the grips don't trip people or rip their leggings. (I know you've seen plenty of laser guns to choose from, so I'll leave that up to you.) And for the male chair you could make the front legs into daggers.

    You could still do the swag of the tacks and if you use brown tacks that would tie into the brown leather corset and vest.

    It's just an idea, but when I saw your chairs my mind went there.

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  34. The chairs are great and will look even better after you add the tacks. While I like the swag and tassel design on the navy sofa, it might just be a little Twee for a steampunk room. The sort of Greek key design on the chair in the first shopping picture might be a better choice. That being said, I'm sure you'll come up with something amazing!

    BTW, I have that same cranking table. I love it except for the fact that it weighs a TON!

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  35. Go for subtle simple nailhead design, understated utilitarian, BUT make a medium to large size plushy (with permission) Otto to lurk under, around, on top, etc. Maybe use sheer fabric for some of the design features. http://www.bkartonline.com/subgallery-page/otto-and-victoria/

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  36. I want to own/run a steampunk B&B and hire you guys as decorators, I swear. Personally, I like this pattern for a brad design -- or the Greek key:

    http://nomadicdecorator.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/nail-head-trim-on-sofa-from-studioten25.jpg

    IMHO, I don't like the bunting design; don't know why, but it seems oddly messy to me, but to be fair, my house doesn't look 1/1000th as awesome as yours does, but my wife's seen pics of all your rooms and vignettes and is considering letting me redecorate in that fashion, because it just looks. So. Awesome.

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  37. These seats are PERFECT in that room!! Other than picking up the color of the legs I wouldn't do too much to them, though. They're a resting point for the eye and sort of pull all the other trinkets and frills together and make them shine. Making the chairs too busy would kill the effect imho. Again, congrats on the gorgeous match;)

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  38. Love it. Looks so beautiful, and teal and brown is one of my favourite colour combos (yes, I'm from Canada). Love your eye! And Lily actually really looks good on those chairs!!

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  39. Pantone calls that color Emerald so that explains the name. Love the chairs!

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  40. i've seen some gorgeous chairs with stuff on the back, but not enough people do things to the backs of chairs. so, you should do something to the backs of these chairs. even a design with nail-heads would be awesome.
    just an idea :)

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  41. Have you tried chalk painting any upholstered furniture?

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