Ballard's quality is pretty consistent and I have never had a problem with anything I've purchased. That said, the stretchers on this particular chair do not look sturdy to me (like they are capable of doing the job stretchers are supposed to do, those horizontal dowels between the chair legs that provide stability). Also, the chair is a classic French country style and shape, and the chair seems like a less detailed, stripped down version of that. That said, often their products look and feel better in person! Sorry if this has muddied the waters :(

kswl, thank you, please muddy my water anytime! Your observations are consistent with mine with potential sturdiness. The stripped down version of French country style is what catches my eye. It is simplified, relieved of some fussiness, definitely casual, which is exactly what I want. Plus, I want both cushions to be removable. Picky, huh? lol

There is a Wisteria outlet near me and I checked on a chair that I had admired in their catalog. It was rickety. Unbelievably rickety. And still darn expensive to boot! That experience is what prompted me to inquire about this Ballard chair.

Thanks for replying! Anyone else with thoughts on this chair?

We have the prototypical version of this chair, over 40 years old, with the more traditional carved wood on the front of the deck and the heavier turned stretchers.

People tend to put their feet on the stretchers, at least indicated by the worn spots on the turnings, and I wonder if the thin one on this chair would break: it seems rather lightweight.

They are rather upright to, so while they are comfortable they are not very lounge-y, if that makes sense.

Anniecat, I will say about the cushions that those should be very well made, and I love the small check fabric. I have a French desk chair upholstered in the sage check in my bedroom, my closet chair is upholstered in it, and we have two parsons chairs at the kitchen table that are slipcovered in it. Oh, and new chair cushions for the kitchen chairs are in the big Ballard check, Skylar, in green and piped in the smaller sage check! So, from my perspective you can't do better than that fabric for durability :)

Pal, thank you for your input. My intended use would not require lounge-y-ness, but that is good to know!

kswl, yes! I love checks in just about any application. Good to know that the fabric is durable.

I'm still searching for other options that capture my heart. Sigh... you'd think I'd be smart enough to avoid falling in love with a chair that I can't examine before purchase!