I would likely keep them as-is for a while, and then have them reupholstered in a toile or something to offset the granny look.

They remind me of some of the chairs on this page:

Here is a link that might be useful: Expensive French antique chairs

Those do have great lines! But I agree that 'granny look' is a risk you'll have to minimize, and have NO DOUBT you'll be able to do it brilliantly. Some funky pillows, a throw, a rooster or bees somewhere...

The fabric that's on there now looks nice and is certainly inoffensive. It just lacks 'zing' and is a very conservative style. Is it possible to have an upholsterer remove only the upper back cushion and embroider or applique something onto the back? Or just reupholster the back and seat cushions, leaving the 'background' as is?

Love the chairs though!

I think that with some fabulous pillow, they would be...fabulous! I think they do have a great french country look. Go for it!

Sweeby!!!! I totally used the "Sweeby Test" to determine how I wanted this room to look. It has *so* helped me figure out which direction to take it.

Yes, I thought the same thing about just doing the back, or maybe just the cushion to start with. As you said, the fabric isn't bad, it's just not anything special, and lacks the "frouf" that is my normal decorating style.

But the lady's only asking $250 for 2 chairs and a small ottoman, so the price is right to get them and play with them a bit.

Hmmmm.... I just looked at the measurements she has posted.

It appears that the seat height for these chairs is about 16", but my sofa and ottoman have a seat height of about 19-20".

I wonder if these smaller-scale, lower chairs would look funny flanking the big poofy sofa and ottoman?

My mother in law gave us two chairs like that when we first got married, and I didn't see the beauty in them and gave them away!

I think the chairs are lovely, esp. if you are going to dress them up. The only concern I have is whether the teenagers will be able to drape themselves over the chairs without causing harm and/or discomfort.

I like them! If they're big enough--width-wise--maybe it won't matter that the seat height is lower than the sofa's?

Well, I posted a response but it ended up it's own thread. I have no idea how that happened!

Anyway, love the chairs, but I'd be hesitant because of the height. I'm afraid that your big comfy sofa would dwarf the side chairs.

Hey, Reno, how's this for a grandma chair?

I had to show you the chair I fell in love with about 5 years ago & bought on the spot, since you love all the mixed patterns. I think those chairs you are looking at are gorgeous & I hope you can find somewhere to use them. I would be concerned about the difference in seat height too, though...that might be too much of a variation to look good.

But, they sure are purdy! Great deal too...and you can see how easy it would be to change the seat cushion & get a funky look like this. I still very much love my artsy chair!

Add decorative castors or small bun feet to raise the height. Bulk up with a tall back cushion in a cool print or texture and/ or throw. I love em!!

Hi Rhoda, good to see you here! How are you liking B'ingham? I've always loved that chair of yours, and old lady....NOT!

Reno, I think it's just the fabric, not the chair style~look like Bergere or French Provincial to me. Add a small rectangular or bolster pillow and that would bring them into the 21st cntury. I would buy them in a 'Texas heartbeat'. ;o)

Those are great chairs. In the event that you don't "love" them in your game room, could you use them somewhere else? If so, buy them! (That's how I rationalize some of my purchases).

Georgiagal, I love the chair you posted. I think Reno could get something similar going on with her chairs. I get the sense that this is a look you're drawn to Reno?

Reno, maybe how you decide to configure the room could minize the difference in proportion? A couple different "conversation" areas perhaps?

I love the chairs! And they are $250!!!! PLUS an ottoman!!!
Buy them....try them....toss over a funky throw and a crazy pillow...and If you don't like them, I'll bet you can sell them for more then you paid.
Linda C

If you put red/gold bold checks on those chairs...there's a photo floating around here somewhere of a room done in red and gold. That's what came to mind. I LOVE that room.

Cameron

Georgiagal!!! I love that chair! That's exactly my style, and yours doesn't look granny at all. It has that time-gathered comfortable Frenchy look that I so love.

Okay, I'm convinced. I need those chairs. I can work with them.

I'm crazy-frustrated, though. I tried emailing her twice today, and haven't gotten any response!

I like the chairs - but I do understand your concern with the height. I got a new sectional and my chair/half was shorter and it looked really out of place. I think it's the back of the chair height that is most important.

I don't know if they go with the rolled arm/nail head trim of your new sofa, I think they would look great in your LR by the grand piano.

I don't know that they're good guitar hero teenagers having their friends over to hangout type chairs. They don't look too comfy to curl up in - just a thought. Plus after reupholstering them - fabric and labor you've got another $300-$500 invested. I think two club chairs in a red chenille or soft twill that matches the colors in the couch/ottoman would look really nice and would be more kid friendly.

Reno-fan-
I would buy those chairs in a heartbeat-
Why can't I ever find anything like that on Craig's list in my corner of the world?? They seem cozy enough to sip margaritas! LOL - ( I read your other post too)

Whoo hoo! I finally got in touch with her. I'm going to see them tomorrow. In the meantime, I pulled in a chair from my dining room that has a seat height that is just about the same. I really think they could work. The dining chair having a lower seat height doesn't look odd (at least in person) at all. Plus, her chairs are several inches wider than my dining chair, so that would likely make them a bit more comfortable.

I'll know for sure when I see them and sit in them. If they're anywhere near what I'm thinking, then I think they'll be great.

Will definitely post again tomorrow after I go see them!

Wow. Just found these that are similar in style for $8500!

Here is a link that might be useful: Real antique bergere chairs

Reno, just wanted to say good luck with the Bergere chairs. I think once you dress them up they will be fine. I have two in my great room and they are extremely comfortable.

I think its the shape (as well as the fabric), as they are a bit boxy (wide at the waist like grammy :) A small rectangular pillow, maybe dark, to synch them in at the waist might do the trick there.

I have a chair that is similar in style that I just had to buy on the spot. It's like nothing I have ever owned, but it just called to me.

I bought it for the lake house we just built. To me it said "cottage" not grandma.

I posted pics on the Kitchen Forum last night that shows the chair because the LR is open to the kitchen. Take a look at the wood lattice back which sealed the deal for me. I tried to learn from DH how to post pics myself, but it was midnight by the time we could get to it and I just couldn't process the process, which is why I'm sending you there and not posting it here.

I just love your chairs and can't believe what a good deal you're getting!

Amck, that chair is awesome! I wouldn't have been able to pass it up either. The back is just beautiful.

Your kitchen is stunning, btw. Blue and white in a kitchen is one of my very favorite combinations. What a great place! (I think we have the same range!)

I woke up this morning worried about how many antiques I have in this room. I have DH's grandmothers buffet that I'm going to paint (but it still has a "granny" look to it), I have his grandparents end table (It was in the attic and it was free---it doesn't have to stay), and the new couch we just bought has a gently curved back reminiscent of a victorian-designed couch. Add that to the gold floral tapestry material, and I'm thinking *wheel*chairs with the latest design in oxygen tanks on the sides might be a better fit in this room!

I love a mix of old and new, but I seem to have more old in this room, and I'm afraid it's going to look very "parlor" and not "French Country cozy den".

I suppose I'll just have to see if the chairs speak to me in person.

I could put them in my bedroom if they don't work, though.

Cover them like this and they won't look "old lady." lol!

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LOL!! Love the candy stripes!

Here's a photo of my dining room chair that I'm using as a "stand in". I marked with a black cord the height of the other chair.

The other chair will also be a lot wider than the one pictured, so it should have more "weight". The seat height being different than the couch doesn't bother me at all.

And I do have to remember that the look I wanted for this room was worn, a little mis-matched, and above all, comfortable. I can say it's well on it's way. This is by far the coziest spot in my house.

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I borrowed that pink chair from where I'd posted it in the Cottage thread in the Gallery. I've been having fun over there. I thought you'd get a kick out of it! It's cute as can be and twice as gutsy.

Your room is shaping up just great. I love the cozy feel. Formal is lovely but can look un-touchable sometimes, you know? Everyone loves a good kick-back casual room, especially if it's pretty.

Reno ~~

I really do like the shape of these chairs better than the other chair you asked about. These are more graceful. If they're comfy, I say go for it. You could re-cover them a kazillion ways so they should always find a place in some room or another. They will probably work just fine in there as they are. Just toss a red pillow on them and drape a throw over one. You can always re-do them later if you want. Go for it!

Rhonda ~~

I love your chair! I've spent a lot of time all over your blog and you are SOOO talented. Your home is just gorgeous. It's the perfect combination of elegant and casual. It's a real art to put that together the way you have. You're an inspiration and I wish you'd post a lot more of your pictures here. I hope you didn't mind that I took the liberty of posting your Laundry Room pictures in the thread about that in the Gallery. I was hoping you would do it but you weren't around.

Here is a VERY rudimentary photoshop pic.

I know the fabric won't look that washed out once it's in the room, but this sort of gives me an idea of how they may look:

Georgiagal has a blog?????? Where can I find it? I agree; she has the *best* knack for incorporating old and new, casual and elegant, modern and traditional, and her colors are stunning.

Do tell!!

Reno, as I was just standing in my GR looking at MY bergere chairs, I just realized how WIDE they are and thought of you. Bergere chairs can be as much as 37 inches wide. So I just wanted to alert you to make sure you ask about the width and figure that into your calculations. Here are my chairs for reference and hopefully this information helps.
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Here's a shot where I borrowed a pillow from the couch to try to break up the "granny waist" effect. (LOL Squirrel!)

If I put the right pillows on them, it may help lessen the "this chair came from my mom's formal living room" look.

Deborah we cross posted. Those are *gorgeous*. That fabric is just beautiful.

I have the measurements she gave me, and they're about 30" wide. I used my dining room chair to try to get proper dimensions for the photoshopped pic. My dining chair is 24" wide, so I just sort of superimposed the the other chair on top and stretched it out a little.

Oh great!! When I looked at mine, I thought " Oh lord" these are granny but wide, like Squirrel said!! I love my chairs and I'm actually looking for pillows for them as well. Thanks for the compliment.

Your room is really coming together and I must say I'm so happy the sofa was not as depicted in your cell phone photos. I was worried for you girl! LOL!

Reno, I just sent you an email!

And, Oceana, thanks...no problem at all on posting my LR on the other thread. I didn't see it, but I don't come around every day, or check the gallery all that often. Thanks for your very kind words!

reno - you always make me smile (and laugh) when I read your posts. I'm always impressed by the way you can pull a room together. Can't wait to see the end result. Just one thought - could you reupholster them in leather? That would totally take out the granny look and tie them into the look of the sofa. Just a thought.

Love your new sofa reno! Love the chairs too. I agree that it may be the fabric that says "granny", certainly not the chair itself! You'll be able to judge that when it is in your FR.
RE: Georgiagal's blog. It is on my list of favorites! I ran acroos it while blog hopping, a newly addictive pastime of mine. Anyway, when I saw it I knew I had seen pictures of that gorgeous green laundry room somewhere!
Georgiagal, I truly enjoy reading what you have been up to. Blog hopping and a cup of coffee starts my day! Thanks!